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:
- Licenses: Commodity Dealer, Feed Program, Fertilizer Dealer, Nursery, Pesticide Applicator, Pesticide Dealer, Private Farm Pesticide Applicator, Commodity Dealers and Warehouses, Produce, Seed Dealer
- Registrations: Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bee, Honey Bee (Apiary), Feed Product, Fertilizer Product, Pesticide Product
- 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.
The Department of Justice's Gambling Control Division handles the application and licensing process for gambling and casino-related activities.
Contact:
(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:
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
(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 Lottery Retail 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
(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
