# Psychologist Licensure Requirements in Montana

**Author:** Psych Degree Starter Editorial Team
**Published:** January 22, 2026
**Updated:** January 22, 2026

---

Psychologist licensure in Montana requires doctoral-level education, supervised experience, and examination. School psychologist certification is administered separately for educational settings. 
  
 ## **Primary Licensing Authority**  
  
 The [Montana Board of Psychologists] (https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/psychologists/) , under the Business Standards Division (BSD), is responsible for psychologist licensure in Montana. 
  
 ## **Licensed Psychologist Requirements**  
  
 ### **Education Requirements**  
    
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or a doctoral degree in psychology that includes appropriate retraining or equivalent coursework approved by the Board.
    
- Doctoral programs are typically expected to be APA-accredited or equivalent.
    
- Continuing education is required for renewal, including training in ethics and suicide prevention. The specific hour total is outlined in Board rule.
    
 ### **Supervised Experience Requirements**  
    
- Applicants must complete a minimum of two years of supervised professional experience in psychology.
  
-- One year must be post-doctoral and may include no more than six months of supervised teaching or research.
    
-- The Board’s licensing checklist specifies approximately 3,200 total hours, with at least 1,600 hours post-doctoral.
      
 ### **Examination Requirements**  
    
- Applicants must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
    
- A jurisprudence examination covering Montana laws and ethical standards is also required.
    
 ### **Recognized Specializations**  
    
- Licensure applies broadly to psychology practice.
    
- Doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology are recognized; specialization titles are not separately issued.
    
 ### **Master’s-Level Licensure**  
    
- The Montana Board of Psychologists does not offer an independent master’s-level psychology license.
    
- Licensure as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree.
    
 ## **Other Psychology Licenses in Montana**  
  
 ### **School Psychologist**  
  
 School-based certification is managed by the [Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI)] (https://opi.mt.gov/) . 
  
 #### **Credentialing Requirements**  
    
- Hold a specialist-level or doctoral degree in school psychology from a regionally accredited or NASP-approved program.
    
- Complete a 1,200-hour supervised internship, with at least 600 hours in a school setting.
    
- Pass the Praxis School Psychologist (5403) examination.
    
- Undergo a fingerprint-based background check through the Montana Department of Justice.
    
- Requirements are set forth in Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) 10.57.414.
    
 #### **Scope of Practice**  
    
- School psychologists certified by OPI may provide psychological and educational services within K–12 educational settings, including:
  
-- Psychological and psychoeducational evaluations
    
-- Counseling, consultation, and intervention services
    
-- Participation in special education evaluations and IEP processes
    
-- Support for behavioral, academic, and mental health interventions
    
-- Crisis prevention and response activities
      
- This credential authorizes practice only in educational environments.
    
- Independent clinical or private practice requires a separate license from the Montana Board of Psychologists under Title 37, Chapter 17 MCA.
    
 ## **Scope of Practice Considerations**  
    
- Psychologists licensed by the Board may practice independently within the scope of their training and education.
    
- School psychologists certified by OPI may practice only within educational environments.
    
- Independent practice outside schools requires licensure from the Montana Board of Psychologists.
    
 ## **PSYPACT Status in Montana**  
  
 Montana is a **participating PSYPACT state** . [PSYPACT] (https://psypact.gov/)  is an interstate compact that allows licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychological services across state lines among participating states.
 
  
 ## **Key Takeaways**  
    
- Montana psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree, two years of supervised professional experience, and passage of the EPPP and a jurisprudence examination.
    
- Continuing education, including ethics and suicide prevention, is required for license renewal.
    
- School psychologist certification is managed separately by the Office of Public Instruction and is limited to educational settings.
    
- Montana participates in PSYPACT, permitting eligible psychologists to provide services across state lines under the Compact.
    
- The Montana Board of Psychologists and the Office of Public Instruction are the authorities for psychologist and school psychologist credentialing. Consult these agencies for current requirements.    
 **Important Note:**  Licensure requirements can change over time and may vary based on individual circumstances. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and current information, prospective psychologists should always consult the appropriate state licensing board and education agency for the most up-to-date licensure and certification requirements.