Montana Code 37-39-311. Marriage and family therapy license required — qualifications
37-39-311. Marriage and family therapy license required — qualifications. (1) A person may not practice marriage and family therapy unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter.
Terms Used In Montana Code 37-39-311
- Approved examination: means a standardized test or examination of behavioral health knowledge, skills, and abilities that is approved by the board. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Approved program: means a behavioral health educational program accredited or sponsored by an entity that is recognized at the national, regional, or state level and approved by the board. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Approved supervisor: means a supervisor determined by the board to meet standards established by the board for supervision of clinical services. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Board: means the board of behavioral health provided for in 2-15-1744. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Marriage and family therapy: means the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of interpersonal relationships, including marriage and family systems. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(2)An applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist must have:
(a)(i) completed a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from an approved program;
(ii)completed a graduate degree in an allied field from an approved program, including graduate-level work that the board determines to be the equivalent of a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or marriage and family counseling; or
(iii)completed additional postdegree experience as defined by board rule as equivalent to the degree requirements in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii) if the applicant does not have a degree as provided in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii);
(b)passed an approved examination; and
(c)practiced under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor for at least 3,000 hours, including 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact in the practice of marriage and family therapy, of which up to 500 hours may be accumulated while achieving the educational credentials listed in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii).
(3)The supervised practice required under subsection (2)(c) must be completed as provided in 37-39-307 and as prescribed by the board by rule.