CNA Classes in Montana | Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

CNA Classes & Training Programs in Montana

The Treasure State | Start Your Healthcare Career in as Little as 4-8 Weeks

Find Programs Near You How to Get Certified

Minimum Training Hours

$97

State Exam Fee

$42,020

Average Annual Salary

4-8

Weeks to Complete

About CNA Certification in Montana

Begin Your Healthcare Journey in The Treasure State

Montana's vast and breathtaking landscape—from the majestic peaks of Glacier National Park to the rolling plains of the eastern prairies—is home to a growing healthcare sector with exceptional opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistants. The Treasure State's major healthcare systems, including Billings Clinic (the largest healthcare organization in the region), Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Logan Health in Kalispell, Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, and Bozeman Health, provide essential services to communities across this fourth-largest state. Montana requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training regulated by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), with at least 25 hours of supervised clinical practice, preparing you for rewarding healthcare careers throughout Big Sky Country.

Montana faces unique healthcare challenges that create exceptional demand for qualified CNAs. The state's aging population—with a higher percentage of seniors than the national average—combined with vast rural areas where healthcare access is critical, generates approximately 750 CNA job openings projected annually through 2032. Healthcare employment in Montana has grown at an average annual rate of 2.1% since 2000, significantly outpacing overall state employment growth. CNAs earn competitive wages well above the national average, with facilities like Benefis Health System offering up to $28.45 per hour. Major employment centers include Billings (Montana's largest city), Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, and Kalispell, along with critical access hospitals serving rural communities throughout the state. Clear career pathways from CNA to LPN and RN through excellent institutions like Great Falls College MSU, Missoula College, Highlands College at Montana Tech, and Flathead Valley Community College make Montana an ideal place to launch your healthcare career.

One of the lowest exam fees in the nation ($97)
750 CNA job openings projected annually
Above-average wages ($20.20/hour median)
No continuing education required for renewal

Quick Facts

Total Training Hours 75 Hours (Minimum)

Classroom Hours 45-50 Hours

Clinical Hours 25-30 Hours

Exam Format Written + Skills

Exam Fee $97

Regulatory Body MT DPHHS

Registry MT Nurse Aide Registry

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Certification Process

How to Become a CNA in Montana

Complete State-Approved Training

Enroll in a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) approved by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Montana requires a minimum of 75 hours of training, including approximately 45-50 hours of classroom instruction covering basic nursing skills, fire safety, disaster training, resident safety and rights, infection control, communication, and social and psychological aspects of care—plus at least 25 hours of supervised clinical practice in a licensed healthcare facility. Training is available through excellent institutions including Great Falls College MSU ($900 including books, exam fees, and CPR certification), Highlands College at Montana Tech in Butte (hybrid format with online modules and 25 hours clinical), Missoula College at University of Montana, Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Miles Community College, and Billings Clinic Hospital. Many facilities like St. John's United in Billings offer affordable programs ($450) with tuition reimbursement if you work for them after certification. Montana uniquely allows candidates to be as young as 16 years old. Full-time programs complete in 4-6 weeks, while part-time options accommodate working students over 6-12 weeks. Upon completion, your training facility will enter your record into the TestMaster Universe (TMU) system operated by D&SDT-Headmaster to establish your exam eligibility.

Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing training, you'll take the Montana Nurse Aide Competency Exam administered by D&S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster through the TestMaster Universe (TMU) system. The exam consists of two mandatory components: a written knowledge test with 72 multiple-choice questions covering communication, data collection, disease processes, basic nursing skills, older adult growth and development, resident rights, safety, personal care, mental health, and infection control—requiring a minimum score of 75% to pass (an oral version is available for $31 instead of $20 for those who have difficulty with written English), and a hands-on clinical skills demonstration where you'll perform handwashing plus 3-4 additional randomly selected nursing tasks within 35 minutes—you must complete all key steps correctly and at least 80% of remaining steps. The exam fee is remarkably affordable: $20 for the written test plus $77 for the skills test, totaling just $97 (or $108 with the oral option)—one of the lowest exam fees in the nation. Montana allows up to three testing attempts, and you must pass both sections within six months of completing training. Testing is available at regional sites throughout Montana, in-facility events, or remote proctoring for knowledge exam retakes. Many training programs arrange on-site testing with Headmaster at the end of your course for convenience.

