Certified Nursing Assistant in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Montana.
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route How to become a certified nursing assistant in Montana
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Montana, you must complete a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 25 clinical hours. After training, candidates must pass the Montana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, administered by Headmaster, which includes both a written and a skills test. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services credentials CNAs, and renewal is required every two years, with proof of at least 8 hours of compensated CNA employment in the past 24 months. Montana also offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Montana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Montana requirements
| Licensing body | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 75-hour state-approved training program (including 25 clinical hours). Montana uniquely allows individuals to challenge the exam once without prior training, but failure requires completion of an approved program. |
| Exam | Headmaster CNA Exam ($97) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Montana offers reciprocity for CNAs in good standing from any U.S. state; application is free.Reciprocal states: Montana offers reciprocity for CNAs certified in any U.S. state or territory, provided they are in good standing and have no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. The application is free. |
| Notes | Minimum age 16. Renewal requires at least 8 hours of compensated CNA work in the past 24 months. Background check and immunizations are typically required by training programs and/or clinical sites. |
Source: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Montana? See whether Montana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Certified Nursing Assistant license reciprocity guide.
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- check_circleMontana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
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