Contractor License from Texas to Montana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Texas to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division), verify your Texas license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. Only the electrical trades are state-licensed with a reciprocity/endorsement pathway (Montana State Electrical Board). General construction contractors merely register with the Department of Labor and Industry, so there is no trade-exam transfer for general contracting..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Montana does not have a trade agreement covering Texas for the selected trade, so this move runs on Montana's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Montana accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Montana's NERA status.
What changes, Texas → Montana
| Texas (current) | Montana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $30–$115 (Fees differ by agency and trade: TDLR journeyman electrician $30 and master electrician $45; TSBPE reciprocal license verification $40 non-refundable, plus the IdentoGO fingerprint fee; TDLR ACR out-of-state application $115. There is no state general-contractor license fee because Texas does not license general contractors.) | Electrical license fees are set by the Montana State Electrical Board; construction contractor registration fee is set by DLI. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. |
| Processing time | No single figure applies. TSBPE states a reciprocal plumbing license arrives by US mail within 30 days of the completed online application and payment; TDLR publishes no processing time for electrician or ACR reciprocity. | Not published. |
| Licensing authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (electricians, air conditioning and refrigeration) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (plumbers); no state general-contractor license | Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Montana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Montana's current requirements on the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Electricians: apply for licensure by reciprocity/endorsement with the Montana State Electrical Board if licensed in a state with substantially equivalent standards.
- General/construction contractors: register as a Construction Contractor with the DLI Employment Relations Division (a registration, not a trade license; no exam).
- Pay the fees (Electrical license fees are set by the Montana State Electrical Board; construction contractor registration fee is set by DLI. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.) and allow Not published..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana accept a Texas contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Texas to Montana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division), verify your Texas license, and meet Montana's endorsement requirements. Only the electrical trades are state-licensed with a reciprocity/endorsement pathway (Montana State Electrical Board). General construction contractors merely register with the Department of Labor and Industry, so there is no trade-exam transfer for general contracting..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Montana's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Texas-to-Montana move cost and how long does it take?
Electrical license fees are set by the Montana State Electrical Board; construction contractor registration fee is set by DLI. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.; processing Not published..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Montana is one on the Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Montana State Electrical Board - License Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Montana DLI ERD - Construction/Independent Contractor Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TDLR — Transfer Your Out-of-State Electrician License to Texas (master and journeyman reciprocal states; $45/$30 fees; hour requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Licensing Reciprocity for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Georgia and South Carolina license-to-class mapping) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TDLR — Out of State Applicants, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ($115 fee; insurance minimums; exam may still be required) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Verification Request (Louisiana and Arkansas only; $40 fee; IdentoGO fingerprints; per-state conditions) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TSBPE — Reciprocal License Agreement with Louisiana (~30 days by mail) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]