if a CMT bean calls getUserTransaction() method on its context , EJB Specification says that it throws IllegalStateException , which is a RunTimeException . So , if the client is remote , will that throw a RemoteException or not!! looks strange.. because , if it is a runtimeexception , it will be thrown as a remoteexception (for remote clients). But the specification seems to say that it will throw IllegalStateException only . Please Clarify ...I havent been getting answer for this q .. tahts why i am posting as a new one...