Montana Code 37-39-308. Social work license required — qualifications
37-39-308. Social work license required — qualifications. (1) A person may not practice social work unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter.
Terms Used In Montana Code 37-39-308
- 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
- Baccalaureate social work: means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 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
- Clinical social work: means the application of professional social work knowledge, skills, and values in the differential diagnosis and treatment of psychosocial function, disability, or impairment, including emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders and the perception of chronic pain. See Montana Code 37-39-102
- Licensee: means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice social work, clinical professional counseling, addiction counseling, or marriage and family therapy or certified to provide behavioral health peer support. 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
- Social work: means the professional practice directed toward helping people achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments. See Montana Code 37-39-102
(2)Except as provided in subsection (6), an applicant for a clinical social work license must have:
(a)completed a master’s or doctoral degree in social work from an approved program;
(b)successfully completed 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice; and
(c)passed an approved examination.
(3)Except as provided in subsection (8), an applicant for a master’s social work license must have:
(a)completed a master’s degree in an approved program;
(b)successfully completed the required hours of supervised social work practice as determined by board rule; and
(c)passed an approved examination.
(4)Except as provided in subsection (8), an applicant for a baccalaureate social work license must have:
(a)completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from an approved program;
(b)successfully completed the required hours of supervised social work practice as determined by board rule; and
(c)passed an approved examination.
(5)A clinical social work licensee may engage in the independent practice of social work as defined in board rule.
(6)An applicant for a clinical social work license who has not completed the degree requirements of subsection (2)(a) may be licensed if the applicant meets requirements established by the board by rule for additional postdegree social work experience equivalent to the provisions of subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b).
(7)The supervised social work practice required by this section must be completed as provided in 37-39-307 and as prescribed by the board by rule.
(8)An individual who as of January 1, 2020, has the education required in subsection (3) or (4) and has engaged in the practice of social work for at least 4,000 hours aggregate during the period of January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2023, may apply for licensure as a baccalaureate or master’s social worker without examination, without registering as a licensed social worker candidate, and without meeting the required supervised hours pursuant to subsection (3) or (4). To be eligible for licensure under this subsection, an individual shall demonstrate these requirements to the board on or before December 31, 2024.