Montana Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

1) Key Montana Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In Montana, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health oversees the licensing process for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).

These requirements include educational qualifications, supervised work experience, passing national exams, and ongoing continuing education (CE) requirements for license renewal.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Requirements:

Educational Requirements: Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited institution. The program must include at least 60 graduate semester hours.
Supervised Experience: LPC applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate, supervised counseling experience. A minimum of 1,500 of these hours must be in direct client contact, and supervision must be conducted by a licensed supervisor.
Examination: Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or an equivalent exam approved by the Board.
Application Fee: $200.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Requirements:

Educational Requirements: Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a related field) from an accredited institution. The degree program must include at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework.
Supervised Experience: LMFT candidates must complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy. At least 1,000 hours must be in direct client contact, and supervision must be provided by a licensed LMFT supervisor.
Examination: Applicants must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national examination or an equivalent exam approved by the Board.
Application Fee: $200.

Licensure Renewal Details

Licenses for both LPCs and LMFTs in Montana must be renewed every two years. The renewal process includes meeting the continuing education (CE) requirements set by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.

Renewal Period: The renewal deadline is December 31 of every even-numbered year.
Continuing Education Requirements:
- LPCs and LMFTs must complete 20 hours of CE during each renewal cycle.
- At least 3 of these hours must be in professional ethics.
Renewal Fees:
- LPC Renewal: $175
- LMFT Renewal: $175

Failure to renew by the deadline results in a late fee and potential suspension of the license.

Fees for Specific Licenses

LPC Application Fee: $200
LPC Renewal Fee: $175
LMFT Application Fee: $200
LMFT Renewal Fee: $175
Late Renewal Fee: $100
Inactive Status Fee: $100

For more detailed information on fees and license-specific details, visit the Montana Board of Behavioral Health website or refer to the official state rules and regulations.

Sources:

Montana Board of Behavioral Health – LPC Requirements
Montana Board of Behavioral Health – LMFT Requirements
Montana Code Annotated – Counselor and Therapist Licensing Rules

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Montana requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) Montana Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education (CE) is an essential component of maintaining licensure for both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Montana.

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health sets specific requirements to ensure that licensed professionals remain up-to-date with current practices, ethical guidelines, and advancements in the counseling and therapy fields.

General CE Requirements for LPCs and LMFTs

Hours Required: Both LPCs and LMFTs in Montana must complete 20 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Ethics Requirement: Out of the required 20 hours, at least 3 hours must be in professional ethics. Ethics training helps ensure that counselors and therapists adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct and client care.

Acceptable Forms of Continuing Education

Montana allows a variety of CE activities that qualify for licensure renewal. These activities can include seminars, workshops, conferences, and online courses. However, they must be offered by recognized providers to be eligible. Some examples of acceptable CE activities include:

Workshops and Conferences: Training events that are related to counseling or therapy topics, hosted by professional organizations, educational institutions, or other accredited providers.
Online and Distance Learning: Webinars or online courses from accredited organizations are acceptable. These can offer flexibility for professionals with busy schedules.
Graduate-Level Coursework: Taking relevant post-graduate courses from accredited institutions can count toward CE requirements.

Approved CE Providers

To ensure that your continuing education credits are accepted by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, CE activities must typically be sponsored by or approved by recognized entities such as:

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved
The American Counseling Association (ACA)
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Regionally accredited universities and colleges

Carrying Over CE Hours

In Montana, counselors and therapists cannot carry over unused CE hours from one renewal period to the next. Therefore, licensees must ensure they complete the full 20 hours within each two-year renewal cycle.

Documentation and Audits

Licensees must retain proof of their CE activities, such as certificates of completion, for a minimum of two years following their renewal. Although documentation does not need to be submitted with the renewal application, the Board may conduct random audits, and licensees must be prepared to provide evidence of their CE credits if selected for an audit.

Summary of CE Requirements:

Total CE Hours Required: 20 hours every two years
Ethics Requirement: 3 hours in professional ethics
Approved Providers: Must be from accredited or Board-approved organizations (e.g., NBCC, ACA, AAMFT)
Carry-Over of Hours: Not permitted
Documentation: Retain for two years; subject to audit

Staying on top of CE requirements is vital for maintaining licensure as an LPC or LMFT in Montana. By ensuring you complete the necessary training and courses from approved providers, you can avoid issues during the renewal process and continue practicing without interruption.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Montana Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEs, with over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

3. FAQs – Montana Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I do not complete the required 20 hours of continuing education before my license renewal in Montana?

A: If you fail to complete the required 20 hours of continuing education (CE) before the renewal deadline, you risk having your license suspended or placed in an inactive status. Additionally, the Montana Board of Behavioral Health may impose penalties, such as late fees, or require you to complete the missing CE hours before reinstating your license.

It’s crucial to meet the CE requirements, including the 3 hours of ethics training, by the December 31 deadline of even-numbered years to avoid disruptions in your ability to practice.

Q: Can I complete all of my continuing education requirements online, or do I need to attend in-person training?

A: Yes, you can complete your continuing education (CE) requirements through online or distance learning, as long as the courses are offered by accredited or Board-approved providers such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), or regionally accredited institutions.

Online CE courses provide flexibility and convenience, especially for busy professionals, but it’s essential to ensure that the provider is recognized by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.

Q: What documentation do I need to keep after completing my continuing education, and how long should I retain it?

A: After completing your continuing education (CE) activities, you should retain certificates of completion or other forms of documentation (such as transcripts or verification forms) for at least two years after your license renewal.

While you don’t need to submit these documents during the renewal process, the Montana Board of Behavioral Health conducts random audits, and if selected, you must provide proof that you met the CE requirements. It’s a good practice to keep organized records to avoid any complications in the event of an audit.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet Montana Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.

4) Conclusion

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Montana Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements