Department Of Commerce

SMALL BUSINESS LICENSING INFORMATION

Local city and county offices provide all business licensing in Montana. The State of Montana provides professional licenses. Visit the Montana Department of Revenue for more information. Contact the Secretary of State’s office for any business registration information.

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.
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
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.

Montana League of Cities and Town Municipal Directory
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

The Montana Department of Revenue's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division processes applications for new and annual renewals to license establishments selling on-premise all alcoholic beverages, restaurant beer and wine, off-premise beer and wine; Wholesalers, Manufacturers, Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries.

Contact:
Montana Department of Revenue
Alcoholic Beverage Control Division

(406) 444-6900

The Montana Department of Revenue's Cannabis Control Division processes license applications for new and annual renewals to license Cultivators, Dispensaries, Manufacturers, Testing Laboratories, Marijuana Transporters, and for Combined-Use. The Division processes Worker Permit Applications which allows individuals to work in the marijuana industry. 

The Cannabis Control Division also processes Medical Marijuana Cardholder applications, and maintains a registry for individuals with debilitating medical conditions which entitles them to purchase marijuana and marijuana products at a reduced tax rate.

 

Contact:

Montana Department of Revenue

Cannabis Control Division

(406) 444-0596

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) 444-7734

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) 444-7734

Visit the Montana Contractors Licensing Page for more information

The eStop Business Licenses Program administered by the Department of Revenue offers a convenient, accessible, and streamlined system for the business community to acquire and maintain the state registrations and licenses needed to conduct business from seven partner agencies. 

eStop Business Licenses include:

  • Traditional & Sports Bet LotteryRetail Food
  • Nursery Retail Sales
  • Landscape ServiceSod Farmers
  • Underground Storage Tanks
  • Measuring Devices (Meters)
  • Weighing Devices (Scales)
  • Tobacco Products
  • Alternative Nicotine
  • Vapor Products
  • Off Premise Retail Sales for Beer & Wine

 


Contact:
Montana Department of Revenue
eStop Business Licenses
(406) 444-6789

Businesses engaged in specific professions and occupations are licensed and regulated by the state. Please contact the MT Department of Labor & Industry for precise licensing requirements or apply online. View the full list of professional licenses here.

Contact:
Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Business and Occupational Licensing Bureau
(406) 841-2300
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Montana Department of Commerce.