Montana
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Gain the Required Clinical Social Work Experience
- In Montana, you can begin to accrue work hours right after you graduate with your MSW
- Acquire 3,000 hours of post-graduate, supervised psychotherapy in no less than 2 consecutive years. Including:
- 1,500 hours must be direct client contact
- 50 hours of direct supervision by an LCSW
- Supervisors must have a valid state license as social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist
- Supervisors must also have 3 years of post-licensure experience in a clinical setting OR training in supervision. This training must be Board-approved and meet other Board requirements.
- During your two-year experience, your supervisor must complete a social work supervisory report form documenting each session of supervision, and a social work supervision summary form. These both can be found in the application packet.
Step 3: Complete the Montana LCSW State Application
- Once you’ve completed your hours, go to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health’s website, create an account, and complete the application. This includes:
- $200 application fee
- Official transcript from your accredited school sent directly to the Board office
- 2 professional references from an LCSW, a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, and a letter of reference from your clinical work experience supervisor. Letters must be sent directly to the Board office.
- Social Work Supervisory Report Form
- Social Work Supervision Summary Form
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam with TDC!
- Register for your Clinical exam with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), $260 registration fee
- Then, contact Pearson VUE to schedule your exam
- Finally, study with TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level program to pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in MT have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Each year
- Total Hours Required: 20 hours
- Must include:
- 2 hours Suicide Prevention
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a Marriage & Family Therapist
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
- Master’s in MFT or related field from COAMFTE- or Board-approved school
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience
- 1,000 hours must be face-to-face client contact, half of which must be with couples and families
- Up to 500 hours may be accumulated while in graduate training
- 200 hours of direct supervision, of which 75% must be individual
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep course and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for Full LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- Submit AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $200
Continuing Education Requirements
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 32 hours
- Must include:
- 4 hours ethics
- 20 hours self-study are allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
