Verify a Montana Nurse—or Finish the Correct 2026 Renewal
A Montana nursing search normally begins with one urgent question: Is this nurse authorized to practise today, does the license renew in 2026 or 2027, or why has an application not moved forward?
Montana divides those answers between its primary-source Licensee Lookup, the eBiz licensing account, Nursys, profession-specific renewal pages, fingerprint instructions and a separate CNA Registry. This guide puts the practical details into one task route.
Use Montana Licensee Lookup or Nursys QuickConfirm to verify public status. Use eBiz Professional and Occupational Licenses for your own application, renewal, documents and account actions.
Verify a Montana license
Check credential type, status, expiration and available disciplinary information.
Check application status
Sign in to review an application, notices, missing items and uploaded documents.
Renew RN, LPN or APRN
Confirm whether the live record belongs to the even or odd renewal cycle before paying.
Endorsement and compact
Check whether an existing multistate privilege already authorizes Montana practice.
Verify or renew a CNA
Montana CNA applications and renewals use the BOUNDS portal, not nursing eBiz.
Montana has two RN, LPN and APRN renewal groups
Licenses renew every two years on December 31. An even-cycle license expires in an even-numbered year; an odd-cycle license expires in an odd-numbered year. Use the live record to identify the correct group.
Do not assume every Montana nurse renews in 2026. The Board calls licensees “odd” or “even.” Check the actual expiration year in Licensee Lookup or Nursys before starting renewal.
Even-cycle license
An even-cycle RN, LPN or APRN must renew by December 31, 2026. Late submission creates additional fees.
Odd-cycle license
An odd-cycle credential generally does not renew during 2026. Its next scheduled deadline is December 31, 2027.
Old 24-hour rule was repealed
Since November 18, 2023, LPN, RN and APRN licensees no longer need 24 contact hours for ordinary Montana renewal.
Montana is a compact state
A qualifying multistate RN or LPN license from another compact home state may authorize practice without a separate Montana license.
CNA is managed separately
CNA applications, endorsement, renewal and verification route through the Montana Nurse Aide Registry and BOUNDS.
Unexpected investigation call
The Board warns that it does not first notify a nurse of an investigation through an urgent phone demand. Independently call 406-444-6880.
How to verify a Montana nursing license
Montana identifies its Licensee Lookup System as the primary source for state professional credentials. Nursys QuickConfirm is also primary-source equivalent for nursing licensure and discipline data supplied by the Board.
Open Montana Licensee Lookup
Do not rely on a résumé, paper license, saved screenshot or commercial directory.
Open Montana LookupSearch by license number when available
If the number is unavailable, search the current legal name and then a former surname when appropriate.
Match the credential type
Confirm whether the record is RN, LPN, APRN, prescriptive authority or a medication-aide credential.
Read status and expiration together
A matching name does not establish current authority. Verify the current status and exact December 31 expiration year.
Check discipline and compact status
Use Nursys when you need compact status, privilege-to-practise information or a nursing disciplinary order.
Record the source and date
Employers should retain the license number, type, status, expiration, compact status and verification date.
| Verification field | What it answers | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| License type | Shows whether the person holds RN, LPN, APRN or another Board credential. | Match the license to the assigned duties. |
| Status | Shows the current credential status in the state record. | Do not treat an expired or terminated license as active. |
| Expiration date | Identifies the odd or even renewal cycle. | Use the displayed year to decide whether renewal is due in 2026. |
| Compact status | Shows single-state, multistate or not-applicable status in Nursys. | Confirm the nurse’s legal primary state of residence. |
| Discipline | Identifies discipline against the license or privilege to practise. | Open the actual order and read restrictions and effective dates. |
Montana warns that some disciplinary actions may not appear immediately because of appeals or administrative processing. For information before July 1, 1996, contact the Board directly.
Need formal verification sent somewhere?
Montana verification request
Montana provides an email or mail verification-request service. You need the professional’s license number, and the Board page states there is no fee.
Nursys endorsement verification
When another nursing board requires verification, use the paid Nursys Nurse License Verification route rather than free QuickConfirm.
Does your Montana nursing license renew in 2026?
Do not infer the renewal year from your age, birth year or the year the license was first issued. The safest method is to read the expiration year shown in Montana Licensee Lookup or Nursys.
| Live expiration | 2026 action | Deadline | Main fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2026 | Renew during the available online renewal period. | December 31, 2026. | RN/LPN $100; APRN $50 per certification type. |
| December 31, 2027 | No ordinary biennial renewal is due in 2026. | December 31, 2027. | Pay during the 2027 renewal transaction. |
| Already expired but under two years | Use late renewal and pay additional fees. | Before two years have passed from expiration. | Renewal fee plus applicable late fee. |
| Expired longer than two years | Submit a new licensure application under current requirements. | No ordinary renewal remains available. | Current application and related costs. |
| Medication Aide I or II | Follow the separate annual renewal cycle. | March 31 each year. | $20. |
Prescriptive authority follows its own published schedule and renews December 31 of even-numbered years. A current prescriptive-authority holder should verify the 2026 transaction separately from the APRN certification.
