Montana Locum Tenens NP Licensing Process (APRN)

Montana nurse practitioners must hold an active Montana APRN license before practicing in the state. Montana is a compact state for RNs, which can simplify one part of the process for NPs who already hold a multistate RN license. Montana does not issue temporary licenses, and all 1099 independent contractors are required to hold a Montana Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) before starting work. This guide covers the full process, including fees, fingerprinting, and what to expect on timeline.

Montana Board of Nursing Contact Information

Montana Board of Nursing (BON)

Phone: (406) 841-2300
Email: [email protected]
Website: Montana Board of Nursing

Montana APRN Licensing: At a Glance

ItemDetails
RN License Fees$200 (waived if you hold a multistate RN license through a compact state)
APRN/CRNA Application Fee$75 per specialty certification
Fingerprint/Background Check Fee$30
Prescriptive Authority Fee$100
Total CRNA Fees (with RN application)$405
Total (compact RN, no RN application needed)$205
Temporary LicenseNot available. Montana does not issue temporary licenses for CRNAs.
Initial Review Timeline3-4 weeks; license typically posts within 4-5 weeks for complete applications
Compact StateYes, for RN only. NPs must apply for a Montana APRN license regardless of compact status.
Full Practice AuthorityYes. Montana NPs practice under full practice authority.
ICEC RequiredYes. All 1099 independent contractors must hold a Montana ICEC before starting work, unless they have a Montana-registered corporation.

RN and APRN License Applications

Both the RN and APRN applications are completed online through your ebiz.mt.gov account. You can submit both applications simultaneously to minimize processing time.

Note: Your RN license (compact or otherwise) must be active before your APRN license can be granted. If you hold a multistate RN license through a compact state, you do not need to apply for a separate Montana RN license and do not owe the $200 RN fee.

Licensing Fees

If you need to apply for a Montana RN license:

  • RN license fee: $200
  • APRN application fee: $75
  • Fingerprint/background check fee: $30
  • Prescriptive authority endorsement: $100
  • Total: $405

If you hold a multistate RN compact license:

  • APRN application fee: $75
  • Fingerprint/background check fee: $30
  • Prescriptive authority endorsement: $100
  • Total: $205

Licensing Timeline

The Montana Board of Nursing typically completes an initial review within 3-4 weeks of receiving a complete application. NPs who submit a thorough, complete application generally see their license post within 4-5 weeks. Montana does not issue temporary licenses, so your permanent APRN license must be in hand before starting any assignment. Plan your first assignment start date with this window in mind.

No Temporary License

Montana does not issue temporary licenses for nurse practitioners. Your permanent Montana APRN license must be active before you can start any assignment in the state. Because the typical timeline is 4-5 weeks for a complete application, begin the process as early as possible relative to your target start date.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is required for the Montana APRN license as part of a federal background check. The fastest approach is to have prints taken at your local law enforcement agency or a certified fingerprinting service, then send the fingerprint cards to the state board via priority mail.

Important: Fingerprinting delays are the most common cause of licensing holdups in Montana. Take care of fingerprinting as early as possible and make sure the prints are clear. Unclear or rejected prints require a redo and will add significant time to your timeline.

Official Transcripts

Before submitting your APRN application, you must order official transcripts from your university for your post-graduate nurse practitioner degree. Order these early, as transcript processing times vary by institution and can add unexpected delays if left until the last minute.

NBCRNA National Certification

The Montana Board of Nursing requires verification of current national certification in your APRN role and population focus as part of the APRN application. You must hold active NBCRNA certification before your Montana APRN license can be granted. Verification is submitted as part of the APRN application through the licensing portal.

DEA Registration

You will need a Montana address registered on your DEA license before starting any assignment where you will be prescribing. This is not a prerequisite for the APRN license itself, but it is required before you can legally prescribe in the state.

Most locum tenens NPs transfer their existing DEA license to Montana immediately before an assignment begins rather than purchasing an additional license. Either approach is acceptable. Changes to your DEA registration can be made through the DEA Diversion Control Division website.

