Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Montana
Montana is known for its endless blue skies and wide-open spaces, but there are plenty of other benefits to living in this wonderful Western state. With a low cost of living, low taxes, and endless outdoor activities amidst the state’s natural beauty, Montana is a great place to live and work.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to get your Montana nursing license by exam
- How to get your license by endorsement
- How to renew your Montana nursing license
- Licensing fees
- Continuing education requirements
- How to contact the Montana Board of Nursing
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How to get your Montana nursing license by examination
Step 1: Education
The first step of every nursing career is getting a great education. Montana has an extensive list of state-approved nursing degree programs that include baccalaureate and associate in nursing options, and graduates of accredited out-of-state programs are also welcome to apply for licensure.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.
Step 2: Apply
Newly graduated nurses can download and submit a paper application for licensure or begin their online application for a Montana registered nursing license by creating an account on the Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s Citizen Portal.
Once your account has been established, you can complete the application and submit the $100 License by examination fee. (If you choose to request a temporary permit, include an additional $25.) Those submitting paper applications must enclose payment, using check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to Montana Board of Nursing and mailed to:
Montana Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59601
You also need to register to take the NCLEX exam and pay the registration fee of $200. You can do this online at Pearson VUE or by phone at 1-866-496-2539.
Step 3: Submit Transcripts
You are responsible for having official transcripts sent to the Montana Board of Nursing. These documents must reflect the degree awarded and date conferred, and must be sent directly from your nursing to the Montana Board of Nursing at:
Montana Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59601
Electronic transcripts can be submitted by your educational institution to [email protected].
Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)
All applicants for Montana licensure are required to submit fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice (MDOJ). Your application for licensure includes an Applicant Rights & Consent to Fingerprint Notice that authorizes the state to receive and review your fingerprint background check results.
There are two options for fingerprint collection. You can contact your local law enforcement agency to determine whether they perform non-criminal fingerprinting and whether they will supply the appropriate Fingerprint Card (Form FD258 rev. 5-15-17) or if you need to obtain the card from MDOJ prior to arriving. This process generally takes 4-8 weeks.
Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with the Montana Department of Justice , Division of Criminal Investigations– Criminal Records in Helena. Use this website and click the link for fingerprint appointments. You will be directed to log in or create an account.
Provide the fingerprint technician with a copy of the Fingerprint Card Example for the registered nurse license type. The information on the example is unique to registered nurse licensure. The fingerprint card must have all fields correctly filled out to be accepted by the MDOJ.
The technician must capture your fingerprints twice and create two fingerprint cards.
If using a Local Law Enforcement Agency, you must mail the completed Fingerprint Card in a manila envelope with the correct amount of postage and a check or money order made payable to the “Montana Department of Justice” in the amount of $30 to:
Montana Criminal Records
2225 Eleventh Avenue
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620
Do not fold or staple the fingerprint card.
Step 5: Take the NCLEX
Taking and passing the NCLEX-RN exam is the final step to take for licensure. Once the Montana Board of Nursing has received all of your information, your registration fee, and your supporting documentation, a notification will be sent to Pearson VUE and they will email you an Authorization to Test.
The NCLEX will test you on the material that was covered over the course of your nursing education, including:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Management of Care
- Safety and Infection Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Physiological Adaptation
If you pass the NCLEX exam, you will receive notification that your license has been issued. If you fail the exam, you can retake it 45 days after your last exam session. To retake the NCLEX, complete and submit the Application to Retake the NCLEX form and pay the $50 fee.
If it has been more than one year since your original application for Licensure by Examination, you will need to fill out the complete exam application again and pay the full fee.
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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)
Nurses who hold valid, active licenses in another state can switch to a Montana nursing license once they have submitted an application for Rn by Endorsement, paid the $200 registration fee, and fulfilled all of the state’s requirements.
The application can be submitted online at the Citizen Portal or you can download a paper application from the website. Paper applications can be sent with payment using check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to Montana Board of Nursing and mailed to:
Montana Board of Nursing
Montana Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59601
In addition to the application, candidates for RN licensure by endorsement must provide:
- Official license verification from states where they hold or have ever held a professional license of any type. If a state participates with NURSYS then verification must come from that site. Otherwise, nurses must request that verification of their licensure be sent directly to the Montana Board of Nursing using this form.
- Fingerprint background check.
- You can contact your local law enforcement agency to determine whether they perform non-criminal fingerprinting and whether they will supply the appropriate Fingerprint Card (Form FD258 rev. 5-15-17) or if you need to obtain the card from MDOJ prior to arriving. This process generally takes 4-8 weeks.
- Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment with the Montana Department of Justice (MDOJ), Division of Criminal Investigations- Criminal Records in Helena. Use this website and click the link for fingerprint appointments. You will be directed to log in or create an account. This process takes 3-5 days.
- Provide the fingerprint technician with a copy of the Fingerprint Card Example for the registered nurse license type. The information on the example is unique to registered nurse licensure. The fingerprint card must have all fields correctly filled out to be accepted by the MDOJ.
- The technician must capture your fingerprints twice and create two fingerprint cards.
- If using a Local Law Enforcement Agency, you must mail the completed Fingerprint Card in a manila envelope with the correct amount of postage and a check or money order made payable to the “Montana Department of Justice” in the amount of $30 to:
Montana Criminal Records
Montana Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59601
Do not fold or staple the fingerprint card.
How to renew your Montana nursing license
Step 1: When to submit your renewal application
Montana’s registered nursing licenses must be renewed every two years. The fee is $100. Expiration occurs on December 31 and renewal applications submitted online or postmarked after this date are subject to late fees. Renewal opens the first week of November and reminder emails are sent.
Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements
Montana requires registered nurses to complete 24 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year licensing period. You do not need proof to renew but you should maintain records of your contact hours for two years in case you are subject to a random audit.
Incredible Health offers free Montana CEU units. They are easy to access and, once completed, provide a certificate of completion for your records.
Step 3: Submit your renewal application
Renewal applications can be submitted through the Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s Citizen Portal or paper renewal applications can be sent with payment using check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to Montana Board of Nursing and mailed to:
Montana Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59601
Montana nursing licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Montana whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Montana from another state. For more information visit the Montana licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $100
- Fingerprint fee: $30
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $200 (RN/LPN); $75 (APRN, $100 for Rx authority)
- Fingerprint fee: $30
License renewal fees:
- Application fee: $100 (RN/LPN); $50 (APRN, per certification type)
Montana is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees are subject to change.
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Continuing education requirements
The state of Montana requires RNs, LPNs and APRNs to have 24 contact hours during their two-year licensing period. A licensing period begins on January 1st of the beginning year and ends December 31st of the following year. Half of Montana nurses will have their licenses expire in years ending with even numbers and the other half’s licenses expire in years ending with odd numbers. Whichever year your license expires, by the end of your 24-month licensing period you will need to have completed 24 contact hours. Though you do not need to submit proof of completion, all nurses should maintain records of their contact hours for two years in case of selection for random audit.
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Montana Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
How to contact the Montana Board of Nursing
Montana Board of Nursing
For licensing questions:
Phone: (406) 444-6880
For questions related to practice, rules, or education call the Executive Director:
Phone: (406) 841-2380
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing/
Mailing address:
Board of Nursing
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Physical address:
301 S. Park Ave. 4th Floor
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
