Tax Preparer / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Tax Preparer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Prepares tax returns. Some states require registration beyond federal PTIN.

What the Montana data shows for Tax Preparers

Becoming a licensed tax preparer in Montana means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Montana regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Montana, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Montana evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Tax Preparer · Montana

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Montana

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Tax Preparer All Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tax Preparer in Montana? ▼
Montana's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Tax Preparer in Montana? ▼
Montana licenses tax preparers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Montana licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tax Preparer license to Montana from another state? ▼
Montana evaluates out-of-state tax preparer licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Montana licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Montana require a background check for Tax Preparer licensing? ▼
Yes, Montana requires a criminal background check as part of the tax preparer licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this tax preparer license

Tax Preparer in Montana is one requirement row in a tax preparer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Montana's tax preparer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Tax Preparer in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Montana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Montana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Montana licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.