How to Become a CNA in Montana 2026
Becoming a certified nursing assistant in Montana requires completing a DPHHS-approved training program, passing the state competency exam administered by D&S Diversified Technologies, and registering through the BOUNDS Portal. Programs are at least 75 hours, including a minimum of 25 clinical hours. The Montana Nurse Aide Registry maintains the official list of certified CNAs in the state.
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Montana’s Certified Nurse Assistants are credentialed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Certification requires completing an approved training program, passing both a knowledge exam and a skills evaluation, and submitting an application through the BOUNDS Portal to be placed on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry. Here’s what each step requires.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, exam details, the application process, and endorsement information.
- Prerequisites and eligibility
- CNA training requirements
- The examination process
- Applying for certification
- Endorsement from another state
- Career advancement
Prerequisites and Eligibility
Before enrolling in a CNA training program in Montana, candidates should confirm they meet the basic eligibility requirements. Most programs require applicants to be at least 16 years old, though some training sites set the minimum at 17 or 18. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is commonly required for enrollment.
Candidates must also pass a criminal background check. Montana, like all states, bars individuals with certain criminal convictions from working in long-term care facilities under federal law. Programs typically facilitate the background check process during enrollment. A tuberculosis screening and physical examination are also standard requirements before starting clinical training.
CNA Training Requirements in Montana
DPHHS-approved CNA programs are the standard route to certification. Programs must include at least 75 hours of instruction, with at least 25 of those hours spent in supervised clinical practice at a healthcare facility. Most programs run longer than the minimum, typically 100 to 120 hours, and cover skills beyond the core state curriculum. Orientation time at a facility does not count toward the required total.
Trainees must demonstrate all required nurse aide skills before being approved to sit for the state competency exam. Skills may be waived in limited circumstances, such as a documented disability. Any waived skill cannot be performed in an employment context after certification.
A list of DPHHS-approved training programs, organized by city, is available on the DPHHS website. Programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some long-term care facilities across the state.
The Examination Process
Candidates must pass a two-part competency evaluation before receiving certification. The exam is administered by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), the state’s approved testing vendor.
Knowledge Examination
The knowledge test includes 72 multiple-choice questions. A passing score requires at least 75%. The exam is available in written format, either pencil-and-paper or computer-delivered, depending on the test site. An oral version is available at sites using computerized delivery for candidates who require it. Candidates should confirm current delivery options with the testing vendor when scheduling.
Skills Evaluation
The skills test requires candidates to demonstrate hand washing and several randomly selected nurse aide tasks. Each skill is evaluated against a checklist. Key steps must be performed correctly, and an overall score of at least 80% is required to pass. Candidates should confirm the current number of evaluated tasks with D&S Diversified Technologies before testing, as test specifications are subject to update.
Scheduling and Attempt Limits
Candidates who complete an approved program have up to three attempts to pass each component and must complete both exams within six months of finishing training. Candidates who challenge the exam without completing a program are allowed one attempt. If that attempt is unsuccessful, the candidate must enroll in an approved training program before retesting.
Exam fees apply for initial testing and retests. Current fee schedules are available through D&S Diversified Technologies. A late arrival or lack of proper identification at the testing site may result in a no-show notation. Candidates who need to reschedule must contact the tester at least one business day before the scheduled exam date.
Test results are generally available within three to five business days. Candidates who do not pass will receive additional feedback by mail.
Applying for CNA Certification
After passing both exam components, candidates apply for placement on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry through the BOUNDS Portal on the DPHHS website. In the portal, select the Certified Nurse Aide credential type and complete the CNA by Exam Application. The Certification Bureau processes applications after receiving passing results from D&S Diversified Technologies.
Nursing students at Montana colleges and universities may also qualify for CNA registry status through an academic pathway. Eligible students apply through the BOUNDS Portal using the Montana Nursing Student Application and must submit an official transcript to the Certification Bureau by email. Contact the DPHHS Certification Bureau directly for requirements specific to the student pathway.
Endorsement in Montana
CNAs currently certified in another state can transfer their credential to Montana through the endorsement process. The application is submitted through the DPHHS website, and the Nurse Aide Registry requires documentation confirming current certification status from each state where the candidate holds a credential. No application fee is charged for endorsement.
Out-of-state CNAs may work in Montana for up to 30 days while an endorsement application is pending, provided the home-state credential is current and in good standing. Candidates should verify their status through their original state registry before beginning work. The Registry recommends checking your Montana application status online approximately 10 days after submission. Contact the Nurse Aide Registry directly if you have not been added to the registry within 15 days.
Career Advancement
CNA certification in Montana provides a direct entry point into higher-level nursing credentials. Two paths are common.
The first is LPN licensure. Licensed Practical Nurse programs in Montana typically run 12 to 18 months. CNA experience builds clinical familiarity with patient care routines, documentation, and facility workflows, which most LPN students encounter for the first time. That background can ease the transition into a more independent scope of practice. See LPN licensure requirements in Montana for program eligibility and application details.
The second is RN licensure. Several Montana colleges offer Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Nursing school applicants with documented patient care experience are generally stronger candidates. CNA certification demonstrates both clinical exposure and a serious commitment to the profession. Review how to become an RN in Montana for program and licensing requirements, or explore CNA to RN bridge programs if you want to move directly into an RN pathway.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a CNA in Montana?
Most DPHHS-approved CNA programs run 6 to 12 weeks. The minimum program length is 75 hours, but most programs exceed that. After completing training, candidates must pass the state competency exam within six months. The full process from program enrollment to registry placement typically takes two to four months.
What is the Montana Nurse Aide Registry?
The Montana Nurse Aide Registry is the official database of credentialed CNAs maintained by the DPHHS Certification Bureau. Employers verify certification status through the registry. Candidates are placed on the registry after passing the competency exam and completing the BOUNDS Portal application process.
Can I challenge the CNA exam in Montana without completing a training program?
Yes. Montana allows candidates to challenge the state competency exam once without completing a DPHHS-approved program. If the exam is not passed, the candidate must enroll in an approved program before attempting again. Candidates who complete a program are allowed up to three attempts per component within six months of finishing training.
How do I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Montana?
CNAs certified in another state apply for endorsement through the DPHHS website. The Nurse Aide Registry requires documentation of current certification status from each state where the credential is held. No fee is required for the endorsement application. Out-of-state CNAs may work in Montana for up to 30 days while the application is pending, provided the credential is current and in good standing.
What is the contact information for the Montana Nurse Aide Registry?
The Montana Nurse Aide Registry can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (406) 444-4980. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The BOUNDS Portal is accessible through the DPHHS website for applications and registry status checks.
Key Takeaways
- DPHHS approves all programs — Montana CNA training must be completed through a DPHHS-approved program of at least 75 hours, including at least 25 clinical hours.
- Two-part exam required — Candidates must pass both the knowledge examination and skills evaluation before applying to the registry.
- Applications go through the BOUNDS Portal — The Montana Nurse Aide Registry application is submitted online through the DPHHS BOUNDS Portal after exam results are received.
- Endorsement is available — CNAs certified in other states can transfer to Montana through the endorsement process with no application fee.
- CNA opens doors to higher credentials — Montana CNA certification provides a foundation for LPN or RN licensure through approved in-state programs.
Find DPHHS-approved CNA training programs in Montana, along with application links and certification requirements.