Small Business Licensing Information

Local city and county offices provide all business licensing in Montana. The State of Montana provides professional licenses. Visit http://www.license.mt.gov/ for more information. Contact the Secretary of State’s office for any business registration information at: (406) 444-2034, sosbusiness@mt.gov or http://sos.mt.gov/Business/index.asp.

Check out all your options for licensing your business under each tab below. In a hurry? Print out or save our Business Licensing 101 PDF.

 AgricultureText/HTML

Several types of licenses, registrations and certifications are issued by the Montana Department of Agriculture, including:
1. Licenses:  Commodity Dealer, Feed Program, Fertilizer Dealer, Nursery, Pesticide Applicator, Pesticide Dealer, Private Farm Pesticide Applicator, Commodity Dealers and Warehouses, Produce, Seed Dealer

2. Registrations:  Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bee, Honey Bee (Apiary), Feed Product, Fertilizer Product, Pesticide Product

3. Certifications: Organic, Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage, Potato, Export

Contact the Department of Agriculture for more information:
Montana Department of Agriculture
Technical Services Bureau
(406) 444-5400
http://agr.mt.gov/

 CityCountyText/HTML

Contact your local city and/or county office(s) to determine what licenses and registrations are required for businesses in your region, as their requirements vary.

County: http://www.mtcounties.org/counties/county-information/montana-counties-contact-information

City: http://www.mtleague.org/municipalities/

 GamblingText/HTML

The Department of Justice's Gambling Control Division handles the application and licensing process for gambling and casino-related activities.

Contact:
Montana Department of Justice
Gambling Control Division
(406) 444-1971
https://doj.mt.gov/gaming/

 LiquorBeerWineText/HTML

The Montana Department of Revenue's Liquor Licensing Division processes new retail, off-premises, wholesale and manufacturing license applications, brewery licensing, winery registrations and vendor permits.

Contact:
Montana Department of Revenue
Liquor Licensing Division
(406) 444-6900
https://revenue.mt.gov/home/liquor/alcoholbeverage_licenses.aspx

 MTContractorText/HTML

All incorporated construction contractors and construction contractors with employees must register with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry's Construction Contractor Registration Unit.  Construction contractors without employees, plumbers and electricians may register but registration is not required.

Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Construction Contractor Registration Unit
(406) 444-9586

Montana workers are required by law to either be insured under a workers' compensation policy, or they may apply for the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC).

Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Independent Contractor Central Unit
(406) 444-9029

Visit the Montana Contractors Licensing Page for more information

 OneStopLicensingText/HTML

The Department of Revenue's One-Stop Licensing Program allows certain businesses to apply or renew up to seven (7) state licenses at once.

One-Stop Licenses are limited to only:
Food Purveyor
Tobacco Retail & Wholesale
Off-Premise Beer and Wine
Nursery
Petroleum Dealer (Meters)
Weighing Device (Scales)
Underground Storage Tanks

Contact:
Montana Department of Revenue
One-Stop Licensing
(406) 444-6900
https://svc.mt.gov/dor/eStopPortal/Default.aspx

 

MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
301 S. PARK AVE. | P.O. BOX 200533 | HELENA, MT 59620-0533 |  T: 406.841.2870 |  F: 406.841.2871 | TDD: 406.841.2702