Complete Background Check & Registry Enrollment

Before beginning CNA employment in Montana, you must pass a criminal background check (available online for $20) and be listed on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry. After passing both portions of the competency exam, you'll complete the Montana CNA by Exam Application through the BOUNDS portal—Montana's online system for all CNA applications, renewals, and updates. Go to the BOUNDS Portal, select "Certified Nurse Aide" type and "CNA by Montana Exam" application. Provide your Social Security number, date of birth, name, and contact information, then submit after Headmaster posts your passing results. DPHHS processes applications and typically adds your name to the Montana Nurse Aide Registry within 10-14 days. You can verify your certification status using the online verification tool through the BOUNDS Provider Search. Montana also offers a unique Challenge Exam option—unlike most states, qualified candidates may test without completing training (one attempt only); if unsuccessful, you must then complete a state-approved program. Nursing students who have completed qualifying coursework can apply through BOUNDS by having their school email an official transcript to cna@mt.gov. With certification complete, you're qualified to work throughout Montana's exceptional healthcare system, including major institutions like Billings Clinic, Intermountain Health St. Vincent, Benefis Health System, Logan Health, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Bozeman Health, and dozens of critical access hospitals and long-term care facilities serving the Treasure State's communities.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CNA Certification in Montana

Becoming a CNA in Montana typically takes 4-12 weeks from enrollment to certification, depending on program format and your schedule. Montana requires a minimum of 75 total training hours—approximately 45-50 hours of classroom instruction and 25-30 hours of supervised clinical practice—which is efficiently designed to prepare you for professional nursing assistant careers throughout the Treasure State. Full-time programs offered by institutions like Great Falls College MSU (approximately $900), Highlands College at Montana Tech in Butte (flexible hybrid format), St. John's United in Billings ($450 with potential reimbursement), and Missoula College can complete training in just 3-6 weeks with intensive daily schedules. St. John's United offers a particularly accelerated option: 3 weeks of online didactic instruction plus 36 hours of on-site clinical training. Part-time programs with evening or weekend schedules accommodate working students over 8-12 weeks. Many Montana healthcare facilities—including nursing homes and critical access hospitals throughout the state's rural communities—offer employer-sponsored training where they pay for your education in exchange for a work commitment. After completing training, your information is entered into the TestMaster Universe (TMU) system, and you can schedule your state competency exam through Headmaster—typically available within 1-2 weeks at testing centers in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, and other locations, or via remote proctoring for the knowledge exam. Official results appear the next business day, and DPHHS processes registry applications within 10-14 days. The complete timeline from enrollment to starting your first CNA position generally ranges from 5-14 weeks.

CNA training costs in Montana range from FREE to approximately $1,500 depending on the institution type and whether you pursue employer-sponsored training. Montana offers some of the most affordable CNA training options in the region. St. John's United in Billings provides one of the best values at just $450 including textbooks and materials—and they'll refund the full tuition over one year if you work for them immediately after certification. Great Falls College MSU offers a comprehensive program for approximately $900 that includes books, instruction for the state licensure exam, your first testing fee, healthcare CPR certification, and job assistance. Highlands College at Montana Tech in Butte features a flexible hybrid program combining online coursework with intensive in-person skills labs and clinical hours. Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Miles Community College, and Missoula College offer competitively priced programs through Montana's excellent community college system. Many Montana nursing homes, critical access hospitals, and long-term care facilities offer FREE CNA training programs in exchange for employment commitments—a particularly attractive option given Montana's healthcare staffing needs, especially in rural communities. The Montana Health Network provides CNA training throughout northeastern Montana with classes starting every four weeks. Budget an additional $97 for the state competency exam fee ($20 written + $77 skills)—one of the lowest exam fees in the nation—plus approximately $20 for your criminal background check. Financial assistance may be available through Montana workforce development programs, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement. Given Montana's competitive CNA wages (median $42,020 annually), your training investment typically pays for itself within the first 1-2 months of full-time employment.

