CNA Classes & Programs in Missoula, Montana

3 state-approved CNA programs in Missoula, including free and 4-week options. Online programs are offered in other Montana cities.

Find CNA programs in Missoula

Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.

CNA training in Missoula

Programs
3
state-approved
Median CNA pay
$37,630
$18.09 an hour
CNA jobs
430
in the Missoula region
Healthcare facilities
7
3 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 2 home health agencies
Population
76,514
residents

Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).

On this page
  1. Get info from schools
  2. CNA classes in Missoula
  3. Jobs and pay
  4. Working nearby
  5. Requirements
  6. Career growth
  7. FAQ

What brings you here?

Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.

In Missoula, 3 state-approved CNA classes are available to help residents begin their journey toward becoming certified nursing assistants. As a vibrant college town in western Montana, Missoula supports those seeking practical healthcare training close to home. The variety of CNA programs ensures multiple pathways suited to diverse student needs.

Missoula's CNA programs include options such as free CNA classes and accelerated courses designed for faster completion. These offerings can be appealing for individuals eager to enter the workforce quickly or with budget considerations in mind. In Missoula, CNAs earn around $37,630 annually—below the statewide median—which is important information when considering long-term career plans within the area’s healthcare sector.

Pursuing CNA certification here enables students to build valuable skills while preparing for employment at local hospitals or long-term care facilities throughout Missoula’s growing healthcare network.

Get Info from CNA Schools in Missoula

Fill in the short form to get information from CNA schools that serve Missoula, such as cost, schedules and start dates.

CNA program search

Free Service No Obligations Compare Multiple Programs

We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.

Browse CNA Classes in Missoula

Students in Missoula can choose from 3 CNA classes—including free programs and accelerated options—that train students for Montana CNA certification and registry placement. These CNA programs provide essential instruction in patient care skills while preparing graduates for both state exams and employment where CNAs are needed locally throughout Missoula’s healthcare sector.

Program Types in Missoula

TypeIn MissoulaWhere to look
Free or employer-paid1 programPlatinum Career Solutions ↓
4-week (accelerated)1 programPlatinum Career Solutions ↓
Online or hybridNot in MissoulaSee other Montana cities →
Evening or weekendNot in MissoulaSee other Montana cities →

A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.

All 3 CNA programs in Missoula

Lowest published cost first.

Platinum Career Solutions

Career School · Missoula, MT 59808FreeEmployer-sponsored4-weekJob placement helpCostFreeHours80Weeks2
Address
1535 Liberty Ln #117B, Missoula, MT 59808
Open in Google Maps

Two-week paid CNA training offered in partnership with local senior living communities; minimum 80 hours of classroom and clinical training with the state exam fee included. Designed as a pipeline to employment at partner facilities.

Visit website

Community Medical Center Missoula

Hospital · Missoula, MT 59804Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
2827 Fort Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804
Open in Google Maps

Community Medical Center Missoula is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.

Visit website

Dickinson Lifelong Learning Center

Educational Entity · Missoula, MT 59801Cost–Hours–Weeks–
Address
310 S Curtis St, Missoula, MT 59801
Open in Google Maps

Missoula College partners with The Lifelong Learning Center to offer CNA training in Missoula that includes classroom instruction, hands-on skills, and healthcare CPR. The state certification exam is offered on-site for students who complete the program.

Visit website

Cost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.

Not sure which of the 3 programs fits you?

Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.

Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities

Nearby cities

Major Montana cities

All Montana cities with CNA programs →

CNA Employment Opportunities in Missoula

CNA pay and jobs in Missoula
Median annual pay$37,630
Median hourly pay$18.09
CNA jobs in the region430
Salary regionMissoula

Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.

In the Missoula region, approximately 430 certified nursing assistants are employed across various healthcare settings. The ongoing need for qualified CNAs is shaped by both hospital systems and long-term care facilities serving residents of this college town as well as surrounding communities.

The median CNA salary in Missoula is $37,630 per year (or $18.09 per hour), according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This figure is below Montana’s statewide median of $37,970 annually but reflects local pay levels in this part of western Montana. Wage ranges may differ based on experience or specific employer within Missoula’s diverse medical community.

