How to Become a Medical Assistant in Montana

Who can apply

• Montana does not license medical assistants. The Board of Medical Examiners sets rules for what a physician, physician assistant or podiatrist may delegate to one (MCA 37-3-104).
• The delegating provider must know you have the education, training, knowledge and skill for each task. Proof can be graduation from an accredited MA program, equivalent courses, the provider's own training of you, or other objective evidence (ARM 24.156.401).
• A provider may not delegate to someone whose prior health care license anywhere was restricted, suspended, revoked or surrendered for unprofessional conduct.
• To take x-rays you need a Montana limited permit (MCA 37-14-301).

Step by step

1. Finish a medical assisting program, equivalent coursework, or training given directly by your delegating provider.
2. Optionally earn a national certification (CMA-AAMA, RMA-AMT, CCMA-NHA or NCMA-NCCT). Montana does not require one.
3. If your job includes x-rays, complete a board-approved course of at least 104 hours, apply for a limited permit ($100), then pay the ARRT and pass the ARRT limited scope exam.
4. Work in your delegating provider's office under general supervision, wearing a name badge with the title "Medical Assistant". Your provider must be onsite or directly supervising for injections other than immunizations, invasive procedures and allergy testing.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: No state-mandated program. MCA 37-3-104 makes the supervising physician, physician assistant or podiatrist responsible for your competence and minimum education. ARM 24.156.401 lets them show it by an accredited MA program diploma, substantially equivalent courses, their own direct training of you, or other objective evidence.

Exam: Montana has no state medical assistant exam, and national certification is not required by ARM 24.156.401. Taking x-rays requires passing the ARRT limited scope exam for a Montana limited permit. After your application is processed, the Board sends an eligibility letter and you pay the ARRT exam fee ($140 per the Board) directly to ARRT.

What it costs in Montana

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your credential

Renewal: X-ray limited permit only: renew online with the Board (permits last up to 12 months) and complete 6 contact hours of continuing education each year related to radiography.

Good to know in Montana

What a medical assistant can do in Montana: A physician, physician assistant or podiatrist may delegate administrative and clinical tasks within their own scope of practice, including giving medications, to a medical assistant who works in their office and is qualified for the task. Most tasks need only general supervision, but MCA 37-3-104 directs the Board to require onsite supervision for invasive procedures, giving medications and allergy testing. The MA records in the patient's chart who did the task and which tasks were delegated.

Tasks that need onsite or direct supervision: The Board rule (ARM 24.156.401) lists injections other than immunizations, invasive procedures, conscious sedation monitoring, allergy testing, and IV administration of blood products or medication. The statute (MCA 37-3-104, as amended in 2025) goes further and requires onsite supervision for any administration of medication, so do not give medications without your provider on site.

What a medical assistant cannot do: A provider may not delegate surgery, tasks outside the provider's own scope or authority, or tasks you are not qualified to do safely.

X-ray: Under MCA 37-14-301, no one may perform x-ray procedures on people without a radiologic technologist license or a limited permit. A limited practice permit requires a board-approved course of at least 104 hours (or completing half of an ARRT-recognized radiologic technologist program), being at least 18, and passing the ARRT exam. A temporary permit may be issued to course graduates who have met everything except the exam.

Sources

• MCA 37-3-104 - Medical assistants, guidelines (Montana Code Annotated 2025)
• ARM 24.156.401 - Medical assistant, delegation and supervision
• MCA 37-14-301 - Limitation of license authority (x-ray license or limited permit required)
• Montana Limited Permit Holder Checklist (requirements and fees)
• Montana radiologic technologists - Limited Permit X-Ray
• MCA 37-14-102 Definitions (2025)
• MCA 37-14-306 Limited permits