How to Become a CNA in Montana

Want to become a CNA in Montana?

What are the CNA requirements in Montana? Here’s how to prepare for your CNA state exam and how to become a Certified Nurse Assistant in Montana.

How to Become a CNA in Montana

The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services oversees the licensing of Certified Nurse Assistants in Montana. Nurse Aides must receive at least 16 hours of classroom training prior to being assigned to resident care covering the following topics:

• Communication & interpersonal skills

• Fostering independence

• Residents’ rights (including Montana law)

• Safety (fire, disaster, ambulation and transfer techniques)

• Basic infection control (hand washing/gloving, concept of clean vs dirty, linen handling, handling dishware/utensils, cleaning & disinfection, etc.)

There are many flexible options to complete your CNA training. You can enroll in a fast-track CNA program, a local CNA school near you, online Nursing Assistant courses, or even a hybrid Nurse Aide program. There are even options for accelerated programs with 4-week CNA classes. You can take CNA classes en Español as well.

You can find some of these fast CNA programs at the top of this page in our CNA School Search. Just enter your zip code to find CNA schools near you. You can also take a CNA Course on our website to practice and see if nursing is the right career path for you.

A Closer Look at CNA Training and Testing in Montana

A typical CNA program in Montana will teach you how to become a CNA with a combination of textbook classroom education and hands-on learning in a clinical environment. When you take the CNA exam there will be questions on a Written/Knowledge Test. They will be focused in the following subject areas:

• Basic Nursing Skills: 11 questions

• Infection Control: 11 questions

• Safety: 8 questions

• Personal Care: 7 questions

• Communication: 6 questions

• Care Impaired: 5 questions

• Resident Rights: 5 questions

• Role and Responsibility: 5 questions

• Disease Process: 5 questions

• Mental Health: 4 questions

• Data Collection: 3 questions

• Older Adult Growth & Development: 2 questions

The CNA Test in Montana

The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services administers the Montana CNA Exam in partnership with a private company called D&S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster LLP. Once you have successfully graduated from your Nursing Assistant Program, you can sign up on their website to register for Montana Certified Nurse Aide Exam. You’ll need to take the test within 6 months of your graduation date from your CNA program.

The Montana Certified Nurse Aide Exam consists of 2 sections. The first section is the Knowledge Exam and is a multiple-choice test with 72 questions. An audio (oral) version of the knowledge exam is also available. You must have a 75% score or better to pass the Knowledge Exam.

The second section of the CNA state test is the Manual Skills section. A registered nurse will evaluate how you perform hands-on skills. You will demonstrate 3 or 4 tests with associated scenarios. The tasks are randomly chosen from a list and are performed on an actor posing as a resident. You must correctly perform all of the key steps and 80% of all steps on each task assigned. Hand washing using soap and water is embedded in each of tasks. Examples of some possible skills to be tested are recording the weight of a wheelchair-bound resident, using a gait belt, showing range of motion exercises to a resident, and dressing a resident.

You have 3 attempts to pass the test. Once you pass both sections of the Montana Nursing Assistant Test you’ll be able to earn your Montana CNA License and be added to the Montana CNA Registry.

Congratulations! You are now eligible to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana.

CNAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical offices, and skilled nursing facilities. There are more than 220 nursing homes and about 130 senior living communities in Montana, according to the U.S. News. You can search these possible employers by location, facility size, and reviews. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that CNA jobs are expected to grow 4% by 2033 nationwide with more than 2,000 CNA job openings each year.

CNA Job Advancement in montana

Becoming a Nursing Assistant in Montana can grant you quick entry into a healthcare career. CNA programs are typically short, often taking just a few weeks to a few months to complete, allowing you to enter the workforce quickly. CNA programs tend to be more affordable than other healthcare training programs, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals. Finally, CNAs can often find part-time or full-time work and may have the flexibility to work different shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on personal preference or needs.

For those interested in advancing in healthcare, becoming a CNA can serve as a stepping stone. Many CNAs go on to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). There are nearly 1,900 LPN jobs in Montana and 10,000 RN jobs in Montana.