Renew a Montana RN, LPN or APRN license
Montana directs licensees to renew online through its Professional and Occupational Licenses portal. Verify the intended license and renewal year before submitting a payment.
Verify the credential and expiration
Confirm that the license expires December 31, 2026 and note every credential that must be renewed.
Check License FirstSign in to the existing eBiz account
Recover the established username or password rather than creating a duplicate account that may not display the license.
Open eBizSelect Print, Update, or Renew Your License
Choose the exact nursing credential and confirm whether additional APRN or prescriptive-authority records also appear.
Review contact and service information
Renewal transactions include attestations concerning current mailing information and electronic service of legal notices.
Answer disclosures accurately
Do not omit criminal, disciplinary or other requested information simply to complete renewal quickly.
Pay, save confirmation and verify again
Keep the receipt and later confirm the updated status and expiration in Montana Licensee Lookup.
Ordinary RN, LPN and APRN renewal no longer requires completion or reporting of the former 24 continuing-education contact hours.
Renewing an APRN certification does not automatically prove that every related credential is current. Verify the underlying RN record, each APRN certification type and prescriptive authority separately.
Montana no longer requires 24 CE hours for RN, LPN or APRN renewal
The Board repealed the former renewal CE requirement effective November 18, 2023. Many older articles and saved checklists still repeat the outdated 24-hour rule.
| Credential | CE for ordinary renewal | Important separate requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | No Board-mandated contact-hour total for renewal. | Employers or specialty certifications may impose their own education standards. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | No Board-mandated contact-hour total for renewal. | The nurse remains responsible for competence within the actual scope of practice. |
| APRN | No former 24-hour Board renewal total. | Maintain the national certification requirements applicable to the APRN role. |
| Prescriptive authority | Follow current authority and certification rules. | A person applying more than five years after pharmacology education may need a graduate course or 45 contact hours. |
| Medication Aide I | No annual CE requirement listed. | Annual renewal remains due March 31. |
| Medication Aide II | 6 contact hours each annual renewal period. | Education must address pharmacology and medication administration. |
“No Board CE requirement” does not remove employer training, national certification, controlled-substance, facility-policy or competence obligations that apply from another source.
Free Board education modules
Montana continues to offer optional modules covering delegation, discipline, compact rules, licensing, ethics, scope of practice and substance-use disorder.
Current module approval
The Board’s current education page states that contact-hour approval for the listed modules expires October 31, 2026.
Montana nursing renewal and endorsement fees
Review every credential in the checkout portal. RN, APRN certification and prescriptive authority are separate records with separate published renewal fees.
| Credential or transaction | Published fee | Important explanation |
|---|---|---|
| RN biennial renewal | $100 | Due December 31 of the assigned odd or even renewal year. |
| LPN biennial renewal | $100 | Due December 31 of the assigned odd or even renewal year. |
| APRN renewal | $50 per certification type | A nurse with more than one APRN certification pays per certification type. |
| Add APRN certification | $75 | Used to add another certification to an existing Montana APRN license. |
| Prescriptive-authority application | $100 | Can be requested with the APRN application or added later through All Other Options. |
| Prescriptive-authority renewal | $75 | Published renewal schedule is December 31 of even-numbered years. |
| Medication Aide I renewal | $20 | Annual March 31 renewal. |
| Medication Aide II renewal | $20 | Annual March 31 renewal plus 6 required contact hours. |
| Fingerprint background check | $30 to Montana DOJ | Required for new RN, LPN, APRN and Medication Aide I or II applications. |
| Montana verification request | No fee | Requires the professional’s license number. |
Late-renewal fees are additional to the normal fee. Confirm the total displayed by eBiz before payment instead of estimating the late amount.
NCLEX registration, Nursys verification, credential evaluation, fingerprint collection and other third-party charges may be separate from Board application or renewal fees.
