Nursing License from Montana to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Virginia Board of Nursing ↗
Yes — both Montana and Virginia are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Montana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Virginia now; if you are moving your residence to Virginia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Virginia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Montana and Virginia are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Virginia while living in Montana — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Virginia means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Virginia and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, Montana → Virginia
| Montana (current) | Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $200 (endorsement fee per the board's endorsement application form (nur_end_app); the current fee is also displayed in the eBiz portal at application — re-verify if it differs) | $190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a processing timeframe | board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe |
| Licensing authority | Montana Board of Nursing (Department of Labor and Industry) | Virginia Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to Virginia: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Virginia Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Virginia as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Virginia's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia accept a Montana nursing license?
Yes — both Montana and Virginia are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Montana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Virginia now; if you are moving your residence to Virginia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Virginia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Montana to Virginia?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to Virginia: $190 (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor) (application fee, same for exam or endorsement; fingerprint background-check fee paid separately to vendor).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (board does not publish an endorsement processing timeframe).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Virginia Board of Nursing — Registered Nurse application wizard (endorsement path) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nursys — Nurse License Verification participating boards ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Montana Board of Nursing — License Information (endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Montana Board of Nursing — Endorsement Application (nur_end_app, PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]