Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Montana.

Montana licenses behavioral-health professions through the Department of Labor & Industry. The distinctive feature is the consolidated Board of Behavioral Health, which regulates four professions together — professional counselors, a full three-tier social-work ladder, marriage & family therapists, and addiction counselors. Psychologists and behavior analysts are regulated separately by the Board of Psychologists. Two Montana quirks: every Board of Behavioral Health license requires a candidate registration before supervised hours can be accrued, and psychologists must pass a Montana jurisdictional course in addition to the EPPP. All six professions here are state-licensed in Montana — including addiction counseling (LAC) and behavior analysis, both genuine state licenses.

Want the one-line summary instead? See the Montana licensure overview →
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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
PCLC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy (the exam is taken for full licensure).

Scope: Pre-licensure registration allowing a counseling graduate to accrue supervised clinical experience toward the LCPC under an approved Montana-licensed supervisor; cannot practice independently.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree, primarily counseling in nature — at least 60 semester credits from a CACREP-accredited program, or from another accredited program including the CACREP core competencies (ARM 24.219.601).
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister as a candidate and secure a qualified Montana-licensed supervisor before beginning hours; supervised hours accrue during candidacy toward the 3,000 required for the LCPC.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a Supervision Attestation, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check (MCA 37-39-202).
LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Required exam: NBCC NCE or NCMHCE (ARM 24.219.403).

Scope: Independent practice of clinical mental-health counseling — assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationGraduate degree of at least 60 semester hours, CACREP-accredited or equivalent with the CACREP core competencies.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience meeting ARM 24.219.604.
  3. ExamPass the NCE or the NCMHCE.
  4. ApplicationApply online with the fee, certified transcripts, the Academic Summary form, proof of hours, exam passage from NBCC, and a fingerprint background check.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
ACLC

Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy.

Scope: Pre-licensure registration to accrue supervised addiction-counseling hours in a qualified treatment program under an approved LAC supervisor.
  1. Education285 hours of addiction courses (ARM 24.219.5006) as part of, or in addition to, a qualifying associate or bachelor’s degree path.
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a Montana-licensed LAC (or other qualified practitioner trained in addiction) and begin accruing the 1,000 hours required for the LAC.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with the Addiction Courses Completed form, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check (MCA 37-35-202).
LAC

Licensed Addiction Counselor (state license)

Required exam: One of: NCC AP NCAC I or II (NAADAC); IC&RC ADC; or IC&RC AADC (ARM 24.219.5006).

Scope: Independent practice of addiction / substance-use counseling — assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and counseling for substance use and gambling/gaming disorders.
  1. EducationQualifying degree per MCA 37-35-202 plus 285 hours of addiction coursework.
  2. Supervision / experience1,000 hours of supervised addiction-counseling experience over a minimum of seven months, in no more than two qualified treatment programs (ARM 24.219.5008/.5010).
  3. ExamPass one of the listed national addiction examinations.
  4. ApplicationApply online with the fee, transcripts, the Addiction Courses Completed form, proof of hours, exam passage, and a fingerprint background check.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
SWLB

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy.

Scope: Pre-licensure registration to accrue supervised generalist (baccalaureate-level) social-work hours.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW).
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a qualified Montana-licensed supervisor and begin accruing the 500 hours required for the LBSW.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a Supervision Attestation, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check.
LBSW

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors examination.

Scope: Generalist (non-clinical) social work — case management, advocacy, intake, and referral; does not authorize independent clinical diagnosis/psychotherapy.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited BSW.
  2. Supervision / experience500 hours over a minimum of 18 months, within the last five years (ARM 24.219.504).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors examination.
  4. ApplicationApply online with transcripts, proof of hours, exam passage, and a fingerprint background check.
SWLM

Licensed Master’s Social Worker Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy.

Scope: Pre-licensure registration to accrue supervised master’s-level social-work hours.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work (MSW).
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a qualified Montana-licensed supervisor and begin accruing the 1,500 hours required for the LMSW.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a Supervision Attestation, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check.
LMSW

Licensed Master’s Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters examination.

