Department of Labor & Industry - Business Standards

Montana Board of Nursing Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have recently moved; do I need to change my address?

YES, in accordance with ARM 24.159.2301 (b) Conduct of Nurses, you are required to notify the board office within 10 days of a change in address; failure to do so may result in a fine. -To change your address, follow the steps listed below: 1) Visit our website www.nurse.mt.gov 2) From the home page choose the FORMS tab 3) Select Address Change 4) Complete the form with ALL pertinent information 5) Click the SUBMIT CHANGE REQUEST button at the bottom of the form-from here the board office will receive your request OR 1) Complete the REQUEST FOR RECORDS CHANGE form. This form can be found in your Montana Board of Nursing newsletter; on our website; under the FORMS tab or by contacting the board of nursing office at 406-841-2340 2) Submit your request by mail to: Montana Board of Nursing, PO BOX 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513 OR by fax to 406-841-2305. If you would like a duplicate hardcopy license showing your new address, check the appropriate box on the records change form and include the appropriate fees."_blank">Fish Wildlife & Parks <return to top>

2. I have recently been married; do I have to change my name??

NO, the Montana Board of Nursing does not require that you change your name; however, the name displayed on your name badge MUST match name as it appears on your license. -If you wish to change your name, follow the steps listed below: 1) Complete the REQUEST FOR RECORDS CHANGE form. This form can be found in your Montana Board of Nursing newsletter; on our website under the FORMS tab; or by contacting the board of nursing office at 406-841-2340 2) Attach a COPY of one of the following to your request Social Security Card displaying your new name Drivers License Displaying your new name Document by which your name was legally changed (marriage license, divorce decree etc) 3) Submit your request by mail to: Montana Board of Nursing, PO BOX 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513 OR by fax to 406-841-2305 If you would like a duplicate hardcopy license showing your new name, check the appropriate box on the records change form and include the appropriate fees. <return to top>

3. My employer has asked me for a copy of my license; is this a requirement of the Montana Board of Nursing?

NO, the Montana Board of Nursing does not require that you have a copy of your license on file with your employer; however, this may be a requirement of employment with your employer, check with your Human Resources department. <return to top>

4. I have recently had a baby and would like to stay home for a few years; am I required to work a specific number of hours or maintain CE credits to keep my license active?

NO, at the current time, the Montana Board of Nursing does not require you to hold employment or maintain CE credits to keep your license active; however, you must continue renewing your license to keep it in good standing. -CE requirements are subject to change in the future; please continue checking the most recent rules on our website www.nurse.mt.gov <return to top>

5. During the last renewal cycle I put my license on Inactive status, I have now been offered a position; can I re-activate my license?

Yes, you may re-activate your license at any time in the 2 years following the renewal cycle in which you made your license inactive. To re-activate your license, please contact the board office at 406-841-2397 or 406-841-2345. <return to top>

6. I have misplaced my license; can I request a duplicate?

Yes, to request a duplicate license, follow the steps listed below: 1) Complete the REQUEST FOR RECORDS CHANGE form. This form can be found in your Montana Board of Nursing news letter; on our website under the FORMS tab; or by contacting the board of nursing office at 406-841-2340 2) Submit your request along with the appropriate fee to: Montana Board of Nursing, PO BOX 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513 <return to top>

7. If I move from Montana to another state or obtain employment that requires me to hold licensure in multiple states; do I have to forfeit my Montana license?

NO, the Montana Board of Nursing does not require you to forfeit your license; however, you may want to check the rules of your other states of licensure. <return to top>

8. I am moving from Montana to a state which has compact licensure; do I need to obtain licensure in that state?

YES, Montana is not currently a compact state; therefore, your Montana nursing license is not valid in any other state. <return to top>

9. I am a travel nurse and reside outside of Montana, am I required to be a resident of Montana to hold a Montana nursing license?

NO, the Montana Board of Nursing does not have any residency restrictions. <return to top>

10. I work as a telephonic nurse; am I required to have Montana nursing license?

YES, anytime you are providing nursing services to persons in Montana, you are required to hold an active Montana Nursing license.
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11. I am applying for licensure in another state; how do I obtain verification of licensure from the Montana Board of Nursing?

The Montana Board of Nursing is a participant of NURSYS, an online national verification system. All information (licensure, education and discipline) is reported weekly. To register with NURSYS, follow the steps below: 1) Visit www.NURSYS.com to register 2) Let the licensing specialist in the state where you are trying to obtain licensure know that you have registered with NURSYS 3) The licensing specialist in that state can obtain verification by visiting the NURSYS website. <return to top>

12. I would like a copy of the rules and statutes for the Montana Board of Nursing, how do I get one?

You may obtain a copy of the rules and statutes by following these steps: 1) Visit our website at www.nurse.mt.gov 2) Click the REGULATIONS tab and select Download Applicable Statutes and Rules in PDF format; you can then print the document. The website version of the statutes and rules is the most up to date version and may be saved on your computer or printed for no charge <return to top>

13. I would like to attend the next Board of Nursing meeting: can I do this, how do I know when it is and how do I have my topic put on the agenda?

