General Questions <return to menu>
1. How do I change my name on my license? Name changes must be requested in writing with documentation of the name change included (marriage license, divorce decree etc.). Physicians are required to notify the Board of a name change within 30 days. If you would like a copy of your license in your new name you must include $5 for a duplicate license.
2. I’ve moved and need to change my address. How do I do this? Please use the address change form located under the “forms” tab on this website (or notify the board in writing via fax or US mail). Licensees are required to notify the Board of an address change within 30 days.
3. What is e-Pass and how do I use it? E-Pass provides a secure avenue for licensees to renew online and pay the required fees. All on-line commerce functions for the State of Montana are now using e-Pass to provide an additional layer of security for business functions. More information on e-Pass.
4. How do I find licensee or discipline information about a licensed individual? You can go directly to the License Lookup System. This site is a primary source for verification of license credentials and provides discipline information. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division, presents this real time licensee lookup information as a service to the public. The Department of Labor and Industry makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content of this website. The Division relies upon information provided by licensees to be true and correct, as required by statute. It is an act of unprofessional conduct for a licensee knowingly to provide erroneous information to the Division. Assessing the accuracy and reliability of information obtained from this website is solely the responsibility of the user. If you have questions regarding information found within this licensee lookup website, please contact the specific licensing board directly. Please note that some disciplinary actions against licensees may not appear immediately on the website. Appeals, effective dates of orders and other administrative processes may delay posting on the website. Please contact the specific licensing board directly if you require discipline information that occurred prior to July 1, 1996.
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Acupuncturist <return to menu>
1. What are the requirements for an acupuncturist to be licensed in Montana?
a.
Must be a graduate of an acupuncture school that is approved by the National Accreditation Commission for the School and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and offers a course of at least 1,000 hours of entry-level training in recognized branches of acupuncture or an equivalent curriculum approved by the board.
b. Must be at least 18 years of age.
c. Must meet the requirements for and pass the examination prepared and administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
d. Must be of good moral character.
2. How do I reactivate an expired license?
Please contact the board office to reactivate an expired license. There is a special renewal form that will need to be completed and returned to the office. You will be required to pay the renewal fee, as well as the applicable late fee.
3. How do I obtain verification of my license?
Send in a request for verification of your license, along with a $20 check or money order to our address: Board of Medical Examiners, 301 S Park Ave 4th Floor, PO Box 200513, Helena MT 59620
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Emergency Medical Tech <return to menu>
1. What are the reciprocity requirements for Montana? Montana requires a NREMT registration equal to or greater than the level of licensure being requested in Montana.
2. Where can I get an application for licensure in Montana for EMT? You can download the application from our web site under the “Board Info.” tab, labeled EMT License. Follow the instructions on the instruction page regarding required attachments and fees.
3. Can EMT’s work in hospital emergency rooms or other medical facilities? Not as a licensed EMT. The Board has developed a policy statement on this and it can be found on our web site at the “Board Info.” tab, labeled Position Papers.
4. I’ve down loaded the EMT licensure application and the instructions say I need a verification form from every state I have had or do have a license in, does this include the National Registry? No, because you also need to provide a current NREMT card.
5. We are interested in doing an endorsement for our ambulance service, where do I find the requirements for doing an endorsement? You can find endorsement curricula, verification forms and applications on the EMT website, go to the “Lead Instructor” tab, under Endorsements.
6. My ambulance service director wants me to coordinate a EMT-Basic course, where do I find the application and what is required? All course applications can be found on our website, go to the “Education” tab, under Applications. However, in order to coordinate an initial EMT course of instruction the coordinator will need to attend a Lead Instructor Program. Attendance and successfully completion of the Lead Instructor Training Program will provide the coordinator all the necessary information to coordinate initial EMT training. The Lead Instructor must be a licensee of the Board. Scheduled Lead Instructor Training Programs can be found on the website, go to the “Lead Inst” tab, under Applications. There is no cost to attend a Lead Instructor Training Program.
7. I think being an EMT would be a great job, how does someone become one? Helping people as an EMT is a great job and very fulfilling. You’ll need to accomplish a couple of things; attend and successfully complete an EMT training course, successfully pass a written and practical examination demonstrating your knowledge and skills, and become licensed to provide care as an EMT. The first step is to find a training program that you can attend. All approved EMT training programs can be found on our website, go to the “Education” tab, under Approved Courses. The list will provide you the name and contact information for contacting the Lead Instructor of the EMT course. The course will teach what you need to know and assist you with the rest of the steps to becoming an EMT.
