CNA Study Guide
Montana CNA Skills Test: Headmaster Tasks, Key Steps, and How to Prep
Montana CNA skills test with Headmaster / D&SDT: Candidate Handbook scoring, TMU scheduling links, key steps, DPHHS certification notes, and a rehearsal method that does not replace the official Montana task list.
By MedCertPrep Team · Updated September 21, 2026
This guide is for Montana nurse aide candidates preparing for the Headmaster / D&SDT skills test approved by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Montana is not Credentia NNAAP and not Prometric. For the state overview and official resource cards, start at Montana CNA. For a vendor-agnostic skills rehearsal method, use CNA skills test.
Confirm live task lists, timing, fees, and attempt rules in the current Montana Candidate Handbook PDF (February 2025; confirm any newer PDF linked from the Headmaster Montana home) linked from the Headmaster Montana CNA home. Schedule through the Montana TMU portal. Certification is separate: Headmaster does not issue the certificate. Use the BOUNDS / DPHHS CNA certificate application. The handbook also names www.cna.mt.gov for certification numbers.
What is the Montana CNA skills test?
The skills test is the hands-on half of Montana competency evaluation. An RN Test Observer scores you against the Montana handbook skill tasks. You must pass skills in addition to the knowledge exam (typically 72 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes; pass typically 75% or better per the handbook).
Per the Headmaster Montana Candidate Handbook (verify the latest PDF before exam day):
| Detail | Typical Montana Headmaster rule |
|---|---|
| Vendor | D&SDT-Headmaster approved by Montana DPHHS |
| Knowledge exam | About 72 questions, 90 minutes, pass typically 75%+, English only |
| Skills day | Maximum about 35 minutes |
| Skills scoring | All key (critical) steps plus 80% of non-key steps on each task |
| Attempt window | 3 attempts within 6 months of training completion |
| Scheduling | Montana TMU after your record and fees are complete |
| Certificate | BOUNDS / DPHHS application after both parts. Headmaster does not issue it |
| Official steps | Current handbook skill-task list (do not use another state's checklist) |
This page does not reprint the Montana skill checklist. Memorize steps from the live handbook only.
Pro Tip: Handbook versions change. Always download the PDF currently linked from the Headmaster Montana page before you rehearse. The six-month attempt window is shorter than many other Headmaster states.
Where do Montana candidates get the official checklist?
- Open Headmaster Montana CNA home
- Download the current Candidate Handbook (or the newer PDF if the Headmaster home posts one)
- Complete demographics and payment in Montana TMU
- Rehearse only the skill tasks printed in that handbook
- After you pass both parts, submit the BOUNDS / DPHHS certificate application. The handbook says a certification number is commonly visible on www.cna.mt.gov about 10 to 14 days after a complete application. Live DPHHS pages may also describe applications as going through BOUNDS.
For knowledge-exam subject counts, use the handbook subject table and the mapping on Montana CNA. Subject counts from the February 2025 plan (Basic Nursing Skills 11, Care Impaired 5, Communication 6, Data Collection 3, Disease Process 5, Infection Control 11, Mental Health 4, Older Adult Growth and Development 2, Personal Care 7, Resident Rights 5, Role and Responsibility 5, Safety 8) must be confirmed in the live PDF.
How should you rehearse Montana skills?
- Shell habits: introduce yourself, explain, protect privacy, keep the call light in reach, and protect safety before every transfer. Details: CNA skills test.
- Key steps first: bold critical steps fail the task if missed. Drill those until automatic, then protect the 80% non-key threshold on each task.
- Timed mocks: run the handbook's assigned tasks within about 35 minutes, graded only against Montana handbook wording.
Support overlapping knowledge themes:
- Physical Care
- Psychosocial Care
- Role of the Nurse Aide
- Free diagnostic: Try CNA
How this guide connects to MedCertPrep
| Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Montana state landing | Montana CNA |
| National skills method | CNA skills test |
| Free diagnostic | Try CNA |
| Headmaster Montana home | hdmaster.com Montana CNA |
| TMU portal | mt.tmutest.com |
| DPHHS / BOUNDS certificate application | Certificate request |
| Public registry search | mt.tmutest.com/search |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montana CNA the same as NNAAP / Credentia?
No. Montana uses Headmaster subject areas and a Montana-specific skills task list. MedCertPrep national practice overlaps on themes but is not a Headmaster clone bank.
Does passing Headmaster put me on the registry by itself?
No. The handbook says Headmaster sends results to DPHHS, and you still submit the Certified Nurse Aide Application through the BOUNDS / DPHHS portal. Certification is issued by DPHHS.
Can MedCertPrep replace the Montana handbook?
No. MedCertPrep provides supplemental written practice and a rehearsal method. Scored skills steps come only from the current Headmaster Montana Candidate Handbook.
Next step for Montana skills week
- Open Montana CNA and download the latest Candidate Handbook PDF.
- Complete TMU demographics and confirm your schedule inside the six-month window.
- Drill bold key steps, then run timed full-task mocks within about 35 minutes.
- Support weak knowledge themes with Physical Care while you keep the handbook subject table nearby.
Practice what you just read
Use blueprint-aligned questions and timed mocks for CNA to turn this guide into exam-day readiness.