StateLicensed

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements in Montana

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$300
Exam
NCLEX-PN
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Montana Board of Nursing

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Completion of all education requirements of an approved nursing education program (Mont. Code Ann. 37-8-405, 37-8-415)., pass a criminal background check. Applicants must submit fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice for a fingerprint-based background check. No minimum age was stated in the application packet reviewed. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. Applicants must have completed all education requirements of an approved nursing education program per Mont. Code Ann. Section 37-8-405 and 37-8-415. The Board's examination-application instructions do not publish a specific statewide clock-hour minimum for LPN program length on the page reviewed; program approval is handled through Board of Nursing administrative rules (ARM 24.159.1029 for LPN). [1]

  3. 3

    NCLEX-PN

    Pass the NCLEX-PN (fee: $200). Computerized adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE test centers. National registration fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, separate from Montana's own licensure-by-examination fee (see fees.application). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Montana Board of Nursing with the $100 application fee. Typical processing time: Allow 30 business days from the date the Board office receives all required documentation for processing a routine application, which includes being made eligible to test.. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Montana Board of Nursing issues your Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for Montana.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $100
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] None specified
NCLEX-PN [2] $200
Temporary permit (in addition to the application fee) [1] $25

Licensure by Examination fee is $100 (RN and LPN both, per the Board's Examination Application packet); an additional $25 applies if requesting a temporary permit. There is no separate stand-alone 'license issuance' fee beyond the $100 application fee. The Board's application packet did not state a specific biennial renewal dollar amount on the pages reviewed, so renewal is left null rather than guessed.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

All Montana licenses expire December 31 every two years. All RNs and LPNs licensed in Montana must maintain proof of 24 continuing-education credits per two-year licensing period.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: NLC.

Montana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state; the Board's own materials state Montana joined the NLC in October 2015, and NCSBN's official NLC implementation table lists Montana's implementation date as January 19, 2018 (the date the modernized NLC took effect nationally). If an applicant's primary state of residence is a different compact state, Montana requires obtaining licensure through that other compact state rather than through Montana.

3 state-approved training providers in Montana — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $100
  • $200
Total$300

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to become an LPN in Montana?

Complete an approved practical nursing education program, pass a fingerprint-based background check through the Montana Department of Justice, and pass the NCLEX-PN.

How much does it cost to apply for an LPN license in Montana?

$100 for the licensure-by-examination application, plus the separate $200 NCLEX-PN fee paid to Pearson VUE. A temporary permit, if requested, adds $25.

How often do I renew my Montana LPN license, and how many CE hours are required?

Every two years (licenses expire December 31), requiring 24 continuing-education credits per two-year licensing period.

Is Montana part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Yes. Montana joined the NLC in October 2015 and, along with the rest of the modernized compact, uses a January 19, 2018 national implementation date, so a Montana LPN holding a multistate license may practice in other NLC member states.

How long does it take to process an LPN application in Montana?

About 30 business days from when the Board receives all required documentation, after which the applicant becomes eligible to test.

Sources

  1. [1] boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/nur/nur_exam_app.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] nclex.com/fees-payment.page — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] ncsbn.org/public-files/NLC_Map.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10