Montana Contractor License Lookup

Since January 1, 2026, Montana requires construction contractors to hold a state license from the Department of Labor & Industry. Contractors with no employees are exempt unless they choose to register. Search contractors on the official site of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program, and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program

Montana rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Montana: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $2,500 or more. Credential: construction contractor license.

    A state construction contractor license is required for construction, remodeling, repair, roofing and siding jobs with a total contract price of $2,500 or more in labor and materials. Source: MCA 37-45-201, 37-45-104(8), (13), (16), (24)

    In effect since January 1, 2026.

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • Independent contractors who have no employees are exempt, though they may register voluntarily.
    • Owners working on their own property are exempt, unless they build to promptly sell (with a 12-month primary-residence exception).
    • The $2,500 exemption does not apply when the job is part of a larger project or is split into smaller contracts to evade the law.
    • Montana-licensed electricians and plumbers working within their license are exempt from this chapter.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program

The program page says to use the department's Licensee Lookup System to find a professional licensed by the State of Montana.

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Montana licenses contractors

Since January 1, 2026, Montana requires construction contractors to hold a state license from the Department of Labor & Industry. Contractors with no employees are exempt unless they choose to register. MCA 37-45-201 (Ch. 644, L. 2025, HB 239)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • construction contractor license: A state construction contractor license is required for construction, remodeling, repair, roofing and siding jobs with a total contract price of $2,500 or more in labor and materials. Issued by Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program. In effect since January 1, 2026. MCA 37-45-201, 37-45-104(8), (13), (16), (24)
    • Independent contractors who have no employees are exempt, though they may register voluntarily.
    • Owners working on their own property are exempt, unless they build to promptly sell (with a 12-month primary-residence exception).
    • The $2,500 exemption does not apply when the job is part of a larger project or is split into smaller contracts to evade the law.
    • Montana-licensed electricians and plumbers working within their license are exempt from this chapter.

Electrical work

  • electrical license: Electrical contractors and electricians need a state license or permit from the Department of Labor & Industry. The statute sets no dollar threshold. Issued by Montana State Electrical Board (Department of Labor & Industry). MCA 37-68-301

Plumbing

  • plumber license: Master and journeyman plumbers need a state plumbing license. The statute sets no dollar threshold; its exemptions are listed in MCA 37-69-102. Issued by Montana Board of Plumbers (Department of Labor & Industry). MCA 37-69-301

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

We could not confirm a statewide Montana rule for this work from official sources. Ask the contractor which license covers it, check that license with the agency that issued it, and ask your city or county building department.

Where to look up contractors in Montana

  • Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program: official license search. The program page says to use the department's Licensee Lookup System to find a professional licensed by the State of Montana.
  • Montana State Electrical Board (Department of Labor & Industry): official license search
  • Montana Board of Plumbers (Department of Labor & Industry): official license search

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Montana?

Use the official online license search from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program. Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job. Other state boards on this page: the Montana State Electrical Board (Department of Labor & Industry) and the Montana Board of Plumbers (Department of Labor & Industry).

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in Montana?

A state construction contractor license is required for construction, remodeling, repair, roofing and siding jobs with a total contract price of $2,500 or more in labor and materials. For jobs under $2,500, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in Montana?

Electrical: electrical license from the Montana State Electrical Board (Department of Labor & Industry). Plumbing: plumber license from the Montana Board of Plumbers (Department of Labor & Industry).

Sources

Checked against official Montana sources on October 25, 2026.

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