Helena, Montana – Governor Greg Gianforte has launched a new task force focused on occupational licensing reform in Montana. The goal is simple but powerful: make it easier for Montanans to work in their chosen professions without being held back by outdated systems.
“For too long, occupational licensing and outdated regulations have acted as barriers for Montanans working hard to reach the American dream,” said Governor Gianforte in the official announcement. “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.”
Created through executive order, the task force is expected to analyze and recommend both short- and long-term strategies to reform licensing systems across various fields, especially those managed by state occupational licensing boards.
Sarah Swanson to Lead the Task Force
Gianforte appointed Sarah Swanson, the Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, to chair the task force. Swanson brings firsthand experience in reform efforts, having worked closely with lawmakers in 2025 to reduce licensing burdens and streamline approval processes for workers statewide.
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“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,” Swanson said. “This new task force builds on that momentum and aligns with federal efforts to increase economic mobility by reducing unnecessary barriers to work.”
She also noted how the state’s 406 JOBS initiative has placed licensing reform at the center of workforce revitalization. “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,” Swanson added.
Addressing Critical Shortages in Key Sectors
The need for change is urgent. In his executive order, Gianforte pointed out that Montana has seen the number of occupational licenses double over the past ten years. At the same time, the list of professions requiring licensure has grown — creating serious delays and leaving many fields, especially health care and construction, short on qualified workers.
Those shortages are even more severe in Montana’s rural areas, where access to licensed professionals is limited. Charlie Brereton, Director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, emphasized how this initiative aligns with Montana’s wider goals for care access.
“Through the Rural Health Transformation Program and our behavioral health initiatives, Montana is making historic investments in the health care workforce,” 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.”
Report Expected by September 2026
The task force’s first meeting is scheduled for February, and its final report — which will include specific strategies and recommendations — is due by September 2, 2026. A list of task force members will be released soon.
The launch of this task force also marks a new chapter in the Gianforte administration’s 406 JOBS initiative, which outlines 12 core priorities to drive economic development, reduce red tape, and spark greater collaboration between public agencies and private employers.
For more details, the full executive order is available on the Governor’s official website.
