(1) A license to practice as a licensed professional counselor in Montana may be issued to the holder of an out-of-state licensed professional counselor or equivalent license at the discretion of the board, provided the applicant completes and files with the board an application for licensure and the required application fee. The candidate must meet the following requirements:

(a) The candidate holds a valid and unrestricted license to practice as a licensed professional counselor or equivalent in another state or jurisdiction, which was issued under standards substantially 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 holds a graduate degree, which meets the requirements of 37-23-202, MCA, and shall supply a copy of the certified transcript sent directly from an accredited college, university, or institution, and shall complete the degree summary sheet provided by the board.

(c) The candidate shall supply proof of successful completion of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another board-approved licensing examination. Candidate scores on the examination must be forwarded directly to the board.

(d) The candidate shall submit proof of completion of 3000 hours of supervised counseling practice as defined in 37-23-202, MCA. The candidate may verify the experience hours by affidavit, and need not supply a supervisor's signature upon reasonable explanation of why the supervisor's signature is unavailable to the candidate.

(e) The candidate shall submit proof of continuous practice as a licensed professional counselor or equivalent in another jurisdiction for the two years immediately preceding the date of application in Montana.

(f) The candidate shall answer questions about the applicant's character and fitness to practice on a form prescribed by the board, and the candidate shall provide all information required by the board in response to these questions.

(2) All candidates must submit the fingerprint and background checks required by the board.