Montana accepts Elevate CE's credits for social workers.
The Montana Board of Behavior Health accepts continuing education on topics directly relate to the licensee's scope of practice. 20 CE credits are required each year and all credits may be earned online - either via live webinars or recorded (self-paced) webinars. These requirements are for those licensed as LCSW, LMSW, LBSW, LCPC, LMFT, LAC, and CBHPSS. Learn more here: https://rules.mt.gov/gateway/RuleNo.asp?RN=24%2E219%2E435
Elevate Continuing Education, #1816, formerly Maryland CEU Institute is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.
Montana Social Work Continuing Education Requirements
2024 License Renewal Information
Renewal Deadline: December 31, 2024
Renewal Frequency: Yearly
How many CEs do Montana social workers need for license renewal?
LISW, LCSW, LMSW, LBSW: 20 hours of continuing education every year
Specific Topic Requirements: 2 Hours in Suicide Prevention (Required for first renewal and every two years after)
Can I take my CEs from Elevate CE?
YES, Montana Social Workers can earn all 20 of their required CEs through Elevate CE.
The Montana Board of Behavioral Health accepts Elevate CE Courses that “directly relate to the licensee's scope of practice.”
View our Live Webinars or Recorded Webinars to get started learning and earning the CEs your need for renewal today!
Are there any course format requirements or limitations for Montana social workers?
No. Montana social workers can complete all of their required hours via online CE courses, either Live Webinars are Recorded Webinars.
Visit our Live Webinars or Recorded Webinars to get started earning the CE credits needed for renewal today.
Are there any additional rules or requirements Montana social workers should know?
Montana Social Workers are responsible for selecting quality programs that focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to licensees' professional knowledge and competence.
Out of the 20 required hours, up to 10 hours can come from: (i) preparing a new course, workshop, or seminar for the first time, or (ii) preparing a paper that is published in a recognized professional journal or presented at a statewide or national meeting for the first time."
The above information has been obtained directly from the Montana Board of Behavioral Health website. Please visit the Montana Board of Behavioral Health for questions and/ or contact the board directly.
Montana Social Work CE Requirement Statutes
This information below has been obtained directly from the Montana Board of Behavioral Health Website and is current as of August 2024. Please visit Administrative Rules of Montana (mt.gov) to read the full regulations and rules information and details.
Administrative Rules of Montana Social Work 24.219.435 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
(1) Licensees are required to obtain 20 hours of continuing education (CE) annually, prior to renewal.
(2) Licensees completing more than 20 hours of CE may carry forward those hours into the next year. The number of hours carried forward shall not exceed 20 hours.
(3) Licensees holding more than one type of license must demonstrate completion of 20 hours of CE with each license.
(4) Of the 20 hours:
(a) a minimum of two hours must relate to suicide prevention for a licensee's first renewal and every two years thereafter; and
(b) a maximum ten hours may be for: (i) first-time preparation of a new course, in-service training workshop, or seminar which meets the criteria in (6); or (ii) preparation time by the author or authors of a paper which meets the criteria in (6) that is published for the first time in a recognized professional journal, or given for the first time at a statewide or national professional meeting.
(5) Continuing education requirements will not apply until after the licensee's first renewal.
(6) Licensees are responsible for selecting quality programs that focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to licensees' professional knowledge and competence.
Acceptable CE activities: (a) directly relate to the licensee's scope of practice as defined in board statute or rule; (b) review existing concepts and techniques; (c) convey information beyond the basic professional education; (d) update knowledge on the practice and advances in the profession; or (e) reinforce professional conduct or ethical obligations of the licensee.
(7) The department may randomly audit up to 50 percent of renewed licensees.
(8) Licensees must maintain documentation of completed CE for three years and provide documentation to the board upon request. Documentation must include the following information: (a) licensee name; (b) course title and description of content; (c) presenter or sponsor; (d) course date(s); and (e) number of CE hours earned.
(9) Any CE hours required by disciplinary order do not apply toward the 20 hours that are required annually under this rule.
(10) A licensee may request an exemption from CE requirements due to hardship. Requests will be considered by the department.
