Montana School Counselor Certification
To get certified as a school counselor in Montana, you’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, a 600-hour school-based internship, a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (test code 5422), and a completed application through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Montana also requires all applicants to complete a free online course on Indian education.
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Montana has more than 140,000 public school students, and school counselors serve them from pre-K through grade 12. The work spans academic advising, college and career planning, social-emotional support, family interventions, and community referrals. Getting your school counselor certification means you’re prepared to do all of it. This page covers three certification pathways — initial licensure, renewal, and out-of-state applicants.
Initial Montana School Counselor Certification
The Montana Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license has two paths, depending on where you earn your degree. Both require the same 600-hour school-based internship and the same Praxis exam. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
Step 1: Education Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Completion of a Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)-accredited school counseling program that includes a 600-hour school-based internship (the most direct path); OR
- Completion of a master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or university that includes a 600-hour school-based internship, such as the following school counseling master’s programs:Featured Programs:Sponsored School(s)
All applicants — regardless of which path they took — must also complete a free online course: “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.” You’ll submit verification of completion with your application. The course is hosted on Montana’s learning hub and covers the history, culture, and contemporary context of Montana’s tribal nations.
Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check
You’ll need to complete a fingerprint background check before applying. The Montana OPI provides instructions for completing the fingerprinting process on its website.
Step 3: Examination Requirements
Montana requires a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (ETS test code 5422). Check the current required score with the Montana Office of Public Instruction or ETS directly before registering, as score requirements can change. The exam has 120 selected-response questions and a two-hour time limit. It covers four content areas: counselor roles and ethics, counseling delivery, program management, and professional standards. You can take it at a testing center or remotely.
Step 4: Know the Fees
First Montana Five-Year License Fee: $36
Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials
Gather the following before you submit:
- An application for a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license completed through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to your earned degree
- Proof of passing score from the Praxis School Counselor exam (ETS test code 5422)
- Proof of completion of “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.”
- $36 application fee
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Submit everything through Teach Montana (TMT). If you have questions before or during your application, contact the Montana Office of Public Instruction Educator Licensing Department at (406) 444-3150.
Montana School Counselor Certification Renewal
Montana school counselor licenses are renewed online through the Teach Montana portal. You’ll need to document 60 renewal units, or a combination of renewal units and college course credits, to qualify. The renewal fee is $30, and the license cycle is five years.
Learn more about renewing your license on the OPI website. If you have questions about renewal, contact the OPI at 406-444-3150 during business hours.
Montana School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
Montana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement with other states, but it will accept your current out-of-state license as part of your application. You’ll still need to meet all Montana certification requirements — including the Praxis 5422 exam and the Indian Education for All course.
Here’s what out-of-state applicants need to submit:
- Completed profile and application through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal
- Copy of your current, valid out-of-state license
- Completion of a CACREP-accredited school counseling program,m including a 600-hour school-based internship; OR
- A master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or universi, ty with a 600-hour internship
- Completion of “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana,” available here
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits leading to your earned degree
- Proof of passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (ETS test code 5422)
- $36 application fee
For questions about your out-of-state application, contact the OPI licensure division at 406-444-3150.
Montana School Counseling Certification Resources
The following organizations are useful for continuing education and professional development:
- Montana School Counselor Association
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
What score do I need on the Praxis to get certified in Montana?
Montana requires a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (ETS test code 5422). The specific required score should be verified directly with the Montana Office of Public Instruction or ETS before you register, as score requirements can change. The exam has 120 questions and a two-hour time limit.
Does Montarecognize for Scholastic Counselor licenses from other states?
Montana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement. If you’re licensed in another state, you can submit your current license with your application. However, you’ll still need to meet all Montana requirements — including the Praxis 5422 exam, the Indian Education for All course, and the full application through Teach Montana. Contact the OPI at 406-444-3150 if you have questions about your specific situation.
How do I renew my Montana school counselor license?
The Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license renews online through the Teach Montana portal every five years. You’ll need 60 renewal units (or a mix of renewal units and college credits) and a $30 renewal fee. Learn more on the OPI renewal page.
What is the Indian Education for All requirement?
Montana requires all school counselor license applicants to complete a free online course titled “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.” It covers the history, culture, and contemporary context of Montana’s tribal nations and is required by state law for educators. You submit a certificate of completion with your license application. The course is hosted on Montana’s learning hub and takes only a short time to complete.
How long does it take to get a Montana school counselor license?
Most candidates complete the process in about two to three years after their bachelor’s degree, depending on program structure and enrollment status. That time is mostly spent in a master’s program, which typically includes the required 600-hour internship. Once you’ve graduated, passed the Praxis, and completed the Indian Education course, the OPI application itself is straightforward. See the full path on our How to Become a Montana School Counselor page.
- Class 6 Specialist license — Montana’s school counselor credential requires a master’s degree, a 600-hour school-based internship, and a passing score on the Praxis 5422 exam.
- Montana-specific requirement — All applicants must complete the free “Indian Education for All” online course before submitting their application.
- No formal reciprocity — Out-of-state counselors can include their current license with their application, but Montana still requires all standard certification steps.
- Renewal is straightforward — Renew online through Teach Montana every five years with 60 renewal units and a $30 fee.
- Timeline varies — Plan for about two to three years from your bachelor’s degree to licensure, mostly spent completing your master’s program.
Ready to map out the full path to becoming a school counselor in Montana? Certification is one piece of the journey.
