Montana § 37-39-312 - Peer Support Specialist Certification Required -- Qualifications

§ 37-39-312. Peer Support Specialist Certification Required -- Qualifications

Peer support specialist certification required -- qualifications. (1) A person may not practice peer support unless certified under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter. (2) An applicant for certification as a behavioral health peer support specialist must: (a) have a diagnosis from a mental health professional as having a behavioral health disorder; (b) have received treatment for the diagnosed behavioral health disorder; (c) be in recovery, as defined by board rule, from the behavioral health disorder; and (d) have successfully completed an approved program in behavioral peer support, including an ethics portion, as defined by board rule. (3) An applicant for certification as a family peer support specialist must: (a) have personal experience as the parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 21 years of age with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs; and (b) have successfully completed an approved program in family peer support, including an ethics portion, as defined by board rule. (4) The board shall: (a) provide a list of approved programs in behavioral health peer support and family peer support; and (b) approve content that is flexible, affordable, and inclusive of faith-based, cultural, and educational programs available from national, regional, and state agencies and organizations.