The Montana Department of Health oversees the CNA training programs in the state. They approve courses, manage the registry, and work with D&S Diversified Technologies to administer the exams. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for enrollment in a program, complete the training, apply to take the exam, and then pass the exam before appearing on the state registry.
Eligibility RequirementsTo enroll in a CNA certification program in Montana requires that the individual meet all of the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age;Submit to a full health exam that includes a TB test and drug screening;Provide evidence of immunizations;Submit evidence of high school graduation or a GED; andHave a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting and a felony investigation.
Not all candidates have to go through an approved training program, and the following individuals can visit the applications page at the Department of Health website to download the appropriate forms. These will allow them to skip training and just take the exams or to simply apply for listing on the registry:
- Endorsement candidates – those certified in another state;Nursing students – those with nursing coursework finished can sit for the exam;Challengers – those who feel their practical experience qualifies them for the exam; andLapsed candidates – those with certification less than 24 months off of the registry.
For candidates who will have to undergo training, a full list of the approved programs is available for download here.
Certified nursing assistant certification training in Montana requires 75 hours or work, broken down into 50 hours of classroom learning and 25 hours of hands-on learning under the supervision of an RN.
CostsThe cost for Montana CNA certification training is currently around $1000, not including books and testing fees. Federal law mandates that those with jobs (or job offers) at skilled nursing sites with Medicare approval cannot pay for testing, and will get reimbursed for training from an employer.
An evaluation known as the Montana Nurse Aide Skills Competency Check List is required before you can take the exam, and a sample of the check list can be downloaded here. This lists the simple skills required and allows you to be examined over a period of many days.
The actual competency exam (which follows the competency check) is split between written knowledge and skills. The costs for testing are:
Written: $20
Oral: $31
Skills: $77
Skill Retest: $77
Many CNA candidates in Montana find the following information very useful as they prepare for training or testing:
- A test prep booklet for Montana CNA certification is available from Headmaster. If you fail the competency exam three times, you are required to retake CNA training;With your exam application you must include verification of your training, including a copy of your graduation certificate or an affidavit from your training instructor which validates that you did complete an approved training course;Your certification needs to be renewed every two years. To be eligible, you must verify that you’ve been working as a CNA (for a minimum of eight hours) during the last twenty-four months;Candidates whose certification has expired must complete an approved 75 hour training course or can challenge the test;
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Certification Bureau
2401 Colonial Drive, 2nd Floor
PO Box 202953
Helena, MT 59620-2953
Phone: 406-444-4980
Web: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/
D&S Diversified Technologies
dba HEADMASTER
PO Box 6609— Helena, MT 59602
Phone: 406-442-8656
Web: www.hdmaster.com
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