Contractor licensing by state
How to Get a Contractor License in Montana
Montana requires a state license for every trade we track except HVAC work and landscape irrigation. It has no state license for HVAC work and landscape irrigation, so cities and counties set any rules for that work. The main contractor license is the Construction Contractor License, which costs $70 to start. Of the 5 trades we could rate, demolition is the easiest to get licensed for and plumbing the hardest.
The Montana contractor license
| License | Construction Contractor License (replaced the Construction Contractor Registration on January 1, 2026 under HB 239) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, HVAC work, landscape irrigation, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition |
| Fee | $70 (application, non-refundable; renewal is also $70) |
| Insurance | Businesses with employees must show a valid Montana workers' compensation policy. Owners working on the jobsite without coverage need an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate ($125 each). Source |
| Continuing education | Not required. |
| Renewal | Renewal is $70 on the anniversary date. The paper registration was valid for two years, and DLI says existing expiration dates carried over to the new license. |
How to apply
- Register the business entity with the Montana Secretary of State if it is an LLC or corporation.
- Buy a Montana workers' compensation policy if you have employees, or get an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate for owners on the jobsite.
- Apply online for the Construction Contractor License and pay $70.
- Renew on the anniversary date; the renewal window opens 60 days before expiration.
The license is required for incorporated contractors and contractors with employees. Independent contractors with no employees are exempt under MCA 39-9-211. There is no exam and no trade category, so the same license covers foundation repair, remodeling, roofing, concrete and excavation. Electricians and plumbers hold separate board licenses.
State license requirements for each trade in Montana
| Foundation repair | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Easy · 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Easy · 6 |
| Roofing | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Not rated |
| Plumbing | Master Plumber license | $380 | Master Plumber written examination | 4 years | Moderate · 47 |
| Electrical | Electrical Contractor license with a Montana Master Electrician as the responsib | $210 | Master Electrician examination | 4 years | Moderate · 44 |
| HVAC | No state license | Not rated | |||
| Irrigation | No state license | Not rated | |||
| Concrete flatwork | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Not rated |
| Drainage and detention | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Not rated |
| Demolition | Construction Contractor License | $70 | None listed | None listed | Easy · 6 |
Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.
Trades ranked from easiest to hardest in Montana
- Demolition, easy (6)
- Foundation repair, easy (6)
- General contracting, easy (6)
- Electrical, moderate (44)
- Plumbing, moderate (47)
Roofing, HVAC work, landscape irrigation, concrete flatwork, and drainage and detention work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| License | Construction Contractor License (only if the business has employees or is incorporated) |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry |
Montana has no foundation or structural category and no exam. Outside cities and counties certified to run their own building codes, the state does not require a building permit for residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units. Inside a certified city the local building department sets the permit and any engineering rules.
In state jurisdiction a house with fewer than five units is exempt from the state building permit, so the city or county building office decides whether a foundation repair needs one.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees or are incorporated.
- Ask whether the address is inside a certified local building code jurisdiction.
- Follow that office's permit and engineering requirements.
Difficulty 6, easy (fees 1, insurance 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license; Montana Building Codes Program, building permits.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| License | Construction Contractor License (only if the business has employees or is incorporated) |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry |
No exam, no experience requirement. Sole owners without employees are exempt but need an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate or workers' compensation coverage to work on jobsites.
Remodel permits come from certified cities and counties; elsewhere the state Building Codes Program issues them, but houses with fewer than five units are exempt from the state building permit.
- Apply for the Construction Contractor License ($70) with proof of workers' compensation.
- Check local permit rules where the house is.
Difficulty 6, easy (fees 1, insurance 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license; Montana DLI, HB 239 notice.
Roofing
| License | Construction Contractor License (only if the business has employees or is incorporated) |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry |
No roofing specific state license was found on the DLI licensing site; roofers fall under the general Construction Contractor License.
Reroof permits depend on the city or county; the state exempts houses with fewer than five units from its building permit.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- Check the local building office for reroof permits.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license.
Plumbing
| License | Master Plumber license |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Board of Plumbers |
| Fee | $380 (application fee for Master Plumber by examination) |
| Exam | Master Plumber written examination (70 percent to pass). |
| Experience | Four years (at least 6,000 hours) as a licensed journeyman plumber, three of them supervising or working with a master plumber; or nine years of verified plumbing experience. |
| Continuing education | 4 hours of board approved code education every year. |
The Board of Plumbers does not issue a separate plumbing contractor license; a plumbing business with employees also needs the Construction Contractor License. A master plumber is required on all public and commercial buildings in state jurisdiction. The exam provider and exam fee are not on the board's pages.
