Montana Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Montana does not license masonry as a trade. Anyone providing construction services in Montana must register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) as either an Independent Contractor (sole proprietor with workers comp exemption) or a Construction Contractor (any business with employees) under MCA Title 39 Chapter 9. There is no Montana masonry exam. Construction Contractors must provide proof of GL and workers comp; Independent Contractors must obtain an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC). This page documents the verified path including the ICEC, OSHA silica enforcement, and TMS 402 / IBC Chapter 21 compliance.

The Licensing Authority

Licensing for this trade is governed by Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Business Standards Division (MT DLI), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under Montana Code Annotated Title 37 (Professions and Occupations) and Title 39 Chapter 9 (Independent Contractor Central Unit). The Montana Department of Labor and Industry administers the Construction Contractor Registration program, the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate, and houses the State Electrical Board and Board of Plumbers that license individual electricians and plumbers statewide.

Official portal: https://dli.mt.gov/business-standards
Address: 301 South Park Avenue, 4th Floor, PO Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620
Phone: (406) 444-3555

Baseline Eligibility

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Montana residency requirement; out-of-state entities must register with the Montana Secretary of State.

Good moral character

DLI reviews prior registration discipline. Outstanding workers comp claims bar registration.

Background investigation

Self-disclosure of criminal history on the registration application.

Experience and Education Requirements

Rather than a set number of years, the cited materials define eligibility through No state experience requirement for Montana Construction Contractor or ICEC registration. Insurance carriers and prime contractors require demonstrated journey-level masonry experience by contract..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Optional: signed letters from prior masonry employers
Project list (used for prime subcontracts and underwriting)

The Licensing Examination

The cited sources impose no written trade exam at the state level here. The path to the credential runs through: No exam required by Montana DLI

Examination fee: No exam fee — Montana registration is administrative.

Financial Security and Insurance

No license surety bond is mandated statewide here under the cited sources, though project-specific or public-works bonding obligations can still attach to a given job.

General liability

No state minimum, but most owners and prime contractors require $1,000,000 per occurrence GL.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under MCA Title 39 Chapter 71 for any Montana employer with one or more employees. Sole proprietors may file an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) for $125. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in Montana.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$70
Initial license	$70
Renewal (every 2 years)	$70

License Renewal

The Montana Independent Contractor / Construction Contractor Registration — DLI must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $70. Montana Construction Contractor Registration renews every two years. ICEC also renews every two years. Maintain insurance continuously.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Montana Masonry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Montana grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Montana has no reciprocity for masonry contractors. Out-of-state contractors must register independently.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Masonry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Determine ICEC or Construction Contractor. Sole proprietors with no employees may file ICEC ($125, 2-year). Any business with employees must register as Construction Contractor.
Form a Montana or foreign entity. Register your LLC or corporation with the Montana Secretary of State and obtain an EIN.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL ($1M+ practical) and workers comp for any employees.
Submit DLI Construction Contractor or ICEC application. File either the Construction Contractor registration ($70) or the ICEC application ($125 for two years).
Receive registration number. DLI issues the registration number; it must appear on every contract per MCA §39-9-204.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local building departments require permits for masonry on permitted projects; Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, and Helena are the largest jurisdictions.
Implement OSHA silica program. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Montana; written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Common Application Pitfalls

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Montana Masonry applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

ICEC misuse with employees

Sole proprietors who file ICEC then hire any helper trigger automatic registration revocation and workers comp back-assessment.

Severe freeze-thaw veneer failure

Montana severe freeze-thaw cycles cause spalling and tie corrosion; Bozeman and Helena inspectors fail jobs without proper flashing and weeps.

Working without registration

Performing construction in Montana without active DLI registration triggers stop-work orders and back-fee assessments.

Anchored veneer ties undersized

Montana wind and seismic exposure require corrosion-resistant ties at TMS 402 spacing; Billings and Missoula inspectors enforce strictly.

Silica plan absent

OSHA targets Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to MT DLI, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ Montana Secretary of State entity registration
☐ EIN and Montana Department of Revenue tax account
☐ GL insurance certificate ($1M+ practical)
☐ Workers compensation certificate or ICEC
☐ Montana DLI Construction Contractor Registration ($70)
☐ Local business license (city of operation)
☐ OSHA silica written exposure control plan

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

MCA Title 39 Chapter 9 — Construction Contractor Registration — State of Montana. Montana contractor registration statute including the ICEC option.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21.
International Building Code Chapter 21 — Masonry (Montana-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Montana adopts IBC statewide via the Building Codes Bureau.

Other Montana Trade Licenses

For a different Montana credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Montana license masonry as a trade?

No. Montana DLI registers all contractors but does not test or classify masonry separately.

What is an ICEC?

Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate ($125, two years). Allows sole proprietors with no employees to opt out of workers comp under MCA §39-71-417.

What does the Construction Contractor Registration cost?

$70 every two years. Construction Contractor registration is required for any business with employees; ICEC alternative is for sole proprietors only.

Are local registrations required?

Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, and Helena may require local business licenses on top of state registration.

Does Montana enforce OSHA silica?

Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Montana. Written exposure control plan is mandatory for masonry cutting, grinding, and mixing.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-28 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-27