Nursing License from South Carolina to Montana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Montana Board of Nursing (Department of Labor and Industry) ↗
Yes — both South Carolina and Montana are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If South Carolina is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Montana now; if you are moving your residence to Montana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Montana 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 South Carolina and Montana are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Montana while living in South Carolina — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Montana means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Montana and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What changes, South Carolina → Montana
| South Carolina (current) | Montana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $100 (endorsement application; $110 if adding a 60-day temporary license; fingerprint background check fee paid separately) | $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) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a timeframe; applications processed in order received and valid for one year; 60-day single-state temporary license available while pending | board does not publish a processing timeframe |
| Licensing authority | South Carolina Board of Nursing | Montana Board of Nursing (Department of Labor and Industry) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Montana 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 Montana: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Montana Board of Nursing (Department of Labor and Industry) when you move.
- Declare Montana as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Montana'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 Montana accept a South Carolina nursing license?
Yes — both South Carolina and Montana are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If South Carolina is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Montana now; if you are moving your residence to Montana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Montana your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from South Carolina to Montana?
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 Montana: $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) (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).
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 a processing timeframe).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 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)
- SC Board of Nursing — Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SC BON — RN/LPN Licensure by Endorsement requirements and application (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SC BON — RN Applications and Forms ↗ (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]