CNA Training in Montana
Montana requires at least 75 hours of nurse aide training, including at least 25 hours of supervised clinical training. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) approves programs and keeps the Montana Nurse Aide Registry, and Headmaster gives the state exam.
At $97, Montana's exam is one of the least expensive in the country, and nursing homes can't charge you for training if they hire you. Below you'll find each step, pay by area, ways to train free, and approved programs statewide.
Training
75+ Hours
Median Pay
$19.67/hr
Exam Cost
$97
The 4 Steps to Certification in Montana
Pick a State-Approved Program
Montana DPHHS approves every nurse aide training program. Your options:
- Hospitals and nursing homes: many of the state's programs are run by hospitals, and nursing homes can't charge you if they hire you.
- Colleges: including City College at MSU Billings, Flathead Valley, Helena College, Highlands College, and Miles Community College.
- Private trainers: set their own prices and schedules.
Complete at Least 75 Hours
Most Montana programs run longer than the minimum.
You must pass both exams within 6 months of finishing training, or train again.
Pass the Headmaster Exam
A knowledge test and a skills test. You get 3 tries to pass both within 6 months.
| Knowledge test | $20 |
| Audio knowledge test | $31 |
| Skills test | $77 |
| Retakes | Same price |
Stay Active
Your Montana certificate renews every 2 years.
- Work for pay doing nursing-related services. Under federal rules, going 24 months in a row without paid work means you must retest or retrain.
- Renew online through the BOUNDS portal, starting 90 days before your certificate expires. Renewals by email aren't accepted.
- Check your status with the Montana Nurse Aide Registry online verification.
💰 How to Get CNA Training Free in Montana
Get hired first, or get paid back after.
Nursing Home Training
✨ Free When You're HiredGet Paid Back After You're Hired
✨ 12-Month RuleMontana Job Service (WIOA)
✨ Grant-Funded, If You QualifyMontana CNA Pay by Area
Montana CNAs earn about $0.65 an hour less than the national median. Bozeman pays the most.
| Area | Median Hourly | Median Annual | CNAs Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $22.22 | $46,220 | 340 |
| Southwest Montana (rural) | $22.04 | $45,850 | 430 |
| Helena | $20.44 | $42,520 | 290 |
| West Montana (rural) | $19.09 | $39,700 | 730 |
| East-Central Montana (rural) | $19.03 | $39,580 | 760 |
| Great Falls | $18.91 | $39,330 | 360 |
| Billings | $18.82 | $39,150 | 950 |
| Missoula | $18.53 | $38,550 | 440 |
| Montana (statewide) | $19.67 | $40,900 | 4,390 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Nursing Assistants (31-1131). Medians exclude overtime and shift differentials. "Rural" rows are the BLS nonmetropolitan areas.
What It Costs to Get Certified
Train through a nursing home that hires you and the main costs are covered.
Varies
Free through a nursing home that employs you. Colleges and private trainers set their own prices.
$97
$20 knowledge test and $77 skills test, through Headmaster. The audio knowledge test is $31.
$20 / $77
Same price as the first try. Knowledge retakes can be taken online with a remote proctor.
Online
Apply and renew through the state's BOUNDS portal.
Moving to Montana?
If you're a CNA in another state, you can apply for interstate endorsement in Montana.
Active CNA in Another State
You need a current CNA certificate in at least one other state. Apply online through the BOUNDS portal with your certificate number.
Lapsed or Never Tested
If you're no longer current in another state, or you never passed the exams, expect to train and test in Montana.
Questions? Call
(406) 444-4980
Montana Nurse Aide Registry
CNA Schools in Montana
State-approved nurse aide training programs across Montana: hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, tribal colleges, and private trainers. Search by name, city, or county, or filter by county.
| Program | City | County | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaniiih Nakoda College NATPHarlem, MT | Harlem | Blaine | (406) 353-2607 |
| Big Sandy Medical Center NATPBig Sandy, MT | Big Sandy | Chouteau | (406) 378-2188 |
| Billings Adult and Community Education NATPBillings, MT | Billings | Yellowstone | (406) 281-5003 |
| Billings Clinic Broadwater CAH NATPTownsend, MT | Townsend | Broadwater | (406) 266-3186 |
| Bitterroot College NATPHamilton, MT | Hamilton | Ravalli | (406) 375-0100 |
| Bitterroot Health CNA Program NATPHamilton, MT | Hamilton | Ravalli | (406) 363-2211 |
| Blackfeet Community College NATPBrowning, MT | Browning | Glacier | (406) 338-5441 |
| Chapel Court Assisted Living NATPBillings, MT | Billings | Yellowstone | (406) 655-5600 |
| City College at Montana State University Billings NATPBillings, MT | Billings | Yellowstone | (406) 247-3073 |
| Clark Fork Valley Hospital NATPPlains, MT | Plains | Sanders | (406) 826-4800 |
| CNA Productions Training ProgramHelena, MT | Helena | Lewis and Clark | (317) 494-0051 |
| CNA Training for the Future of NursingChinook, MT | Chinook | Blaine | (406) 945-0201 |
| Community Hospital of Anaconda NATPAnaconda, MT | Anaconda | Deer Lodge | (406) 563-8500 |
