Paralegal in Montana

Montana requires paralegals to complete the required education (One of the following: an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school; a bachelor's degree in any subject with at least 18 credit hours of paralegal studies coursework; paralegal certification by a national association (NALA or NFPA); a high school diploma with at least 4,800 hours of substantive legal experience under the supervision of an attorney and at least five contact hours of approved continuing education in legal ethics; or a law degree from an accredited law school.), and pass the No state-mandated exam. National certification exams (e.g., NALA's Certified Paralegal exam) are voluntary..

No state license is needed to work as a paralegal in Montana. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Montana. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA or NFPA. Montana Code 25-10-305 defines who may use the title 'paralegal' based on education, training, or work experience. Paralegals must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are prohibited from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The State Bar of Montana offers a voluntary Paralegal Section membership, which has its own CLE requirements (10 CLE hours annually, with 6 interactive and 3 ethics every three years) and a $60 annual fee.

The median paralegal salary in Montana is $54,230 per year. That's 11% below the national median of $61,010. Wages range from $45,080 (10th percentile) up to $76,700 (90th percentile).

Expect to spend Not specified (varies based on education and experience pathway) from start to finish in Montana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.