Montana Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)

What Is a Business License in Montana?

A business license is a permit issued by a local, state, or federal body that allows businesses to perform a specific business activity and/or operate legitimately.

So, if there isn’t a “general business license” in Montana, what exactly is there?

Well, Montana — like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do.

For example:

• A family restaurant in Billings will need a Food Establishment License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, a building permit from the City of Billings Planning Department, and a local business license from the City of Billings Finance Department.
• A wheat farm in Great Falls will need commodity dealer permits from the Montana Department of Agriculture, pesticide applicator licenses from the Montana Department of Agriculture, and may need environmental permits from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
• A barbershop in Missoula will need a business license from the City of Missoula, plus a professional license and salon establishment license from the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
• A brewery in Bozeman will need liquor manufacturing licenses from the Montana Department of Revenue, food establishment permits from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, building permits from the city, and various health and safety permits from both state and local agencies.

Do I Need a Montana Business License? 

Well, the answer to this will ultimately depend on your business’s situation. You can have a look at our table below in order to get a general idea:

Montana Business Licensing at a Glance

Jurisdiction	Business Licenses	Who Needs It & Where to Apply
Local	Health Permits, Zoning Permits, Occupancy Certificates, Industry-Specific Permits, etc.	Varies by location Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements.
State
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, contractors, real estate, etc.) Apply through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Board and Commission offices.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply through the relevant agency. (e.g., Montana Department of Revenue for liquor, Department of Public Health and Human Services for food, Department of Agriculture for farming operations, etc.)
Federal	Industry-Specific Licenses	Businesses involved in federally regulated activities such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, alcohol, broadcasting, or wildlife. Apply through the relevant federal agency (e.g., USDA, FAA, ATF, FCC, FWS)

*While this table is meant to give you a general idea, it’s by no means exhaustive. For all your licensing needs, we suggest either going with a professional licensing service or consulting with a business attorney. 

How to Get a Business License in Montana

The process of obtaining a business license in Montana will depend on the permit in question, but generally involves completing the following steps:

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

We recommend formalizing your business before acquiring a business license in order to avoid potentially having to repeat this process again later down the line. 

This also gives other benefits depending on the business model, such as:

• Personal liability protection
• Improved legitimacy 
• Larger access to loans and corporate finance

We generally recommend almost all small business owners to form a limited liability company (LLC). This offers personal liability protection, is extremely affordable, and offers a ton of flexibility when it comes to how it can be taxed and managed.

Note: You should obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) after forming your LLC. You can have a look at our How to Get an EIN overview for more information. 

2. Apply for the Right Business License in Montana

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Montana Local Business Licenses

Many Montana cities and counties require local business licenses or permits to be obtained. This can be in addition to the common state-wide licenses talked about above.

Here are some common local permits you may need:

• Business License: Most Montana cities require a business license for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. This is Montana’s general local business license requirement (e.g., if your company is based in Billings, you would apply through the City of Billings Finance Department).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. While food establishment licenses are issued by the state, local health inspections may also be required (e.g., if your business is based in Missoula, you would coordinate with the Missoula City-County Health Department for local requirements).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this in order to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws (e.g., if you were based in Bozeman, you would check with the City of Bozeman Community Development Department for zoning compliance).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Great Falls, you would apply through the City of Great Falls Planning Division for sign permits).
• Certificate of Occupancy: Required for most businesses before they can legally occupy a building or space. This verifies that the structure meets building codes and is safe for the intended use (e.g., if your business is in Helena, you would check with the City of Helena Building Department).
• Home-Based Business Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence. Many Montana jurisdictions have specific requirements for home-based businesses including zoning compliance and possible business license requirements.

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Montana League of Cities and Towns.

Montana State Business Licenses

Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level. 

Montana Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission, as this is not handled on a local level. We’ve provided the licensing boards of a few of the most common professions below to get you started:

• Montana Board of Medical Examiners: Regulates physicians, physician assistants, and other medical professionals in Montana.
• Montana Board of Nursing: Licenses registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses.
• Montana Board of Realty Regulation: Oversees licensing for real estate salespersons, brokers, and property managers.
• Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists: Licenses cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and salon/shop establishments.
• Montana Board of Public Accountants: Oversees licensing for certified public accountants and public accounting firms.

For more information on how to go about getting licensed, you can have a look at StateRequirement’s in-depth licensing guides. 

Industry-Specific State Licenses

Some Montana businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in.

Here are some common examples of industry-specific state licenses in Montana:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Montana Department of Revenue – Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Montana offers multiple license types including All-Beverages licenses, Beer and Wine licenses, and Special Event permits.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling more than four vehicles per year. Regulated by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Includes requirements for dealer education, surety bonds, and proper business location with display facilities.
• Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for seven or more children under 13 years of age who are not related to the provider. Regulated by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – Early Childhood Services Bureau. Includes strict safety, health, and staffing ratio requirements.
• Food Establishment License: Required for businesses preparing, holding, transporting, or serving food for pay. Regulated by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – Food and Consumer Safety Section. Risk levels determine inspection frequency and permit fees.

Montana Environmental Permits

If your business’s industry will mean that it could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). 

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground Storage Tank Registration
• Recycling facilities 
• Fish farms 
• Oil and mining 
• Wind and solar generation 
• Soil treatment 
• Hazardous waste 
• Groundwater 
• Stormwater 

Federal Business Licenses for Montana LLCs

If your business is in a federally regulated industry (which is uncommon), it’ll need to acquire the appropriate business license from the right body before starting to operate. 

A full list of industries regulated at a federal level can be found below:

• Agriculture: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Alcoholic Beverages: Overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board
• Aviation: Overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
• Firearms, Ammunitions, and Explosives: Overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Fish and Wildlife: Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Commercial Fishing: Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.
• Maritime Transportation: Overseen by the Federal Maritime Commission.
• Mining and Drilling: Overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
• Radio and Television Broadcasting: Overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
• Transportation and Logistics: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Montana Business License Renewal

Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years. 

Several of the local permits will need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits, which generally all need to be renewed annually.

Having said that, this will depend on both your location and the license in question.

Montana Business License FAQs