Requirements for Montana Class 1 Educator Licensure

There are three pathways to meeting Montana's requirements for Class 1 licensure

(per Administrative Rules of Montana 10.57.410 and 10.57.411). One of the following must be met:

  • Completion of an educator preparation program which is accredited by NCATE, CAEP, MACTE or is a state approved program from a regionally accredited college or university AND completion of student teaching or a supervised teaching experience through an educator preparation program. OR
  • Completion of a National Board Certification program. OR
  • Completion of a non-traditional teaching program with five (5) successful years of teaching experience, along with a current, standard, unrestricted out-of-state educator license.  
                                                               Additionally, each of the following must be met prior to licensure:
  1. Completion and verification of a master's degree in education or an endorsable area, OR, certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards AND
  2. Verification of the Montana required Praxis test score(s) meeting Montana standards for your endorsement area(s). Click here for PRAXIS information AND
  3. Completion and verification of the free, online course: An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana
    AND
  4. Verification of successful teaching experience while appropriately licensed and assigned:
    • 3 years for applicants who completed a traditional educator preparation program
    • 5 years for applicants who completed a non-traditional educator preparation program

Additional Note

If you meet all requirements but have:

  • An unrestricted, expired out-of-state teaching license
    AND
  • Have not earned 6 semester credits of college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university, within the past 5 years

Utilize this same application link, the system will automatically convert your Class 1 application to a Class 5 provisional license. The provisional license allows you to be employed in Montana as an educator while completing the outstanding requirements. This license is valid for a period of up to three years from date of validation.

Application Process

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. Supplemental forms to the online application; must be submitted by mail unless otherwise noted and received by OPI before your application can be processed:
  3. Official transcripts may be sent electronically from the college or university to cert@mt.gov or mailed.
  4. Verification of required Praxis test scores submitted electronically to cert@mt.gov or the original mailed.
  5. Original completion certificate for "An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana".
  6. Copy of your valid, unexpired out-of-state teaching license electronically to cert@mt.gov or mailed, if applicable.

Mail all hard copy documents to:

Montana Office of Public Instruction
Attn. Educator Licensure
PO Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620

Questions: Please call us at 406-444-3150

Class 1 Professional Educator License Paper Application If you choose to apply with this application, all forms within this application must be completed and returned before your application will be processed.

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