« Back to store
Choose a state

Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

State Electrical Exams
National Exams
State Electrical Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

In Montana, all electrical and plumbing work is regulated at the state level and requires appropriate licensure.

For all other types of construction work, contractors must register with the state and ensure that all employees are covered by Montana workers’ compensation insurance. The workers’ compensation insurance declaration page must specifically list Montana under Section 3A, rather than Section 3C.

Who Regulates Construction?

Information on bidding for highway contractors may be obtained from:

Montana Department of Transportation
Attn: Construction Contracting Bureau
Post Office Box 201001
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-6215 Fax (406) 444-7236
https://www.mdt.mt.gov

Applications am information for contractor registration may be obtained from:

Montana Department of Labor and Industry Employment Relations Division Contractor Registration Unit
Post Office Box 8011
Helena, MT 59604-8011
(406) 444-6543 Fax (406) 444-4140
https://www.mtcontractor.com

Applications am information for building inspector registration may be obtained from:

Montana Department of Labor and Industry Employment Relations Division Home Inspector Registration Unit
Post Office Box 8011
Helena, MT 59604-8011
(406) 444-7734
https://www.mtcontractor.com


Applications for electrical contractor licensing may be obtained from:

Montana State Electrical Board
301 South Park Avenue, 4th Floor Delivery
Post Office Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
(406) 841-2300 Fax (406) 841-2305
https://www.electrician.mt.gov

Applications for plumbing contractor licensing may be obtained from:

Montana Board of Plumbers
301 South Park Avenue, 4th Floor Delivery
Post Office Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
(406) 841-2300 Fax (406) 841-2305
https://www.plumber.mt.gov

Requirements?

Montana Contractor and Electrical Licensing Requirements
Highway Contractor Prequalification

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) generally does not require prequalification for highway construction contractors. However, contractors performing specialized work such as blasting, rockscape stabilization, or stream restoration must obtain prequalification from MDT.

Joint ventures intending to bid on highway projects must file a Declaration of Joint Venture and a Power of Attorney with MDT before submitting bids.

Construction Contractor Registration

Construction contractors must register with the state and submit an application along with a $70 registration fee. Registrations are valid for two years, and the renewal fee is $75.

Contractors with employees must provide proof of Montana workers’ compensation coverage. Businesses must also register with the Montana Secretary of State.

Montana maintains extraterritorial workers' compensation agreements with:

Idaho
North Dakota
South Dakota
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

There are no trade examination, experience, or bonding requirements for construction contractor registration.

Independent Contractors

Independent contractors working in the construction industry must either maintain workers’ compensation coverage or obtain an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) for the applicable NAICS classification.

Applicants must submit a notarized application and pay a $125 fee. Exemption certificates are valid for two years and renew for $125. Registration with the Montana Secretary of State is also required.

Home Inspectors

Home inspectors are required to register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Applicants must:

Submit an application and pay an $80 registration fee for a two-year registration period.
Complete at least 40 hours of comprehensive home inspection training or pass a department-approved national examination.
Maintain membership in a national home inspector association.
Carry at least $100,000 in general liability insurance and $100,000 in errors and omissions insurance.
Maintain workers’ compensation coverage or possess an ICEC.

Home inspectors must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

Electrical Licensing

Electrical contractors must demonstrate compliance with Montana workers’ compensation and unemployment laws and designate a full-time Montana-licensed electrician responsible for all electrical work performed in the state.

Examination Requirements

Journeyman and Residential Electrician applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70%.
Master Electrician applicants must achieve a minimum score of 75%.

Applicants who fail an examination twice must complete eight hours of National Electrical Code (NEC) continuing education before becoming eligible for a third attempt.

All licensed electricians must complete eight hours of continuing education annually, including at least four hours covering NEC updates.

Journeyman Electrician

Applicants must satisfy one of the following:

Education Path

Completion of an approved electrical apprenticeship program or equivalent training through a recognized union or trade association.

Experience Path

At least 8,000 hours of practical electrical experience involving installation, repair, and wiring of electrical systems; or
At least 20,000 hours in the electrical maintenance field, including a minimum of 8,000 hours of practical experience.
Residential Electrician

Applicants must satisfy one of the following:

Education Path

Completion of an approved residential electrical apprenticeship program or equivalent training.

Experience Path

At least 4,000 hours of practical residential electrical experience; or
At least 20,000 hours in the electrical maintenance field, including a minimum of 8,000 hours of practical experience.
Master Electrician

Applicants must satisfy one of the following:

Education Path

Graduation from an accredited electrical engineering program and at least 2,000 hours of practical electrical experience.

Experience Path

At least 8,000 hours of legally obtained journeyman-level electrical experience. No more than 50% of the required experience may be residential work.
Electrical Contractor Licenses

Limited Electrical Contractor

Must employ a Montana-licensed Journeyman Electrician as the responsible electrician.

Unlimited Electrical Contractor

Must employ a Montana-licensed Master Electrician as the responsible electrician.

Electrical contractor licenses are issued for two-year periods.

State Electrical Board Specific Fees

Application fee for an individual by exam / $190
Application fee for an individual by endorsement / $190
Application fee for a limited electrical contractor / $210
Application fee for an unlimited electrical contractor / $210
2 Year Renewal fee for an individual (Master, Journeyman, Residential) / $140
2 Year Renewal fee for an electrical contractor / $210
Temporary work permit / $50

A late penalty fee for each renewal period a license has not been renewed shall be 100% of the renewal fee in addition to the renewal fee and must be paid for each renewal period that the license has not been renewed.

Plumbing Licensing

Applicants for plumbing licensure must pass a written examination with a minimum score of 70%. Candidates who fail three examinations within a one-year period must provide proof of completing 20 hours of approved continuing education before becoming eligible to retest.

Plumbing licenses expire annually on September 1. Licensed Journeyman and Master Plumbers are required to complete four hours of Board-approved continuing education each year. License renewals are accepted between July 1 and September 1.

Journeyman Plumber

Applicants must document five years of legally obtained plumbing experience. This requirement may be satisfied through employment in a major phase of the plumbing trade, completion of a Board-approved apprenticeship program, or a combination of qualifying experience and education from an accredited plumbing or trade school.

Master Plumber

Applicants must provide evidence of at least four years (a minimum of 6,000 hours) of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that at least three of those years were spent working under a licensed Master Plumber or in a supervisory role. Applicants must also document a minimum of 1,500 hours of work performed during a continuous 12-month period.

Plumber fees are as follows:

Type of License / Application Fee / License Fee / Renewal Fee / Late Renewal Fee

Journeyman / $270 / $160 / Additional $160/$320
Master / $380 / $265 / Additional $265/$530
Medical Gas Endorsement / $100 / $30 / Additional $30/$60

Retirement Status Certification fee (1 time fee) is $25
Out-of-state licensure fee is $400
Master Plumber of Record fee is $50

Reciprocal Agreements

Montana has reciprocity agreements for journeyman and residential electrical licensure with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon (state-to-state only), South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Montana has reciprocity agreements for journeyman plumber licensure only with Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota.