Montana § 37-39-310 - Addiction Counseling License Required -- Qualifications

§ 37-39-310. Addiction Counseling License Required -- Qualifications

Addiction counseling license required -- qualifications. (1) A person may not practice addiction counseling unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), an applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor must have: (a) a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited institution in one of the following areas: (i) alcohol and drug studies; (ii) addiction; (iii) substance abuse; or (b) a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited institution in any area of instruction and a certificate from an accredited program in areas specified in (2)(a)(i) through (2)(a)(ii); (c) a minimum of a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited college or university in any area. Either as part of that degree or taken as courses outside the degree from an accredited college or university, the applicant must have the following: (i) six semester credits in human behavior, sociology, psychology, or a similar emphasis; (ii) three semester credits in psychopathology or coursework exploring patterns and courses of abnormal or deviant behavior; (iii) three semester credits in group counseling; and (iv) three semester credits in the theory of counseling; (d) completed supervised addiction counseling practice as defined by the board by rule; and (e) passed an approved examination. The board shall provide by rule how much experience counts for the examination. (3) An applicant who has not completed the education requirements of subsection (2) may be licensed if the applicant meets requirements established by the board by rule for additional work experience equivalent to the provisions of subsections (2)(a) through (2)(c). (4) The supervised addiction counseling practice required under subsection (2)(d) must be completed as provided in 37-39-307 and as prescribed by the board by rule. (5) Individuals enrolled in a certificate program not connected to a degree program prior to January 31, 2023, must obtain the certificate prior to June 30, 2025, to be eligible for licensure and must meet all other requirements for licensure in effect prior to October 1, 2023.