Montana Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Montana: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Montana guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Montana
ducational advocate training rounds out the skill set every special education teacher needs, alongside the state’s core certification requirements. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program, completion of specialized coursework in child development and multicultural education, and a free online course titled “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.” A supervised student teaching experience of at least 14 weeks, including a minimum of five weeks with full classroom responsibility, is also required.
New teachers receive a Class 2 Standard License, then may advance to a Class 1 Professional License after earning a master’s degree in an endorsable area or National Board Certification. Effective June 1, 2026, Montana’s Board of Public Education has also approved a new Class 9 Special Education Technician license, expanding the pathways available to support classrooms statewide.
👉 Become a NASET Member today for instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses you can submit to your district for renewal consideration!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Montana
Montana licenses renew every five years through 60 professional development units (PDUs), tracked through the OPI’s Professional Learning system. Teachers who don’t reach 60 units by August 31 of their expiration year can apply for a Class 5C provisional license, giving them up to three years to complete reinstatement requirements.
Montana doesn’t operate a state-level approval list for outside providers, so NASET course completion certificates are best submitted directly to your district for review as PDU credit, alongside the pre-approval process for non-OPI providers.
👉 Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your BCSE certification — the gold standard credential for special education teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Montana
The earning potential for Montana special education teachers varies by experience, location, and credentials:
- Average salary: $50,000–$59,000 per year
- Entry-level (0–3 years): around $42,000
- Experienced (8+ years): up to $75,000–$92,000
- Key factors: district size, National Board Certification stipends, location within the state
Montana offers stipends for teachers who become National Board Certified, with higher amounts for those at schools facing critical educator shortages, and pursuing board certification remains one of the more reliable ways to strengthen your case for career advancement.
IEPs in Montana
Montana’s Office of Public Instruction oversees IEP compliance statewide, and Disability Rights Montana serves as the state’s federally designated Protection & Advocacy system for more serious disputes. For day-to-day support, educational advocate training through Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK), Montana’s Parent Training and Information Center, teaches families how to understand their rights, work within local school districts, and advocate effectively for their children. Reviewing strong IEP models alongside determining measurable annual goals in an IEP can help teachers write IEPs that hold up to review.
👉 Become a NASET Member today for full access to our IEP toolkit, sample IEPs, and progress-monitoring resources!
Key Resources for Montana Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- OPI — Special Education — state licensure guidance, PDU tracking, and endorsement information
- Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) — Montana’s Parent Training and Information Center, offering a Peer Advocate program and educational advocate training for families and volunteers
- Disability Rights Montana — the state’s Protection & Advocacy system for formal disputes and legal support
- Assessment in Special Education — NASET’s guide to evaluation and eligibility practices
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
PLUK’s Peer Advocate program trains volunteers through an 8-hour session to help parents and youth understand their rights and advocate for themselves, giving Montana educators a real-world model for what effective advocacy looks like alongside NASET’s own certification-focused coursework.
Advance Your Career With NASET
The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) certification through NASET demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field, and counts directly toward your NY CTLE hours.
Whether you’re renewing your license, exploring IEP best practices, or building toward certification, NASET is your partner for every stage of your special education career in New York.
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