Frequently Asked Questions

Before I apply, can you tell me if I qualify?
We can give you general information about qualifications but can't review your specific circumstances unless you apply and pay the nonrefundable fees.

Note that criminal history and previous discipline don't necessarily disqualify you. 

Can I practice by telehealth?
Yes, per Montana Code Annotated 37-2-305, so long as the client is physically located in Montana at the time of service. 

Can you help me with billing or insurance questions?
No. For these questions, try asking the insurance company, the Department of Public Health and Human Services, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Can you help me with legal questions?
We can give you general information about statutes, rules, and legal procedures, but we can't advise you on your specific circumstances. For that, you must use your own attorney.

Can you help me with starting my own practice or business?
No. For these questions, try asking the office of the Secretary of State or the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Do I need a license if either I or my client is temporarily in Montana?
It depends.
If, while you are in Montana, you perform services for clients who are not in Montana at the time of service, you don't need a Montana license.
If, regardless of where you are located, your clients are located in Montana at the time of service, you do need a Montana license (or compact privilege), with some exceptions:

Per Montana Code Annotated 37-1-144(5) (for all license types): "On registration with the department, individuals actively licensed in good standing in another state may practice in Montana up to 21 days in a calendar year without licensure in this state to provide education, continuity of treatment, treatment to underserved populations, or highly specialized treatment care to clients or patients. For the purposes of this section, good standing includes verification of licensure in another state and any applicable disciplinary data bank."

Per Montana Code Annotated 37-15-103(5) (for speech-language pathology and audiology): "...this chapter does not restrict a person from another state from offering speech-language pathology or audiology services in this state if the services are performed for not more than 5 days in any calendar year and if the services are performed in cooperation with a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under this chapter."

Per the federal Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (United States Code, Title 15, Section 8601), out-of-state "sports medicine professionals" do not need a Montana license if you are licensed in your primary state and performing services "pursuant to a written agreement with an athlete, an athletic team, a national governing body, a high school, or an institution of higher education"—provided you have medical professional liability insurance and practice within the scope both of your primary state and Montana. In this case, any services provided are regarded as if they had been performed in your primary state.

Do I need a license if I'm an association member?
Yes. Professional licensure and association membership are two different things.

Do you perform primary source verification of applicants' credentials?

Yes. See the "License Information" menu.

How can I get a mailing list of licensees?
Select the "Additional License Information" menu then "Licensee Mailing Lists".
Or, log in to the Citizen Portal and select "Licensee Information" then "Licensee Mailing List".

Note: You might need to be logged out of your Citizen Portal account for this service to work.

How do compact privileges work?
A "compact" is an agreement between multiple states to allow practitioners in those states to practice in other member states by purchasing "privileges" rather than by obtaining a "license". A privilege grants exactly the same authority as a license but is purchased and renewed through the compact rather than the state. A person must be licensed in their home state in order to purchase privileges for other states. Privileges expire and renew on the same schedule as the home state license.

Montana is a member of these compacts:

• Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact)
• Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC)
• Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact)

However, compact privileges are not yet available for occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, or audiology because the FBI hasn't authorized Montana to run fingerprint background checks for these license types yet. This is an issue affecting many states, and Montana continues to pursue authorization. Federal legislation called the SHARE Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in an attempt to solve this issue.

How do I apply for a license?
Select the "Apply for a License" button—or log in to the Citizen Portal—and select "Start a New License Application" then "New Health Care License".

How do I become a board member?
Board members are appointed by the governor. Apply here.

How do I change my address?
Log in to the Citizen Portal and select "Home" then "Update your account or contact information".

How do I change my name?
Email your request and one form of proof (such as a marriage certificate) to dlibsdhelp@mt.gov.

How do I contact staff or the board?
Use the contact information in the website's footer.

How do I get an endorsement on my license?
Log in to the Citizen Portal, select "Print, Update, or Renew your License", find your license number, and select "All Other Options".

How do I get on the interested parties notification list?
Add (or remove) yourself here.

How do I renew my license?
Select the "Renew License" button—or log in to the Citizen Portal—then select "Print, Update, or Renew your License", find your license number, and select "Renew".

How do I replace a lost license?
Email your request to dlibsdhelp@mt.gov, or call customer service at (406) 444-6880.

How do I take the test or request my exam scores?
For licensure exams, contact the authority who administers that exam. To determine who to contact, select the "License Information" menu and see the licensure checklist.

For the Physical Therapy Compact jurisprudence exam, log in to the Citizen Portal and select "Start a New License Application" then "New Health Care License". The board is "Physical, Rehabilitative, Developmental". The test is graded automatically. If you fail, simply repeat the above process until you pass. For study materials, select the "Regulations" menu then "Administrative Rules" and "Statutes". Once you pass, you can purchase your compact privilege at ptcompact.org. 

How do I verify a license or look up discipline?
Select the "Additional License Information" menu then "Lookup Licensed Individual" to access the Licensee Lookup System.

I haven't heard back. Should I keep trying?
Yes. While we try to respond promptly, sometimes things get missed, so feel free to check again.

What are the licensure qualifications?
Select the "License Information" menu and see the licensure checklist.

What continuing education do I need?
See the "License Information" menu.

What is administrative suspension?
If your license is administratively suspended, it means you can't practice until certain administrative problems are resolved—namely if you fail or don't respond to an audit, if we receive a notice of insufficient funds when you try to pay a fee or fine, if we have reasonable grounds to believe you weren't qualified to obtain your license, or if you fail to comply with disciplinary orders.

When does my license expire?
See the "License Information" menu for renewal dates.

For your specific expiration date, select the "Additional License Information" menu then "Lookup Licensed Individual" to access the Licensee Lookup System.

 Where can I find the board's regulations?
Select the "Regulations" menu then "Administrative Rules" and "Statutes".