Montana PE CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
Under ARM 24.183.2105, Montana requires 30 PDHs every two years with no specific subject mandate—no ethics or law hours are required. Acceptable activities include courses, seminars, published papers, patents, and society participation, provided they maintain, improve, or expand skills relevant to your field of practice.
Online and distance learning is accepted, but self-study is capped at a maximum of 10 PDHs per renewal cycle. The Board does not pre-approve activities or providers, so each licensee determines eligibility.
If you exceed the requirement, up to 15 PDHs may be carried forward into the following period. Dual PE/land surveyor licensees still need 30 PDHs but must earn at least one-third in each profession. Retain records for three years for audit.
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- New Licensee — Exempt from accruing PDHs for 12 months following licensure; thereafter 7.5 PDHs required per six-month period.
- Military — Licensees on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States exceeding 120 consecutive days in a year are exempt.
- Disability Hardship — Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness or other extenuating circumstances, as reviewed and approved by the board, may be exempt.
- Inactive Status — Licensees currently on inactive status are exempt.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Montana CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Montana that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — A maximum of 15 PDH units may be carried forward into the subsequent renewal period.
- Requirement_status is 'required': despite Montana being commonly reported as having NO PE CE, the official board page and ARM 24.183.2105 require 30 PDH per two-year cycle.
- Self-study is capped at a maximum of 10 PDH per renewal cycle.
- Records/documentation of completed CE must be maintained for three years and produced on board request/audit.
- No board pre-approval of activities or providers; licensee determines eligibility.
- ARM 24.183.2105 effective 09/25/2021 (Rule Version 51832); most recent substantive amendment 2021 MAR p. 1215.
- Renewal window: May 30 to June 30 on even-numbered years; CE questions/audit contact (406) 444-5696, AUDIT@MT.GOV.
Provider Requirements
No board pre-approval of providers or activities. Licensees are responsible for determining course/provider eligibility; activities must maintain, improve or expand skills relevant to the licensee's field of practice.
Tips for Montana PEs
- Watch the self-study cap: no more than 10 of your 30 PDHs may come from self-study.
- Renewal only opens May 30 through June 30 in even-numbered years, so schedule CE completion accordingly.
- New licensees are exempt for their first 12 months, then owe 7.5 PDHs per six-month period.
- Dual PE/PLS holders must split the 30 PDHs with at least one-third earned in each profession.
- The Board pre-approves nothing—confirm an activity is relevant to your field before counting it, and keep records three years.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 2 sources cited — 1 primary (official board)
PE Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Montana
All Professional Engineer CE Requirements by State
Open any other state's PE CE (PDH) requirements, or see the full Professional Engineer CE hub to compare every state in one table.