The Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction was created by order of the Montana Supreme Court. The Commission identifies educational needs and supervises programs that result in judge certification.
Membership is comprised of six limited jurisdiction court judges, a district court judge, a representative of a city and a county government, the president of the limited jurisdiction court clerks' association, and a member of the State Bar of Montana. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court and serve staggered four-year terms. Members may serve more than one term. The OCA provides staff support to the Commission.
The Commission provides two mandatory education conferences each year for the Judges of the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. It also provides certification testing every four years and Judges must receive a passing score to remain in office.
Finally, the Commission plans and supervises an annual conference for clerks of limited jurisdiction courts and publishes a clerks' manual.
The Commission is composed of: one District Judge, one city representative, one county representative, one State Bar representative, one small community City Judge, one large community City Judge, one small community Justice of the Peace, one large community Justice of the Peace, one member at large, the President of the Montana Magistrates Association, and the president of the Montana Justice, City and Municipal Court Clerks Association.