Annual Dues, Fees & Assessments

The State Bar's fiscal year runs April 1 to March 31. Annual fees and assessments are due April 1 each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Inactive members required to pay the Montana Supreme Court’s license tax?

The Clerk of Court is the authority that issues your license and collects the license tax (through the State Bar) on behalf of the Supreme Court. Active, active military and inactive members must maintain their license each year. [Section37-61-211, MCA]

Can fees and assessments be paid by credit card?

Yes-the State Bar accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express and ACH. Members who pay fees and assessments by credit card will be charged a 3% processing fee. There is no fee for an ACH transaction.

Why are governmental lawyers required to pay the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection assessment?

The assessment is a Court-ordered requirement for all active and active military members of the State Bar. [165 Mont. 1, 530 P.2d 765 (1975)]

How do I renew membership online?

During the annual renewal period log in at www.montanabar.org and from the membership dashboard click the Renew Membership icon, on the Membership Renew link under the Alerts & Reminders area, or through the Invoices/Receipts icon.

How would I request a hardship waiver?

Members experiencing difficulty as a result of financial hardship and are unable to pay full or partial dues may apply for a waiver using the necessary form obtained from the State Bar. This waiver applies to dues ONLY. The State Bar of Montana does not have authority to waive Court-ordered fees or assessments. Members of the State Bar of Montana in a good standing who become disabled may request a full or partial waiver of dues until they are able to return to work using the necessary form obtained from the State Bar. This waiver applies to dues ONLY. The State Bar of Montana does not have authority to waive Court-ordered fees or assessments. Only those applicants who have been State Bar of Montana members for one year or more are eligible to apply. To request the form please send a message to membership@montanabar.org.

Who pays the assessment for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel?

The assessment is a Court-ordered requirement for all active and active military members of the State Bar. [MT Supreme Court Order dated January 15, 2002]

What happens if I do not pay the fees and assessments?

Members who fail to postmark their payment by April 1 will be mailed a second notice and assessed a $50 late fee. If the 1st of April falls on a weekend payment will be accepted the following Monday. If, after 30 days from the date of the second notice, there is no payment received a notice of delinquency will be mailed to the primary address of record by both regular and certified mail. Within 20 days from the date of this notice the member is suspended for non-payment and will incur an additional $200 reinstatement fee. The names of suspended members will be provided to all Courts of Record in Montana. Dues and penalty fees will continue to accrue for each year left unpaid. Members whose dues are in arrears for 3 or more years are required to petition the Montana Supreme Court before reinstatement will be granted.

I paid but have not received my bar card. When can I expect it?

A copy of your current card can be printed through the member dashboard. For cards sent by mail please allow up to 14 business days from the date your payment is processed. To request a replacement card please send an email to membership@montanabar.org.

Change of Address

Members can update their contact information by logging into their member dashboard or send an email to membership@montanabar.org. 

CLE Reporting

The CLE reporting cycle runs from April 1 to March 31 each year. All active attorneys must complete at least 15 credits of continuing legal education every reporting year. Of these 15, a minimum of two credits must be earned from programs on the topic of ethics or professionalism. For more information and to check your CLE status visit the Montana Continuing Legal Education page.

Certificates and Letters of Good Standing

An electronic version of the certificate is available through the member dashboard but an original copy by mail must be ordered through the online store at www.montanabar.org (Membership category). A letter of good standing can be obtained by sending a request to membership@montanabar.org. Certificates and letters reflect your current status and date of admission with the State Bar of Montana. A statement of discipline must be obtained through the Montana Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel (406) 442-1648.

IOLTA

IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) reporting is managed by the Montana Justice Foundation. Visit www.mtjustice.org/iolta, call (406) 523-3920 or email mjf@mtjustice.org for more information.

Logging In

Usernames are the email address on file with the State Bar but passwords must be created by the member. To create a password for the first time OR if you have logged in before but forgot your password, select the Forgot Password button from the Account Login page.

Mailing List Requests

Requests for mailing lists must be provided in writing using the required Mailing List Application. Submissions are subject to review and approval by the Executive Director with a cost associated. The State Bar reserves the right to decline to sell mailing labels or lists to anyone and reserves the right to review all materials being mailed through use of such labels or lists. State Bar letterhead may not be used in connection with the marketing of products or services endorsed by the State Bar of Montana. Labels or lists may not be sold for political purposes and may be sold to commercial vendors only if the product or service is law-related, in good taste, and does not conflict with the purposes of the State Bar of Montana. Labels or lists may be sold for judicial campaigns. Decisions concerning the sale of labels or lists will be made by the Executive Director. Only the member’s name and mailing address will be provided. Email addresses will not be provided. Appeals concerning decisions of the Executive Director may be made to the Executive Committee. [Policies of the Board of Trustees, State Bar of Montana Chapter 2-117]

Membership Status Changes

How do I transfer from Inactive* to Active?

Members must petition the Montana Supreme Court using the required petition form in order to regain active status. Once approved by Court order, you will owe the difference in fees between active and inactive membership for the current year. In addition and as might be ordered by the Court, you may be required to complete 15 or 30 hours of CLE within 6 months of the status change. You do not have to have the CLE requirement, if any, completed before you can change to active. At the Court’s discretion Petitioners who maintain an inactive status for five or more years may be required to submit a character and fitness review as part of the process.

