Mandatory topics
Montana has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 0-hour total.
Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Montana cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit
Montana accepts CME from nationally accredited providers. Confirm provider eligibility with Montana Board of Medical Examiners before the renewal cycle.
Documentation & audit
Physicians are responsible for retaining CME documentation and producing it on request. Requirements include course title, dates, hours, sponsoring organization, and accrediting body.
Waivers & exemptions
Not applicable. Montana does not require continuing medical education for physician licensure or renewal, so there is nothing to exempt.[1]
FAQ
How many CME hours do Montana physicians need?
Zero hours are required by the state. The Montana Board of Medical Examiners does not require continuing medical education for physician licensure or renewal, and its own FAQ states directly that Montana does not require physicians to acquire CME in order to acquire or renew a license.[1] Montana is one of the only US states with no physician CME mandate. However, most Montana physicians still complete substantial CME each year because of hospital credentialing requirements, specialty board maintenance of certification, and the federal DEA MATE Act, none of which are waived by Montana's state-level silence.
If Montana doesn't require CME, why should a Montana physician track it?
Because three parallel obligations still apply. First, the federal DEA MATE Act requires DEA-registered practitioners to complete a one-time eight-hour substance use disorder training. Second, ABMS and AOA specialty board maintenance of certification programs typically require ongoing CME as a condition of keeping board-certified status. Third, hospital credentialing committees, malpractice insurers, and insurance network panels frequently impose their own CME expectations (often 40-50 hours per year) as a condition of privileges or participation. A Montana physician who ignores CME may be compliant with the state board but non-compliant everywhere else that actually pays them.
Do Montana physician assistants have a CME requirement?
Yes. Montana PAs must maintain current NCCPA certification, which requires 100 CME credits per 2-year cycle. Montana itself does not impose a separate state CE hour requirement for PAs beyond requiring current NCCPA certification. The physician no-CME rule does not extend to physician assistants, and PAs should not assume that Montana's CME silence for MDs and DOs means they have no continuing education obligations. This is a common point of confusion when PAs are onboarded into Montana practices.
Do MDs and DOs follow the same rules in Montana?
Yes. Montana has a single unified Board of Medical Examiners that regulates both allopathic and osteopathic physicians under the same statute, and neither is required to complete state-level CME. The board includes five MD seats and one DO seat along with public members. No separate osteopathic board exists in Montana.
When does my Montana medical license renew?
Montana physician licenses are issued on a two-year cycle and expire March 31 regardless of initial licensure date.[1] All Montana physicians share the same statewide renewal date. You can verify your status through the Montana license lookup at ebizws.mt.gov and renew through the state's ebiz portal. CME attestation is not part of the renewal process, but general standing, disciplinary questions, and fee payment are.
Do Montana MDs and DOs have different CME requirements?
No. Montana does not maintain a separate osteopathic licensing board — DOs and MDs are both licensed by the Montana Board of Medical Examiners and subject to the same CME requirements.