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Becoming a CNA in Montana

Steps to Become a CNA in Montana:

  1. Meet Basic Requirements: Ensure you fulfill the necessary qualifications for admission to a CNA program and for state certification.

  2. Attend a School: Information on attending an approved CNA program in Montana, including factors to consider when selecting a school.

  3. Pass the CNA Exam: Details about the structure of the CNA exam in Montana, including key components and costs.

  4. Certification Registration and Upkeep: How to register as a CNA and maintain your active status in Montana.



1. Meet Basic Requirements

Before you begin training to become a CNA in Montana, you need to meet several eligibility criteria. These requirements are designed to ensure that CNA candidates are prepared both physically and mentally for the responsibilities of the job.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • Age: You must be at least 16 years old to start CNA training in Montana.

  • Criminal Background Check: A background check is mandatory, and you must not have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude (e.g., fraud, theft, or abuse).

  • Education: You need a high school diploma or GED.

  • Language Proficiency: You must be able to speak, read, and understand English or a language commonly spoken by residents in the facilities where you will work.

  • Health Screenings: You will need to provide proof of identity (such as a photo ID and social security card), pass a drug test, and complete fingerprinting.

These requirements ensure that individuals entering the CNA profession can provide safe and effective care to patients.

2. Attend a School

Once you’ve met the basic requirements, your next step is to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) regulates these programs to ensure they provide adequate training.

CNA Training Program Requirements in Montana:

  • Training Hours: CNA programs in Montana must include a minimum of 75 hours of training, which consists of classroom instruction and clinical practice. Out of the 75 hours, at least 16 hours must be supervised practical training in a healthcare setting.

  • Coursework: You will learn essential skills such as personal care, infection control, patient safety, communication, and recognizing and reporting abuse.

  • Abuse/Neglect Training: Montana requires all CNA students to complete one hour of training on abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property.

The length of CNA programs varies depending on the institution, but most courses last 4 to 12 weeks. Some programs can take up to six months, especially if they are part-time.

Considerations When Choosing a Program:

  • Accreditation: Make sure the program is state-approved. Only students from approved programs are eligible to take the CNA exam.

  • Location and Schedule: Consider the location of the school and whether the class schedule fits your availability. Many schools offer evening or weekend classes to accommodate students who work full-time.

  • Cost: The cost of a CNA program in Montana can range from $400 to $1,500. Some employers, such as nursing homes, may offer to cover tuition in exchange for a work commitment after you graduate.

Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll be ready to take the CNA certification exam.

Featured CNA Programs in Montana

Lincoln Center

The Certified Nursing Assistant program at the Lincoln Center stands out for its free tuition for qualifying students and its integration of 35 hours of hands-on clinical practice, providing real-world experience. Its flexible evening schedule makes it accessible to a Read more…
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3. Pass the CNA Exam

 

After completing your CNA training program, you will need to pass the state certification exam to officially become a CNA. The exam is designed to assess both your theoretical knowledge and your practical skills.

 

Structure of the Montana CNA Exam:

 

The CNA exam in Montana consists of two parts:

Written/Oral Exam:

    • This portion of the exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. You can choose to take the written exam as an oral test if you prefer.

    • The exam covers a variety of topics, including infection control, personal care, communication, patient safety, and more.

    • The cost for the written exam is $20, and for the oral exam, it’s $31

Skills Test

  • During the skills test, you will be asked to demonstrate six different CNA skills that you learned during your training. These skills include activities such as handwashing, transferring patients, and taking vital signs.

  • The skills test costs $77, and you must score at least 70% on each skill to pass.

Retakes:

  • You have up to three attempts to pass each portion of the exam (written and skills) within six months of completing your CNA training. If you fail either part of the exam after three attempts, you will need to retake the training program.

Tip: Want to practice before taking the exam? Click here to access our CNA exam practice test.

4. Certification Registration and Upkeep

Once you pass both the written and skills portions of the CNA exam, you will be eligible to register as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana. Registration is managed by the Montana Nurse Aide Registry.

How to Register as a CNA in Montana:

To officially become a CNA, you’ll need to apply for certification through the Montana BOUNDS Portal. The application process is entirely online, and paper applications are no longer accepted.

Steps for CNA Registration:

  • Create a BOUNDS Portal Account: Start by creating an account on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry’s BOUNDS Portal. You will need a unique email address, your name as it appears on your certificate, and your certificate number.

  • Submit Your Application: Complete the online CNA application. If you pass the exam, the testing center will send your results to the Certification Bureau, and your application will be processed.

  • Verification: After you are added to the Montana Nurse Aide Registry, you can check the status of your certification through the BOUNDS Portal. Montana does not issue physical certificates, but you can print a wallet card directly from the registry.

Maintaining Your CNA Certification:

Montana CNAs must renew their certification every two years. To remain active on the Nurse Aide Registry, you must:

  • Work at least 8 hours as a CNA during the two-year certification period. Employment must be in a paid position at an approved healthcare facility.

  • Complete any required in-service training as mandated by your employer.

