Highway Prequalification:
Joint ventures must file a declaration of joint venture and
power of attorney with the Department of Transportation before bidding on highway
contracts. The Montana Department of Transportation does not do pre-qualifications
for general highway projects. MDT does require prequalification for the following
specialty type work: blasting contractors, rock-scape stabilization contractors and
stream restoration contractors.
Contractors:
Construction contractor applicants must submit a fee of $70 for a 2 Year
registration. Proof of "Montana" workers' compensation coverage is also required.
There is no bonding requirement. An Independent contractor with no employees is
exempt from the registration requirements unless the business is incorporated or a
manager-managed "Limited Liability Company". An Independent contractor working
in the construction industry, must have proof of Montana Workers' compensation
coverage on themselves or have applied for and received the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate ($70 for a 2 Year registration) for the construction industry code under which they are working.
Home Inspectors:
As of January 01, 2020, Home Inspectors in Montana are required
to register with the Department of Labor and Industry (SB 269). A Home Inspector,
whether as an individual, partnership, corporation, or manager-managed or member managed limited liability company, shall register with the Department by completing an application, paying the $80 application fee (for a 2 Year registration), and shall document that each person working under the registration as a home inspector:
• Has successfully completed 40 hours of comprehensive home inspection
instruction or has passed a Department approved national examination.
• Is a member of a national home inspector association.
• Is covered by a minimum of $100,000 general commercial liability insurance,
and a minimum of $100,000 errors and omissions insurance.
• Is covered under a workers' compensation policy or has an independent
contractor exemption certificate (ICEC) for the occupation of home inspection.
Electricians:
An applicant must provide proof of compliance with workers'
compensation and unemployment laws, and must identify a full-time Montana
licensed journeyman or master electrician responsible for all work done in Montana.
Journeyman, residential and master applicants are required to pass an examination
with a minimum score of 75%. An applicant who fails any examination may, upon
payment of the appropriate fees, take the next scheduled exam. If the applicant fails a second time, the applicant may not take the exam until a 6 month waiting period and must provide proof of attending an 8 hour electrical code seminar approved by the board.
8 hours of continuing education must be obtained for each year in the renewal cycle.
A minimum of 4 of the 8 annual hours must be certified as covering NEC updates.
Continuing education courses approved by another state having reciprocity with the
board will be honored.
Journeyman Electricians:
An applicant for a Journeyman Electrician license must
provide written evidence of at least 1 of the following:
Education Requirements:
Completion of an approved apprenticeship program in
the electrical trade or completion of an appropriate training program conducted
by a bona fide union or trade association.
Experience Requirements:
A third party verification of 8,000 hours of legally
obtained practical experience in wiring for, in stalling and repairing of electrical
apparatus and equipment for light, heat and power; or worked in the electrical
maintenance field for at least 20,000 hours, accompanied by written certification
by the applicant's employer that the applicant has attended at least 20,000 hours
in the electrical maintenance field while working for the employer. A minimum of
8,000 of these hours must be practical experience.
Residential Electricians:
An applicant for a Journeyman Electrician license must
provide written evidence of at least 1 of the following:
Education Requirements: Completion of an approved residential apprenticeship
program in the electrical trade or completion of an appropriate training program
conducted by a bona fide union or trade association.
Experience Requirements:
A third party verification of 4,000 hours of legally
obtained practical experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing of electrical
apparatus and equipment for light, he.at, and power in residential construction
consisting of less than five living units in a single structure; or worked in the
electrical maintenance field for at least 20,000 hours, accompanied by written
certification by the applicant 's employer that the applicant has attained at least
20,000 hours in the electrical maintenance field while working for the employer.
A minimum of 8,000 of these hours must be practical experience.
Master Electrician:
An applicant for a Master Electrician license must provide written
evidence of at least 1 of the following:
Education Requirements:
Being a graduate electrical engineer of an accredited
college or university and having a minimum of 2,000 hours of legally obtained
practical electrical experience.
Experience Requirements:
A third party verification of at least 8,000 hours of
legally obtained journeyman level experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing
of electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, and power, with no less than
20%, but not more than 50% residential experience.
Limited Electrical Contractor:
Applicants are required to have a Montana licensed
Journeyman as the responsible electrician. Licenses are issued for a 2 year period (May 15th through July 15th).
Unlimited Electrical Contractor:
Applicants are required to have a Montana licensed
Master as the responsible electrician, Licenses a re issued for a 2 ye.ar period (May 15th through July 15th).
Electricians have a separate application fee for exam candidates vs. those coming in by reciprocity or endorsement.
Fees are as follows:
State Electrical Board Specific Fees
Application fee for an individual by exam / $240
Application fee for an individual by endorsement / $250
Application fee for a limited electrical contractor / $300
Application fee for an unlimited electrical contractor / $300
2 Year Renewal fee for an individual (Master, Journeyman, $200 Residential) / $200
2 Year Renewal fee for an electrical contractor / $300
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.
Plumbers:
Applicants must pass a written examination with a minimum score of
70%. If an applicant fails 3 written exams within 1 year, the applicant must submit
proof of completion of 20 hours of continuing education. Licenses expire annually on
September 1st. Journeyman and Master Plumbers are required to accumulate 4 hours of Board approved continuing education annually. Licenses are issued annually and are available for renewal July 1st - September 1st.
Journeyman Plumbers:
A specific record of 5 years of legally obtained experience in
the field of plumbing. This experience my be fulfilled by working 5 years in a major
phase of the plumbing business or by completing an apprenticeship program meeting the standards set by t he Montana Board of Plumbers or credit may be given for attending an accredited trade or other school specialized in the field of plumbing.
Master Plumbers:
Evidence of 4 years experience as a licensed journeyman plumber in
the field of plumbing, evidence of 3 years of experience working with a licensed master plumber or in a supervisory capacity and 1,500 hours or more of work in a continuous 12 month period.
Plumber fees are as follows:
Type of License / Application Fee / License Fee / Renewal Fee / Late Renewal Fee
Journeyman / $100 / $170 / $160 / Additional $160/$320
Master / $100 / $280 / $265 / Additional $265/$530
Medical Gas Endorsement / $100 / N/A / $30 / Additional $30/$60
Retirement Status Certification fee (1 time fee) is $25
Out-of-state licensure fee is $300
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.