Protem is an unincorporated community in southeastern Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Route 125 and is about two miles north of the Missouri-Arkansas state line. Protem is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.A post office called Protem has been in operation since 1875. The name comes from pro tem, because first settlers could not settle on a name and a temporary one was needed.