(1) An individual seeking licensure in Montana as a licensed addiction counselor (LAC) must submit the following:

(a) a completed application;

(b) official transcripts to verify graduation and completion of the requirements of 37-35-202, MCA, and ARM 24.154.405, sent directly from the accredited college or university;

(c) specific information regarding the licensed addiction counseling qualified treatment setting satisfying ARM 24.154.413 where the supervised work experience will be completed;

(d) specific information regarding the applicant's supervisor and demonstrating the supervisor has met the qualifications listed in ARM 24.154.412, including:

(i) name and qualifications of the supervisor responsible for the supervised work experience;

(ii) verification that any and all licenses held by the supervisor in other jurisdictions are unrestricted with no pending discipline; and

(iii) proof that the supervisor has at least three years of licensed addiction counseling experience post licensure in an approved addiction counseling treatment setting;

(e) documentation, on a form approved by the board, that the applicant has satisfied the supervised experience requirements in ARM 24.154.409;

(f) the fingerprint and background check required by the board; and

(g) required application fee payment.

(2) Except as provided in (5), all supervised experience hours must be completed pursuant to ARM 24.154.409 before an individual is eligible to take the written examination.

(3) The addiction counselor written examination shall cover four content areas, including, but not limited to:

(a) pharmacology of psychoactive substances;

(b) counseling practice;

(c) theoretical based counseling; and

(d) professional issues.

(4) Applicants must receive a passing score on the Level 1 or Level 2 written examination prescribed by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission (NCC), on the Northwest Certification II, or on the Southwest Certification II. Test results are sent to the applicants and the department. Applicants receive an "overall" score for the examination and separate scores for each of the content areas. 

(5) If the applicant achieved a passing score on the NCC Level 1 or Level 2 examination, the Northwest Certification II examination, or the Southwest Certification II examination as part of the applicant's education program, the passing examination score will be accepted for licensure.

(6) Examination results are valid within four years of the date the applicant took the examination that resulted in the passing score.

(7) Applicants shall be allowed a maximum of three attempts to successfully pass the examination.

(8) After the third attempt, if the applicant has not achieved a passing score, the applicant must request in writing to the board to retake the examination. The board may require the applicant to complete a preapproved remediation plan prior to additional exam administrations.