How do I report CLE credits in Montana?

Montana attorneys must complete 15 CLE credit hours each reporting year. At least 2 of those hours must cover ethics, and 10 hours must be earned live.

Reporting Cycle & Deadlines

• Reporting period: April 1 through March 31
• Compliance deadline: March 31
• Reporting (certification) deadline: May 15 (includes a grace period)

Credit Formats & Limits

• Total required: 15 credits per year
• Live (interactive) minimum: 10 credits
• Self-study (on-demand or recorded) cap: 5 credits
• Ethics: 2 credits required
• Carryover: Attorneys may carry over some live credits (up to 30 credits over two periods), including up to 4 ethics credits

Exemptions & Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from CLE reporting during the reporting period in which they are admitted
• Credits earned after admission that exceed the requirement may be carried forward

Provider Support

• Sprout Education tracks your Montana CLE credits and supports accurate reporting to the Montana Commission of CLE

Key Takeaway: Montana’s CLE cycle is annual, requiring 15 hours per year, with 2 in professional fitness/ethics, a 10-hour live minimum, and limits on on-demand credits.

Attorneys in Montana report CLE by submitting a Credit Reporting Form (formerly via affidavit) to the Montana Commission of CLE by May 15 (for credits earned by March 31). Reporting is self-submit, and credits must be accompanied by certificates of completion.

Key Details:

• The CLE year ends March 31, and attorneys must earn and report by May 15.
• Montana now requires reporting via its online Dashboard system (no longer via mail or email) for submission and review.
• The Montana “Credit Reporting Form” lists course title, sponsor, date, location, credit type (General, Ethics, Self-Study) and must accompany certificates.
• If credits do not post correctly, attorneys may make corrections through the Dashboard during a limited correction window.

Key Takeaway: Montana CLE reporting is done via an online Dashboard using the Credit Reporting Form (with certificates) by May 15 following the March 31 CLE deadline.

Montana attorneys are required to complete 15 CLE credit hours per year, including at least 2 hours in ethics.
Of those 15 hours, at least 10 must be earned through live interactive programs; up to 5 may be self-study or asynchronous formats.

Details

• Total: 15 credits annually.

• Ethics: At least 2 credits must cover that topic.

• Live requirement: Minimum of 10 hours must be live/interactive.

• Self-study cap: Maximum 5 credits from non-interactive formats such as recorded presentations, article writing, or in-house programs.

• Reporting period: CLE must be completed by March 31; reporting and corrections may occur by May 15.

• Consequences: Attorneys who fail to complete or report on time may be moved to inactive status pending compliance and payment of late fees.

Key Takeaway: Montana requires 15 CLE hours each year, with a 2-hour ethics component, a live minimum of 10 hours, and a cap of 5 self-study credits, under a March 31 compliance deadline.

In Montana, the grace period ends on May 15 — attorneys have a six-week window after the March 31 compliance deadline to report CLE without penalty.

Montana CLE Deadlines & Grace Period

• March 31: Deadline to complete CLE credits and officially close the reporting year.
• May 15: End of grace period to report CLE and earn credits without a late filing fee.
• July 1: Attorneys still noncompliant by this date are moved to inactive status and reported to the Supreme Court.

Key Takeaway: Montana gives attorneys a six-week grace period — until May 15 — to meet CLE obligations after March 31, after which a late fee is assessed and noncompliance consequences begin.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Montana as you attend programs throughout the reporting year. The CLE reporting form explicitly states: “report CLE credits as you attend programs throughout the year.”

However, your formal compliance certification (i.e. satisfying and affirming CLE obligations) is tied to the annual cycle: credits must be completed and reported by March 31, and there is a grace period until May 15 for reporting without penalty.

Key Details

• The Montana CLE reporting period is one year, ending March 31.
• Attorneys must complete 15 CLE hours annually, including 2 in Professional Fitness & Integrity (ethics-type).
• The reporting window opens when the reporting year begins (April 1) and remains open through the grace period (May 15) for late reporting.
• Montana’s Commission sends preliminary transcripts by April 15, and attorneys may submit corrections until May 15.
• If CLE credits are completed after March 31 but before May 15, they can still be reported under the grace window without penalty.
• Sprout Education reports credits typically within 30 days to ensure timely posting ahead of transcript generation.

Key Takeaway
In Montana, you can report CLE credits continuously during the reporting year (i.e. as soon as you complete them). Compliance is formally assessed at year-end (March 31), with reporting allowed through May 15 under the grace period.

The CLE reporting deadline in Montana is March 31, with a grace period until May 15.

Montana attorneys must complete their required CLE credits by March 31 and report them (or correct transcript entries) by May 15.

Montana CLE Reporting Deadlines & Rules

• Completion & Reporting Deadline: March 31 is when the reporting year ends and credits should be completed.
• Grace / Correction Period: Through May 15 attorneys may make corrections or submit late reports (a late fee applies).
• Suspension for Noncompliance: If credits are not reported and late fee paid by July 1, attorneys are moved to inactive status.
• Credit Requirement: 15 CLE hours each year, including 2 in Professional Fitness & Integrity (ethics). Live credits minimum and self-study limits apply.

Key Takeaway: In Montana, earn your CLE by March 31, then report or correct by May 15, or face late fees or suspension after July 1.