Montana
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
Montana Nursing CEU Overview
Montana does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. This makes it one of the few states without mandatory CE requirements for registered nurses.
Montana has minimal continuing education requirements, giving nurses flexibility in their professional development.
Nursing in Montana
Montana has approximately 17,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 1.1 million spread across 147,000 square miles. The state's low population density creates unique healthcare delivery challenges, with many communities hours away from hospital care. Billings Clinic and Providence Health are major employers, while tribal health facilities serve Native American populations.
Montana does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal. The state relies on initial education standards and encourages voluntary professional development. This approach recognizes the challenges rural Montana nurses face in accessing traditional CE programs.
Common Practice Settings in Montana
Regional Medical Centers
Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls have regional hospitals serving large geographic areas.
Tribal Health Facilities
Indian Health Service and tribal facilities serve Montana's significant Native American population.
Critical Access Hospitals
Many Montana communities rely on small critical access hospitals as their only local healthcare resource.
Montana License Renewal Tips
Although CE is not required, employers typically expect ongoing education.
Consider online CE options given Montana's vast distances.
Maintain specialty certifications with their CE requirements.
Document education for professional development records.
Nurse Licensure Compact in Montana
Montana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work across state lines in Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Idaho.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
- No CE is required for license renewal.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
- No CE is required for license renewal.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
0
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Required
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
Montana does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, North Dakota requires 12 hours, while South Dakota also has no general CE requirement. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Montana allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward Montana requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how Montana compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →Montana Board of Nursing
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Montana Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.