Montana Code 37-39-312. Peer support specialist license required — qualifications
37-39-312. Peer support specialist license required — qualifications. (1) A person may not practice peer support unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter.
Terms Used In Montana Code 37-39-312
- 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
- Behavioral health: means , for the purposes of regulation and licensure under this chapter, the practices of social work, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling, and peer support regulated under this chapter. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Behavioral health disorder: is a diagnosis of:
(a)a mental disorder as defined in 53-21-102; or
(b)chemical dependency as defined in 53-24-103. 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
- Mental health professional: means :
(a)a physician licensed under Title 37, chapter 3;
(b)an advanced practice registered nurse, as provided for in 37-8-202, with a clinical specialty in psychiatric mental health nursing;
(c)a psychologist licensed under Title 37, chapter 17;
(d)a social worker licensed under 37-39-308;
(e)a professional counselor licensed under 37-39-309;
(f)an addiction counselor licensed under 37-39-310; or
(g)a marriage and family therapist licensed under 37-39-311. 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
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(2)An applicant for licensure as a 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. The board shall:
(i)provide a list of approved programs; and
(ii)approve content that is flexible, affordable, and inclusive of faith-based, cultural, and educational programs available from national, regional, and state agencies and organizations.