I am a Montana Educator and want to renew, reinstate, upgrade, or add an endorsement to my license.

Renew License

 

Renewal Reminder: Per ARM 10.57.215(1) the professional development units(PDUs) you submit need to have been earned during the five years of validity of the license you are renewing through August 31 of the year the license expires.

As an example: if your license expired on 06/30/2024, then it was issued effective 07/01/2019. That means you can use PD earned between 07/01/2019 - 08/31/2024 towards your renewal.

*If your educator license(s) expired on June 30, 2024, and you completed the required 60 PDUs between 07/01/2019 - 08/31/2024, you can still submit a Renew License application(s).

What do I need to know?

enlightenedLicense renewal applications should be submitted online through the new licensing system, TeachMT (TMT).

 

enlightenedAny renewal units or college/university credits you previously entered into the Professional Development section in MSEIS were transferred into TMT as part of your state educator record. Review it now by logging into TMT. *Be sure to keep your original renewal unit certificates in case your renewal application is audited when you apply for your license renewal.

 

enlightened You can prepare for your renewal ahead of time! Click here to see how.

 

enlightenedTo renew more than one license you will need to select all license types you are renewing, at the same time, from the application menu in TMT. For example, if you have a teaching license and an administrative license, select Renew Teaching License and Renew Administrator License. This will create one application for both licenses you need to renew, and charge all required fees.

 

enlightenedTMT allows you to enter your PDUs ahead of your renewal application. By completing this step, the turnaround of your renewed license can be 24 hours (*unless audited).

 

enlightenedTMT allows you to store your PDU certificates, and you can upload them as you earn them. By completing this step you will have a secure location for your certificates, and access to download your certificates if needed. You will also be ready if your renewal application is audited.

 

enlightenedIf your license expired 06/30/2023 or before, you will not be able to apply for a license renewal. Refer to Lapsed Licenses in the menu below, to submit a Reinstatement application.

 

enlightenedProfessional development unit certificate approvals and professional development unit provider questions are answered on the Professional Learning website. The Professional Learning team requests that you review the website if you have questions about topics such as:

  • Pre-Approval Processes for OPI Renewal Unit Certificates for non-approved professional development unit activities
  • locating professional development activities and professional training
  • how to navigate the process to provide OPI Professional Development Units to licensed MT educators
 

enlightenedIf attempting to renew from out-of-country, you will need the service of a VPN (virtual private network) to access the licensure system.  If you are not able to access the TMT website, you might also need to provide your IP address to the TMT technical support team by submitting an Online Support Form.

Need More Information for Renewals?

Licensure Renewal Requirements

For my Class 2 license:

60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units.

For my Class 1 license:

60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units.

For my Class 3 license:

60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units.

For my Class 4 License:

Class 4A licenses: 60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units. The first renewal must show evidence of professional development units earned in the following content areas:
curriculum and instruction in career and technical education; and safety and teacher liability.

Class 4B or 4C licenses 60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units.
The first renewal must show evidence of professional development units earned in the following content areas:
curriculum and instruction in career and technical education; and safety and teacher liability.

Other professional development appropriate to renew a Class 4B or 4C license includes the following:
principles and/or philosophy of career and technical education; curriculum and instruction in career and technical education; learning styles/teaching styles; including serving students with special needs; safety and teacher liability; classroom management; teaching methods; career guidance in career and technical education; or endorsement related technical studies, with prior OPI approval.

For my Class 5 License:

Cannot be renewed. This license will expire on the expiration date. You should apply to upgrade to full licensure by August 31st of the year your license expires. You will need to submit verification that you meet the requirements to be upgraded to full licensure.

For my Class 6 License:

60 professional development units or any combination of professional development units and semester/quarter college credits. Each semester credit is worth 15 professional development units and a quarter credit is worth 10 professional development units.

For My Class 7 License:

May be renewed upon verification by the tribe that the professional development plan, as defined by the current memorandum of understanding on file with OPI, has been met ARM 10.57.436(5).

