Montana Roofing License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-04-12 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
Montana does not issue a trade-specific roofing license. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry Employment Relations Division runs two companion programs under Title 39: every roofer with employees must register as a Construction Contractor under MCA §39-9 and carry Montana workers compensation, and every independent roofer without employees must either carry workers comp or hold an Independent Contractor Exemption (ICE) certificate under MCA §39-71-417. There is no state trade exam. Municipalities (Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls) issue building permits under the Montana state code adoption.
Regulatory Oversight
Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Business Standards Division (MT DLI) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of 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
Who May Apply
An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Montana residency requirement.
Good moral character
No state character review.
Background investigation
None at state level.
Required Experience and Education
Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by no experience threshold — Montana is a registration and workers-comp verification program, per the cited materials.
Education substitution
Not applicable.
Examination Requirements
The cited state materials do not require a written state trade examination for this credential. The controlling process is: None — Montana has no state roofing trade exam.
Insurance and Financial Requirements
The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.
General liability
No state minimum; market practice $500,000–$1,000,000 required by most municipal permits.
Workers' compensation
Mandatory for every Montana employer under MCA §39-71-401. Sole proprietors without employees may hold an Independent Contractor Exemption in lieu of carrying coverage.
Additional financial requirements
No financial statement or bond.
Licensing Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $70 |
| Initial license | $70 |
| Renewal (every 2 years) | $70 |
Keeping the License Current
Renewal of the Montana Independent Contractor Exemption (ICE) / Construction Contractor Registration comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $70. Biennial renewal. ICE holders must also maintain the exemption.
Continuing education: None.
Downloadable Asset
2026 Montana Roofing License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.
Download the PDF roadmap →Reciprocity and License Transfer
The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Montana for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified. | ||
No state license to reciprocate.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Roofing license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Application Process, Step by Step
- Register the business entity with the Montana Secretary of State. LLC or corporation filing plus EIN.
- Decide path: Construction Contractor Registration or Independent Contractor Exemption. Contractors with employees register under §39-9. Solo operators without employees file for the ICE under §39-71-417.
- Bind Montana workers compensation if registering with employees. Through State Fund, Plan 2 insurer, or self-insured plan under MCA §39-71.
- Submit the DLI application. $70 Construction Contractor Registration fee or $125 ICE fee.
- Bind general liability insurance. No state minimum; $1,000,000 market standard for municipal permit requirements.
- Comply with Montana Contractor Statute MCA §28-2-2101. Written contract, consumer protection rules, and lien notice disclosure.
- Renew registration biennially. CCR renews every two years; ICE renews every two years with $125 fee.
Recommended References
These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.
- MCA Title 39 Chapter 9 — Construction Contractor Registration — State of Montana. Primary registration statute.
- Montana Building Code (IBC/IRC adoption) — Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Roof assembly requirements.
- NRCA Roofing Manual — Cold Climate chapters — National Roofing Contractors Association. Primary technical reference.
Frequent Application Errors
Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Montana Roofing filing.
Snow load miscalculation
Montana ground snow loads reach 200+ psf in high country. Framing exposed during reroof must meet current loads or the permit closeout fails.
Ice and water shield required statewide
IRC R905.1.2 ice barrier required across Montana. Standard underlayment alone fails inspection.
OSHA fall protection in winter
Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501 at six feet. Montana winter roofing has high fall incident rates.
ICE misuse with employees
Holding an ICE while actually having employees is workers-comp fraud. DLI audits and imposes penalties plus back-premium assessments.
Hail and wind in Great Falls corridor
Great Falls and north-central Montana see major hail events. Carriers require Class 4 impact-rated shingles for hail discounts — installing Class 3 on a Class 4 spec voids the credit.
Document Checklist
These are the pieces to lock down before filing with MT DLI:
- ☐ Montana Secretary of State entity registration
- ☐ DLI Construction Contractor Registration OR Independent Contractor Exemption
- ☐ Montana workers compensation declaration page (if with employees)
- ☐ General liability certificate of insurance
- ☐ MCA §28-2-2101 compliant contract template
Other Montana Trade Licenses
CLR covers other Montana trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:
- Montana General Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Electrician License Requirements
- Montana Plumber License Requirements
- Montana HVAC Technician License Requirements
- Montana Painting Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Solar Installer License Requirements
- Montana Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- Montana Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- Montana Home Inspector License Requirements
- Montana Pool Contractor License Requirements
Questions Applicants Ask
Does Montana require a state roofing license?
No. Roofers register as Construction Contractors with DLI if they have employees, or file for an Independent Contractor Exemption if they work solo.
What is the ICE?
The Independent Contractor Exemption under MCA §39-71-417 lets solo contractors opt out of mandatory workers compensation coverage. Fee $125, valid two years.
Is workers comp mandatory?
Yes under MCA §39-71-401 for every employer. Solo operators without employees use the ICE to opt out.
Does Montana have a trade exam?
No. The state does not run a roofing competency exam.
How often does registration renew?
Every two years. CCR $70, ICE $125.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- Montana DLI — Business Standards Division
- Montana DLI — Construction Contractor Registration
- Montana DLI — Independent Contractor Central Unit
- Montana State Electrical Board
- Montana Board of Plumbers
- Montana Code Annotated Title 37
Verified 2026-04-12 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-11