Understand Which Instructor Role You Want

Montana real estate instructors generally work in one of two settings:

• Prelicensing education: Courses required before a student may qualify for a Montana salesperson or broker license.
• Continuing education: Courses active licensees complete during the annual licensing cycle.

The approval path, qualifications, and documentation can differ between these categories. A person may also teach through an approved real estate school rather than operating an independent education provider.

Prelicensing Instructor Requirements

Montana requires an instructor to receive Board approval when teaching more than 25% of a salesperson or broker prelicensing course.

The published Montana administrative rule states that an approved prelicensing instructor must have:

• At least one year of experience in real estate education; and
• Either a bachelor’s degree in a field traditionally associated with the subject matter being taught; or
• Advanced training in instructional methods or adult learning.

The rule does not state that every prelicensing instructor must hold a Montana broker license. However, subject-matter expertise, current knowledge of Montana real estate law, and practical transaction experience can make an application and course proposal stronger. The Board may also evaluate whether the instructor is qualified to teach the specific topics assigned.

Prelicensing instruction must be delivered through an approved course. Montana requires a salesperson prelicensing course to contain at least 70 hours and to cover subjects such as real estate transactions, Montana real estate law, taxation, property management, leasing, and related practical applications.

Continuing-Education Instructor Qualifications

Montana’s published rules provide several potential routes for teaching approved continuing-education courses. The rule language reported by the Board provides that a CE course must be taught by an instructor who meets one of these types of qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a field associated with real estate;
• Approval as an instructor by a state real estate licensing regulatory agency or real estate commission; or
• Five years of active licensed experience as a broker.

Because CE rules and approval practices can change, confirm whether the Board currently requires a separate instructor application, course-specific documentation, or proof of another state’s instructor approval.

Do You Need a Montana Real Estate License?

A Montana real estate license is not clearly required for every instructor role. The prelicensing rule focuses on real estate-education experience plus a degree or instructional training, while the CE rule includes alternative qualifications such as a related bachelor’s degree or five years of active broker experience.

In practice, a Montana salesperson or broker license may be useful or necessary for courses dealing with current brokerage practice, contracts, agency, supervision, or other subjects where active professional experience matters. Ask the Board to determine whether your proposed subject, instructor status, and course type require a Montana license.

Recommended Preparation

Before applying, assemble evidence showing that you are qualified to teach the particular course:

• Resume documenting real estate practice and teaching experience.
• Copies of degrees, certificates, or adult-learning and instructional-methods training.
• Evidence of any real estate license held in Montana or another jurisdiction.
• Course syllabus identifying learning objectives, subject areas, instructional hours, and teaching methods.
• Copies or summaries of instructional materials, examinations, assignments, and attendance procedures.
• Documentation of professional designations or specialized expertise relevant to the course.

A broker, attorney, lender, tax professional, property manager, or other specialist may be well suited to teach a particular subject, but should obtain written confirmation from the Board before assuming that professional background alone satisfies Montana’s approval requirements.

Application and Approval Steps

1. Choose an approved education provider

Contact a Montana-approved real estate school or education provider and ask whether it is accepting new instructors. The provider may submit the course and instructor materials or may direct the instructor to apply directly to the Board.

2. Identify the course category

Determine whether the course is:

• Salesperson prelicensing education;
• Broker prelicensing education;
• Continuing real estate education;
• Property-management education; or
• Another course requiring separate approval.

This classification affects the applicable instructor standard and course-submission process.

3. Complete the Board’s current forms

Montana’s rule requires requests for prelicensing course and instructor approval to be made on forms approved by the Board. Use the current forms supplied by the Board rather than relying on an older form obtained from a school or online source.

4. Submit the request in advance

The rule states that a request for approval of a prelicensing course and instructor must be submitted 60 days before the initial course offering date. Treat this as a minimum planning period and allow additional time if the Board requests revisions or supporting documents.

5. Wait for written approval

Do not advertise the course as Montana-approved or begin awarding qualifying education credit until the Board or approved provider confirms approval. Instructor approval and course approval are separate issues: an approved instructor may still need to teach an approved course, and an approved course may require approval of the specific instructor.

6. Track renewal and changes

Published rules indicate that prelicensing course and instructor approval lasts three years, subject to revocation for cause. Confirm the current renewal period and whether changes to the syllabus, delivery format, instructor, school, or course materials require a new submission.

Continuing-Education Course Considerations

Montana’s licensing year runs from November 1 through October 31, and active licensees must complete at least 12 hours of continuing real estate education during each licensing year.

A CE course should clearly identify:

• The approved subject matter;
• Learning objectives;
• Instructional time;
• Instructor qualifications;
• Attendance verification;
• Completion or assessment procedures; and
• The method used for in-person, live-online, or distance delivery.

Distance education may be approved when the application and course structure satisfy Board requirements. Do not assume that a course approved in another state automatically qualifies for Montana credit.

Where to Confirm Current Montana Requirements

The regulating agency is the Montana Board of Realty Regulation, administered through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Professional Licensing Boards. Confirm all current requirements directly with the Board, particularly:

• Whether your role requires individual instructor approval;
• Which application form applies;
• Whether the course provider or instructor must submit the application;
• Current fees and processing times;
• Required background, license, or experience documentation;
• Whether CE instructor qualifications have changed; and
• Renewal requirements for instructor or course approval.

Use the Board’s current rules and forms rather than relying solely on private school websites, older PDFs, or informal advice. If the published rules appear inconsistent, request written clarification from the Board or from a Montana-approved education provider before scheduling the course.

Authoritative Sources

• Montana Board of Realty Regulation — Continuing Education
• Montana Administrative Rules, Chapter 24.210 — Realty Regulation Rules
• Montana Board of Realty Regulation — Professional Boards and Licensing
• Montana Secretary of State — Administrative Rules