Mission
To offer a convenient, accessible, and streamlined system for the business community to acquire and maintain the necessary state registrations and licenses needed to conduct business.
eStop Business Licenses
License types available through the eStop Business Licenses Program include those for Traditional & Sports Bet Lottery, Retail Food, Nursery Retail Sales, Landscape Service, Sod Farmers, Underground Storage Tanks, Measuring Devices (Meters), Weighing Devices (Scales), Tobacco Products, Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Products, Off Premise Retail Sales for Beer & Wine.
While the eStop Business Licenses Program handles several licenses, to see the comprehensive list of all Montana license types, visit Montana License Lookup . Links from this page will take you to the appropriate agency responsible for that license.
Conduct Business in Montana
By having an eStop Business License, you intend to transact business in Montana. The program requires you to also register to do business in Montana through the Secretary of State’s office. For more information about their process, contact them by phone at (406) 444-3665 or by email at sosbusiness@mt.gov. Visit the Secretary of State Business Services to register.
Partner Agency General and License Type Information
Nursery Program
- Primary Contact
- Carson Thomas
- Address
- 302 N Roberts
Helena, MT 59601 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-3428
- MDANursery@mt.gov
- Website
- https://agr.mt.gov/Nurseries
General Information about Nursery Licenses
The Montana Department of Agriculture Nursery Program provides licenses for the sale and distribution of nursery products as part of efforts to maintain the quality of all nursery stock grown in Montana. The nursery program also monitors nursery stock that is imported to or exported from the state of Montana. A nursery license is required for each location when any business or individual distributes, sells, or resells nursery stock; provides landscaping or lawn maintenance services, or installs new plants or turf.
Businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock are required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests. Nursery inspectors have the expertise and up-to-date knowledge of existing and new pest threats, quarantines, and regulatory requirements that apply to businesses, the public, and agricultural industries. They can also provide advice on best management practices and ways to improve the general health of nursery stock.
License Types
There are three license types available through the Department of Agriculture’s Nursery Program – Retail Sales, Landscape Service, and Sod Farmer licensing. The Retail Sales license fee is based on your gross annual sales. A Nursery License Specialist will work with you to determine the type of license that best suits your business.
Legal Authority
Underground Storage Tank Section (UST)
- Address
- PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-5300
- dequstprogram@mt.gov
- Website
- https://deq.mt.gov/twr/Programs/ust
General Information about Underground Storage Tank Licenses
The goal of the Montana Underground Storage Tank (UST) Leak Prevention Program is to protect human health and the environment by preventing releases of petroleum and hazardous substances from UST systems. The release of these regulated products into the environment threatens groundwater resources and can cause explosive vapors to seep into confined spaces and occupied dwellings.
Owners and operators of locations with underground or above ground storage tanks having underground piping must register each tank with the DEQ using a notification form and apply for an eStop Business License using a Master Application. Tanks that do not need to be licensed with the eStop Business License Program but must be included on the DEQ UST notification form include diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) and oil/water separator tanks. If the owner/operator does not know if a tank should be licensed through the eStop Business License Program, they should contact DEQ UST before completing an eStop Master Application.
UST license fees are assessed annually or when a business changes ownership. eStop Business License fees are assessed for as long as the UST system remains in the ground. Even if your business is closed, you will continue to receive Notices for your license fee until the tanks are removed from the ground.
Legal Authority
Weights and Measures Program
- Primary Contact
- Tana Meuer – (406) 841-2028
- Address
- PO Box 200516
Helena, MT 59620-0516 - weightsandmeasures@mt.gov
- Website
- http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/weights-and-measures
General Information about Weighing and Measuring Device Licenses
Licenses are required for all weighing and measuring devices used by businesses or individuals when any commodity is bought or sold by weight or volume. For example, weighing devices at a store used to weigh candy, meats, fruits, etc.; or measuring devices used to measure the volume of gasoline, diesel, propane, etc.
All weighing and measuring devices sold and installed in Montana must have a National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificate of Conformance number and must be placed into commercial service by a registered repair agency. The ‘Placed in Service’ report must be completed by a registered repair technician and submitted to the Weights and Measures Program prior to the issuance of an eStop Business license.
Types of Licenses
There are four types of measuring devices – retail, high speed, wholesale, and LPG (propane) meters. For gas pumps, “meters” refers to the actual number of measuring chambers, not the number of hoses or cabinets. Weighing devices are licensed based on the weight capacity of the scale and are also divided into two categories for on-farm or standard commercial use.
Legal Authority
Environmental Health and Food Safety
- Primary Contact
- Gail Macklin
- Address
- PO Box 202951
Helena, MT 59620-2951 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-2415
- HHSFCS@mt.gov
- Website
- https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/FCSS/RetailFood
General Information about Retail Food Licenses
You must maintain a license with at least one other eStop partner agency to qualify for a retail food license. A stand-alone retail food license is not available through the eStop Business Licensing Program.
