Montana CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required Montana CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 15.00 credit hours every year.

A minimum of 10.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 5.00 credit hours may be taken as self study programs.

Montana CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: March 31

Reporting Deadline: March 31

Reporting Period: 1 year


Common Questions About Montana Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General Montana Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Montana?

Active status attorneys in Montana must complete 15.00 CLE credits every year to maintain good standing with the State Bar of Montana.

When is the Montana CLE reporting deadline?

The reporting deadline is March 31 each year. The Montana Commission on Continuing Legal Education will send out a preliminary report after March 31. You have until May 15 of each year to make corrections. You can always check your transcript online.

How long is the Montana CLE reporting period, and when does mine end?

The Montana CLE reporting period is 1 year and ends on March 31 every year for all attorneys.

How do I report my Montana CLE credits?

Montana is a self-reporting state, so you are responsible for reporting your CLE attendance to the Montana Commission of CLE. NBI will report your attendance for live credit events, but you must confirm that your CLE credits have been posted to your account.

NBI will send you a verified certificate of completion for your records.

For self study credit events, you can send the Montana Commission of CLE Credit Reporting Form, along with a copy of your verified certificate of completion, to cle@montanabar.org to report your CLE.

How many Montana CLE credits can I carry over?

Montana attorneys can carry over 30.00 CLE credits from live courses for two reporting periods. Credits earned from self study or other methods cannot be carried over.

Ethics credits will first be applied to substantive credits before being carried over. Up to 4.00 ethics credits from live courses may be carried over after you meet your 15.00 credit requirement.

How many CLE credits can I complete with self study courses?

Attorneys in Montana can complete a maximum of 5.00 CLE credits with self study courses or other courses that are not interactive.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Montana?

Montana attorneys must complete 2.00 ethics credits every year.

Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Montana CLE credit?

In-program attendance verification is required for downloadable courses.

Are you newly admitted to the State Bar of Montana? Here’s what you need to know:

What are the Montana CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Montana do not need to report CLE credits during the first reporting year (not calendar year) they are admitted to the State Bar of Montana. The reporting year is April 1 through March 31.

Can I carry over credits I completed during the first reporting period when I was admitted?

Yes. Although you are not required to report Montana CLE credits for the duration of the reporting period that you are admitted, any CLE credits earned after you are sworn-in and admitted to the State Bar of Montana can be carried over.

When does my first reporting period end?

The reporting period for all Montana attorneys ends March 31 of each year. However, you are exempt from Montana CLE reporting requirements for the reporting period that you are in when you are admitted to the bar. The date that you are admitted to the bar is the date that you are sworn-in, not the date that you passed the bar exam.

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