Montana Licensed Practical Nurse license renewal and CE requirements
Montana does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years.
Renewal occurs every other year by December 31. An 'odd' licensee renews by December 31 of odd-numbered years and an 'even' licensee by December 31 of even-numbered years; renewals submitted after that date are subject to additional fees.
Summary
Montana does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years. Renewal occurs every other year by December 31. An 'odd' licensee renews by December 31 of odd-numbered years and an 'even' licensee by December 31 of even-numbered years; renewals submitted after that date are subject to additional fees.
Montana Licensed Practical Nurse renewal and continuing education rules
"Not stated" means the board's pages and rules we read do not address it. We do not fill in typical values.
| Renewal cycle | Two-year (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | Same date for every licensee, 12/31 each cycle |
| Continuing education required | No |
The board's CE page states: 'the Montana Board of Nursing no longer requires continuing education contact hours to be completed as a requirement for renewal of a nursing license.' The home page announcement says LPNs, RNs and APRNs are no longer required to maintain 24 contact hours of CE for renewal, effective November 18, 2023, when the board repealed ARM 24.159.2101, 2102, 2104 and 2106 (MAR Notice 24-159-93). The board FAQ states there is no practice-hour requirement and no CE requirement to keep a license active, but the LPN must remain competent in their area of practice (ARM 24.159.2301). The board still offers free optional contact-hour modules.
Required CE topics for Montana licensed practical nurses
The Montana Board of Nursing pages and rules we read do not mandate specific subject areas for this license type. Hours may be in any approved subject.
Documentation and audit
| Proof submitted at renewal | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Keep records for | Not stated |
| Board audits compliance | No |
Common questions
- How many CE hours does a Montana LPN/LVN need to renew?
- Montana does not require continuing education for LPN/LVN license renewal, which happens every two years. The board's CE page states: 'the Montana Board of Nursing no longer requires continuing education contact hours to be completed as a requirement for renewal of a nursing license.' The home page announcement says LPNs, RNs and APRNs are no longer required to maintain 24 contact hours of CE for renewal, effective November 18, 2023, when the board repealed ARM 24.159.2101, 2102, 2104 and 2106 (MAR Notice 24-159-93). The board FAQ states there is no practice-hour requirement and no CE requirement to keep a license active, but the LPN must remain competent in their area of practice (ARM 24.159.2301). The board still offers free optional contact-hour modules.
- How often does a Montana LPN/LVN license need to be renewed?
- Licensed Practical Nurse licenses in Montana renew every two years. Renewal occurs every other year by December 31. An 'odd' licensee renews by December 31 of odd-numbered years and an 'even' licensee by December 31 of even-numbered years; renewals submitted after that date are subject to additional fees.
Sources
Last verified September 7, 2026. Every value above was read from one of these.
- Continuing Education, Montana Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- Montana Board of Nursing home page (CE repeal announcement)State board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- FAQs regarding the Montana Board of Nursing repeal of continuing education renewal requirementsState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- MAR Notice 24-159-93, Notice of Amendment and Repeal (ARM 24.159.2101, 2102, 2104, 2106), Montana Administrative Register 22-11/17/23Statute or administrative rule, accessed September 7, 2026
- FAQs, Montana Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
- LPN license information, Montana Board of NursingState board page, accessed September 7, 2026
No-CE status confirmed on the board CE page, home page, the board's CE-change FAQ (CE 'no longer required and will no longer be audited') and the rule repeal notice. Renewal cycle confirmed on the board's RN and LPN license information pages: every other year by December 31, in odd or even years depending on whether the licensee is an 'odd' or 'even' licensee; the page does not say how a licensee is assigned odd or even. The pre-repeal 24 contact hour figure still appears on many third-party sites. Montana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Provided for general reference. Requirements change through legislative sessions and rulemaking, so confirm with the Montana Board of Nursing before relying on them for a renewal. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.