Governor Gianforte Launches Licensing Reform Task Force
- — January 29 2026
Addresses workforce shortages
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today launched a licensing reform task force, an initiative aimed at streamlining Montana’s occupational licensing requirements and lowering barriers for Montanans looking to enter the workforce.
“For too long, occupational licensing and outdated regulations have acted as barriers for Montanans working hard to reach the American dream,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Whether you work in construction or serve as a health care provider, you shouldn’t have to spend months or years fighting with bureaucracy just to earn a living. This task force will help balance public safety while also ensuring Montana is the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family.”
The governor created the task force through an executive order and charged its members with providing him with short- and long-term recommendations and strategies to address professions with occupational licensing boards in the state.
Gov. Gianforte appointed Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, to chair the task force.
“The licensing reform work we accomplished with the Legislature in 2025 was a major step forward for Montana’s workforce, making government more efficient, responsive, and focused on helping Montanans succeed,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor & Industry. “This new task force builds on that momentum and aligns with federal efforts to increase economic mobility by reducing unnecessary barriers to work.”
Swanson continued, “Through the 406 JOBS initiative, we’re prioritizing licensing reform as a tool to bring people back to the workforce and expand opportunity, like Registered Apprenticeships, across the state. By modernizing our occupational licensing system, we’ve made it easier for skilled professionals to get work, support their families, and serve their communities.”
In the executive order, the governor noted that the number of professional and occupational licenses issued in the state has doubled in the last decade and the number of occupations subject to licensure has also increased. The governor also pointed out that Montana faces a shortage of providers in several occupational fields, including construction and health care professions, especially in rural areas.
“Through the Rural Health Transformation Program and our behavioral health initiatives, Montana is making historic investments in the health care workforce,” Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said. “DPHHS looks forward to joining this task force and supporting the development of meaningful recommendations to further improve access to care across our state.”
The task force will hold its first meeting in February and will produce a written report with recommendations and strategies by September 2, 2026. Members will be named in the coming days.
The formation of the task force comes as the Gianforte administration announced the 406 JOBS initiative which identifies 12 priorities across the workforce system, including both private and public sectors, to drive innovation, remove red tape, and foster collaboration between state agencies.
Read Executive order No. 1-2026.
Contact
Jennifer Owen: Director, State Workforce Innovation Board