For My Class 8 License:

Professional development units are not required. Renewal application is held within the Teach Montana (TMT) licensing system.

Renew, Reinstate or Add Endorsement Home

Prepare Now for Your License Renewal

You can prepare for your license renewal application

Your renewal application needs to include a list of professional development activities earned during the valid term of your license - that list needs to total 60.

To prepare for your license renewal, enter your professional development (PD) information into the Professional Development section of your educator record. You will need to have the Certificate or Renewal Units Earned for Professional Development Activities in order to find the course(s) you have completed from the drop-down menu in TeachMT.

Here are some benefits of preparing ahead of time:

  • Enter your PD as you earn it, making your renewal application go smoother
  • Upload your certificates as an attachment to the PD section to store them in a secure location
  • Access your uploaded certificates from your educator record whenever you need them
  • By uploading your certificates you will be ready for a renewal application audit

Deadline for Renewal Requirements

What is the deadline for completing my renewal requirements?

Although your license expires on June 30, you have until August 31 to complete the professional development units or coursework necessary to renew your license.

IMPORTANT! Don’t wait until the last minute to renew your license. During the summer months our staff is the busiest, and it could take much longer to process your renewal application. You can apply for renewal any time after January 1 of the year your license expires. 

Resources for Professional Development Units

Professional development unit certificate approvals and professional development provider questions are answered on the Professional Learning website. 
The Professional Learning team requests that you review the website if you have questions about topics such as:
  • Pre-Approval Processes for OPI Renewal Unit Certificates for non-approved professional development unit activities
  • locating professional development unit activities and professional training
  • how to navigate the process to provide OPI Professional Development Units to licensed MT educators

License Renewal FAQ's

Lapsed Licenses

My license is lapsed and I would like to teach again. How do I reinstate my license?

The answer to that question depends on whether you have earned at least 60 professional development (PD) units within the last 5 years. PD units can be earned as college credits with each semester credit worth 15 PD units, and each quarter credit worth 10 PD units.

All license reinstatements require completion and verification of the free, online course: An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.

I need more professional development units. Where can I find information on professional development opportunities? Resources for Professional development:
Teacher Learning Hub
Learning Opportunities Portal

Professional development unit certificate approvals and professional development unit provider questions are answered on the Professional Learning website. The Professional Learning team requests that you review the website if you have questions about topics such as:

  • Pre-Approval Processes for OPI Renewal Unit Certificates for non-approved professional development unit activities
  • locating professional development unit activities and professional training
  • how to navigate the process to provide OPI Professional Development Units to licensed MT educators

 

If you have earned 60 professional development units within the past 5 years, you can apply for reinstatement of your lapsed license. Submit your reinstatement application through the Teach Montana (TMT) licensing system. You will be able to upload all required documents* directly into your application.

*All license reinstatements require completion and verification of the free, online course: An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.

If you have not completed 60 professional development units in the last 5 years, you reside in Montana, and have not previously held any Class 5 license you can apply for a Class 5C license. The Class 5C license will give you up to three years to complete the requirements for reinstatement of your full license. The Class 5 option is only available to you once during your career. Submit your Class 5C reinstatement application through the Teach Montana (TMT) licensing system. *You will be able to upload all required documents directly into your application.

*All license reinstatements require completion and verification of the free, online course: An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.

Adding Endorsements

Need More Information for Adding Endorsements or Upgrading?

The 2022 revised Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) have opened up more pathways to add an endorsement to a current Montana educator license.

*Adding an endorsement does not change the effective dates of your current license.

Qualifying for an Endorsement

How can I add an endorsement?