Scope: Advanced master’s-level social work practice; broader than the LBSW but not the top clinical / independent-diagnosis tier.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited MSW.
  2. Supervision / experience1,500 hours over a minimum of 18 months, within the last five years (ARM 24.219.504).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters examination.
  4. ApplicationApply online with transcripts, proof of hours, exam passage, and a fingerprint background check.
SWLC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy.

Scope: Pre-licensure registration to accrue supervised clinical social-work hours toward the LCSW.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited master’s degree or higher in social work.
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a qualified Montana-licensed clinical supervisor and begin accruing the 3,000 hours required for the LCSW.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a Supervision Attestation, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical examination.

Scope: Independent clinical social work — diagnosis and psychotherapeutic treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited master’s degree or higher in social work.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (ARM 24.219.504).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical examination.
  4. ApplicationApply online with transcripts, proof of 3,000 hours, exam passage, and a fingerprint background check.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
MFLC

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate

Required exam: None to enter candidacy.

Scope: Pre-licensure registration to accrue supervised MFT clinical hours under an approved supervisor.
  1. EducationCACREP- or COAMFTE-accredited master’s or higher in marriage & family counseling, or another accredited master’s of at least 60 semester hours covering the six specified MFT content areas.
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a qualified Montana-licensed supervisor and begin accruing the 3,000 hours required for the LMFT.
  3. ExamNot required to begin candidacy.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a Supervision Attestation, transcripts, and a fingerprint background check.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB national MFT examination.

Scope: Independent practice of marriage and family therapy — assessment, diagnosis, and systemic/relational treatment of individuals, couples, and families.
  1. EducationCACREP/COAMFTE-accredited or equivalent master’s or higher (covering the six MFT content areas).
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of supervised work experience (ARM 24.219.704).
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB examination.
  4. ApplicationApply online with transcripts, proof of 3,000 hours, exam passage, and a fingerprint background check.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (ASPPB) plus the Montana Board of Psychologists online jurisdictional course.

Scope: Independent practice of psychology — psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Montana licenses psychologists at the doctoral level only.
  1. EducationDoctoral degree — a doctorate in clinical psychology from an APA-approved program, a non-APA doctorate plus an APA-approved retraining program, or a psychology doctorate meeting board-specified minimum standards (MCA 37-17-302(3); ARM 24.189.604).
  2. Supervision / experienceA minimum of 3,200 hours of supervised experience — up to one year may be pre-doctoral, and at least 1,600 hours must be post-doctoral (MCA 37-17-302(4); ARM 24.189.607).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP, then pass the Montana jurisdictional course.
  4. ApplicationApply online with the fee, transcripts of all graduate work, program/course descriptions, supervision documentation, and EPPP scores reported directly from ASPPB.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
ABA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination.

Scope: Bachelor’s-level (BCaBA) practice of applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst.
  1. EducationBachelor’s degree meeting BACB requirements for BCaBA certification, plus board-set coursework (MCA 37-17-403).
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised fieldwork required for BCaBA certification (administered by BACB); practice as a licensee must be under a licensed behavior analyst.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCaBA examination and hold current certification.
  4. ApplicationApply online with a BACB letter of good standing sent directly to the Board, a Montana background check, and attestation to the BACB ethics code.
BA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.

Scope: Independent practice of applied behavior analysis — assessment, behavior-change program design and implementation, and supervision of assistant behavior analysts, technicians, and student interns.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree meeting BACB requirements for BCBA certification, plus board-set coursework (MCA 37-17-403).
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised fieldwork required for BCBA certification (administered by BACB); as a licensee, statutory supervision caps apply (ARM 24.189.910).
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCBA examination and hold current certification.
  4. ApplicationApply online with the fee, an original BACB letter of good standing sent directly to the Board, a Montana background check, and attestation to the BACB ethics code.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Montana licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one Montana license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.

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