What to do when a Montana nursing license was not renewed
Montana allows a license to be renewed for up to two years after its expiration date with additional late fees. Once more than two years have passed, the former license cannot use ordinary renewal.
| Current situation | Correct route | Practice status |
|---|---|---|
| License still active and not expired | Submit ordinary online renewal before December 31. | Practise only within the current active credential. |
| Expired less than two years | Use late renewal and pay renewal plus late fees. | Do not assume active authority until the public record is restored. |
| Expired longer than two years | Apply again under current licensure requirements. | The terminated former license does not authorize practice. |
| Administratively suspended | Follow the suspension notice and maintain renewal where permitted. | Read the controlling order; renewal does not remove the suspension. |
A renewal payment does not automatically cure an administrative suspension, disciplinary restriction or separate legal deficiency. Follow the specific Board notice or order.
Check a Montana nursing application in eBiz
Montana does not promise one processing time for every nursing application. A routine file can move after education, verification, fingerprints and disclosures are complete; non-routine files may require additional review.
Sign in to the account used to apply
Do not create another application because an issued license is not yet visible in the public search.
Open eBiz AccountOpen the current application record
Review notices, uploaded documents, payment and any application-specific request.
Check official education documents
Confirm that transcripts, graduation verification or international credential evaluation were submitted through an accepted route.
Check fingerprints and verification
New RN, LPN and APRN applications require fingerprint background checks. Endorsement may also need official license verification.
Respond to non-routine issues
Criminal history, discipline, civil proceedings or other concerns can require more documentation or Board review.
Verify actual issuance
Do not begin work merely because the application is complete. Confirm the issued credential in Licensee Lookup or Nursys.
| Pending item | Who usually supplies it | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|
| Transcript or education verification | School, transcript service or accepted credential evaluator. | Ask for the exact sending date and delivery method. |
| Original or current license verification | Nursys or the issuing nursing board. | Confirm that paid endorsement verification—not free lookup—was ordered. |
| Fingerprint background check | Applicant and Montana Department of Justice process. | Verify that the correct Board fingerprint instructions and $30 payment were used. |
| National APRN certification | Certifying organization or applicant as instructed. | Match the certification to the requested APRN role. |
| Legal or disciplinary disclosure | Applicant, court, licensing board or other agency. | Provide the complete requested record rather than a short personal summary alone. |
“I am requesting help with my Montana __________ application submitted on __________. My account currently shows __________ as incomplete or pending. The school, board or service sent it on __________ using __________. Please confirm the exact remaining requirement and who must submit it.”
Montana nursing fingerprint requirements
Fingerprint background checks are required for new RN, LPN, APRN, Medication Aide I and Medication Aide II applications.
Open the current fingerprint instructions
Use the nursing forms page rather than an old fingerprint card packet saved elsewhere.
Open Nursing FormsComplete the applicant-rights and consent requirements
Read and sign the forms included with the current application instructions.
Have fingerprints taken correctly
Use a law-enforcement agency or accepted fingerprint provider and complete the identifying information requested.
Include the current DOJ payment
The Board page states that fingerprint cards require a $30 check payable through the Montana Department of Justice process.
Monitor the application
Do not submit another fingerprint card merely because the application has not yet updated.
Ordinary license verification and renewal are different from a new application. Do not assume a current licensee must submit fingerprints every renewal unless the Board specifically requests them.
Montana RN and LPN endorsement route
Before filing a Montana endorsement application, check whether the nurse already holds a multistate RN or LPN license issued by another compact primary state of residence.
Check compact status in Nursys
A nurse with a valid multistate privilege from another compact home state generally does not need a separate Montana RN or LPN license solely to practise in Montana.
Check Nursys StatusApply if Montana becomes the primary residence
Compact rules require a nurse moving the legal primary residence to Montana to apply in the new home state within 60 days.
Submit the online Montana application
Select the correct RN or LPN credentialing or endorsement method in eBiz.
Start Montana ApplicationArrange official license verification
Use Nursys Nurse License Verification when the issuing jurisdiction participates or follow the direct-board verification route.
Complete fingerprints and education requirements
Follow the current RN or LPN checklist and provide any transcript or international credential evaluation required.
Confirm the Montana license was issued
A submitted endorsement application does not itself create Montana single-state or multistate authority.
Internationally educated applicants who do not hold another U.S. license must use one of the credential-evaluation services currently accepted by Montana, including TruMerit, Josef Silny & Associates or International Education Evaluations.
Montana multistate-license checks
Montana has participated in the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2015. A multistate license depends on the nurse’s legal primary state of residence and compliance with the uniform licensure requirements.
Primary residence controls
A travel assignment, employer address or temporary housing does not by itself change the nurse’s compact home state.
Moving to a new compact state
A multistate licensee who changes primary residence to another compact state must apply in the new state within 60 days.
APRN authority is separate
An RN compact privilege does not automatically authorize advanced-practice nursing or prescriptive authority.
