KRS 438.3063: Tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license -- Application procedures --

Batch license -- Fees -- Renewal.

(1) (a) 1. On or after July 1, 2026, each applicant shall apply for an initial

tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license on a form prescribed by the

department in accordance with KRS 438.3064, accompanied with a

nonrefundable application fee of fifty dollars ($50).

2. The department shall have the form published to its website within thirty

(30) days of April 10, 2026.

(b) The application fee shall be applied to the licensing fee if the license is issued.

If no license is issued, the licensing fee required in subsection (4) of this

section shall be refunded to the applicant and the application fee shall be

retained by the department.

(2) A tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license shall:

(a) Be accompanied with a licensure renewal form for an annual license and a

licensing fee required in subsection (4) of this section;

(b) Remain in full force and effect for one (1) year from the da te of issuance for

an annual license and for thirty (30) days for a temporary license unless it is

surrendered by the licensee, suspended, or revoked; and

(c) Be posted in a conspicuous place in the location of the business where

alternative nicotine produ cts, tobacco products, or authorized nicotine vapor

products are sold.

(3) (a) As used in this subsection, "batch license" means to apply for or renew:

1. Multiple tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product licenses for multiple

premises; or

2. A tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license, or multiple licenses for

multiple premises, in conjunction with one (1) or more licenses

authorized under KRS Chapter 243.

(b) 1. A retailer with a license issued by the department and operating under

KRS Chapter 243 may initiate the application process to obtain a

tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license on the date of its next alcohol

license renewal or renew a tobacco, nico tine, or vapor product license

on the date of its next alcohol license renewal.

2. An applicant seeking to obtain a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product

license or a licensee seeking to renew a license may batch license using

a singular application or renew al form pursuant to paragraph (c) of this

subsection.

3. A licensee may batch license:

a. On the date of its next alcohol licensure renewal pursuant to KRS

Chapter 243; or

b. One (1) year from the date of issuance of its tobacco, nicotine, or

vapor product license.

4. If an applicant or licensee chooses to batch license, the fee required in

subsection (4) of this section shall be multiplied by the number of

premises to be licensed or premises to be renewed.

(c) The department shall provide a singular applic ation option and a singular

renewal form option for businesses or retailers seeking to batch license.

(d) A retailer or business seeking annual licensure may choose not to batch

license and may apply for its tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license

individually on any date throughout the calendar year and renew its license

one (1) year from the date of issuance.

(4) (a) The fee for an annual tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license shall be five

hundred dollars ($500) per year for each licensed premis es and the fee shall

be made payable to the State Treasury.

(b) The fee for a thirty (30) day temporary tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product

license shall be fifty dollars ($50) for each event, and the fee shall be made

payable to the State Treasurer.

(c) All of the fees paid into the State Treasury for state licenses shall be credited

to a revolving trust and agency account as provided in KRS 438.337 for the

department.

(5) (a) Prior to denial or notification of failure to renew, if the department identifie s

any error or omission in any application submitted for issuance or renewal of

a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license:

1. The department shall notify the applicant of the error within seven (7)

business days of its discovery;

2. The applicant shall be granted a grace period of thirty (30) days for

correction; and

3. The department shall review the correction within seven (7) business

days of the submitted correction.

(b) The department shall issue the license or permit within fourteen (14) business

days of the date the application is complete.

(6) The tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license shall not be transferred from one (1)

person to another or from one (1) premises to another premises.

(7) (a) If a retailer has a change of ownership, the new owner shall provide written

notice to the department of the change in ownership no later than fifteen (15)

days prior to the transaction or sale closing, and the notice shall include:

1. The initial licensing application established in subsection (1) of t his

section; and

2. The licensing fee required in subsection (4) of this section.

(b) The department shall issue the license within fourteen (14) business days of

the date the notice and application is received.