The original petition along with one copy must be submitted to the Montana Supreme Court Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 203003, Helena, MT 59620. We also request an additional copy be sent to the State Bar office at P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624.

*voluntary inactive status; members who were transferred to inactive for non-compliance of CLE please refer to Rule 12 - Rules for Continuing Legal Education https://www.mtcle.org/lawyer/law_rules.asp

How do I transfer to Inactive, Senior or Active Military?

Requests to elect inactive, senior or active military must be made in writing, include bar number and/or date of birth for verification and filed with the State Bar. Members requesting an active military status must provide documentation of their service requirements using the required form. Unless otherwise indicated in the request a change of status will occur upon receipt at the Bar office.

What if I am no longer serving in the military and need to transfer to Active membership?

Requests to return to inactive, senior or active military must be made in writing, include bar number and/or date of birth for verification and filed with the State Bar. The member must also make payment of the difference in member dues, fees and assessments for the current year. The member will be responsible for the filing of the required 15 CLE credit hours in the year following the status change.

How do I transfer from Senior to Active?

Members must petition the Montana Supreme Court using the required petition form in order to regain active status. Once approved by Court order, the member will owe the difference in dues, fees and assessments between active and senior membership for the current year as well as all license tax fees waived during senior status in compliance with Section 37-61-211, MCA. At the Court’s discretion Petitioners who maintain a senior status for five or more years may be required to submit a character and fitness review as part of the process.

The original petition along with one copy must be submitted to the Montana Supreme Court Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 203003, Helena, MT 59620. We also request an additional copy be sent to the State Bar office at P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624.

How do I transfer from Emeritus to Active?

Members must petition the Montana Supreme Court using the required petition form in order to regain active status. Once approved by Court order, the member will owe payment of active fees and assessments for the current year including payment of all license taxes waived during emeritus status in compliance with Section 37-61-211, MCA. In addition, the member shall complete any CLE requirements as might be ordered by the Supreme Court and in accord with the Rules of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education. 

The original petition along with one copy must be submitted to the Montana Supreme Court Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 203003, Helena, MT 59620. We also request an additional copy be sent to the State Bar office at P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624.

What if I am no longer going to practice law in Montana and want to officially resign my membership?

Whenever a member files with the State Bar a written notice of official resignation surrendering his or her license to practice law in Montana, such person shall thereupon cease to be a member of the State Bar and their name shall be removed from the membership register. Unless otherwise indicated in the request a change to resigned status will occur upon receipt at the Bar office. Please note resigning your membership does not dissolve any disciplinary matters that may be ongoing before the Court.

Can I ever return to the practice of law in Montana if I resign my membership?

To apply for reinstatement if you were once a member of the State Bar but resigned your membership, you must petition the Montana Supreme Court using the required petition form and may be required to submit to a character and fitness investigation, supply the supporting documentation, and pay the application fee. Unless otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court, resigned members will not be required to sit for any portion of the bar examination. (Section 1(b)(3) Rules for Admission to the Bar of Montana) You are also required to fulfill the same CLE requirements as inactive members requesting transfer to active status. (Rules for Continuing Legal Education, Rule 14)

The original petition along with one copy must be submitted to the Montana Supreme Court Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 203003, Helena, MT 59620. We also request an additional copy be sent to the State Bar office at P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624.

How do I transfer to Active, Inactive or Senior if I am on a Judicial status?

A judicial member may change his or her status to that of an active, inactive or senior member by filing with the State Bar a written request and by paying the applicable dues, fees and assessments for that year. For a transfer to active status the member will be responsible for the filing of the required 15 CLE credit hours in the year following the status change. 

How do I become a member of the Paralegal Section of the State Bar?

Membership to the Section shall be granted to those eligible persons who have filed an application for membership as provided from the State Bar and who have paid the applicable Section dues. All Section members must be Montana residents. Section membership will exclude any non-attorney who provides any type of legal services directly to the public without the supervision of an attorney. [Paralegal Section By-Laws-Article II,§2.1 Membership] Apply for Paralegal Section Membership through the online store at www.montanabar.org (Membership category).

What if I'm a suspended member?

Please contact the State Bar - membership@montanabar.org - to determine reinstatement requirements.

Voluntary Sections

Animal Law Section ($20)
Bankruptcy Section ($20)
BETTR* Law Section ($20)
Construction Law Section ($20)
Criminal Law Section ($15)
Dispute Resolution Section ($10)
Family Law Section ($10)
Federal Practice Section ($20)
Health Care Law Section ($10; FREE 1st yr.)
Indian Law Section ($20)
Intellectual Property Law Section ($30)
Natural Resources & Environmental Law Section ($10)
New Lawyers’ Section ($15)
Nonprofit Law ($20)
Paralegal Section ($60)
Public Law Section ($10)
Public Utilities Law Section ($20)
School Law Section ($20)
Veterans Law Section ($20)
Water Law Section ($30)
Women’s Law Section ($20)
*Business, Estates, Tax, Trusts & Real Property