CNA jobs in Missoula are available at several prominent CMS-certified locations. Village Health & Rehabilitation (193 beds), Riverside Health & Rehabilitation (72 beds), and Missoula Health & Rehabilitation Center (53 beds) represent notable nursing homes employing direct care staff. Hospitals like St. Patrick Hospital—a recognized regional provider—and Community Medical Center also hire CNAs consistently. Home health services such as Partners In Home Care Inc further contribute to job prospects within patient homes throughout Missoula County.

Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Missoula (3 facilities)

3 nursing homes in Missoula providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 3 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)

Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Missoula (2 facilities)

2 hospitals in Missoula offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)

HospitalRating
St. Patrick HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 500 W Broadway(406) 543-7271Map5/5
Community Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 2827 Fort Missoula Rd(406) 728-4100Map4/5

Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Missoula (2 facilities)

2 home health agencies in Missoula providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)

AgencyQuality
Partners In Home Care Inc2637 Palmer Street(406) 728-8848Map3.0/5
Trek Healthcare2445 S. 3Rd St. W. Ste. B2.0/5

Sources

Working in Nearby Cities and Other States

Working in Nearby Cities

Looking beyond Missoula? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Stevensville, Arlee, Anaconda, Polson, and Hamilton, or browse the Montana CNA programs page for more options.

Working in Other States

Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.

Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA

If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.

Requirements to Work as a CNA in Missoula, MT

To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Missoula, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Montana. These include completing a Montana DPHHS-approved Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP), passing the state knowledge and skills competency examinations administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being placed on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry through the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

  • At least 75 total hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training
  • Completion of 16 hours of introductory instruction before any direct resident contact
  • Any criminal background checks required by the training program or employer. Training programs may set a minimum age, and some start at 16
  • Passing the knowledge exam (72 questions, 90 minutes, 75% to pass) and the manual skills exam (three or four tasks, 35 minutes, all critical steps plus 80% of remaining steps)
  • Up to three attempts per component within six months of completing training
  • Placement on the Montana Nurse Aide Registry, with certification issued by DPHHS (not the Board of Nursing) through the online BOUNDS portal

Once certified, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare settings throughout Missoula and across Montana. CNA certification must be renewed every two years, and to renew you must have completed at least one 8-hour shift of paid nursing or nursing-related work during the preceding 24 months. Renewals are submitted through the BOUNDS portal and may be started up to 90 days before expiration. Federal rules bar the state from charging a registry fee, but candidates pay the Headmaster competency examination fees ($20 for the written exam or $31 for audio, plus $77 for the skills exam).

Already certified in another state? Montana offers interstate endorsement for nursing assistants who hold a current CNA certification or registration in another U.S. state or territory. Eligible applicants transfer their certification through the BOUNDS portal without completing a new Montana training program or retaking the competency exam. Montana also allows eligible candidates to challenge the competency exam without completing a training program, with one opportunity to pass. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Montana guide.

For complete details on training, testing, certification, and renewal, see our full CNA License & Registration in Montana guide.

See how to become a CNA in Montana

Career Growth & Advancement

Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:

  • Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
  • Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
  • Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
  • Opportunities in healthcare administration or education

Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Missoula.

Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.

Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Missoula

How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Missoula?

Most CNA programs in Missoula can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 2 weeks, at Platinum Career Solutions.

How much does CNA training cost in Missoula?

Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Missoula directly for their current costs. One program is free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.

Are there free CNA classes in Missoula?

Yes. Platinum Career Solutions offers free or employer-paid CNA training. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.

Are there online CNA training options available in Missoula?

No program in Missoula is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other Montana cities. Clinical training is always in person.

Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Missoula?

Yes. Platinum Career Solutions is an accelerated program. Accelerated programs usually take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on class schedules and clinical requirements.

Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?

Near Missoula there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Stevensville, Arlee, Anaconda, Polson and Hamilton. You can also look at the Montana state page to find more.

How do I get listed on the Montana CNA registry?

To work as a CNA in Montana, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Montana CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.

Where do CNAs work in Missoula?

CNAs in Missoula are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 3 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 2 home health agencies in Missoula. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.

Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.