Montana Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 12 Hours Every Year

Requirements Overview

The Montana Board of Realty Regulation requires 12 hours of continuing education per annual licensing year, which runs from November 1 through October 31. For salespersons and non-supervising brokers, all 12 hours can be elective courses — there are no mandatory topic requirements. Supervising brokers, however, must complete 4 hours of supervising broker CE covering leadership, oversight, and regulatory compliance, with the remaining 8 hours as electives.

All courses through ARELLO are automatically approved for Montana CE credit, giving licensees access to a broad catalog of nationally available courses. New salespersons licensed for less than 12 months at their first renewal are exempt from CE for that cycle.

Before receiving a supervising broker endorsement, brokers must complete an 8-hour pre-endorsement course. This is a one-time requirement separate from the annual 4-hour supervising broker CE obligation.

Mandatory Topics

Renewal Pathways

Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in Montana

In Montana, real estate brokers renew under their own broker-license pathway, and the continuing education total matches the salesperson requirement: 12 CE hours every year.

Broker-specific course requirements

• Supervising Broker Continuing Education (4 hours) — Required only for supervising brokers. Covers leadership, broker oversight, and regulatory compliance.

License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the Montana Board of Realty Regulation — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.

Exemptions

• ✓
  Exemption — No continuing education is required for salesperson licensees who are licensed less than 12 months on their first renewal.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Montana CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Montana that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Annual minimum — at least 12 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
• Carry-over — No carry-over provisions identified. All 12 hours must be completed within each licensing year (November 1 through October 31).
• CE is annual (12 hours per year), not biennial. Licensing year runs November 1 through October 31.
• Salespersons and brokers: all 12 hours can be elective.
• Supervising brokers: 4 of 12 hours must be in supervising broker CE.
• Supervising broker pre-endorsement: 8-hour approved course required.
• New salespersons licensed less than 12 months exempt from CE on first renewal.
• ARELLO-certified courses automatically approved.
• Administrative Rule: ARM 24.210.667.
• Contact: (406) 444-5696 or AUDIT@MT.GOV.

Provider Requirements

Courses must be approved by the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. All courses through ARELLO are approved for Montana CE credit.

Tips for Montana Real Estate Agents

• Montana's CE cycle is annual, not biennial — set a recurring October reminder to avoid scrambling before the October 31 deadline.
• Since ARELLO-certified courses are automatically approved, you have a wide selection of online options from national providers.
• New salespersons licensed less than 12 months get a first-renewal exemption — but do not let this delay building a CE routine for subsequent years.
• If you plan to become a supervising broker, complete the 8-hour pre-endorsement course first, then budget 4 hours annually for the ongoing supervising broker CE.

Sources

Real Estate Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Montana

All Real Estate CE Requirements by State

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