ACT Program

ACT Is Not a Class

One of the most common misconceptions about Montana's DUI requirements is that people refer to them as the "ACT Class." In reality, there is no such thing as an "ACT Class."

ACT stands for Assessment, Course, or Treatment.

The ACT Program always begins with a chemical dependency assessment completed by a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). The assessment determines whether an individual should complete the Prime for Life educational course or substance use disorder treatment.

The recommendation is based on a comprehensive clinical evaluation and Montana law—not on the preference of the court clerk, probation officer, or treatment provider.

Who Is Required to Complete an ACT Program?

Under Montana law, individuals convicted of the following offenses are generally required to complete an ACT Program:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
BAC Per Se
Misdemeanor Dangerous Drugs (MDD)
Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD – .02)

Every individual begins with the assessment.

Following the assessment, the Licensed Addiction Counselor determines whether the individual should complete:

Prime for Life (Educational Course), or
Substance Use Disorder Treatment

For most individuals, the recommendation is either the educational course or treatment—not both.

Both are required only when:

The court specifically orders both, or
The Licensed Addiction Counselor determines that completing both would provide additional clinical benefit pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 61-8-732(8). This is extremely rare, given that treatment should teach you everything the class teaches.

The ACT Process

The ACT Program follows a straightforward process:

Step 1 – Schedule Your ACT Assessment
- Your assessment is completed by a Licensed Addiction Counselor during a confidential appointment lasting approximately two hours.
Step 2 – Complete the Assessment
- The assessment evaluates your history, current circumstances, and risk factors using standardized screening instruments and clinical interviewing.
Step 3 – Receive Your Recommendation
- Based on Montana law and your clinical evaluation, your counselor will recommend either:
  - Prime for Life (Education - this is the actual class), or
  - Substance Use Disorder Treatment

The assessment—not the clinic—determines the appropriate recommendation.

ACT Program Fees

ACT Assessment: $350

Prime for Life Course: $50 (If your ACT assessment is completed at Oxytocin and you are recommended for the educational course)

Total Cost: $400

If you have already completed an ACT assessment through another approved Montana provider and were recommended for the Prime for Life educational course only, the cost to attend our class is: $200

A copy of your completed ACT assessment must be provided before registration. If your assessment recommends treatment rather than the educational course, you are not eligible to register for the class alone.

Treatment fees vary depending on the level of care recommended during your assessment.

Why Isn't the ACT Assessment Covered by Insurance?

Many people ask why they must pay out of pocket for the ACT assessment.

The answer is simple.

The ACT assessment is a court-ordered legal requirement—not a medical benefit.

Because the assessment is performed to satisfy Montana's legal requirements following a criminal conviction, health insurance generally does not cover the service. Like most court-ordered evaluations, probation requirements, or legal education programs, the assessment is the financial responsibility of the individual.

If the assessment identifies a substance use disorder requiring treatment, those treatment services may qualify for insurance coverage if they meet your insurance company's medical necessity requirements and all other benefit criteria.

Payment for the ACT assessment is due at the time of your appointment.

What Happens During the Assessment?

Your ACT assessment is conducted during a confidential one-on-one appointment lasting approximately two hours.

Your Licensed Addiction Counselor will review:

Alcohol and drug use history
Circumstances surrounding the offense
Prior legal history
Medical history
Mental health history
Family and social history
Risk factors for future impaired driving
Standardized screening results
Other information required under Montana's ACT Program

After completing the assessment, the counselor determines the appropriate recommendation based upon accepted clinical standards and Montana law.

Prime for Life

If your assessment recommends education, you will complete the nationally recognized Prime for Life program.

Prime for Life is a 12-hour evidence-based educational program designed to reduce impaired driving and future alcohol- and drug-related offenses.

Schedule

The class is offered over one weekend:

Saturday: 6 Hours
Sunday: 6 Hours

Attendance at all 12 hours is required.

If you miss any portion of the course, Montana requires you to register for the next available class and pay the course fee again. Non-completion is reported to the referring court.

Participants Learn About

The effects of alcohol and drugs on the brain and body
How impairment affects driving ability
Montana DUI laws
Personal risk factors
Substance use disorders
Making lower-risk decisions
Personal responsibility
Developing an individualized impaired driving prevention plan

The goal of Prime for Life is to increase awareness, improve decision-making, and reduce future impaired driving.

Schedule Your ACT Assessment

Completing your ACT assessment is the first step toward satisfying your Montana ACT requirements.

Phone: (406) 314-6565

Office:
1203 US Highway 2 West, Entrance D
Kalispell, MT 59901

Our staff will guide you through every step of the ACT process—from scheduling your assessment to completing your court requirements.

Our goal is to make the process straightforward, efficient, legally compliant, and focused on helping you move forward successfully.