Abstract: Columbite-tantalite, characterized by high closure temperature, high uranium content, and low common lead, is an ideal mineral for U-Pb dating. Its isotopic chronology provides critical constraints on the genetic mechanisms of rare-metal granites and pegmatites. The main U-Pb dating methods for columbite-tantalite include isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). This paper systematically reviews the basic principles, development history, technical advantages, and existing challenges of these three dating techniques, with a focus on summarizing recent application advancements in constraining ore-forming epochs and deciphering metallogenic processes of rare-metal deposits. The study reveals that due to the complex and variable end-member compositions of columbite-tantalite and the pervasive matrix effects inherent in commonly used in situ dating methods (LA-ICP-MS/SIMS), achieving high-precision and accurate U-Pb age determinations for columbite-tantalite across polyphase mineralization events remains the current technical bottleneck and future research priority. Future studies should focus on developing mineral compositional reference materials and optimizing analytical protocols to overcome these limitations.