Montana allows hybrid CNA training where classroom instruction can be completed online, but clinical training must be conducted in person at approved healthcare facilities. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services permits didactic coursework—including lectures, reading assignments, instructional videos, and written assessments—to be delivered via distance learning platforms. Highlands College at Montana Tech in Butte offers one of the most popular hybrid programs in the state, featuring convenient online modules combined with an intensive 2-day weekend skills lab and 25 hours of clinical practicum—approved by DPHHS and ideal for students balancing work or family obligations. St. John's United in Billings provides a hybrid option with 3 weeks of online didactic instruction followed by 36 hours of on-site clinical training at their facility. The Montana Health Network offers online CNA training for students affiliated with partner healthcare facilities throughout northeastern Montana, with classes starting every four weeks. This hybrid model provides valuable flexibility for students managing employment, families, or the challenges of Montana's vast geography—whether you're in Billings, a small town in the Hi-Line region, or a remote community in eastern Montana. It's important to understand that FULLY online CNA programs (100% virtual with no in-person clinical component) are NOT recognized by Montana and will not qualify you to take the state competency exam. Federal OBRA requirements mandate supervised hands-on clinical training in licensed healthcare facilities. When researching programs, always verify that the provider is approved by DPHHS by checking the official list of approved training programs or contacting the Certification Bureau at (406) 444-4980 or cna@mt.gov before enrolling.

The Montana CNA competency exam, administered by D&S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster through the TestMaster Universe (TMU) system, consists of two mandatory components that comprehensively test your knowledge and practical nursing skills. The written knowledge test contains 72 multiple-choice questions covering communication, data collection, disease processes, the role and responsibilities of a nurse aide, basic nursing skills, older adult growth and development, resident rights, safety, personal care, care of the impaired, mental health, and infection control. You must score at least 75% to pass. An oral exam option is available for candidates who have difficulty with written English—the oral version costs $31 instead of $20 for the standard written test. After completing the knowledge portion, you'll proceed to the clinical skills evaluation where you'll demonstrate handwashing plus 3-4 additional randomly selected nursing procedures within a 35-minute time limit before a nurse evaluator. Common skills include measuring vital signs accurately, assisting residents with ambulation and transfers, positioning, providing personal hygiene care, making occupied beds, and range of motion exercises. You must complete all key steps correctly and at least 80% of remaining steps to pass the skills test. Montana's exam fees are among the lowest in the nation: $20 for the written knowledge test plus $77 for the skills test, totaling just $97. You may attempt each component up to three times and must pass both within six months of completing training. Testing is available at regional sites throughout Montana, through in-facility testing events arranged by training programs, or via remote proctoring for knowledge exam retakes. If you need to reschedule, contact the tester at least one business day in advance.

Yes, Montana accepts CNA certifications from other states through interstate endorsement, and the process is streamlined through the BOUNDS portal. If you hold a current Certified Nurse Aide registration in at least one U.S. state or territory and are in good standing (with no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation), you can apply for Montana certification by interstate endorsement without additional training or testing. To transfer your certification, go to the BOUNDS Portal at dphhs.mt.gov and select "Certified Nurse Aide" type and "CNA Interstate Endorsement Application." This is a two-step process: first create your BOUNDS portal account, then complete the Interstate Endorsement application after receiving your portal activation email. You must enter at least one current CNA certificate number from another state. DPHHS verifies your certification directly with your original state's registry. Once approved, you can log into the BOUNDS portal and print your Montana CNA certificate. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on verification response times. Unlike some states, Montana does NOT require reciprocity candidates to take additional exams if their certification is current and in good standing. However, it's important to note that the Montana Nurse Aide Registry does NOT accept Home Health Aide interstate endorsements—to receive a Home Health Aide endorsement in Montana, you must first have a Montana CNA certificate and then complete additional HHA training through a Montana home health provider. Montana also offers a unique Challenge Exam option for qualified candidates who want to test without completing Montana training—nursing students, those with certain healthcare experience, or nurses educated outside the U.S. may qualify (one attempt only; failure requires completing full training). For questions about reciprocity or interstate endorsement, contact the Montana Nurse Aide Registry at (406) 444-4980 or cna@mt.gov.