It’s also a great idea to network with other medical professionals for jobs and school opportunities. You can join the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) centered on CNAs. Or you can join local associations such as the Montana Nurses Association (MNA) or the Montana Student Nurses’ Association.

And for current news, CNA tips, and job information, become a regular reader of our CNA Blog.

Renewal of a CNA License in Montana

CNA Testing Locations in montana

Approved CNA Programs in Montana

A&S Long Term Care Nurse Consultants NATP
Helena, MT
(406) 461-0897

Aaniiih Nakoda College NATP
Harlem, MT
(406) 353-2607

Advanced Care Hospital of Montana NATP
Billings, MT
(406) 373-8241

Baker Fallon Medical Complex Hospital NATP
Baker, MT
(406) 778-3331

Big Horn Co Memorial Hospital NATP
Hardin, MT
(406) 665-2310

Big Sandy Medical Center NATP
Big Sandy, MT
(406) 378-2188

Big Timber Pioneer Medical Center NATP
Big Timber, MT
(406) 932-4603

Billings Adult and Community Education NATP
Billings, MT
(406) 281-5003

Billings Clinic Broadwater CAH NATP
Townsend, MT
(406) 266-3186

Billings Clinic Hospital NATP
Billings, MT
(406) 657-4000

Bitterroot College NATP
Hamilton, MT
(406) 375-0100

Bitterroot Health CNA Program NATP
Hamilton, MT
(406) 363-2211

Blackfeet Community College NATP
Browning, MT
(406) 338-5441

Butte Highlands College NATP
Butte, MT
(406) 496-3793

Butte Southwest Montana Veterans Home NATP
Butte, MT
(406) 498-6181

Carol Scott - CNA Training Program
Belgrade, MT
(406) 570-6041

Chapel Court Assisted Living NATP
Billings, MT
(406) 655-5600

Chinook CNA Training for the Future of Nursing
Chinook, MT
(406) 945-0201

Circle McCone County Health Center NATP
Circle, MT
(406) 485-3381

Clark Fork Valley Hospital NATP
Plains, MT
(406) 826-4800

Columbia Falls Montana Veterans Home NATP
Columbia Falls, MT
(406) 892-3256

Community Hospital of Anaconda NATP
Anaconda, MT
(406) 563-8500

Community Medical Center Missoula NATP
Missoula, MT
(406) 327-4173

Computer RN NATP
Shelby, MT
(406) 470-0288

Cut Bank Northern Rockies Medical Center NATP
Cut Bank, MT
(406) 873-2251

Daniels Memorial CAH NATP
Scobey, MT
(406) 487-2300

Dickinson Lifelong Learning Center
Missoula, MT
(406) 549-8765

Dillon Pioneer Care and Rehabilitation NATP
Dillon, MT
(406) 683-5108

Elkhorn Healthcare & Rehabilitation NATP
Clancy, MT
(406) 933-8311

Epaga Certified Nurse Aide Training Program
Kalispell, MT
(406) 755-4633

Flathead Valley Community College NATP
Kalispell, MT
(406) 756-3822

Forsyth Rosebud Health Care Center CAH NATP
Forsyth, MT
(406) 346-4235

GFC MSU Continuing Education & Training NATP
Great Falls, MT
(406) 551-5104

Glendive Medical Center CAH NATP
Glendive, MT
(406) 345-2607

Granite County Medical Center NATP
Philipsburg, MT
(406) 859-3271

Great Falls Genesis Healthcare-The Lodge NATP
Great Falls, MT
(406) 771-4500

Great Falls Jessica Johnson CNA Program NATP
Great Falls, MT
(406) 315-3533

Hamilton Bitterroot Health CNA Program NATP
Hamilton, MT
(406) 363-2211

Hardin Big Horn Co Memorial Hospital NATP
Hardin, MT
(406) 665-2310

Harlem Aaniiih Nakoda College NATP
Harlem, MT
(406) 353-2607

Harlowton Wheatland Memorial Healthcare NATP
Harlowton, MT
(406) 632-3127

Havre Northern Montana Hospital NATP
Havre, MT