Montana APRN and prescriptive-authority requirements
Montana APRN categories include Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Clinical Nurse Specialist.
| APRN task | What to verify | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Initial APRN application | Current Montana RN license or simultaneous RN application, education and national certification. | Assuming an out-of-state APRN license replaces the Montana RN requirement. |
| APRN renewal | Correct odd or even cycle, RN authority and each APRN certification type. | Renewing one certification while overlooking another. |
| Add prescriptive authority | Advanced pharmacology, diagnosis and supervised clinical requirements or current out-of-state authority. | Selecting APRN renewal without adding the authority through All Other Options. |
| Graduated more than five years ago | Graduate pharmacology course or 45 contact hours covering required pharmacology content. | Submitting general CE that does not cover the specified pharmacology topics. |
| Prescriptive renewal | Separate even-year renewal transaction and current authority. | Assuming the $50 APRN certification renewal includes the $75 authority renewal. |
Verify RN, APRN certification and prescriptive authority as separate records. One active record does not prove that every component required for advanced practice is current.
Montana Medication Aide I and II renewal rules
Medication Aide I and Medication Aide II are Board of Nursing licenses, but they do not follow the RN and LPN December 31 cycle.
| License | Work setting | Renewal deadline | Fee and CE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medication Aide I | Assisted living facility settings. | March 31 each year. | $20 renewal; no annual CE requirement listed. |
| Medication Aide II | Skilled nursing facility settings only. | March 31 each year. | $20 renewal; 6 contact hours in pharmacology and medication administration. |
A Medication Aide credential is not an RN, LPN or CNA certificate. Verify the precise credential and the facility setting in which it may be used.
Montana CNA verification and online renewal
Montana CNA applications and renewals are managed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services Nurse Aide Registry through the BOUNDS portal.
Search the Montana CNA Registry
Find the current certificate number and verify the status before creating the portal account.
Open CNA VerificationCreate the individual BOUNDS account
Each CNA must have a unique individual email address. Shared facility or family accounts should not be reused for multiple CNAs.
Enter the certificate name and number exactly
Use the name shown on the current CNA certificate and the certificate number found in verification.
Submit the online renewal
Renewals can begin 90 days before expiration. Email and paper renewal applications are no longer accepted.
Verify the automatic result
After the BOUNDS transaction processes, return to online verification and confirm the renewed certificate.
CNA interstate endorsement
An applicant with a current CNA registration in at least one U.S. state or territory can use the BOUNDS Interstate Endorsement application.
CNA by examination
After passing the Montana exam through Headmaster, the applicant must still complete the BOUNDS CNA by Exam application before registry placement.
Passing the CNA exam does not always place the person automatically on the registry. Applicants who cannot find their record may need to complete the BOUNDS application.
Renewal, endorsement and registry questions.
Registry and approved submission questions.
Use only when the current Registry instruction permits fax submission.
Verify a Montana nursing program before enrolling
The Board’s approved-program list was updated June 16, 2026 and identifies professional and practical nursing programs, approval status, accreditation, degree and extension campuses.
Open the current approved-program PDF
Do not rely only on the college’s marketing page or an old search-result snippet.
Open Approved ProgramsMatch the exact campus and program
Confirm professional RN or practical-nursing status, degree or certificate and any extension campus.
Read the approval status carefully
The current list includes Full, Conditional and Phase II approved programs that may enroll students.
Check national accreditation separately
The Board document identifies accreditation by CCNE, ACEN or CNEA where applicable.
Review NCLEX pass rates
Use the Board’s RN and LPN NCLEX reports and compare several years rather than one small graduating class.
Ask about approval end dates
When a program’s listed status ends in 2026, ask the school for the latest written Board action before paying tuition.
| Approval label | What it indicates | Student action |
|---|---|---|
| Full | The program holds full Board approval through the year shown. | Still verify accreditation, cost, clinical sites and NCLEX outcomes. |
| Conditional | The program has conditions or Board concerns reflected in its status. | Request written details of the condition and remediation plan. |
| Phase II approved | The new program has reached the phase allowing student enrollment. | Ask about the timeline toward full approval and early-cohort protections. |
| Accreditation column blank | The Board document does not display national nursing accreditation for that entry. | Verify accreditation directly before assuming it exists. |
Fix eBiz login, address and document problems
Forgot username or password
Use the official password-reset instructions or call customer service rather than creating a second licensee account.
Address changed
The nursing FAQ instructs nurses to notify the Board of an address change within 10 days. Use the official Change Address route.
Watch the active email address
Application processors communicate by email. Use an account that remains accessible after graduation or changing employers.
