- No license needed for independent contractors without employees. Montana law lists other exemptions in MCA 39-9-211.
- Renew online through the state citizen portal. Registrations that were converted to licenses kept their old expiration dates.
Do you need a state license in Montana?
Montana licenses some general contractor work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
No license needed for independent contractors without employees. Montana law lists other exemptions in MCA 39-9-211.
The Montana license for this work
There is one license to aim for here.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Construction Contractor License | Anyone who builds, alters, repairs, improves, moves or demolishes structures on real estate, or uses more than one trade on a job |
Steps to get licensed in Montana
- Check if you are exempt. Independent contractors with no employees do not need the license.
- Gather your social security number, federal EIN if you have one, and the names of owners, partners or officers.
- Have proof that you comply with Montana workers comp laws.
- Apply online for the Construction Contractor License through the state citizen portal and pay the $70 fee.
- Keep your license current and report ownership, name or officer changes within 30 days.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Construction Contractor License.
Montana general contractor exams
Trade exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Montana
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Construction contractor license application or renewal | $70 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The license application must include proof that you comply with Montana workers comp laws.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Renew online through the state citizen portal. Registrations that were converted to licenses kept their old expiration dates.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Montana
- The license replaced the old construction contractor registration. Registrations active on December 31, 2025 were converted to the new license.
- The department does not review the quality of your work when it handles licensing complaints. Enforcement is focused on fraud and misrepresentation.
- Hiring or classifying someone as an independent contractor when they lack a required independent contractor exemption certificate is unprofessional conduct.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Contractor Licensing Program and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.