(406) 265-2211

Helena A&S Long Term Care Nurse Consultants NATP
Helena, MT
(406) 461-0897

Helena CNA Productions Training Program
Helena, MT
(317) 494-0051

Helena College NATP
Helena, MT
(406) 447-6944

Hestia In Home Support NATP
Missoula, MT
(406) 540-4302

Hi-Line Retirement Assisted Living NATP
Malta, MT
(406) 654-1190

Kickinghorse Job Corps Center NATP
Ronan, MT
(406) 644-2217

Kalispell Flathead Valley Community College NATP
Kalispell, MT
(406) 756-3822

Lame Deer Northern Cheyenne Thip CNA Program NATP
Lame Deer, MT
(406) 942-2238

Lewistown Montana Mental Health Nursing Home NATP
Lewistown, MT
(406) 538-7451

Libby Care Center NATP
Libby, MT
(406) 293-6285

Liberty Place, Inc CNA Training Program
Whitehall, MT
(406) 493-4719

Livingston Heart for Living NATP
Livingston, MT
(406) 223-4461

Logan Health Education Services NATP
Multiple Locations, MT
(406) 756-4744

Madison Valley Manor NATP
Ennis, MT
(406) 682-7271

Malta Hi-Line Retirement Assisted Living NATP
Malta, MT
(406) 654-1190

Miles Community College NATP
Miles City, MT
(406) 874-6199

Missoula College NATP
Missoula, MT
(406) 243-7870

Missoula Community Medical Center NATP
Missoula, MT
(406) 327-4173

Missouri River Medical Center NATP
Fort Benton, MT
(406) 622-3331

Montana Health Network NATP
Multiple Locations, MT
(406) 234-1424

Montana Medical Academy Inc NATP
Shepherd, MT
(406) 694-2332

Montana Mental Health Nursing Home NATP
Lewistown, MT
(406) 538-7451

Montana State Hospital NATP
Warm Springs, MT
(406) 693-7000

Northern Montana Hospital NATP
Havre, MT
(406) 265-2211

Northern Rockies Medical Center NATP
Cut Bank, MT
(406) 873-2251

Plains Clark Fork Valley Hospital NATP
Plains, MT
(406) 826-4800

Platinum Career Solutions NATP - Missoula
Missoula, MT
(406) 926-2712

Pablo Salish Kootenai College Allied Health Dept NATP
Pablo, MT
(406) 275-4847

Philipsburg Granite County Medical Center NATP
Philipsburg, MT
(406) 859-3271

Polson Providence St Josephs MC NATP
Polson, MT
(406) 883-7488

Poplar Health Promotion Disease Prevention NATP
Poplar, MT
(406) 768-3087

Priorities at Work NATP
Billings, MT
(406) 252-8645

Professional Travelers Inc CNA Training Program
Arlee, MT
(406) 207-9614

Ronan High School NATP
Ronan, MT
(406) 241-3818

Ronan St Luke Community Nursing Home NATP
Ronan, MT
(406) 676-4441

Roundup Memorial Healthcare NATP
Roundup, MT
(406) 323-2104

Scobey Daniels Memorial CAH NATP
Scobey, MT
(406) 487-2300

Shepherd Montana Medical Academy Inc NATP
Shepherd, MT
(406) 694-2332

Sheridan Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center NATP
Sheridan, MT
(406) 842-5600

Sidney Health Center NATP
Sidney, MT
(406) 488-2100

Shelby Computer RN NATP
Shelby, MT
(406) 470-0288

Sheridan Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center NATP
Sheridan, MT
(406) 842-5600

Stevensville Yes You Can NATP
Stevensville, MT
(406) 777-5411

Townsend Billings Clinic Broadwater CAH NATP
Townsend, MT
(406) 266-3186

Trinity Hospital - NATP
Wolf Point, MT
(406) 653-6549

Warm Springs Montana State Hospital NATP
Warm Springs, MT
(406) 693-7000

Whitehall Liberty Place, Inc CNA Training Program
Whitehall, MT
(406) 493-4719

Wibaux County Nursing Home NATP
Wibaux, MT
(406) 796-2429

Wolf Point Trinity Hospital - NATP
Wolf Point, MT
(406) 653-6549