How to become a Counselor in Montana

Learn how to earn your counseling licensure in MT

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Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Montana. Most requirements such as earning your Master's degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination have been and will continue to be mandatory in the Montana counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors at (406) 841-2392 to make sure you are on the right track.

I'm a High School Graduate...

At this point, you are showing a great amount of motivation by researching the counseling career as a high school graduate. Right now, you will want to carry your momentum into making one of the most important decisions you may ever make, to continue your education. Montana counseling certification requires candidates to possess a master's level of education. Therefore, a college education is a mandatory step for this career (as well as most all other professional careers).

The next step is to learn how you can enroll in an Associate's degree program or Bachelor's degree program.

Click on the links below to browse schools offering programs in psychology or counseling.

Once you have enrolled in a program, take advantage of your school's career services department and learn how you can find employment or volunteer opportunities that are related to the counseling career path.

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I've already received my Bachelor's degree...

Once you have your bachelor's degree, you will need to find a school offering a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling.

Step One:

Click on the links below to contact schools offering Master's or PhD programs in counseling or related field.

Or request information from additional Montana Counseling Schools.

Step Two:

You will need to complete 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of a graduate degree in a counseling or related field, including a 6 semester advanced counseling practicum.

Or, you may have the option to complete 45 semester or 67.5 quarter hours if you can show you have the intention to go back to school to complete the 60/90 requirement once licensed.

Step Three:

Montana counseling licensure requires you to complete 3000 hours of supervised experience. 1500 of those hours may be done pre-degree completion. Your experience supervisor must be a licensed counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.

More information on basic supervisor requirements and experience requirements for those seeking Montana counseling certification can be found on the Montana Board's website.

Step Four:

Next you will want to complete a Montana counseling license application and then send the application back to the Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors.

You may download the application from the following Montana Board's webpage. You will also need to include 3 reference letters from individuals with Master's or higher degrees in the mental health care profession.

Step Five:

After your application has been evaluated and approved by the Montana Board, you will be notified of your eligibility to sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.

You can learn more about the contents, dates, locations and registration on the NBCC website.

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