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Caregiver training requirements in Montana
Short answer
Montana's caregiver training rules apply to agencies paid by Medicaid: at least 16 hours.
If you only serve private-pay clients, Montana doesn't require specific training for personal care aides.
The rules, role by role
Personal Care Attendant
Applies to: Agencies that receive Medicaid reimbursement
- Training hours
- 16 hours
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 8 hours annually
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
- Who can teach it
- Must be a licensed nurse
Federal rules that apply in every state
- Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (with 16 hours of classroom training first), and must pass a competency evaluation. They also need 12 hours of in-service training every year. 42 CFR 484.80
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) complete a state-approved program of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more. 42 CFR 483.152
- There is no federal training standard for personal care aides(non-medical caregivers). That's set state by state, and sometimes only for Medicaid-funded work.
Before a new caregiver's first shift
- Keep proof of training — the certificate or sign-off for any training Montana or your payer requires.
- Run the background checks your state licensing rules and your contracts require.
- Record expiry dates for CPR, TB tests and licenses, and renew them before they lapse.
Source: PHI, a review of each state's Medicaid rules, waivers and home care licensing regulations (2024–2025 policy). Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your state's licensing agency before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal advice.
Regulations cited for Montana
- Administrative Rules of Montana. 2024. Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services: Provider Requirements. 37.40.1127.
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. “Community Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” Accessed April 8, 2025.
- Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS). 2015. Community First Choice Policy Manual . Helena, MT: DPHHS.
- NORC at the University of Chicago. 2014. Montana ACA Section 2401k State Plan Amendment Summary. Chicago, IL: NORC.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in Montana: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in Montana?
Montana's caregiver training rules apply to agencies paid by Medicaid: at least 16 hours. If you only serve private-pay clients, Montana doesn't require specific training for personal care aides. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in Montana?
Montana doesn't issue a specific certificate for personal care aides. CNAs and home health aides follow their own certification rules.
Are home care agencies licensed in Montana?
Montana doesn't license non-medical home care agencies, according to PHI's review. Medicare-certified home health agencies are still regulated.
Do private-pay agencies in Montana have to train caregivers?
No state training rule covers aides who only serve private-pay clients in Montana, though many agencies train them anyway for quality and insurance reasons.
Hiring in Montana? See caregiver pay in Montana, or try the free job description generator.