How to become a substitute teacher in Montana.

It’s an ideal time to become a substitute teacher in Montana. The state has a shortage of both teachers and substitute teachers and needs more substitute teachers to help cover the teacher shortage. 

Kelly Education works with hundreds of school districts across the United States to place qualified substitute teachers. So, we’re experts in understanding the substitute teacher hiring process. 

In Montana, substitute teachers are not required to hold a license or special certification. However, if you hold a current teaching license, you’ll receive priority and more pay compared to unlicensed substitute teachers. 

Note that each district sets its own minimum requirements for substitute teaching, so it’s necessary to contact each district for specific requirements beyond the state’s hiring requirements. 

Minimum Montana state requirements, at a glance*: 

• Certification: None 

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent 

• Age: 18 years old 

• Employment verification to work in the U.S. 

• Fingerprint-based background check 

• Training: Three hours of online training 

A deeper dive into substitute teacher requirements.

Though the state of Montana doesn’t require a substitute teacher certification or licensure to teach in the state, you must meet several other requirements to secure work as a substitute teacher. Substitute teachers who are licensed are also afforded additional benefits, covered in the Certification section below. 

Substitute Teacher Certification.

The Montana Department of Education does not require licensure or any type of special credentialing to substitute teach in the state. However, priority is given to substitute teachers with a teaching license. Licensed substitute teachers also get paid more than unlicensed substitute teachers. 

The state has mandates on the length of time a substitute teacher can remain in the classroom without a teaching license, which is 35 days. In rare instances, it’s possible for an unlicensed substitute teacher to continue working in the same position for more than 35 days if they meet specific criteria set forth by the state and there is not a licensed substitute teacher or teacher available. 

Some Montana substitute teachers begin working as unlicensed professionals and then pursue licensure. For example, a working substitute teacher can pursue a Class 2 standard teaching license if they hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a qualifying teacher’s preparation program. Here are the Montana teacher licensure options: 

• Class 1 professional teaching license. If you have a master’s degree in an endorsable teaching area as defined by the state and meet Class 2 licensure requirements, this is the license you should apply for. 

• Class 2 standard teaching license. To qualify for this license, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any field and complete an approved teacher’s preparation program that includes student teaching. 

• Class 5 provisional license. A Class 5 license allows you to work in a school district while you’re pursuing requirements to upgrade to a full license. You must have been offered a job by a Montana P-12 school or be a Montana resident to qualify for this license. There are also three types of Class 5 licenses, including: 

• A Class 5A license is valid for one year for those seeking initial licensure who only need to pass a Praxis exam to meet licensure requirements. 

• A Class 5B license is valid for three years for those with a bachelor’s degree and still need to complete an approved educator preparation program. 

• A Class 5C license is valid for three years for those who have completed an approved educator preparation program but don’t hold a current out-of-state or country license, have a degree that’s older than five years, and haven’t achieved 60 professional development units within the past five years. 

Education verification.

The minimum education required for substitute teachers in Montana is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some school districts prefer an associate or a bachelor’s degree. 

To verify that you meet the education requirements, contact the appropriate issuing body of your minimum education, which would be your high school’s front office for a diploma, your college’s registrar’s office for college transcripts, or the issuing state’s Department of Education for your high school equivalent or GED. You’ll submit the appropriate documents with your school district application. 

Receiving verification documents can take up to a week and generally costs a small fee. 

Employment verification.

All Montana substitute teachers must verify eligibility to work in the United States. You’ll ned to submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. 

Background check and fingerprinting.

Montana requires that all substitute teacher candidates pass a fingerprint-based background check. The school district will direct you to a public fingerprinting location, where you’ll provide a photo ID and request two fingerprint cards. There is a $47 fee for fingerprinting. 

Some schools also require all active substitute teachers to complete an annual background check at no cost to the substitute teacher. 

Training.

Montana requires substitute teachers who don’t hold a teaching license to complete three hours of online training through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. This is a self-paced course. Contact your local school district for more information about the specific training requirements. 

Getting started as a substitute teacher.

If you’re looking to start your substitute teaching journey or already hold a Montana teacher’s license, Montana needs your services and skillset. Refer to the Administrative Rules of Montana for current substitute teacher requirements or contact the school district for current openings and substitute teacher job description requirements. 

Do you have additional questions about becoming a substitute teacher? Unsure where to start? We’ve got you covered. From substitute teacher dress codes to what to bring on your first day, Kelly Education shares everything you need to know about becoming a substitute teacher. Check out all our career advice so you can confidently enter the classroom. 

*Information subject to change. This is a general guideline. School districts may have more requirements, in addition to state requirements.