Montana nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Montana license by endorsement: the application fee ($200 for an RN), the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Montana |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Montana Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| RN license by endorsement, application fee | $200 |
| LPN/LVN license by endorsement, application fee | $200 |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Fingerprint-based background check through the Montana Department of Justice is required (37-8-434, MCA). |
| Nursys license verification | Accepted |
| RN renewal cycle | Every 2 years, fee $100 |
| Continuing education per renewal | None required. Board states it no longer requires continuing education contact hours for license renewal. |
How to get your Montana license, step by step
- Check the compact first. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Montana without applying again. If you move your residence to Montana, you apply for a Montana license as your new home state.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Verify your license through Nursys. Request verification from each state where you are or were licensed. Boards that use Nursys receive it electronically.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Pay the fee and send documents. The application fee is $200 for an RN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to Montana
- Board calls licensure by endorsement 'license by credentialing'.
- Renewal is by December 31 of odd or even years depending on the licensee's cycle.
- A nurse changing primary state of residence to Montana must apply for a Montana license within 60 days.
What RNs earn in Montana
The BLS median for registered nurses in Montana is $39.21 per hour, about $81,560 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Montana.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $42.13 | $87,630 |
| Bozeman, MT | $41.35 | $86,000 |
| Billings, MT | $41.15 | $85,580 |
| Missoula, MT | $38.08 | $79,210 |
| Great Falls, MT | $36.29 | $75,470 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Montana · Montana state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Montana Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/nur/rn-license-app-checklist.pdf (fees, background check, Nursys verification)
- boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/nur/lpn-app-checklist.pdf (fees)
- boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing/license-information/rn (renewal, renewal fee, state notes)
- boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing/continuing-education (continuing education)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Montana Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a Montana nursing license by endorsement cost?
The Montana Board of Nursing lists an application fee of $200 for an RN and $200 for an LPN/LVN. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be charged separately.
Is Montana a nurse licensure compact state?
Montana is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A nurse whose home state is also a compact state can practice here on a multistate license.
How much continuing education do Montana nurses need?
The board does not require continuing education hours for RN renewal. Board states it no longer requires continuing education contact hours for license renewal. Licenses renew every 2 years.
How long does it take to get a Montana license?
The Montana Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with Montana licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
Moving to Montana? See what RNs get paid near you.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
110+ Registered Nurse roles in Montana, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RN pay reportMontana · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Logan HealthWhitefish, MT · 2 postings$56.13/ hr$42–$73
- Dahl Memorial Healthcare, Inc.Ekalaka, MT · 1 wage offer$46.04/ hr$46–$46
- Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC.Billings, MT · 1 wage offer$38.98/ hr$39–$39
- Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC.Great Falls, MT · 1 wage offer$35.48/ hr$35–$35
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
5 RN postings with published pay in Montana, 5 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 5 RN roles
- RN - HospicePermanent$85k–$95k/ year
- Registered Nurse (RN) | Labor, Delivery & Postpartum (LDRP) | WhitefishPermanent$41.78–$67.66/ hour
+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.