Document missing
Confirm whether the school, another board or the applicant was responsible for the document before uploading a duplicate.
Need a printable license
Use Print, Update, or Renew Your License in eBiz. For verification, the live public record remains more useful than a paper copy.
Urgent investigation demand
End the call and independently contact the Board. Do not provide payment or sensitive information to an unverified caller.
The Board says it will not first inform a licensee of an investigation through an urgent phone contact. Written communication and independent verification through 406-444-6880 are safer.
Montana Board of Nursing phone, email and office
Prepare the license number, credential type, application date and exact portal issue before calling. Customer service handles licensing and application questions; scope questions use a different contact.
Applications, existing licenses, renewal and eBiz assistance.
General application, license and renewal support.
Board Executive Officer and nursing scope-of-practice route.
Board and scope-related questions or comments.
Continuing education and audit support.
Complaint-process assistance.
“I need assistance with a Montana __________ license or application. The license number or application type is __________. I submitted or renewed on __________. The public record or eBiz account currently shows __________. Please identify the exact remaining action and who must submit it.”
Mailing address
Montana Board of Nursing
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Physical address
Montana Board of Nursing
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
Call before travelling. An office visit does not guarantee same-day application review, fingerprint matching, renewal completion or license issuance.
Montana Board of Nursing FAQ
How do I verify a Montana nursing license?
Use Montana Licensee Lookup or Nursys QuickConfirm. Match the exact RN, LPN or APRN record and review status, expiration, compact status and available discipline.
Is Montana Licensee Lookup an official primary source?
Yes. Montana identifies the Licensee Lookup System as the primary source for state professional-license verification.
Is Nursys accepted for Montana nursing verification?
Yes. Montana describes the Nursys licensure and disciplinary database as primary-source equivalent because the Board supplies its nursing data directly.
When do Montana RN and LPN licenses renew?
They renew every two years on December 31. Even-cycle licenses renew in even-numbered years and odd-cycle licenses renew in odd-numbered years.
Which Montana nursing licenses renew in 2026?
RN, LPN and APRN records showing an expiration of December 31, 2026 are due for renewal in 2026. Verify the live expiration before starting.
How much is Montana RN or LPN renewal?
The published biennial renewal fee is $100 for an RN and $100 for an LPN.
How much is Montana APRN renewal?
The published APRN renewal fee is $50 per APRN certification type.
Does Montana require 24 CE hours for nursing renewal?
No. The former 24-contact-hour renewal requirement for LPN, RN and APRN licenses was repealed effective November 18, 2023.
What if my Montana nursing license expired?
A license can generally be renewed for up to two years after expiration with additional late fees. After more than two years, the person must reapply under current requirements.
How do I check a Montana nursing application?
Sign in to the Montana eBiz Professional and Occupational Licenses portal using the account under which the application was filed.
Are fingerprints required for a Montana nursing application?
New RN, LPN, APRN, Medication Aide I and Medication Aide II applications require fingerprint background checks.
How much is the Montana nursing fingerprint fee?
The Board page states that fingerprint-card submissions require a $30 payment through the Montana Department of Justice process.
Do I need a Montana license if I already hold a multistate license?
A qualifying RN or LPN with a multistate privilege issued by another compact primary state of residence generally does not need a separate Montana license solely to practise in Montana.
How soon must I apply after moving my primary residence to Montana?
A multistate licensee changing primary residence to Montana must apply in the new home state within 60 days.
How much is Montana prescriptive-authority renewal?
The published prescriptive-authority renewal fee is $75, and its listed renewal cycle is December 31 of even-numbered years.
Does the Montana Board of Nursing renew CNA certificates?
No. CNA certificates are handled by the Montana DPHHS Nurse Aide Registry through the BOUNDS portal.
How early can a Montana CNA renew?
A Montana CNA certificate can be renewed through BOUNDS starting 90 days before expiration.
Are Montana CNA paper renewals accepted?
No. CNA renewals must be completed online through BOUNDS and are not accepted by email or paper.
How do I verify a Montana nursing school?
Use the Board’s approved-program PDF, match the exact campus and program, read the approval status and verify national accreditation and NCLEX results separately.
What is the Montana Board of Nursing phone number?
The main professional-licensing customer-service number is 406-444-6880.
Montana pages used for this guide
Fees, renewal transactions, program status and application requirements can change. Recheck the relevant official page before submitting documents or payment.
For employers and public users
Verify the live credential, expiration year, compact status and disciplinary information. Keep the license number and date of the primary-source check.
For nurses and applicants
Use the secure eBiz account for applications, renewal, documents and personal information. This independent guide cannot access or alter private licensing records.