Plumber Permits & Licenses in Great Falls, MT

Required for all LLC formation in Montana. Annual report required separately (see below).

Applies to all active LLCs. Fee based on filing method.

Required for any person or business performing plumbing work. Prerequisites: 4 years journey-level experience or approved apprenticeship, pass written/practical exams. Application fee $75 + exam fees.

Required for LLCs contracting plumbing services. Must employ or contract with licensed plumber(s). Renews with plumber license cycle.

Required if using a trade name/DBA different from LLC's registered name. No renewal required unless changes made.

Plumbing qualifies as contractor work. Requires proof of workers' comp and liability insurance.

Montana does not impose sales tax on labor for plumbing services. However, if the business sells tangible personal property (e.g., pipes, fixtures), a sales tax permit is required. Contractors must collect sales tax on materials sold to customers. See Montana Code Annotated 15-6-102 and DOR guidance.

Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages. Registration is done through the Montana Department of Revenue. Form WH-1 is used for registration. Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly) depends on the amount withheld.

Employers must register with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. New employer tax rate is 2.7% on the first $14,000 of annual wages per employee (2024 rate). Employers file Form UCF-1 to register.

Montana does not impose a franchise tax or gross receipts tax. LLCs are not subject to corporate income tax; instead, profits pass through to owners who pay individual income tax at 6.75% (flat rate). No separate registration is required for pass-through entities, but owners must file Form 2 for individual income tax.

Montana does not have a statewide business license. However, many cities (e.g., Billings, Missoula, Bozeman) require a local business license or privilege tax. Plumber businesses may be subject to additional local permits. Check with city clerk or county treasurer. Example: Billings requires a Business License Application at https://www.billingsmt.gov/business-license.

Plumbers who remove or install fixtures (e.g., sinks, faucets) that involve disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing must be EPA-certified renovators and work under a certified firm. Requires firm certification, training, lead-safe work practices, and recordkeeping. Does not apply to emergency repairs or minor repairs (less than 6 square feet of painted area).

All advertising must be truthful, non-deceptive, and substantiated. Plumbers must avoid false claims about licensing, pricing, response times, or emergency services. Required to disclose material connections (e.g., paid endorsements). Applies to websites, social media, and third-party review platforms.

Employers must verify identity and employment authorization using Form I-9. Original documents must be examined in person or via authorized representative. E-Verify is not federally required unless contracting with federal agencies or in certain states, but may be used voluntarily.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) and overtime (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week). Applies to plumbers who employ workers. Independent contractor classification must meet DOL criteria to avoid misclassification penalties. Recordkeeping of wages, hours, and employee information is mandatory.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons. Most small plumbing businesses will not meet the 50-employee threshold, but must comply if they do. Notice requirements and recordkeeping apply.

Required for independent contractors (e.g., electricians, HVAC techs) hired for plumbing-related projects. Must file Form 1099-NEC with IRS and provide copy to recipient. Applies regardless of business size. Penalties apply for late or missing forms.

All Montana LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing. The report includes current principal office address, registered agent, and management structure.

Plumbers operating as contractors in Montana must register with the Department of Labor & Industry. Registration is required even if the business is an LLC. This is a biennial requirement based on the individual owner’s birth month.

Plumbers must hold either a Journeyman or Master Plumber license issued by the Montana Board of Plumbers. Licenses are renewed biennially based on the licensee’s birth month. Licensees must verify registration with the Department of Labor & Industry as well.

Master Plumbers must complete 8 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years, including at least 2 hours on Montana plumbing code updates. Courses must be from approved providers.

Plumbing businesses require standard business license; no specific plumber endorsement listed

No general county business license required; verify with county clerk

Plumbing services typically allowed in commercial zones; home-based may need review

Limited to 25% of home floor area; no customer visits allowed for plumbing services

Required for office/shop modifications; plumbing contractors often pull these for clients

Comply with sign code Chapter 17; electronic signs restricted

Plumbing businesses storing solvents/paints may trigger; occupancy-based

Required for monitored systems

Plumbing businesses typically permitted in commercial/light industrial zones

Plumbing shops with cleaning sinks may need wastewater pretreatment permit

Required for all employers with one or more employees under Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 39-71-401. Sole proprietors and partners may elect out if they file proper forms. LLC members are considered employees unless they formally elect out.

