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How to become a certified Home Health Aide in Montana. 75 hours of training required. Follows federal 75-hour minimum. Total initial fees: $250-$975. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Home Health Aide — HHA
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53% of data points are verified against official sources. 14 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
75 hrs
Training Hours
No
Exceeds Federal Min
Required
Background Check
Required
CPR/First Aid
Required
Registry
$250-$975
Total Initial Fees
All HHAs at Medicare-certified agencies must comply with these federal requirements
VerifiedMinimum Training Hours
75 hours
Per 42 CFR §484.36 for Medicare-certified home health agencies
Competency Evaluation
Required
Written or oral exam plus a skills demonstration observed and evaluated by a registered nurse (RN)
Background Check
Required
Registry Listing
Required
States must maintain a home health aide registry or include HHAs on the nurse aide registry
Federal Regulation
42 CFR §484.36
42 CFR §484.36 — Condition of participation: Home health aide services
Home Health Aide training and competency requirements are established at the federal level by CMS under 42 CFR §484.36. HHAs working for Medicare-certified home health agencies must complete at least 75 hours of training (including 16 hours of supervised practical/clinical training) and pass a competency evaluation administered by an RN. States may require additional hours beyond this federal minimum.
State-specific HHA certification requirements
Mostly verifiedRequired Training Hours
75 hours
VerifiedCertification Title
Certified Home Health Aide
Mostly verifiedCPR/First Aid
Required
Mostly verifiedState Registry
Montana Nurse Aide Registry
HHA requirements vary by state. While the federal minimum is 75 hours of training, some states require significantly more. All states require criminal background checks and abuse registry screening. HHAs must be listed on their state's nurse aide registry or equivalent HHA registry to maintain active certification.
Education, Training & Skills Requirements
VerifiedMinimum Education
High school diploma or GED (typically required, though not always mandated by federal regulation)
Clinical Training
Minimum 16 hours of supervised practical (clinical) training required by federal regulations
Training Program Details
75-hour state-approved HHA training program covering classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Training must be provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency or an approved educational institution.
Skills Covered in Training
HHA training programs must be approved by the state and include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Federal regulations require at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Training covers vital signs, personal care, safety, infection control, and basic health monitoring. No formal education beyond high school is typically required by federal regulation, though individual programs may have their own prerequisites.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Cost Approximate cost range for Montana HHA training programs. Many employers offer free or subsidized training. | $200-$800 |
Background Check Fee Criminal background check and abuse registry screening | $25-$50 |
Certification/Registry Fee State certification/registry fee — many states charge minimal or no fee | $0-$50 |
CPR/First Aid Certification American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification | $25-$75 |
Total Initial Fees Includes training program, background check, certification fee, and CPR certification. Many employers cover all or part of these costs. | $250-$975 |
Renewal Requirements & Continuing Education
Mostly verified12 hours per year
In-Service Training
Annual
Renewal Period
Required
Continuing Education
Continuing Education Details
12 hours of in-service training per year required for HHAs at Medicare-certified agencies. Training must address areas identified during performance evaluations and must include patient rights, safety, and infection control.
Renewal Fee
$0-$25
Regulatory Board
Federal regulations require a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training per year for HHAs working at Medicare-certified home health agencies. Training must address areas identified in performance evaluations and include topics such as patient rights, safety, and infection control. HHAs must maintain active status on their state registry. Failure to complete required in-service training may result in registry removal.
Montana follows the federal 75-hour minimum. The state's vast rural geography makes home health services essential for many communities.
Home Health Aides working for Medicare-certified agencies must complete at least 75 hours of training and pass a competency evaluation per federal requirements (42 CFR §484.36).
Montana follows the federal minimum of 75 hours of training.
HHAs are distinct from CNAs — HHAs work primarily in home settings while CNAs work in facilities. HHAs are also distinct from Personal Care Aides (PCAs) — HHAs can perform clinical tasks under RN supervision.
All states require a criminal background check. Most states also require an abuse registry check before HHA certification.
Montana maintains a nurse aide registry that includes HHAs. Active registry status is required for employment.
Federal minimum continuing education requirement is 12 hours of in-service training per year for HHAs at Medicare-certified agencies.
There is no interstate compact for home health aides. Federal Medicare/Medicaid minimum training standards (75 hours) apply nationwide.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Montana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#27 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Home Health and Personal Care Aides (SOC 31-1121)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$31,440
-6% vs. national avg ($33,530)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Home Health and Personal Care Aides (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+22%
Very High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: 42 CFR §484.36 — Home Health Aide Training Requirements
Estimated total: 6–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: 42 CFR §484.36 — Condition of participation: Home health aide services
6–10 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: 42 CFR §484.36 — Condition of participation: Home health aide services
Study guides and training materials for HHA certification and competency exams.
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Montana requires 75 hours of HHA training. This follows the federal 75-hour minimum. Certification is managed through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state health department.