Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Billings, MT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Montana — No Sales Tax

   Montana has no state or local sales tax. Businesses do not need a sales tax permit. However, businesses must register with the Montana Department of Revenue for applicable business taxes (e.g., withholding, corporate income tax if applicable).

   Official government source

   Free (business registration)·Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

   Free (business registration)

   Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

2. Montana Background Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Montana child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.

   Official government source

   $25–$75 per person·1–4 weeks

   $25–$75 per person

   1–4 weeks

1. Montana Department of Public Health — Child Care Facility License

   Child care centers in Montana must be licensed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Child Care Licensing Program, Early Childhood and Family Support Division). Requirements include background checks for staff, facility health and fire-safety inspections, and staff-to-child ratio compliance. Montana charges no licensing fee.

   Official government source

   $0 — Montana charges no child care licensing application or renewal fee·6–12 weeks

   $0 — Montana charges no child care licensing application or renewal fee

   6–12 weeks

2. City of Billings — Business License (Finance Department)

   Billings requires a business license for any business activity conducted within the city — including home-based businesses and businesses located outside city limits that do business in Billings. The license documents payment of the city's annual business tax and is administered by the Finance Department. It is valid for one year from the month of issuance and must be renewed annually; a separate license is required for each business type and each location.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.

   1–3 weeks

3. Yellowstone County / Billings Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers must pass building inspections for safety, ADA accessibility, fire suppression, and appropriate child-proofing standards.

   Official government source

   Varies — no flat inspection fee is published; building-permit fees (if remodeling) are valuation-based via the City of Billings Building Division·2–6 weeks

   Varies — no flat inspection fee is published; building-permit fees (if remodeling) are valuation-based via the City of Billings Building Division

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• Montana Department of Public Health — Child Care Facility License
• City of Billings City Clerk

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