Online first aid courses

Montana has no state OSHA plan for the private sector, so private employers fall under federal 29 CFR 1910.151(b): no fixed ratio, but where no medical facility is in near proximity at least one person must be adequately trained in first aid. The public sector follows the Montana Safety Culture Act, which mandates safety and training programs but sets no numeric first-aider ratio.

Montana's child care licensing rules (ARM 37.95), administered by DPHHS Child Care Licensing, require all active staff to hold current pediatric CPR and first aid completed through hands-on training, with the card specifically reading "Pediatric First Aid." CPR must cover adults, children and infants, new staff generally certify within 90 days, and certification renews every two years.

Under Mont. Code Ann. § 27-1-714, any person who in good faith and without compensation renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency is not liable for civil damages, except for gross negligence or willful or wanton acts. A separate statute, Mont. Code Ann. § 50-6-505, extends immunity to those providing emergency care via an AED and to those performing CPR.

Montana repealed its 24 contact-hour continuing-education requirement effective November 18, 2023, so RN renewal no longer carries a mandatory CE total, though the Montana Board of Nursing still expects nurses to maintain competence and be able to act in an emergency. Basic life support (BLS) is in practice an employer and hospital requirement rather than a licence condition, met by recognized activities such as CPR/AED, ACLS and PALS.

Montana assisted living and personal care rules require trained staff on premises, and CPR and first-aid certification is commonly required by the facility or employer for direct care workers serving adult and senior residents. A recognized, up-to-date first-aid and CPR certificate is the usual way to meet this expectation, in addition to the worker's occupational training, and must be renewed periodically.

Montana youth foster home licensing (ARM 37.51), administered by DPHHS Child and Family Services Division, requires pre-service training before a license is issued and ongoing annual training thereafter. CPR and first-aid certification is commonly required of foster caregivers, with hands-on CPR and pediatric first aid expected and kept current, as one condition in addition to the home study.

Online CPR and first aid training is recognized in Montana, with no ban on online training for workplace first-aiders and online theory accepted (a hands-on component recommended for CPR). Certification is valid for 3 years and built on the ILCOR 2025 Consensus on Science.