Plumbing permits come from certified cities and counties or, everywhere else, from the state Building Codes Program.
- Work four years as a licensed journeyman.
- Apply to the Board of Plumbers ($380) with the experience verification form.
- Pass the master written examination.
- Pull permits from the local or state building office.
Difficulty 47, moderate (exams 15, experience 20, fees 8, continuing education 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana Board of Plumbers, Master Plumber; Master Plumber application; Montana Building Codes Program, plumbing permits.
Electrical
| License | Electrical Contractor license with a Montana Master Electrician as the responsible party |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana State Electrical Board |
| Fee | $210 (electrical contractor application; the Master Electrician application is $190 more) |
| Exam | Master Electrician examination. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | Master Electrician needs 8,000 hours of journeyman level experience, or an electrical engineering degree plus 2,000 hours. |
| Insurance | Proof of Montana workers' compensation and unemployment insurance compliance, or an Independent Contractor Exemption. |
State electrical permits are required for all electrical work except in cities, counties and towns certified to issue their own.
The state Building Codes Program issues electrical permits everywhere except certified local jurisdictions.
- Earn 8,000 hours at journeyman level.
- Apply ($190), get board approval and pass the Master Electrician exam at PSI.
- Apply for the Electrical Contractor license ($210) naming the master.
- Pull state or local electrical permits for each job.
Difficulty 44, moderate (exams 15, experience 20, fees 4, insurance 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana State Electrical Board, Electrical Contractor; Master Electrician application; Montana Building Codes Program, electrical permits.
HVAC
No state HVAC or mechanical contractor license was found. The state mechanical permit page does not name any license for the permit holder. A business with employees still needs the Construction Contractor License, and some cities license mechanical or gas contractors.
State mechanical permits cover heating, ventilating and air conditioning outside certified cities and counties, with gas piping pressure tests and rough-in and final inspections.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- Pull a state or local mechanical permit and call for inspections.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana Building Codes Program, mechanical permits.
Irrigation
No state irrigation contractor license was found on the DLI licensing site. A business with employees needs the Construction Contractor License. Confirm backflow and connection rules with the local water utility.
Lawn irrigation rules come from the city or water utility, so ask them before tying into a water line.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- Ask the water utility about backflow requirements.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| License | Construction Contractor License (only if the business has employees or is incorporated) |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry |
No concrete specific license. Ask the city about sidewalk and right of way rules.
Ask the city or road owner what permit work at the street needs.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- Ask the city about a right of way permit before work at the street.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| License | Construction Contractor License (only if the business has employees or is incorporated) |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry |
No grading or drainage license. Stormwater permit rules are not covered here; ask Montana DEQ about construction stormwater coverage before disturbing land.
Grading and detention review is done by the city or county.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- Check local grading rules and DEQ stormwater coverage.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license.
Demolition
| License | Construction Contractor License (if employees); DEQ asbestos accreditation for anyone handling asbestos |
|---|---|
| Board | Montana Department of Labor and Industry; Montana DEQ Asbestos Control Program |
DEQ regulates asbestos in facilities but not in single family homes or buildings with four or fewer dwelling units. For regulated buildings the NESHAP 10 working day notice clock starts only when DEQ has all required information, and an asbestos project permit is needed above 10 square feet, 3 linear feet or 3 cubic feet. Only Montana accredited contractors may identify, remove and dispose of asbestos.
Commercial and larger residential demolitions go through DEQ's asbestos notice before the local demolition permit.
- Get the Construction Contractor License if you have employees.
- For anything other than a house of four or fewer units, file the DEQ demolition paperwork 10 working days ahead.
- Use a Montana accredited asbestos contractor if asbestos is found.
Difficulty 6, easy (fees 1, insurance 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against Montana DEQ, Asbestos Control Program.
Official sources
- Montana DLI, Construction Contractor license
- Montana DLI, HB 239 notice to construction contractors
- Montana Board of Plumbers
- Montana State Electrical Board
- Montana Building Codes Program
Licensing pages for nearby states cover North Dakota.
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.