37-35-201. License required -- exceptions. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person may not practice addiction counseling or represent to the public that the person is a licensed addiction counselor unless the person is licensed under the provisions of this chapter.

(2) This chapter does not prohibit an activity or service:

(a) performed by a qualified member of a profession, such as a physician, lawyer, licensed professional counselor, licensed social worker, licensed psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, nurse, probation officer, court employee, pastoral counselor, or school counselor, consistent with the person's licensure or certification and the code of ethics of the person's profession, as long as the person does not represent by title that the person is a licensed addiction counselor. If a person is a qualified member of a profession that is not licensed or certified or for which there is no applicable code of ethics, this section does not prohibit an activity or service of the profession as long as the person does not represent by title that the person is a licensed addiction counselor.

(b) of, or use of an official title by, a person employed or acting as a volunteer for a federal, state, county, or municipal agency or an educational, research, or charitable institution if that activity or service or use of that title is a part of the duties of the office or position;

(c) of an employee of a business establishment performed solely for the benefit of the establishment's employees;

(d) of a student in addiction counseling who is pursuing a course of study at an accredited college or university or who is working in a generally recognized training center if the activity or service constitutes part of the course of study;

(e) of a person who is registered as an addiction counselor licensure candidate; or

(f) of a person who is not a resident of this state if the activity or service is rendered for a period that does not exceed, in the aggregate, 60 days during a calendar year and if the person is authorized under the laws of the state or country of residence to perform the activity or service. However, the person shall report to the board the nature and extent of the activity or service if it exceeds 10 days in a calendar year.

(3) This chapter is not intended to limit, preclude, or interfere with the practice of other persons and health care providers licensed by the appropriate agencies of the state of Montana.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 507, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 23, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 109, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 288, L. 2015.