One-Stop Business Licensing

Simple, convenient, hassle-free ...
that's what "one-stop licensing" is intended to be

During the 1997 Legislative Session, Montana lawmakers enacted House Bill 391 to begin what is known as the "one-stop business licensing" project.

The idea is simple: A business should be able to obtain or renew most, if not all, of the licenses, fees and permits required by state government from one centralized location.

Nearly every state agency has some kind of license, fee or permit. House Bill 391 authorized a pilot project to begin implementation of one-stop business licensing on a limited scale. The pilot project focused on the specific licensing needs of grocery stores, convenience stores, gasoline stations and nurseries.

Here are a few of the benefits of one-stop licensing:

One point of contact for obtaining or renewing a majority of the licenses required to operate the business.
One master form to obtain or renew these licenses, eliminating the redundancy of filling out multiple forms. Renewal forms may be completed by telephone.
One payment rather than making a separate payment for each license. Credit cards will be accepted.

Contact Information

Correspondence, completed application forms and payment should be directed to One-Stop Licensing, c/o Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8003, Helena, MT 59604.

The One-Stop Licensing application packages can be picked up and dropped off at the Sam W. Mitchell Building, 3rd Floor, 125 N. Roberts, Helena.

Information or requests may be phoned in by calling (406) 444-6900 or faxing (406) 444-0722.

Licenses and Registrations

License Application

Applying for a new license under the One-Stop Licensing process is simple and convenient. A business may apply for one or more licenses by completing a single copy of the One-Stop Licensing Master Application and supplemental forms.

Here are some possible ways to apply for a new license under One-Stop Licensing.

How to Receive the One-Stop Licensing Booklet

Call One-Stop Licensing at (406) 444-6900 to request a One-Stop Licensing Booklet be mailed.
Fax an application request to One-Stop Licensing at (406) 444-0722.
Pick up a One-Stop Licensing Booklet in the Sam W. Mitchell Building, 3rd floor, 125 N. Roberts, Helena.
Click here to download the One-Stop Licensing Booklet and all related One-Stop Licensing forms.

Assistance completing the application form

Instructions are included in the One-Stop Licensing Booklet. If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, please feel welcome to contact One-Stop Licensing at (406) 444-6900.

Submitting the application form

Mail the completed application and supplemental forms, including appropriate payment, to One-Stop Licensing, Montana Department of Revenue, PO Box 8003, Helena, MT 59604-8003.
Deliver the completed application and supplement forms, including appropriate payment, to the Sam W. Mitchell Building, 3rd floor, 125 N. Roberts, Helena.

NOTE: Under One-Stop Licensing, an application for a new license requires an original signature. For this reason, applications may not be submitted by fax or completed by telephone.

License Renewal

Renewing licenses through the One-Stop Licensing Office is a snap.

Here's how One-Stop Licensing handles renewals

One-Stop Licensing will work to coordinate the renewal dates of the licenses required by a business.
The business will receive written notification from One-Stop Licensing when it is time to renew licenses. The notification document will list all the licenses a business currently holds, along with the cost of renewing each specific license.

After reviewing the renewal form, a business should indicate any changes on the form and mail the renewal paperwork with one payment. To save time, a business may call One-Stop Licensing and handle the renewal transaction by telephone. When completing a renewal by telephone, the payment method must be Master Card or Visa.

Renewal forms may be submitted by

Mailing the completed renewal form, including appropriate payment, to One-Stop Licensing, Montana Department of Revenue, PO Box 8003, Helena, MT 59604-8003.
Delivering the completed renewal form, including appropriate payment, to the Sam W. Mitchell Building, 3rd floor, 125 N. Roberts, Helena.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the renewal form, please feel welcome to contact One-Stop Licensing at (406) 444-6900.

Inspection Procedures - Food Purveyor License

For new applications: An inspection must be conducted, and approval received, from the county sanitarian before One-Stop Licensing can process a new application. Once a licensee has passed inspection, the inspector will provide notification of approval to One-Stop Licensing.

For renewals: One-Stop Licensing will renew a Food Purveyor License when a county sanitarian has indicated the license may be renewed. The license may be renewed once the sanitarian notifies One-Stop Licensing that an inspection has been performed and approval has been granted.

Payment Procedures

Check: Please make your check payable to One-Stop Licensing.

Credit Card: VISA and Master Card are accepted. Please include your credit card account information in the appropriate area of the Master Application form or Master License Renewal form. If you call to complete a transaction by telephone, have your credit card account information ready to provide to the One-Stop Licensing Specialist.

Late Fees and Penalties: Several of the licenses, fees and permits included in One-Stop Licensing have a late fee or penalty. The late fees and penalties are as follows:

License, Fee or Permit	Late Fee or Penalty
Food Purveyor	$25
Off-Premises Beer and Wine	33.33%	1 day after the due date
	66.66%	31 days after the due date
	100%	61 days after the due date
Nursery	$25	If fee is not paid by anniversary due date. The anniversary due date is one year from the date of issuance.
Note: Weighing and Measuring Devices may be removed from service for continued non-payment.
Meters - Petroleum Dealers	50%	60 days after the due date
Scales - Weighing Devices
Standard	50%	60 days after the due date
On Farm	50%	Calendar year license term - penalty due after July 1st