General liability insurance is not legally required by the State of Montana for plumbers. However, it is strongly recommended to protect against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims. Some local governments or commercial landlords may require it as a condition of operation.

Montana does not legally require plumbers to carry professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance. However, it is strongly recommended for protection against claims of negligence or substandard work. Not a condition of licensing or registration.

Montana requires a $10,000 surety bond for all general contractors and specialty contractors (including plumbers) who contract for over $2,500 in any project. This is a license bond, not a performance bond. Required under ARM 24.130.101 and Montana Code Annotated 70-29-101(2). Sole proprietors and LLCs must obtain this bond if performing work over the threshold.

Montana law (MCA 61-6-103) requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to be covered by liability insurance meeting minimum financial responsibility requirements. Applies to any business-owned or leased vehicle used for plumbing services. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use.

Montana does not mandate product liability insurance for businesses. However, if a plumbing business sells or installs defective products (e.g., water heaters, fixtures), it could be held liable. This coverage is typically included in general liability policies but not required by law.

Liquor liability insurance is not required for plumbing businesses unless the business serves or sells alcohol, which is not typical for this industry. No legal mandate in Montana for plumbers.

Plumbers in Montana must be licensed by the Montana Board of Contractors if they contract for work over $2,500. The license requires proof of a $10,000 surety bond and compliance with experience and examination requirements. This is a legal mandate under Montana Code Annotated 70-29-101. LLCs must register the business entity with the Secretary of State before applying.

While not all single-member LLCs without employees need an EIN (can use SSN), obtaining one is standard practice and required for business banking and contractor reporting. Plumber LLCs often need EINs to issue Form 1099-NEC to subcontractors.

Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities for federal tax purposes and report income on Schedule C (Form 1040). Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships and file Form 1065. All members pay self-employment tax on net earnings. Plumbers must track deductible expenses (tools, vehicle, supplies).

Federal OSHA covers all private sector workers in Montana (Montana does not operate its own OSHA program). Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from routine inspections but must still comply with safety standards. Plumbers may be exposed to hazards such as confined spaces, electrical risks, and chemical exposure (e.g., lead, solvents). Required to report work-related fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations within 24 hours.

While plumbers typically provide services at customer locations, they must still ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities (e.g., providing accessible appointment scheduling, TTY/relay services). Websites used for advertising or booking must meet ADA accessibility standards under current DOJ interpretation. Applies regardless of employee count.

Employers must register for a Montana Withholding Account Number and file Form WH-155 monthly or quarterly. New employers typically start with monthly filing.

Plumbers may be required to collect and remit sales tax on materials sold to customers. Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually) depends on tax liability volume.

LLCs with employees must file federal employment tax returns. Single-member LLCs without employees may not need to file employment forms but must still report income via Schedule C.

Employers must file Form UI-600 quarterly and pay unemployment insurance tax on first $14,000 of wages per employee annually.

Required for all employers with employees. The poster informs workers of their rights under the OSH Act. Available in English and Spanish from OSHA website.

Employers with 50+ employees must provide paid sick leave and post the official notice in a conspicuous location. Most plumbing businesses are exempt due to size.

Employers must maintain records of hours worked, wages paid, and employment terms for at least 3 years. Applies to all employers with employees in Montana.

IRS requires retention of business tax records for at least 3 years. FLSA requires 4 years for employment records. Best practice is to keep records for 7 years.

Many Montana cities and counties require a local business license or occupational tax license. Examples include Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman. Contact local clerk for specifics.

Montana does not impose a franchise tax or corporate income tax on LLCs. This is a common misconception. LLCs are pass-through entities and taxed at the individual level.

Owners of single-member LLCs must pay self-employment tax and make quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES.