State of Montana
Montana.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, none required
0
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Montana does not require general continuing education hours for RN license renewal, one of the few states without mandatory CE for registered nurses.
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
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.
Renewal tips
01
Although CE is not required, employers typically expect ongoing education.
02
Consider online CE options given Montana's vast distances.
03
Maintain specialty certifications with their CE requirements.
04
Document education for professional development records.
The 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.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
- No CE is required for license renewal.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
- No CE is required for license renewal.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for APRN renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for NP renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNS renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CNM renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for CRNA renewal.
Notes
- Montana REPEALED continuing education requirements effective November 18, 2023.
Additional requirements
In context. Montana does not require general CE for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, 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.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Montana Board of Nursing.
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