Congratulations! You graduated!

Follow these steps to obtain your license

Apply for your license at TeachMT.com

  1. Begin your application - portfolio path
  2. Request your official transcript - type 'transcript' into the MSU search bar and follow the instructions
  3. Upload your IEFA certificate
  4. Initiate a new background check through OPI
  5. Complete the character and fitness section
  6. Request the University Recommendation by completing this form

 

More About the Class 1 License

The Class 1 license is for teachers who have obtained their Master's Degree. 

  1. You can upgrade from a class 2 if you took additional coursework to obtain your Master's.
  2. You can apply for a class 1 if you obtained your Master's before teaching.

More about the Class 2 license

The Class 2 standard teacher license is issued by OPI and valid for five years. To be eligible for an MSU licensure recommendation in Montana, individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, have successfully completed an MSU-approved teacher education program in a qualifying licensure endorsement area approved by the Board of Public Education (BPE), successfully fulfilled an appropriately supervised teaching experience, and met Montana Assessment of Content Knowledge requirements with no score under "2" and at least 7 total points.

The Department of Education offers two options for those individuals pursuing an initial teacher licensure:

  • Undergraduate Teacher Education Program
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for those qualified individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and who live and wish to teach in rural communities within Montana. The MAT is a full-time intensive program requiring a one-year commitment.

Requirements

To be recommended for a Montana Class 2 initial educator license, teacher candidates must meet these requirements:

  1. Completion of the online course “Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” 
  2. Completion of Montana State University’s approved educator preparation program including appropriate supervised teaching experience.  
  3. Bachelor or Master of Arts in Teaching degree awarded and posted.

Additionally, applicants must receive a  

  • A 3.00 or higher coursework GPA and verified by the appropriate official from the educator preparation program. 

A passing score/grade on a student teaching portfolio verified by the appropriate official from the educator preparation program.