Montana Real Estate CE Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
12 hrs / year
Frequency
Annual
License year
Nov 1 - Oct 31
Issued by
Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Montana is one of the annual-CE states, which changes the whole rhythm: instead of saving up hours over two or four years, salespersons owe 12 hours every single license year, due by October 31. The number is small, but the cadence is what catches people - there is no long runway to fall back on.
Here is what Montana salespersons owe the Board of Realty Regulation, and the license-year dates that set the clock.
The base requirement: 12 hours every year
The Montana Board of Realty Regulation requires every active licensee to complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing real estate education each license year. The hours must be in real estate related courses approved by the Board, and the full rule detail lives in the Board's continuing education administrative rule.
The annual cadence is the thing to watch
- The license year runs November 1 through October 31, and the 12 hours must be completed before the end of that year (October 31).
- Because the obligation is annual, there is no multi-year buffer - a missed year is a compliance problem the next renewal, not something you can backfill later.
- Courses approved through ARELLO are generally accepted for Montana CE credit, but confirm Board approval before you buy.
- Build a yearly habit rather than treating CE as an occasional task - the fixed October 31 cutoff repeats every single year.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
Montana's CE deadline aligns with the license year ending October 31, and your 12 hours must be complete by then. Let providers report your completion to the Board ahead of the date so a reporting lag does not push you past the cutoff. Keep your certificates - the Board can verify or audit your hours.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Track the 12-hour annual total with a progress ring that resets each license year, so you always know what is left before October 31.
- Store each certificate as you finish, filed with the credit it proves.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before the October 31 deadline - the fixed annual date that repeats every year.
- Licensed in Montana plus another state, or also an appraiser or MLO? Each license has its own card, deadline, and reminders in one dashboard.
- One-click dated packet of summary plus certificates for any audit or broker review.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do Montana real estate salespersons need?
A minimum of 12 hours of Board-approved continuing real estate education every license year.
How often is Montana real estate CE due?
Annually. The license year runs November 1 to October 31, and the 12 hours must be completed by October 31 each year.
When does the Montana real estate license year start?
November 1, running through October 31. Your 12 hours of CE must be done before the end of that license year.
What courses count for Montana real estate CE?
Real estate related courses approved by the Board of Realty Regulation; courses offered through ARELLO are generally accepted, but confirm approval before enrolling.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
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