In order to become a teacher in the state of Montana, you will need to possess a bachelor's degree and verify completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program.
The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) processes all teacher certification applications.
If you are looking to follow the traditional route to become an educator in Montana, you will need to complete your bachelor's degree at an accredited university that offers a four-year educator preparation program. There are, however, alternative paths to certification, as discussed later in this article.
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Montana requires that all approved teacher preparation programs be accredited by either the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). All approved programs will include student teaching, which is a requirement to become a teacher in Montana.
You will need to seek certification in the same endorsement area that you specialized in during your teacher preparation program.
There are ten institutions in Montana that offer OPI approved educator preparation programs:
Most teachers complete their educator preparation program during the completion of their bachelor's degree. There are institutions that offer graduate-level educator preparation programs as well. See the Alternative Paths to Licensure in Montana section for more information on graduate-level educator preparation programs.
Nearing the closure of your educator preparation program, you will need to pass a content exam administered by your school as a prerequisite to certification. This exam has multiple parts outside of the test itself. You must have a high-grade point average, pass all performance-based exams, and pass the appropriate Praxis test. You will need to pass this exam in order to apply for certification.
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Create AccountMontana requires all educators to pass the appropriate Praxis assessment test for their endorsement area. When taking your exam, you will need to send your Praxis scores to the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
While all of the ten approved institutions have varying program requirements, they also have many similarities. For one, all of the state-approved programs include a supervised student teaching portion. Secondly, all educator preparation programs include seminars that teach students about educational theory and pedagogy.
Educators will also need to complete the online course, 'An Introduction to Indian Education For All in Montana;' commonly referred to as IEFA. This course will prepare educators on how to integrate IEFA practices into their classrooms.
In order to earn a teaching certificate in Montana, you must complete the Introduction of Indian Education for All (IEFA) course.
In order to apply for a teaching license in Montana, you must pass a criminal history background check.
In order to apply for a teaching license in Montana, you will need to submit the following:
All application materials must be submitted before your application is reviewed. The review process typically takes a few weeks.
Montana offers a few different alternative routes to certification. For the most part, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree. There are two types of licenses for alternative route teachers:
Class Five: This license is designed for educators who hold a bachelor's degree but have not yet completed a teacher education program. You must intend on completing an educator preparation program within three years of receiving the provisional license.
Class Four: The Career and Technical (CTE) license is meant for individuals who have over 10,000 hours of work experience in an endorsable CTE content area. You must pass a criminal background check and submit to fingerprinting.
In addition, there are two other potential pathways to certification:
Master's Degree: If you hold a Master's of Education or a Master's degree in an endorsable area, you may be eligible for certification. You will need to pass the appropriate Praxis content exam. Some institutions in Montana that offer graduate degrees in education are (but not limited to) Montana State University-Billings and the University of Montana.
Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs: Montana State University - Billings offers a graduate-level Educator Preparation Program that results in licensure. You will need to submit all official transcripts, a background check, and all appropriate Praxis score report.
Out-of-state educators have two options when it comes to reciprocity in Montana. Educators who hold a valid teacher license, which must be in good standing, and a bachelor's degree may apply for the Class Two Standard License. Educators who have a master's degree, a valid teaching license in good standing, and at least three years of experience may apply for the Class One Professional License.
Out-of-state educators must complete Montana's online course, 'An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.' If you have not completed this course, you may need to apply for a Class Five Provisional License while you complete your remaining requirements.
Montana is a member of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. If your teaching certificate is in a participating state, you may be eligible for a streamlined certification process in Montana. The following is a list of states that have a reciprocity agreement with Montana:
Alabama, Indiana, Nevada, South Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Maine, New York, Utah, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Delaware, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Hawaii, Missouri, Oregon, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Illinois, Nebraska, Rhode Island
While Montana does not offer a specific substitute teaching license, the state does have requirements for individuals looking to become substitute teachers. If you are looking to become a substitute in Montana, you will need to apply through your local school district. Local districts will have their own requirements. The state, however, requires that substitute educators:
If you have experience teaching, these requirements may be waived by the local board of trustees. Licensed teachers are also able to work as substitutes.
Montana offers eight different teaching licenses, six of which are designed for educators. For all licenses (excluding CTE licenses), you will need to complete Montana's free online course, "An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana."
Class One: Professional Teacher's License - For individuals who possess a master's degree or a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate and have at least three years of teaching experience. You will also need to provide passing Praxis exam scores.
Class Two: Standard Teacher's License - This license is designed for new educators. You must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and have graduated from an educator preparation program that includes a student teaching portion. You may also be eligible for this certificate if you have completed a National Board Certification program or a non-traditional teaching program. You will also need to provide passing Praxis exam scores.
Class Four: Career and Technical Education (CTE) - A CTE license is designed for educators who specialize in career and technical endorsement areas. These individuals may be able to substitute some educational licensure requirements with verified work experience. There are three different CTE licenses:
Four A) For individuals who hold a valid teaching license in Montana but do not have a CTE endorsement. You will also need to provide documentation of five years, or 10,000 hours, of applicable work experience.
Four B) For individuals who do not hold a Montana teaching license but do possess a bachelor's degree and a CTE endorsement. You will also need to provide documentation of five years, or 10,000 hours, of applicable work experience.
Four C) For individuals who hold a high school diploma and meet the requirements for a CTE endorsement. You will also need to provide documentation of five years, or 10,000 hours, of applicable work experience.
Class Five: Provisional Teaching License - In order to apply for this license, you must provide proof of a completed bachelor's degree and a plan to complete an educator preparation program. Individuals may complete the requirements for full licensure within three years from receiving this certification. If you are an out-of-state educator looking to apply for a provisional license, you must provide documentation of a job offer from a Montana school and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis exams.
Class Seven: Native American Language Educator License - In order to apply for this license, you must be over the age of 18 and provide proof of verification of fluency by an authorized tribal government representative.
Montana has been witnessing major growth in the education sector for the past few years. Montana is looking to recruit educators to rural areas and areas of critical need. These areas (of critical need) are often defined by what percentage of residents live below the state poverty line. These areas also tend to be rural.
As recently as 2021, Montana has enacted the TEACH Act, which is aimed at raising starting teaching salaries. By 2023 the minimum starting teaching salary will be $34,000. Currently, starting teachers make on average $27,274.
On average, experienced teachers in Montana earn a salary of $54,131 annually.
Katie Slaughter, M.A. has taught middle school science and math for over 6 years. She has helped lay a foundation for personalized learning in her school and has presented internationally about what she is doing in her classroom. She has successfully passed numerous Praxis exams. Katie completed a B.S. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University and an M.A. in Teaching from Georgetown College.
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