(1) Eligible counselors must complete the supervised work experience before the date of the oral case interview. The written case history, which is required to be submitted to the certification program 30 days prior to the examination date, may be sent before completing the work experience as long as it will be completed before the date of the examination.

(2) Applicants must successfully pass an oral examination in addition to the written examination. The procedure for oral examinations shall include:

(a) applicants will receive a copy of the applicant's guide to the oral case presentation with notification the application for certification has been accepted;

(b) a written case history is prepared according to the prescribed format and submitted to the certification program along with the nonrefundable examination fee;

(c) the case history will be reviewed by the program manager to ensure the case conforms to the prescribed format and provides the necessary information;

(d) after the case history is accepted, an oral examination will be scheduled with the applicant. The date, time and location of the examination will be provided in writing. Three examiners will conduct the examination, which will require a maximum of two hours;

(e) in order to pass the oral case presentation examination, the applicant must get a passing score on every counselor skill group from a majority (at least two) of the examiners;

(f) applicants will be notified of the results of the examination in writing within 30 days;

(g) applicants will be permitted three opportunities to pass the oral case presentation. A new cover sheet must be completed and submitted with all copies of the written case history.

(3) The examiners shall be Montana certified counselors, with at least three year's experience - post certification - in a chemical dependency treatment setting, who have completed the department examiner training.