Location Manager Guide
All Montana on-premises retailers, off-premises retailers, manufacturers, beer wholesalers, and table wine distributors must designate at least one location manager.
Location managers are responsible for general oversight of the licensed premises and for ensuring compliance with alcoholic beverage laws and rules.
What to Submit Within 30 Days
Within 30 days of an employee beginning location manager duties, the licensee must submit:
- Location Manager Application (Form 30A).
- Personal/Criminal History Statement (Form 10).
- Two sets of fingerprint cards.
- $30 fingerprint processing fee.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incomplete applications
Personal History Statements, fingerprint cards, and payment must be turned in along with Form 30A.
Probationary employees
Anyone functioning as a location manager must be reported, whether or not they’re on a probationary period.
Employees in a training program
Licensees do not have to disclose someone they are considering hiring or training as a location manager. Once that person’s location manager duties begin, the licensee has 30 days to disclose the individual to the department.
Multiple location managers
As long as another approved location manager remains with the licensee, the 30-day deadline does not apply to removing a location manager or adding an owner as a location manager. In those cases, the changes do not have to be reported until the end of the fiscal year, on the renewal form during the license renewal process.
Qualification issues
Location managers are held to the same suitability standards as licensees. Be aware of an individual’s prior financial activities or criminal record that may render them unsuitable for the responsibility of complying with alcoholic beverage law.
Questions?
Contact DORCARD@mt.gov.
Legal References
All licensees must comply with all federal and Montana alcoholic beverage laws and rules. See 16-4-414, MCA; and ARM 42.12.132.
Updated December 2022. Please note the information in department communications may have been modified, superseded, or made obsolete by changes in federal or state law or the Administrative Rules of Montana. To verify the current validity of any Department of Revenue communication, please contact DORCARD@mt.gov.
