Secondary School Teacher / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Instructs students in grades 7-12. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Montana data shows for Secondary School Teachers

Montana sets the entry bar for secondary school teachers at board-approved training and a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Montana's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

Budget $198 to get started, plus $122 at each renewal on a 5-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 150-hour continuing-education requirement per 5-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For secondary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Secondary School Teacher · Montana

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$198
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$24/yr
$122 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Montana

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$198
Renewal Fee
$122
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Secondary School Teacher All Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Secondary School Teacher in Montana? ▼
In Montana, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), and a $198 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in Montana? ▼
To become a licensed secondary school teacher in Montana, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Montana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to Montana from another state? ▼
Secondary School Teacher licenses generally reciprocate as follows: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Montana licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Montana require a background check for Secondary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, Montana requires a criminal background check as part of the secondary school teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in Montana? ▼
To stay licensed as a secondary school teacher in Montana, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $122.

Related Guides

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

Secondary School Teacher in Montana, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a secondary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Montana's secondary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Secondary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state secondary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Montana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Montana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Montana licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.