Employment Standards DivisionBusiness Standards

Employment Standards Division

Our division advances e-government solutions. You can locate and download building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and elevator permit applications and apply for professional licenses. Additionally, you can now apply for and print permits online.

If you are licensed you can likely renew your license through the Online Renewal System. If you are a consumer, you can check the status of the licensed professional you do business with or lookup construction-related permits issued by the Division.

We are committed to providing our customers with easy access to our services. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you, and welcome your feedback.

The Employment Services Division is located on the 4th floor at 301 South Park in Helena, Montana.

Featured News

Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson talks exploding construction sector, climate jobs and more

May 01, 2024
Swanson’s appointment to the head of the 800-person agency comes at a significant moment in Montana: the state’s huge post-pandemic job creation rush has slowed, although certain sectors like . . .

Governor Gianforte, DLI Launch Tool to Assist Displaced Lumber Industry Workers

April 26, 2024
HELENA, Mont. – Today, Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a new tool to assist workers affected by the recent lumber mill . . .

MT Dept. of Labor projects 6,000 healthcare job openings per year

March 14, 2024
MTDLI projects 638 openings for RNs per year, for which the median wage is $76,550. Over half are projected to be due to retirement. Another eight percent are expected to be due to increased demand caused by the . . .

Montana labor force hits all-time high in January

March 14, 2024
Montana's unemployment was lower than the national average of 3.7% with 3.3% in January. In January total employment added 400 workers and payroll jobs increased by 300. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry . . .

State Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November

December 22, 2023
More than 41,000 jobs created since January 2021 HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), today announced the . . .

Montana Reports Fewer Work-Related Fatalities in 2022

December 20, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, an annual study conducted jointly by the agency and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Results of 2022 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

December 14, 2023
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In 2022, employees of Montana businesses in all industries experienced a . . .

Montana Reaches 24th Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%

November 20, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana reached its 24th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%. Prior to the governor taking office, Montana’s unemployment rate had . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adds First-Ever Tribal Liaison to Leadership Team

October 26, 2023
Blackfeet Nation member Don Wetzel Jr., with 20+ years of experience working with native communities, to lead Department’s tribal outreach Don Wetzel, Jr. DLI Tribal Laison   HELENA -The . . .

Montana Reaches 22nd Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%

September 19, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s . . .

Labor Day Report: Montana's Economy Strong & Poised for Growth

September 07, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson today presented the 2023 Labor Day Report to Montanans. “Montana enjoyed a historic year of record job growth, low . . .

Montana’s Unemployment Rate Below 3% For 21st Consecutive Month

August 21, 2023
More Montanans Working Today Than Ever Before HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in July is below 3% for the 21st consecutive month. The only . . .

Governor Gianforte Appoints Commissioner of Labor and Industry

August 10, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Sarah Swanson to lead the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “As a proven leader in both the private and . . .

Governor Gianforte Announces Another Record-Setting Jobs Report

December 16, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working in November hit a new all-time high, according to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the . . .

  Montana Post-Secondary Workforce Report Highlights Opportunities for Montana Workers

October 21, 2022
HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry this week released the 2022 Post-Secondary Workforce Report, which evaluates how the state’s workforce training systems provide a . . .

Montana’s Record Employment, Labor Force Growth Continues in September

October 21, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working and the size of the state’s workforce in September reached new all-time highs, according to data from the . . .

Montanans Impacted by Flooding in Yellowstone County May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

July 27, 2022
Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that workers in Yellowstone County impacted by June flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Disaster . . .

Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases “Status of the Nursing Workforce in Montana” Report

November 12, 2021
Report summarizes results from the National Council State Board of Nursing 2020 Survey HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the “2020 Status of the . . .

Montana Employers Recognized with 2021 Governor’s Achievement Awards

October 01, 2021
Awards recognize ongoing commitment to workplace safety across Montana MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today recognized employers who go above and beyond in their efforts to make their . . .

Montana's Labor Force, Total Employment Grow in June

July 16, 2021
MONTANA – Montana’s labor force grew by more than 2,000 workers in June, while total employment in the state grew by some 1,800 workers. “More and more Montanans are . . .

