(1) Requirements for renewal of Montana educator licenses are as follows:

(a) Class 1 and 3 licenses require 60 renewal units;

(b) Class 2 licenses require college credit and renewal units as follows:

(i) three semester credits and 15 renewal units;

(ii) four semester credits;

(iii) four quarter credits and 20 renewal units;

(iv) five quarter credits and 10 renewal units; or

(v) six quarter credits;

(c) Class 3 licenses require 60 renewal units;

(d) Class 4 licenses require 60 renewal units. The requirements specific to each type of license are set forth in ARM 10.57.420(3);

(e) Class 6 licenses require college credit or renewal units as follows:

(i) four graduate semester credits;

(ii) six graduate quarter credits; or

(iii) 60 renewal units;

(f) Class 7 licenses require 60 renewal units as verified by the tribe and as set forth in ARM 10.57.536;

(g) Class 8 licenses require 60 renewal units.

(2) Participation in renewal activities is equivalent to the following renewal units: 

(a) one hour of attendance at a workshop = one renewal unit;

(b) one quarter college credit = 10 renewal units;

(c) one semester college credit = 15 renewal units.

(3) Renewal activities used to renew all licenses must be:

(a) for activities other than (3)(b) or (c);

(i) a planned and structured experience;

(ii) of benefit to the license holder's professional development as defined in ARM 10.55.714;

(iii) an exposure to a new idea or skill or an extension of an existing idea or skill; and

(iv) in compliance with (6) and (7); or

(b) the instruction of a relevant higher education course, based upon the academic credit of the course, by a Montana license holder who has achieved a graduate degree in an endorsed field of specialization; or

(c) the completion of the assessment process for national board licensure, or renewal of national board licensure, through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Verification of completion of the national board assessment shall result in 60 renewal units. Renewal units earned may apply to renewal of an expiring license. Class 2 license holders may use national board renewal units in lieu of college course credits as required in (1). This process may also be used in lieu of any credits required to reinstate a lapsed license.

(4) All renewal units must be earned during the valid term of the license. Renewal units earned through August 31 immediately following the expiration date of a license shall also be considered for renewal.

(5) The license holder shall be solely responsible for retaining the renewal unit verification to be used in the application for license renewal.

(6) Educators licensed in Montana who are living out of state and participate in another state's validated professional development activities other than college/university credit may use these renewal unit activities when the intent and structure of the process assures the meeting or exceeding of Montana renewal unit requirements for licensure.

(7) Educators licensed in Montana who are living in state and who wish to participate in professional development activities offered by providers who have not been approved as a renewal unit provider pursuant to ARM 10.57.216 may apply to the state superintendent for approval prior to beginning the program.