Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a electrician in Great Falls, MT. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Required for all LLC formation. Expedited filing available for additional $70.
Applies to all LLCs. Online filing preferred.
4 years experience OR approved apprenticeship + exam required. Master Electrician also available (8 years experience).
Requires qualifying licensed electrician (Journeyman/Master) as Responsible Individual. LLC must be licensed to perform electrical work.
Required if LLC operates under different name than registered LLC name. Renew every 12 months ($10).
Electrical contractors bidding public works must register separately.
Montana has no state sales tax; therefore electricians are not required to obtain a sales tax permit.
LLC members report their share of business income on the Montana Individual Income Tax Return (Form 2). The LLC itself does not pay corporate income tax unless it elects corporate classification.
After registration, the employer receives a withholding account number and must file periodic returns.
Electronic filing is required for most employers.
Initial UI tax rate for new employers is 2.7% on the first $45,000 of wages per employee.
Electronic filing is required.
Montana has no gross receipts or franchise tax on businesses.
Renewal can be completed online; fee schedule posted on the city website.
Application requires proof of state contractor license.
Online renewal is available.
Electricians classified under contractor licenses; requires state contractor registration
Must hold Montana state electrical license; applies specifically to electrician services
Verify zoning via Billings Zoning Map; electrical contractor shops may require CUP
Limited to low-impact activities; no on-site storage of electrical materials allowed
Electrical work requires separate electrical permit reviewed by city inspector
Issued only to licensed Montana electricians; specific to trade
Comply with Unified Sign Code (Appendix B of city code)
Required for shops storing electrical supplies; NFPA 70E compliance for electrical work
Electricians installing alarms must register systems with city
Required outside city limits; electrician contractors must list state license
Electrical contractor yards may require special review in AG/RR zones
Master Electricians must complete 8 hours of approved continuing education every two years, including 2 hours on Montana electrical laws and rules. Courses must be pre-approved by the Electrical Bureau.
Electricians who sell taxable materials may be required to collect and remit sales tax. Filing frequency is determined by the Department of Revenue based on sales volume. Form ST-10 is used for reporting.
Employers must report federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld from employees. Filed quarterly using Form 941.
Form 940 is filed annually to report FUTA tax, which funds unemployment benefits. Even if no tax is owed, a return may still be required.
Generally not applicable to electrician businesses unless food service provided
Common requirement for electrical contractors with equipment trailers
Montana law (MCA 61‑2‑401) requires any employer with at least one employee to carry workers’ comp. The business owner may elect coverage for themselves if they are also an employee.
Montana does not require general liability insurance for electricians, but it is strongly recommended and often contractually required.
Montana law does not mandate professional liability insurance for electricians, but many clients (especially commercial/industrial) request it.
Montana Electrical Licensing Board requires a $5,000 surety bond as a condition of licensure (MCA 61‑2‑402). The bond protects the state and the public against contractor misconduct.
Montana minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage (MCA 61‑2‑401). Commercial use generally requires higher limits and may be subject to additional underwriting.
Montana public‑works specifications (MCA 61‑2‑402 and SDA procurement guidelines) require contractors to carry commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
All LLCs with employees or that file any federal tax return must obtain an EIN. The application can be completed online.
The LLC reports income on the owner's personal Form 1040 Schedule C. Estimated quarterly tax payments may be required.
Multi‑member LLCs file Form 1065 (U.S. Return of Partnership Income) and issue Schedule K‑1 to members. If the LLC elects corporate taxation, it files Form 1120.
All employers performing electrical work must comply with OSHA’s electrical safety standards, including proper lockout/tagout, grounding, and use of qualified personnel.
Electrical contractors typically meet the employee threshold; therefore annual posting is required.
Employers must file quarterly wage reports and pay unemployment insurance tax. New employers are assigned a standard rate of 2.7%. See https://dli.mt.gov/programs/unemployment/ui-for-employers for reporting forms and deadlines.
Employers must display the OSHA Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law poster (OSHA 3165) in a conspicuous location accessible to employees. Available in English and Spanish at https://www.osha.gov/posters/job_safety_health.html.
Employers must post Montana Minimum Wage, Overtime, and Child Labor laws. Available at https://dli.mt.gov/programs/wage-and-hour. Also includes posting of Montana Workers’ Compensation coverage.
Workers’ compensation insurance must be obtained from a private insurer or through the state fund. Coverage must be maintained continuously. Proof of coverage (Form C-2) must be posted at the worksite.
Many Montana cities and counties require an annual business license or occupational tax license. Requirements and fees vary. For example, Bozeman requires renewal by December 31 (https://www.bozeman.net/departments/business_licenses). Check with local clerk’s office.
Montana requires businesses to keep records supporting tax returns (sales, purchases, payroll, etc.) for at least 5 years. Applies to all tax types including sales, withholding, and use tax.
IRS recommends keeping employment tax records for at least 4 years. General business records should be retained for 3 years. For employment tax purposes, 4 years is required. See https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-long-should-you-keep-records.
Montana law requires the display of the current electrical contractor license at the principal place of business and on all service vehicles used in the business. See https://labor.mt.gov/electrical/license-requirements.
Electricians providing services to the public must ensure that their websites, marketing materials, and any customer‑facing facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Most standard residential/commercial electrical work does not generate hazardous waste at this level, but contractors handling large‑scale industrial equipment may need to register.
Electrical work that involves removal of old wiring or fixtures in pre‑1978 buildings may trigger LRRP requirements.
Electricians must ensure that all claims about licensing, qualifications, pricing, and warranties are truthful and not deceptive.
Applies to any electrician business that employs non‑exempt workers. Overtime (time‑and‑a‑half) is required for hours >40 per workweek.
Most small electrician LLCs in Montana have fewer than 50 employees, so FMLA may not apply unless the business grows.
All employers, including LLCs with a single employee, must complete an I‑9 for each hired worker.
Typical residential/commercial electrical contracting rarely involves DOT hazardous‑material transport, but large‑scale industrial projects may.
There is no federal occupational license for electricians; licensing is handled at the state level (Montana).
All Montana LLCs must file an annual report by April 15 each year to remain in good standing. The report updates business information such as principal office address, registered agent, and management structure.
Electrical contractor licenses are renewed biennially. The next renewal cycle ends December 31, 2025. Applications are sent 60 days prior. See https://labor.mt.gov/electrical/forms for renewal forms.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique tax ID number assigned by the IRS to businesses operating as a corporation or partnership, and most LLCs also require one. It's used to identify your business for tax purposes and is necessary for opening a business bank account.
FTC compliance for an electrician primarily involves truthful advertising and fair consumer practices. This means accurately representing your services, avoiding deceptive claims, and providing clear and understandable estimates to customers.
The IRS generally requires you to keep records that support your income tax return for at least three years from the date you filed it, or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. Some records may need to be kept longer depending on the specific situation.
No, there is no federal industry-specific license required to work as an electrician; licensing is handled at the state and local levels. However, you still need to comply with federal regulations regarding taxes and labor laws.
Federal estimated income tax payments are payments made throughout the year to cover income tax liabilities, especially for self-employed individuals and LLCs. These payments are required if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes when you file your return.
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