YES all Board of Nursing Education Committee, APRN & Practice Committee and Full board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend and/or request a topic be added to the agenda, follow the steps listed below. 1) Contact the office @ (406) 841-2340 to request your topic be added to the agenda 2) Visit our website www.nurse.mt.gov 3) Choose the BOARD INFORMATION tab. 4) Choose the BOARD MEETINGS 5) Choose the meeting you would like to attend If your topic is added to a board agenda, you will receive notification approximately 10 business days prior to the meeting <return to top>

14. My company is trying to recruit new nurses; can we obtain a list of licensed nurses in the State Of Montana?

YES, lists are available for purchase and may be sorted a number of ways including licenses status, license type and state of residency. To purchase a list follow the steps listed below: 1) Visit our website www.nurse.mt.gov 2) From the home page, click the SERVICES/LINKS tab 3) Choose Download list of Licensees; Using option 1 select NURSING as the board you wish to download. -From here you will be able to make your list selections based on your required criteria. You will then be given the price for the list prior to downloading. <return to top>

15. I am a licensed nurse and have witnessed a nurse abusing a patient; do I need to file a complaint?

YES, anytime you know of an infraction of the Montana Board of Nursing rules, you are required to file a complaint. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action against YOUR license. To file a complaint, you must obtain and complete a complaint form and submit to the Board office. Forms can be obtained by: 1) Contacting the board office at 406-841-2340 OR 2) Visiting our website at www.nurse.mt.gov and selecting the COMPLAINT tab OR 3) Contacting the board compliance department at 406-841-2344 <return to top>

16. I would like to file a complaint against a licensed nurse how do I go about doing this?

To file a complaint you must obtain and complete a complaint form and submit it to the Board office. Forms can be obtained by: 1) Contacting the board office at 406-841-2340 OR 2) Visiting our website at www.nurse.mt.gov and selecting the COMPLAINT tab. OR 3) Contacting the board compliance department at 406-841-2344 <return to top>

17. I am a licensed nurse in the state of Montana and I am in the Military Reserves/National Guard; I have been called to active service; what do I need to do to ensure that my license continues to be valid?

The Montana Board of Nursing does not require that you report your activation. However, as stated in 37-1-138 MCA if you wish to have your renewal fees waived, you must provide the board office with a copy of your activation papers and request that your license be placed on inactive status. Upon return from activation, you must provide the board office with a copy of your discharge documents. At this time the board office will evaluate your documents and notify you of the next step. <return to top>

18. I have just received my license in the mail and see that it expires soon; what is the renewal period for licenses?

All RN, LPN, and APRN licenses expire on December 31 of even numbered years, Medication Aide licenses expire on March 31 yearly. <return to top>

19. I think I forgot to renew my license; what do I do now?

You may renew your license up to 2 years after the expiration date by completing the renewal form and paying the applicable fees. If your license has been expired for longer than 2 years, you must reapply for licensure. <return to top>

20. I live in Montana but go to school in another state; am I able to fulfill my clinical requirements in Montana facilities?

. At this time, Montana Board of Nursing rule does not allow for students enrolled in programs outside of the state to fulfill their clinical hours in Montana facilities. -This rule is subject to change in the future, please continue checking the most recent rules on our website, www.nurse.mt.gov. <return to top>

21.I live in Montana but went to school in Canada because the school was closer; am I considered a foreign educated applicant?

Yes, anytime an applicant is educated outside of the United States they are considered to be foreign educated and must complete all requirements of such. <return to top>

22. I recently graduated from an approved nursing program; what do I do now??

When you have graduated from an approved nursing program you will need to complete the Montana Board of Nursing examination application AND register with Pearson Vue. -You can find the Montana Board of Nursing application on our website www.nurse.mt.gov under the applications options and Pearson Vue may be contacted at 1-888-213-7902 or www.pearsonvue.com. <return to top>

23. How far do I have to travel to take the NCLEX and what day is the test given?

Pearson Vue has testing sites in both Helena and Billings. You will work with Pearson Vue to establish what testing site you will use and when you will take the NCLEX. Testing center hours of operation are set by Pearson Vue and are not regulated by the Montana Board of Nursing. Pearson Vue can be contacted at: 1-888-213-7902 or www.pearsonvue.com. -You are not required to test at a Montana testing site. If you choose to test outside of the state for licensure in Montana, please contact the board office prior to registering with Pearson Vue. <return to top>

24. I am an LPN; can I be a supervisor/charge nurse?

LPNs may be supervisors/charge nurses ONLY in the absence of an RN in a long term care facility. <return to top>

25. I am a home health nurse; can I fill pill boxes for my client or is this considered dispensing?

If the medication is being taken from containers labeled for your client, such as a prescription, this is not considered dispensing and may be done by anyone that the client delegates. <return to top>

26. I have just graduated from my RN program; am I required to give up my LPN license?

No, the Montana Board of Nursing does not require that you relinquish your LPN license when you are granted an RN license.
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27. How do I contact the Board of Nursing?

You may contact the board office a variety of ways 1) By mail at: Montana Board of Nursing, PO BOX 200513, Helena, MT 59620- 0513 2)By Phone at: 406-841-2340-Cari Harris, Program Manager, 406-841-2345-Kelly Pfeifer, Licensing Specialist, 406-841-2397-Shelly Gloege, Licensing Specialist, or 406-841-2332-Traci Collett-Unit Supervisor 3) By e-mail at: nurse@mt.gov <return to top>