Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Montana's official board.
Montana licenses boiler operators and engineers statewide through the Boiler Operator Program at the Department of Labor and Industry, in seven classes set by boiler pressure and temperature, from Limited Low Pressure up to First Class.
| Requirements | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, be pre-approved by the program, and pass a written examination for every class of licensure; exams are administered at local Job Services offices. The application fee is $70 for all classes. Low Pressure Boiler Engineer requires 3 months of full-time experience (480 hours) operating a boiler in that classification under an engineer holding a valid low pressure or higher license, or completion of a department-approved training course specific to low pressure boilers plus a minimum of 40 hours of experience under a licensed boiler engineer. Limited Low Pressure Boiler Engineer requires 2 months full-time (320 hours), or a department-approved 6 hour training course plus a minimum of 8 hours under a licensed boiler engineer. Third Class requires 6 months full-time (960 hours) under an engineer holding a valid third class or higher license, or an approved training course plus a minimum of 40 hours under a licensed boiler engineer. Second Class requires 2 years of full-time experience in that classification under a second or first class engineer, or a valid third class license plus at least 1 year of full-time experience under a second or first class engineer. First Class requires 3 years of full-time experience under a first class engineer, or a valid second class license plus 1 year, or a valid third class license plus 2 years. Agricultural Boiler Engineer has no experience requirement. Traction Engineer requires at least 50 hours of experience with traction engines and completion of a steam school, and steam school hours may be substituted for experience hours. |
| Reciprocity | Yes, but as experience credit rather than an examination waiver. Mont. Code Ann. § 50-74-305 allows an applicant holding a valid same-classification licence from a state whose requirements equal or exceed Montana's (measured against § 50-74-304) to use that licence in place of Montana's experience prerequisite. The Montana written examination is still required, no provision waives it. Military and merchant-marine operating experience can substitute for the experience requirement on the same basis, and a training-course pathway exists for the lower classes (Low Pressure and Third Class). ARM 24.122.505(4) gives the department discretion to accept substantially equal credentials and documentation toward the experience prerequisite. No National Board, NIULPE or NAPE certificate is named anywhere as an examination substitute. |
| Renewal | All Boiler Operator Program licenses renew annually, with the renewal period running from February 1 through April 1 and a 45 day late renewal window that ends May 15. The renewal fee is $35. The program states that there are no continuing education requirements. |
| Notes | Montana licenses boiler operators and engineers statewide through the Boiler Operator Program at the Department of Labor and Industry, in seven classes set by boiler pressure and temperature, from Limited Low Pressure up to First Class. |
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Sources: boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, mca.legmt.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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