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Requirements  /  Montana

Montana Teacher PD Requirements (2026)

60 hours every 5 years for teachers

Source

Primary source: Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Educator Licensure. MT's "Renewal Unit" (PDU) terminology is unique but the unit-to-hour mapping is 1:1, so 60 PDUs = 60 contact hours. This is one of the lower hour counts in the nation (most states are 75-150). Cycle deadline runs through August 31 — important for end-of-cycle planning.

Teachers

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
60
Cycle years
5

Montana Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 teaching licenses renew every 5 years. Required: 60 OPI Renewal Units per 5-year cycle. Renewal Units may be earned as: (a) OPI-approved PD activities — 1 unit per clock hour, OR (b) college coursework — 1 semester credit = 15 units, 1 quarter credit = 10 units, OR (c) any combination. PDUs must be earned during the 5-year validity period of the license through August 31 of the year the license expires. Common providers include Montana State University Continuing Education, OPI-approved professional organizations, and Class 4 (Career & Technical Educators license) also requires 60 PDUs / 5 years.

Counselors

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
60
Cycle years
5

School counselors hold a Class 6 Specialist license, same 60 PDU / 5-year framework applies.

Administrators

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
60
Cycle years
5

Administrators hold a Class 3 Administrative license, same 60 PDU / 5-year framework applies.

Other West states

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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.