Circle, MT Student Awarded Montana State Employer Council Scholarship

July 14, 2021
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today announced the 2021 Montana State Employer Council . . .

Current Events

Sep 17 2025

8 am to 11 am

Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists- Full Board Meeting

The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-841-2373 . . .
Sep 24 2025

9 am to 10 am

Webinar on new Emergency Care Provider documents: Montana Scope of Practice Document, National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines, and Endorsement Applications

Zoom Link Meeting ID: 893 0962 1563 Passcode: 954871 The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .
Sep 24 2025

9 am to 10 am

Webinar on new Emergency Care Provider documents: Montana Scope of Practice Document, National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines, and Endorsement Applications

Zoom Link Meeting ID: 893 0962 1563 Passcode: 954871 This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site. The Department of . . .
Sep 25 2025

12 pm to 4 pm

Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room and Teleconference
301 S Park Avenue
This board meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. Individuals are welcome to attend in person or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable . . .
Oct 03 2025

9 am to 1 pm

Board of Pharmacy | Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor, Small Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave. Helena, MT
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office prior to the proposed . . .
Oct 23 2025

12 pm to 3 pm

MT State Electrical | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave Helena, MT 59601
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-841-2258 . . .
Oct 24 2025

10 am to 4 pm

Board of Medical Examiners Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room and Zoom
301 S Park Ave, Helena MT 59601
This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site.  The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing . . .
Oct 29 2025

10 am to 5 pm

Board of Nursing | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Individuals are welcome to attend online or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .
Nov 05 2025

10 am to 12 pm

MT Board of Realty Regulation | Full Board Meeting

This board meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. Individuals are welcome to attend in person or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable . . .
Nov 05 2025

10 30 am to 3 pm

MT Board of Funeral Services | Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave 4th floor Helena, MT 59601
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-444-6880 or . . .
Nov 10 2025

8 am to 2 pm

Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave. Helena, MT
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office prior to the proposed . . .
Nov 13 2025

8 am to 5 pm

Board of Behavioral Health | Full Board Meeting

The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-841-2209 . . .
Nov 18 2025

11 am to 3 pm

Board of Real Estate Appraisers | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room and Teleconference
301 South Park Avenue Helena, MT
This board meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. Individuals are welcome to attend in person or by phone. The Montana Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through . . .
Nov 20 2025

9 am

Montana Board of Veterinary Medicine Full Board Meeting

Room: TBA
TBA
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-841-2350 . . .
Nov 20 2025

12 pm to 4 pm

Board of Public Accountants | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room
301 South Park Avenue
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office at 406-444-6886 . . .
Dec 05 2025

9 am to 1 pm

Board of Pharmacy | Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor, Small Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave. Helena, MT
The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Board office prior to the proposed . . .
Dec 11 2025

12 pm to 4 pm

Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors | Full Board Meeting

Room: Large Conference Room and Teleconference
301 S Park Avenue
This board meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. Individuals are welcome to attend in person or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable . . .
Jan 23 2026

10 am to 4 pm

Board of Medical Examiners - Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S Park Ave, Helena MT
This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting . . .
Feb 18 2026

10 am to 5 pm

Board of Nursing Full Board Meeting

Individuals are welcome to attend online or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .
Apr 24 2026

10 am to 4 pm

Board of Medical Examiners - Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S Park Ave
This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site.  The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing . . .
May 13 2026

10 am to 5 pm

Board of Nursing Full Board Meeting

Room: no room given
In person and online.
Individuals are welcome to attend online or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .
Jul 24 2026

10 am to 4 pm

Board of Medical Examiners - Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave, Helena
This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site.  The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing . . .
Aug 12 2026

10 am to 5 pm

Board of Nursing Full Board Meeting

Individuals are welcome to attend online or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .
Oct 23 2026

10 am to 4 pm

Board of Medical Examiners - Full Board Meeting

Room: 4th Floor - Large Conference Room
301 S. Park Ave, Helena and Zoom
This board meeting will be held in-person and virtually. You can join the meeting via teleconference if you are unable to attend on site.  The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing . . .
Nov 18 2026

10 am to 5 pm

Board of Nursing Full Board Meeting

Room: no room given
In person and online.
Individuals are welcome to attend online or by phone. The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing meeting access through reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. . . .