Note: Transferring an existing DEA license to a new state can take up to 5 business days. Plan accordingly.

Montana Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC)

All 1099 independent contractors in Montana are required to hold a valid Montana ICEC before starting work in the state. The ICEC exempts independent contractors from state-provided worker’s compensation coverage and functions as Montana’s equivalent of a business license.

For reference, a sample ICEC application is available to help guide you through the process.

Exception: If you have a corporation (LLC, PLLC, S-Corp, or similar) registered in Montana, the ICEC is not required.

Important: Independent contractors can be fined up to $1,000 for operating without a valid ICEC.

ICEC Point Requirement

Montana requires independent contractors to accumulate 15 points of business-related documentation to qualify for an ICEC. The point system demonstrates that you are genuinely established in your trade. For most locum tenens NPs working with WMS, some combination of the following documents will reach the 15-point threshold:

  • Montana APRN license – 3 points
  • National Board Certificate (proof of professional certification/membership) – 3 points
  • MSN diploma – 3 points
  • Signed and dated list of tools and equipment (e.g., stethoscope, reference books, scrubs, laptop) – 6 points
  • WMS Contract and Rate Sheet – 6 points

Frequently Asked Questions

Montana is a compact state for registered nurses only. Nurse practitioners must apply for a Montana APRN license regardless of compact status. If you hold a multistate RN license through the Nurse Licensure Compact, you do not need a separate Montana RN license, but you still need the Montana APRN license and must pay the associated APRN fees.

No. Montana does not issue temporary licenses for nurse practitioners. Your permanent Montana APRN license must be active before starting any assignment in the state. A complete application typically results in a license posting within 4-5 weeks.

Yes. Montana grants NPs full practice authority, meaning nurse practitioners can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications without physician oversight.

Yes. WMS recommends submitting both applications simultaneously to minimize overall processing time. Your RN license must be active before the APRN license can be granted, but the applications can be processed concurrently.

The board typically completes an initial review within 3-4 weeks of receiving a complete application. A fully complete application with nothing outstanding generally results in a license posting within 4-5 weeks total. Because Montana does not issue temporary licenses, plan your first assignment start date with this timeline in mind.

The Montana Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) is required for all 1099 independent contractors working in Montana, unless you have a Montana-registered corporation. It exempts you from state worker’s compensation and serves as Montana’s equivalent of a business license. Operating without a valid ICEC can result in a fine of up to $1,000.

You need to accumulate 15 points of business documentation. For most locum tenens NPs, this typically includes some combination of: your Montana APRN license (3 points), national board certification (3 points), MSN diploma (3 points), a signed list of professional tools and equipment (6 points), and your WMS contract and rate sheet (6 points).

Fingerprinting delays are the most common cause of licensing holdups in Montana. If your fingerprint cards are unclear or rejected, the board will require a redo, which adds significant time to your timeline. The fastest approach is to have prints taken at a local law enforcement agency or certified fingerprinting service and send them via priority mail as early as possible in the process.

Yes. You must order official transcripts from your university for your post-graduate nurse practitioner degree before submitting your application. Order these early, as transcript processing times vary and can add delays if not handled proactively.

If your scope of practice includes prescribing or administering controlled substances, yes. DEA registration is a federal requirement handled separately from Montana state licensure, and it applies regardless of Montana’s full practice authority status for NPs. Most locum tenens nurse practitioners transfer their existing DEA registration to reflect their Montana practice location immediately before an assignment begins. Transfers can take up to 5 business days.

You can reach the board by phone during business hours at (406) 841-2300, or by email at [email protected]. The licensing portal at ebiz.mt.gov also allows you to monitor your application status.

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IT‘S TIME TO START YOUR LIFE’S
NEXT CHAPTER

Rediscover your love for medicine, and redefine what service means. Reset your expectations for what life can offer, and reinvigorate yourself in this beautiful country of ours. Wilderness Medical Staffing wants to put you on the path to life’s next chapter today.

START YOUR ADVENTURE VIEW OPEN JOBS