In order to an additional endorsement to a current Montana Class 1 or Class 2 teaching license, the applicant must submit verification of one of the following three pathways:

  1. Completion of a program of study, verified by the college/university where the program was completed, and
    • Passing the PRAXIS Subject Assessment applicable to the endorsement (the PRAXIS test code established by the Office of Public Instruction and approved by the Board of Public Education), or
    • A passing score on a student teaching portfolio, verified by the college/university where the portfolio was completed, or
    • A 3.00 or higher coursework Grade Point Average, verified by the college/university where the coursework was completed
  2. Completion of a degree major, minor, or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification. Evidence of completion of at least one of the following degrees in the area applicable to the requested endorsement (This method is not available for early childhood (P-3), elementary education (K-8), reading (K-12), English as a second language (K-12); School Administrator (Superintendent, Principal, or Supervisor); Specialist (School Psychologist or School Counselor); and initial endorsements in Special Education fields):
    • a doctorate degree;
    • a master's degree;
    • a baccalaureate degree with a major or posted minor of at least 18 semester hours in the requested endorsement area
    • a certificate for National Board of Certification for Teaching
  3. Content Area Knowledge and Teaching Experience (This method is not available for early childhood (P-3), elementary education (K-8) reading (K-12), English as a second language (K-12); School Administrator (Superintendent, Principal, or Supervisor); Specialist (School Psychologist or School Counselor); and initial endorsements in Special Education fields):
    • Evident of two years of teaching experience while appropriately licensed, and
    • Proof of a minimum passing score on the PRAXIS Subject Assessment applicable to the requested endorsement (the PRAXIS test code established by the Office of Public Instruction and approved by the Board of Public Education)
    • If you are already license in Montana with a categorical special education endorsement and wish to add another special education endorsement, you must pass the state-designated content test for a K-12 special education endorsement.
    • If you are already licensed in Montana with a P-3 or K-8 special education endorsement(s), the requirement to add the K-12 special education endorsement will include a minimum of two years of teaching experience as appropriately licensed special education educator, and passing the state-designated pedagogy test for secondary level K-12 special education endorsement.

How do I add an endorsement?

After you complete one of the pathways mentioned above, submit your Add Endorsement application through the licensing system: Teach Montana (TMT).

OPI Special Education Endorsement Project

What is the OPI Special Education Endorsement Project?

The Office of Public Instruction Special Education Endorsement Project was created to help school districts fill vacant special education teaching positions. See full information by clicking on the following link: Special Education Endorsement Project.

Teaching in my new area while working towards an endorsement

I am working as a teacher and I want to add a new endorsement. Is there any way I can teach in the area of my new endorsement while completing the coursework I need for my program?

You can add an endorsement through a Teaching Endorsement Internship Program or with a Class 5B Provisional Teaching License. Both options allow you to teach while completing the program.

An internship is an agreement between your school, the Montana college/university, and yourself. The internship is granted for one year and can be offered for 2 additional years as long as you are making adequate progress towards the completion of your program.

A Class 5B Provisional License to add the endorsement would require you to work with a college to get a plan of study verifying that you meet admission requirements and can complete your endorsement program within three years.

License Endorsement FAQ's

How do I upgrade my Class 5 license?

To upgrade your Class 5 Provisional license to full licensure you will need to submit an Upgrade Application through the new licensing system, Teach Montana (TMT). Your application needs to be submitted by June 30th of the year your provisional license expires, otherwise your license will lapse and you will need to submit a full license application. 

The upgrade applications allow you to submit verification that you have fulfilled the Plan of Professional Intent (PPI) you signed when you were issued your provisional license. If you need to access your signed PPI, log into your educator record in TMT. If your license was issued prior to 07/01/2022, you will find your signed PPI in the Documents section of your TMT record. If your license was issued on 07/01/2022 or after, you will find your PPI in your online application you submitted.

You can upgrade your Class 5 license at any time once you have fulfilled the requirements in your PPI. If you do not complete your PPI requirements within the 3 years your Class 5 license is valid, the license will expire and it cannot be upgraded. Class 5 licenses are not renewable.

 

 

How do I upgrade my Class 2 license to a Class 1 license?

To upgrade your Class 2 Standard Teaching license to a Class 1 Professional license, submit an online application through the new licensing system, Teach Montana (TMT). The application you should submit is called "Upgrade to Professional Teacher's License".

*Upgrading your Class 2 teaching license to a Class 1 will not change the effective dates of your license. If you earned your master's degree outside of your current license period, upgrading your license will not renew your current license.