| Community Medical Center Missoula NATPMissoula, MT | Missoula | Missoula | (406) 327-4173 |
| Crest - Nurse Aide Training ProgramButte, MT | Butte | Silver Bow | (406) 494-7031 |
| Daniels Memorial CAH NATPScobey, MT | Scobey | Daniels | (406) 487-2300 |
| Dickinson Lifelong Learning CenterMissoula, MT | Missoula | Missoula | (406) 549-8765 |
| Elkhorn Healthcare & Rehabilitation NATPClancy, MT | Clancy | Jefferson | (406) 933-8311 |
| Evergreen Healthcare CNA Program MontanaMultiple locations | Multiple locations | (406) 741-2992 | |
| Fallon Medical Complex Hospital NATPBaker, MT | Baker | Fallon | (406) 778-3331 |
| Flathead Valley Community College NATPKalispell, MT | Kalispell | Flathead | (406) 756-3822 |
| Gallatin CNA SchoolBelgrade, MT | Belgrade | Gallatin | (406) 570-6041 |
| GFC MSU Continuing Education & Training NATPGreat Falls, MT | Great Falls | Cascade | (406) 551-5104 |
| Glendive Medical Center CAH NATPGlendive, MT | Glendive | Dawson | (406) 345-2607 |
| Health Promotion Disease Prevention NATPPoplar, MT | Poplar | Roosevelt | (406) 768-3087 |
| Heart for Living NATPLivingston, MT | Livingston | Park | (406) 223-4461 |
| Helena College NATPHelena, MT | Helena | Lewis and Clark | (406) 447-6944 |
| Highlands College NATPButte, MT | Butte | Silver Bow | (406) 496-3793 |
| Libby Care Center NATPLibby, MT | Libby | Lincoln | (406) 293-6285 |
| Logan Health Education Services NATPMultiple locations | Multiple locations | (406) 756-4744 | |
| McCone County Health Center NATPCircle, MT | Circle | McCone | (406) 485-3381 |
| Miles Community College NATPMiles City, MT | Miles City | Custer | (406) 874-6199 |
| Missouri River Medical Center NATPFort Benton, MT | Fort Benton | Chouteau | (406) 622-3331 |
| Montana Health Network NATPMultiple locations | Multiple locations | (406) 234-1424 | |
| Montana Mental Health Nursing HomeLewistown, MT | Lewistown | Fergus | (406) 538-7451 |
| Mountain View of CascadiaEureka, MT | Eureka | Lincoln | (406) 297-2541 |
| Mountainview Medical CenterWhite Sulphur Springs, MT | White Sulphur Springs | Meagher | (406) 547-3321 |
| Northern Cheyenne THIP CNA Program NATPLame Deer, MT | Lame Deer | Rosebud | (406) 942-2238 |
| Northern Montana Hospital NATPHavre, MT | Havre | Hill | (406) 265-2211 |
| Platinum Career Solutions NATP - MissoulaMissoula, MT | Missoula | Missoula | (406) 926-2712 |
| Priorities at Work NATPBillings, MT | Billings | Yellowstone | (406) 252-8645 |
| Professional Travelers Inc CNA Training ProgramArlee, MT | Arlee | Lake | (406) 207-9614 |
| Prosperity Training Center MontanaButte, MT | Butte | Silver Bow | (406) 723-6556 |
| Providence St. Joseph's MC - NATPPolson, MT | Polson | Lake | (406) 883-7488 |
| Rosebud Health Care Center CAH NATPForsyth, MT | Forsyth | Rosebud | (406) 346-4235 |
| Roundup Memorial Healthcare NATPRoundup, MT | Roundup | Musselshell | (406) 323-2104 |
| Teamsters Local 2 CNA Training NATPButte, MT | Butte | Silver Bow | (406) 494-2747 |
| Thrive CPR NATPChinook, MT | Chinook | Blaine | (406) 262-3292 |
| Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center NATPSheridan, MT | Sheridan | Madison | (406) 842-5600 |
| Trinity Hospital - NATPWolf Point, MT | Wolf Point | Roosevelt | (406) 653-6549 |
| Yes You Can NATPStevensville, MT | Stevensville | Ravalli | (406) 777-5411 |
No programs match. Try a nearby city or pick "All counties."
Source: Montana DPHHS, Approved Nurse Aide Training Program List (updated April 8, 2026). The state list gives only city and phone. Know of a closed program or a wrong number? Report a correction.
Montana CNA Questions, Answered
Who certifies CNAs in Montana?
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) approves training programs and keeps the Nurse Aide Registry. Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) gives the state exam.
How long is CNA training in Montana?
At least 75 hours, including at least 25 hours of supervised clinical training.
How much does the CNA exam cost in Montana?
$97: $20 for the knowledge test and $77 for the skills test. The audio knowledge test is $31. Retakes cost the same as the first try.
How many times can I take the exam?
You get 3 tries to pass both parts within 6 months of finishing training. After that, you must train again.
Can I get CNA training for free in Montana?
Yes. A nursing home can't charge you for training if it employs you or has offered you a job, and if you're hired within 12 months of finishing, it must pay back your training costs. Job Service Montana is another option.
How do I renew my CNA certificate in Montana?
Online through the BOUNDS portal, starting 90 days before your certificate expires. You need to have worked for pay as a nurse aide within the past 24 months.
Sources
- Montana DPHHS: Montana Nurse Aide Registry
- Montana DPHHS: Approved Nurse Aide Training Programs (updated April 8, 2026)
- Headmaster: Montana CNA Testing and Candidate Handbook
- 42 CFR 483.152: Nurse aide training requirements
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
Last verified: October 2026. The 25-hour clinical minimum comes from a secondary summary of Montana rules. Test fees can change, so confirm with Headmaster when you register. See something out of date? Report a correction.