If your certification lapses, you will need to retake the CNA exam to reactivate your status.

Renewing Certification:

  • Renewal Process: Renewal applications must also be completed online through the BOUNDS Portal. You can start the renewal process 90 days prior to your certificate’s expiration.

  • Interstate Endorsement: If you are already certified as a CNA in another state and want to work in Montana, you can apply for an Interstate Endorsement through the BOUNDS Portal. You will need to provide proof of your certification and meet Montana’s requirements for CNA registration.

Summary of CNA Certification Process in Montana

Step Details
Training Program Minimum 75 hours (including 16 hours of clinical practice)
Exam Structure Written/Oral Exam (50 questions) and Skills Test
Certification Validity 2 years
Renewal Requirements Work at least 8 hours in the last 2 years and complete in-service training
Exam Costs Written Exam: $20, Oral Exam: $31, Skills Test: $77
Application Online through the BOUNDS Portal

By completing these steps, you can officially become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana, opening the door to a rewarding career in healthcare. You’ll be well-prepared to provide essential care to patients and support healthcare professionals in various settings across the state.

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id Name Image Website Street Address City State Zip Code Map Link plus_code Phone latitude longitude latlong Category Reviews Rating 5star 4star 3star 2star 1star description Monday Hours Tuesday Hours Wednesday Hours Thursday Hours Friday Hours Saturday Hours Sunday Hours Details
1,102 Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center thumbnail?panoid=xaMTUYfghElCzOnQX9fWlg&cb_client=search.gws-prod.gps&w=408&h=240&yaw=8.811666&pitch=0&thumbfov=100 https://mt.gov/ 800 Casino Creek Dr Lewistown MT 59457 3H4G+93 Lewistown, Montana (406) 538-7451 47.06 -109.42 47.0559405-109.4248122 Mental health service 2 5.0 2 0 0 0 0 More details
1,103 Helena College University of Montana AF1QipOcuI-HsjumPJCDHY15XVqs2mOCJASa9IU1TBT9=w426-h240-k-no https://helenacollege.edu/ 1115 N Roberts St #117 Helena MT 59601 HXWM+7F Helena, Montana (406) 447-6900 46.60 -112.02 46.5957471-112.0163086 College 35 3.8 18 6 4 0 7 7AM to 9PM 7AM to 9PM 7AM to 9PM 7AM to 9PM 7AM to 6PM Closed Closed More details
1,104 Missoula Health and Rehabilitation Center AF1QipMwD0QX0y0YLFpeCHMuRZMFP8pw4bVEbo2ylo8=w408-h306-k-no https://www.empres.com/location/missoula-health-rehab-center/ 3018 Rattlesnake Dr Missoula MT 59802 V2VM+8W Missoula, Montana (406) 549-0988 46.89 -113.97 46.8932781-113.9651353 Nursing home 28 3.0 12 2 0 1 13 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,105 Mineral Community Hospital AF1QipOMbRQADXR1FnMlIG6nr305ExttfV1loc3rDeG-=w408-h906-k-no https://mineralcommunityhospital.org/ 1208 6th Ave E Superior MT 59872 54PF+47 Superior, Montana (406) 822-4841 47.19 -114.88 47.1853611-114.8767516 General hospital 15 4.3 12 0 1 0 2 More details
1,106 Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center AF1QipNlAR4_uPi73BDhGyROhPkoS3UtWybRXNGjSoVn=w408-h306-k-no https://www.empres.com/location/polson-health-rehab-center/ Nine, 14th Ave W Polson MT 59860 MRJP+W2 Polson, Montana (406) 883-4378 47.68 -114.16 47.6822948-114.1649952 Nursing home 9 3.2 5 0 0 0 4 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM 8AM to 5PM Closed Closed More details
1,107 Sidney Health Center AF1QipPJueUIPqVUD0ZS_aG2d1-vBO2kNF5sVmhpHnzf=w408-h272-k-no https://www.sidneyhealth.org/ 214 14th Ave SW Sidney MT 59270 PR8G+6J Sidney, Montana (406) 488-2100 47.72 -104.17 47.7155184-104.1733882 General hospital 227 4.4 186 9 3 3 26 More details
1,108 Discovery Care Centre AF1QipNQoSrQDYHMnLa3TJsnqKjEJMd6jvvFZXfdTijz=w408-h254-k-no https://discoverycarecentre.org/ 601 N 10th St Hamilton MT 59840 7R2H+M9 Hamilton, Montana (406) 363-2273 46.25 -114.17 46.251626-114.1715901 Rehabilitation center 12 3.2 5 2 0 0 5 Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours More details
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1,111 Billings Clinic Hospital AF1QipNVJfOLmDff827LDHVhExepkH5V-Np-k16kNd6L=w408-h274-k-no https://www.billingsclinic.com/maps-locations/location-profile/ 2800 10th Ave N Billings MT 59101 QFQP+QR Billings, Montana (406) 238-2500 45.79 -108.51 45.7894434-108.512958 Hospital 244 3.5 120 32 12 9 71 More details