Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) License Requirements in Montana
- Training hours
- 75 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $97
- Exam
- Knowledge Exam, Skill Exam
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Certification Bureau — Nurse Aide Registry
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. No DPHHS-published minimum age for CNA training or certification was found on the official registry or curriculum pages reviewed. Background check: Montana law (MCA 50-5-225) requires assisted living facilities to run background checks on all individuals accepted for employment, which covers CNAs hired into those settings; this is an employer/facility-level check rather than one DPHHS's Certification Bureau administers directly as part of registry certification. [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 75 hours of training (including 16 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Montana applies the federal OBRA minimum: a training and competency evaluation program must consist of no less than 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training, per the federal regulations DPHHS itself publishes for CNAs (42 CFR 483.152). [1]
- 3
Knowledge Exam
Pass the Knowledge Exam (fee: $20). Multiple-choice; an Audio Knowledge Exam alternative is available for $31. You have 3 attempts to pass the knowledge and skills portions, but only within 6 months of your training program completion date — a notably shorter retest window than most Headmaster-administered states. After 6 months the training cycle expires and you become ineligible to test on it. [2]
- 4
Skill Exam
Pass the Skill Exam (fee: $77). Hands-on demonstration of nurse aide skills. Combined Knowledge + Skill fee is $97. Same 3-attempt / 6-month window as the Knowledge Exam. [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Certification Bureau — Nurse Aide Registry. [3]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Certification Bureau — Nurse Aide Registry issues your Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) for Montana.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | None specified |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | None specified |
| Knowledge Exam [2] | $20 |
| Skill Exam [2] | $77 |
DPHHS's Nurse Aide Registry page describes CNA-by-Exam applications, renewals, and Interstate Endorsement applications as processed automatically online through the BOUNDS portal, with no dollar amount listed for any of these steps on the official page reviewed. D&SDT-Headmaster's exam fees (Knowledge $20 / Audio $31, Skill $77) are billed separately and are listed under exams.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
The federal registry-removal rule DPHHS itself hosts (42 CFR 483.156(c)(2)) requires removing a nurse aide from active status after 24 consecutive months with no nursing/nursing-related work, which Montana applies as its renewal cycle. Certificates can be renewed online via the BOUNDS portal starting 90 days before expiration; renewals are processed automatically once submitted. No continuing-education-hour requirement was found on DPHHS's official pages.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
No interstate compact covers CNAs/nurse aides (unlike the RN/LPN Nurse Licensure Compact). Montana grants Interstate Endorsement to anyone holding a current CNA registration in at least one other US state or territory: applicants create a BOUNDS portal account, select the CNA Interstate Endorsement Application, and enter at least one current out-of-state CNA number. No fee was identified for this process on DPHHS's official page.
1 state-approved training provider in Montana — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $20
- $77
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of CNA training does Montana require?
75 clock hours, the federal OBRA minimum, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training.
Who administers the Montana nurse aide exam?
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster). The exam has a Knowledge Exam (or Audio alternative) and a Skill Exam, together costing $97.
How long do I have to test after finishing CNA training in Montana?
Only 6 months — a shorter window than most states. You get 3 attempts to pass the knowledge and skills portions within that 6-month period; after that, your training cycle expires.
How often do I need to renew my Montana CNA certificate?
Every 24 months (matching the federal registry-removal floor), by documenting paid nursing-related work in that period. Renewals can be started up to 90 days before expiration through the BOUNDS portal.
Can I transfer my nurse aide certification from another state to Montana?
Yes, through Interstate Endorsement in the BOUNDS portal, if you hold a current CNA registration in at least one other US state or territory.
Sources
- [1] dphhs.mt.gov/assets/oig/CertificationBureau/FederalRegulationsforCNAs.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/montana/mtformpages/forms/MTNA%20CandidateHandbook%202.2025.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] dphhs.mt.gov/oig/Certification/cna — accessed 2026-07-10