Montana Teacher Certification Renewal
Montana teacher certification renewal means filing an Application to Renew a Montana Educator License with the Office of Public Instruction, along with proof of 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and the current processing fee. Submissions go through the Teach Montana (TMT) portal, and the 60-PDU framework applies to Class 1, 2, and 4 Montana educator licenses.
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Montana Class 1 and Class 2 Standard teaching licenses stay valid for five years. If yours lapses, that doesn’t automatically mean starting over with a provisional license: educators who’ve already earned their 60 PDUs within the past five years can reinstate directly, while a Class 5C provisional license is only for those who haven’t. This guide covers what OPI requires to renew an active license and how to reinstate an expired one.
Use the links below to jump to renewal or reinstatement information.
Teaching Certification Renewal
Your Class 1 or Class 2 Montana Teaching License stays valid for five years. You become eligible to renew starting in January of your license’s expiration year, and you have until August 31 of that year to complete the required coursework, even though the license itself expires June 30. You’ll file the Application to Renew a Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 Montana Educator License through the Teach Montana (TMT) licensing system, along with the current processing fee. Renewal requires 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs). Semester college credits count as 15 PDUs each, and quarter college credits count as 10 PDUs each, so you can meet the requirement through PDU-eligible coursework, approved professional development activities, or a mix of both.
All college credits must be from regionally accredited institutions, with transcripts verifying credits uploaded through TMT or sent directly to OPI. All other PDU activities must come from approved providers and must meet these qualifications. Your school district can direct you toward obtaining appropriate PDUs. If you hold a Class 3 Administrator license instead, see Montana Administrator/Principal Certification for requirements specific to that credential.
Class 4 licenses use the same 60-PDU renewal framework as Class 1 and 2. Your first Class 4 renewal must also show PDUs earned in two specific content areas: curriculum and instruction in career and technical education, and safety and teacher liability. Beyond that first renewal, later cycles follow the standard 60-PDU requirement.
OPI processes renewals and reinstatements through the Teach Montana (TMT) system, with supporting transcripts and documentation uploaded electronically. If you have questions about your specific submission, Montana Office of Public Instruction’s Educator Licensure team can be reached at P.O. Box 202501, Helena, MT 59620-2501.
Reinstatement of Certification
Has your Montana teaching license lapsed? It may be possible to have your license reinstated. Follow the correct path below pertaining to your situation:
- Have you already earned the required 60 PDUs within the past five years? If so, file the Application to Reinstate a Montana Educator License through TMT. You’ll also need to complete a new fingerprint card and background check, as well as the free “Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” course, which OPI now requires for reinstatement.
- Haven’t yet completed your 60 PDUs? You’ll need a Class 5C provisional license instead. Use this Application for a Montana Class 5 Educator License. Class 5C lets you work in a Montana school district for three years while you finish your PDU requirements.
Not sure which path applies to your license class? Your school district’s licensure office or OPI’s Educator Licensure team can confirm the appropriate renewal or reinstatement route for your specific certificate. If you’re not yet certified in Montana at all, start with Montana Teaching Certification for a full overview of how to become a teacher in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renew a Montana teaching license?
Renewing a Montana Class 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 educator license costs OPI’s current processing fee, in addition to any costs for the coursework or professional development activities used to earn your 60 PDUs. Check OPI’s licensing page for the current fee amount, since it has changed in recent years.
Can I renew my Montana teaching license online?
Yes. Montana renewals and reinstatements go through the Teach Montana (TMT) online system, where you also upload supporting transcripts and documentation electronically.
What happens if my Montana teaching license expires?
If you’ve already earned your 60 PDUs within the past five years, you can reinstate your license directly. If you haven’t, you’ll need a Class 5C provisional license, which allows you to teach for up to 3 years while you complete your PDU requirements. Reinstatement also requires OPI’s free “Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” course.
Do Class 4 licenses renew the same way as Class 1 and 2 licenses?
Yes, Class 4 licenses use the same 60-PDU renewal framework as Class 1 and 2. The one difference: your first Class 4 renewal must include PDUs specifically in career and technical education curriculum/instruction and in safety and teacher liability.
When can I start the renewal process for my Montana license?
You become eligible to renew starting in January of the year your license expires. Your license itself expires June 30, but you have until August 31 of that year to finish your PDU requirements.
- Renewal requires 60 PDUs — semester college credits count as 15 PDUs each, quarter credits as 10 PDUs each, plus OPI’s current processing fee.
- Apply through Teach Montana (TMT) — renewals and reinstatements are submitted online, with documentation uploaded electronically.
- Class 4 uses the same 60-PDU framework — but your first renewal must include PDUs in career/technical curriculum and instruction, and in safety and teacher liability.
- Reinstatement depends on your PDUs — reinstate directly if you’ve already earned 60 PDUs within the past five years, or take a Class 5C provisional license while you catch up. Either way, OPI now requires the free “Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” course.
- Renewal windows run January through August 31 — you become eligible in January of your expiration year, and your license expires June 30, but you have until August 31 to finish your PDUs.
Find accredited continuing education and advanced degree programs that count toward your 60 Montana PDUs and help you stay ahead of your next license renewal.
