(1) A license to practice as a direct-entry midwife in the state of Montana may be issued at the discretion of the board provided the applicant completes and files with the board an application for licensure and the required application fee. Applications for licensure from out-of-state applicants shall expire one year from the date of receipt of the application. The candidate must meet the following requirements:

(a) The candidate holds a current, valid and unrestricted license to practice as a direct-entry midwife in another state or jurisdiction, which was issued under standards equivalent to or greater than current standards in this state. Official written verification of such licensure status must be received by the board directly from the other state(s) or jurisdiction(s);

(b) The candidate shall supply a copy of a high school diploma or its equivalent, plus verification in the form of certified transcripts sent directly from an institute of higher education, or certificates of completion from other courses of study, indicating the candidate has successfully completed educational requirements in pregnancy and natural childbirth, approved by the board as per ARM 24.111.601;

(c) The candidate shall supply proof of successful completion of all parts of the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) examination with a scaled score of 75 or higher. Candidate scores on the examination must be forwarded by the exam agency directly to the board;

(d) Candidates who were licensed without sitting for the NARM examination shall supply proof of successful completion of a qualifications examination (acceptable to the board) administered by the licensing authority of the state or jurisdiction granting the license.

(e) The candidate shall supply written documentation of good moral character consisting of three letters of reference, at least one of which must be from a licensed direct-entry midwife;

(f) The candidate shall supply a copy of the laws and rules from the state of licensure, which were in effect at the time the license was granted in the other state.