Your County Health Office/Sanitarian should be contacted early in the eStop Business License application process to ensure the Registered Sanitarian receives notification to review and approve your location for retail food sales. You may need to meet other applicable requirements, such as having a city business license, meeting zoning requirements or having fire and building code approval. Once plans and a pre-opening inspection have been completed and approved, the Registered Sanitarian will notify the Department of Public Health & Human Service’s Environmental Health and Food Safety that your eStop Master license can be issued.
When you license is up for renewal, the local Board of Health Officer or Registered Sanitarian must approve your business for re-licensure. Also, a Registered Sanitarian must be notified to review and approve any future changes in the establishment that affects food menu items, license endorsements, location, ownership, or remodeling.
Legal Authority
Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD)
- Primary Contact
- Moreen Swingley – (406) 444-0717
- Address
- PO Box 1712
Helena, MT 59624-1712 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-6900
- DORAlcoholicBeverageControl@mt.gov
- Website
- https://mtrevenue.gov/alcoholic-beverage-control/
General Information about Off-Premises Beer and Wine Licenses
A Liquor Licensing Specialist is ready to help you through the licensing process. It is recommended you contact the Specialist for the county where you license is located as soon as possible. The process includes completing and submitting the eStop Master Application and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Application packet along with payment for the appropriate licensing fees to the eStop Business License Program. Failure to provide all required paperwork and payment will result in processing delays.
Once it is determined that the entity and individuals that will have an ownership interest of 15% or more meet eligibility requirements and have passed required background checks, the license can be approved.
Holding an off-premises license allows you to sell packaged and sealed beer and/or wine to your customers who then, leave your premises to consume the product. You must obtain a retail food license to maintain an off-premises beer and/or wine license.
Types of Licenses
There are two license types available – beer and wine. Each license can be purchased individually or as a combination of both.
Legal Authority
Business and Income Tax Division, Miscellaneous Tax Unit
- Primary Contact
- Leah Norberg – (406) 444-4351
- Address
- PO Box 5805
Helena, MT 59624-5805 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-6900
- DORMISCTax@mt.gov
- Website
- https://mtrevenue.gov/taxes#Tobacco/
General Information about Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Product Licenses
Licenses are required when any business or individual is engaging in the business of buying, selling, or distributing tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products. To sell cigarettes in Montana, you first need to verify that the manufacturer has provided the base cost, before taxes or discounts, to the Montana Department of Revenue and that the department has established the wholesale and retail minimum price.
Montana is a signatory of the National Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Tobacco product brands sold in Montana are required to be approved by the Department of Justice. Licensed Retailers, Vendors, Subjobbers or Wholesalers cannot stamp or sell cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco from manufactures that do not participate in the Tobacco MSA.
Upon receipt of your completed eStop Master Application (Form MA), the Department of Revenue may request additional information about your distribution and sales of tobacco and alternative nicotine or vapor products.
Types of Licenses
There are four basic license types – Retailer, Vendor, Wholesaler, and Subjobber. A Retailer sells product directly to a consumer. A Vendor owns and operates cigarette vending machines. A Wholesaler purchases and affixed tax stamps to the products and then sells to Retailers, Vendors or Subjobbers. A Subjobber purchases stamped cigarettes from Wholesalers and then sells to Retailers or Vendors.
Legal Authority
Montana Lottery
- Primary Contacts
- Brian Pellen – (406) 444-5501
- Denise Blankenship – (406) 444-5801
- Address
- 2525 North Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59601 - Agency Phone
- (406) 444-5825
- montanalottery@mt.gov
- Website
- https://www.montanalottery.com/en/
General Information about Traditional Retailer and Sports Bet (Wagering) Licenses
Montana Lottery is ready to help you through the licensing process. The process begins with submitting the eStop Master Application and Montana Lottery Retailer Application packet along with payment for the appropriate licensing fees to the eStop Business License Program. Failure to provide all required paperwork and payment will result in processing delays.
Once the application is approved, the Montana Lottery Sales Representative will work with the store owner and/or manager to determine terminal and communication equipment placement, Scratch Ticket dispensing options, point-of-sale placement, and training needs. The Lottery Retailer must provide prominent space for the terminal(s) and Scratch Ticket dispenser(s) at an agreed–upon location in the store. All equipment is provided and maintained by Montana Lottery at no charge to the Lottery Retailer.
Your success is of the utmost importance to us and from day one we offer tools and support that pave the way to increased revenues. We know your time is precious, so we offer free, technical support for all equipment we place, as well as 24/7 hotline support to answer any questions you or your staff may have.
License Types
There are two license types available through the Montana Lottery – a traditional retailer license or Sports Bet Montana. Each has specific licensing rules and requirements. Your Lottery sales representative will work with you to determine the type of license that best suits your location.
Legal Authority
General information, registration, billing or eStop Portal inquiries or correspondence can be submitted to the eStop Business License Program Specialists:
- eStop Business License Program
PO Box 8003
Helena, MT 59604 - Fax
- (406) 444-3696
- DOReStop@mt.gov
- Phone
- (406) 444-6789