The Montana Online CE Institute is a new option for licensed behavioral health professionals in Montana to earn continuing education credit. NASW MT developed this FAQ to help answer questions about online CE courses. Please contact NASW MT for further questions.

1. What is the Montana Online CE Institute and how does it work?
A) The Montana Online CE Institute is an online catalog of continuing education courses that are pre-approved by Montana’s Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors (the Board) for licensed behavioral health professionals. The courses that populate the Institute are based, in part, upon expressed interests of Montanans. To utilize the Institute you first create a user account. This account enables you to preview, purchase, view the course, and download the materials (e.g. manuals, power point presentations) for the course. When utilizing the courses, the account also saves progress should you decide not to view the course in one sitting.

2. Why did NASW MT create a Montana Online CE Institute?
A) The Montana CE Institute is designed to meet your professional continuing education needs as a licensed behavioral health professional in Montana through an online catalog populated with courses that are pre-approved by the Board. We know that as exciting, interactive and informative as conferences are, the time and expense of meals, hotels, and travel can be daunting. We believe that the online CE Institute is a great opportunity for Montana because it creates easier access to high quality CE courses certified in Montana.

3. What separates the NASW MT Online CE Institute from other online providers?
A) The Montana Online CE Institute is designed to meet the specific needs of Montana’s licensed behavioral health professionals through quality online courses. The courses are all pre-approved by the Board which means that you are assured the course will count towards your required CE hours. The courses that populate the online catalog are selected based, in part, on expressed interests of Montanans.

4. What are the course topics and who are the presenters?
A) The course catalog comprises a wide range of organized topics such as Anxiety, Veterans, Depression, Addictions, Ethics, and Suicide. In fact there are over 20 possible topics, and you can search for courses that pertain to a topic of interest. The presenters have substantial knowledge and experience in the subject that they present, and since they come from all over the nation we are able to have a diverse catalog that still addresses the expressed interests of Montanans.

5. What is the advantage of online CE courses?
A) We believe that the Montana Online CE Institute is a great opportunity for Montana because it creates easier access to CE courses certified in Montana. You do not have to leave the comfort of your office or home to view these courses. 24 hour access to courses combined with a toll free line and live chat technical support from 7a.m to 7 p.m. (CST) make your continuing education and support needs conveniently available. In addition, the cost of online CE courses makes it an attractive choice compared to the cost of a conference plus travel, lodging, and food.

6. Will NASW Montana continue providing Continuing Education Conferences?
A) Yes. Conferences are still an excellent means of receiving CE credit, including live stimulating interactions with presenters and colleagues. While online CE courses are convenient, Continuing Education Conferences create an interactive environment, generate excitement, allow for networking, and can even provide a “breather” from the daily rigors.

7. Are the courses pre-approved for Montana licensees?
A) Yes. NASW MT submits applications and receives approval from the Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors (the Board) for each course before including it in the Montana Online Institute. This includes licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed addiction counselors. These courses are not pre-approved for psychologists since pre-approval is not permitted by statute.

8. Is there a way that I can preview a course to see if I like it?
A) Yes. There are outlines, objectives, and short bios on the presenters that you are able to view in order to gain a better perspective on the courses. In addition, the video courses offer a demo that enables you to watch a part of the presentation.

9. Do NASW Montana members receive a discount?
A) Yes. There is a base price for non-members and a discount price for NASW Montana members.

10. Can I join NASW Montana in order to receive the discount?
A) Yes. If you qualify you can join NASW Montana by joining NASW either as a regular or associate member online: www.socialworkers.org. Your Membership Pays for Itself.

11. Will I need to take a post-test after viewing/listening to the course?
A) Yes. In order to assure the Board that the participant viewed the course, there is a brief post-test following the course.

12. How do I prove to the Board I took the course?
A) You will receive an electronic certificate that can be printed out after completing the course, brief post-test, and evaluation. This is equivalent to a certificate you would receive after a conference.

13. What kind of technical support is there for the online courses?
A) There are multiple methods of contacting knowledgeable personnel for questions that you may have about the course or the online catalog through InReach Manexa. During the normal work week MANEXA will provide a toll-free technical support line and live chat to our “users” from 7:00 a.m.-7:00PM CST Monday through Friday.

14. What if I want/need a course or presenter that isn’t offered in the on-line catalog?
A) NASW Montana’s willingness to support your Continuing Education needs makes the Montana Online CE Institute unique. If there is a course or presenter that you would like contact NASW Montana directly either through email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)), or phone (406 449-6208) and we will make an honest effort to obtain the course/presenter.

15. What if I didn’t like the on-line course I bought? Can I get my money back?
A) Every course concludes with a course evaluation. All course evaluations are reviewed by NASW Montana, and courses receiving negative evaluations will be carefully scrutinized and may be removed from the catalog. However, if you are dissatisfied with the course and did not complete it, you can receive a full refund within the month you viewed the course. If, on the other hand you were dissatisfied, but completed the course and were awarded a CE certificate, then NASW Montana will not refund your fee.

16. How many hours of CE are required for each license?
A) Licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists are required to earn 20 hours of continuing education each year. Licensed addiction counselors and licensed psychologists are required to earn 40 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle.

17. I took a course. How long do I need to keep the certificate?
A) The short answer: indefinitely. Certificate holders are required to keep a record of continuing education they have completed. In renewing a license you may be required by the licensing Board to submit them as part of a random audit review.

18. Do you need a license to take a course?
A) No. A person who does not carry a license is welcome to take any course they want, and thereby continue to grow professionally.

19. What about the quality of the courses?
A) Courses are incorporated and removed based, in part, on the expressed opinions of behavioral health professionals in Montana. We sent out a survey to receive input on course topics that are of interest to Montanans. Courses and specific presenters can also be requested. NASW Montana will then make an effort to include these in the catalog. In addition, there is an evaluation following completion of courses. Courses receiving negative evaluations are scrutinized and may be removed. If you are unhappy with the course, NASW MT can refund your money if you did not view the entire course and your request for refund is within the month in which you paid for the course.

For questions regarding the technical aspects of the Online CE Institute please click on the Help tab located in the upper part of the page.