Maintaining Your Certification

CNA Certification Renewal in Montana

How to Renew Your Montana CNA Certification

Montana CNA certifications must be renewed every 24 months to remain active on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry. To maintain your certification, you must work and receive wages as a certified nurse aide performing nursing or nursing-related services for at least 8 hours during the previous 24-month period. Montana does NOT require continuing education (CEU) hours for CNA renewal—one of the few states with this simplified renewal process. All renewals must now be completed online through the BOUNDS portal at dphhs.mt.gov; email renewals are no longer accepted. You can begin your renewal starting 90 days prior to your certificate expiration date.

To renew, first create a BOUNDS portal account if you haven't already—each CNA requires an individual email address. If you previously had an email on file, an invitation to the portal was sent to that address. Sign into your BOUNDS account, enter your name as listed on your certificate and your certificate number (search the Montana Registry if you don't know your number). Complete the renewal application documenting your employment during the certification period. Renewals completed through the BOUNDS portal are processed automatically. You can verify your renewal status using the online verification tool through BOUNDS Provider Search.

If your certification expires, the consequences depend on how long it's been inactive. If your CNA certificate shows a two-year break in employment, it's considered "inactive" and you may challenge the examination (one attempt) to return to active status without completing training again. If your certificate shows a five-year break in employment, it's considered "expired" and you must complete a new state-approved training program and pass both exams to regain active status. To reinstate an expired certification, enroll in an approved training program, complete both exams in TMU, and submit a new CNA by Exam Application through BOUNDS. For questions about renewal or reinstatement, contact the Montana Nurse Aide Registry at (406) 444-4980 or cna@mt.gov. If your certification has lapsed, you may also contact D&S Diversified Headmaster at (406) 442-8656 for exam-related questions.

Renewal Fee

FREE

Work Requirement

8 Hours/24 Months

CEU Requirement

None Required

Renewal Period

Every 2 Years

Career Opportunities

CNA Job Outlook & Salary in Montana

Montana's healthcare sector provides exceptional employment prospects for Certified Nursing Assistants, with strong demand driven by the state's aging population and critical need for healthcare services in both urban centers and rural communities across Big Sky Country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that CNAs in Montana earn a median salary of $42,020 annually or $20.20 per hour—above the national median of $39,430. Healthcare employment in Montana has grown at an average annual rate of 2.1% since 2000, significantly outpacing the overall state employment growth of 1.2%, and the healthcare sector is projected to account for 15% of Montana's employment growth over the next decade. Approximately 750 CNA job openings are projected annually through 2032, with particularly strong demand in rural communities where access to healthcare remains critical.

Montana's major healthcare employers offer competitive wages and excellent benefits. Billings Clinic—the largest healthcare organization in the region with a 304-bed hospital—serves as a major employer along with Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital (286 beds, serving 400,000+ patients across four states). Benefis Health System in Great Falls offers wages up to $28.45 per hour for experienced CNAs. Logan Health (formerly Kalispell Regional Medical Center) serves the Flathead Valley and northwestern Montana, Providence St. Patrick Hospital anchors healthcare in Missoula, and Bozeman Health serves the rapidly growing Gallatin Valley. Entry-level CNAs typically earn $16-18/hour, while experienced CNAs earn $20-28/hour depending on facility type, location, and shift differentials. Many employers offer schedule flexibility including full-time, part-time, and variable scheduling options—some like Interim Healthcare (named by Forbes as one of "America's Best Employers") allow CNAs to make their own schedules. Career advancement opportunities include progression to LPN (median wage $51,740 in Montana), RN ($76,550), and even Nurse Practitioner ($127,350). The combination of competitive wages, beautiful natural surroundings, lower cost of living in many areas, and strong job security makes Montana an exceptional place to build a healthcare career.

Average CNA Salary in Montana

$42,020

per year

Hourly Wage

$20.20/hr

Nearby States