8. When submitting my EMT application it refers to a “Self Query”; do I have to do it and what is it? Yes you do. If you have never been licensed in Montana, you’re required to submit a Self Query with your application. The self query is a healthcare background check.
9. What if I’ve never been previously licensed, do I still need to do a Self Query? Yes, it is required of all applicants. However if you are currently licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners in Montana (at any level) you do not need either a self query , proof of age or proof of high school graduation.
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Physician <return to menu>
1. What are the requirements for a physician to be licensed in Montana?
a. Must be a graduate of a medical school approved by the American Osteopathic Association or the Council for Medical Education of the American Medical Association.
b. U.S. Graduates must complete at least 2 years post-graduate training in an approved program in the United States or Canada. (For Montana Family Residency Program see Board Statute 37-3-305(4), MCA)
c. Foreign graduates must complete at least 3 years post-graduate training in an approved program in the United States or Canada or been granted board certification by a specialty board which is approved by AMA or AOA.
d. Must have passed a licensing exam, approved by the board, with a score of at least 75% on all portions of the examinations. (Please refer to the Board statutes and rules (ARM 24.156.606) for specific information regarding examination information and limits on attempts.)
e. Must be of good moral character.
2. How do I reactivate an expired license?
Please contact the board office to reactivate an expired license. There is a special renewal form that will need to be completed and returned to the office. You will be required to pay the renewal fee, as well as the applicable late fee.
3. How do I get a verification of my MT medical license?
For verifications going to other state medical boards, please go to www.veridoc.org, which is an online service that sends verifications electronically to these boards.
Send in a request for verification of your license, along with a $20 check or money order to our address: Board of Medical Examiners, 301 S Park Ave 4th Floor, PO Box 200513, Helena MT 59620
4. How do I reactivate a terminated or retired license?
a.
A terminated license is a license that had been expired for two years. A terminated license cannot be reactivated. There must be a complete reapplication in order to once again practice in MT.(37-1-141 (8)), MCA
b.
Once a licensee renews under the retired status, the license cannot be moved to an inactive or active status. A complete reapplication must be done to practice again.(24.156.615(5)), ARM
5. Do I need to send a release to the Board so they can speak to someone about my application?
Yes. The Board will need a release with an original signature, detailing who can be briefed on the status of the application. No faxed releases or copies accepted.
6. I need to come to MT to help in a medical case. Do I need a full license?
No. We have an Occasional Case Exemption that can be used instead of applying for a license.
OCCASIONAL CASE EXEMPTION (1) The board may, in its discretion, grant an exemption to a physician who renders medical services in this state, provided that the physician:
(a) submits a written request to the board, describing the date, place, and the
scope of practice and/or the procedure to be performed, at least 15 days prior to such service;
(b) submits proof of medical licensure (active and in good standing) and
practice in another state or territory of the United States;
(c) submits the name of a physician licensed in this state who will be in
attendance and will assume continuing care for the patient; and
(d) limits the service to an occasional case.
(2) An occasional case is defined as not more than two cases per year.
(24.156.611), ARM
7. Does Montana accept the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) Profile?
Yes. We accept the FCVS profile. If you have requested this profile to be sent to us, it will replace 3 different documents required for licensure that do not need to be sent in. These documents are certification from medical school, internship and residency diplomas, and exam scores.
8. Are there CE requirements that need to be sent in to the Board?
No. The Board does not require any CE documentation to be sent into our office.
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Nutritionist <return to menu>
1. What are the requirements for a nutritionist to be licensed in Montana?
a. Must be currently registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
b. Must have graduated form an accredited college or university in the field of dietetics, food and nutrition, or public health.
2. How do I reactivate an expired license?
Please contact the board office to reactivate an expired license. There is a special renewal form that will need to be completed and returned to the office. You will be required to pay the renewal fee, as well as the applicable late fee.
3. How do I know if a procedure is within my scope of practice?
37-25-301. Scope of dietetic-nutrition practice. Only a nutritionist can provide the following services:
(1) assessing the nutrition needs of individuals and groups and determining resources and constraints in the practice setting;
(2) establishing priorities and objectives that meet nutritive needs and are consistent with available resources and constraints;
(3) providing nutrition counseling for any individual;
(4) developing, implementing, and managing nutrition care systems; and
(5) evaluating, adjusting, and maintaining appropriate standards of quality in food and nutrition services.
4. How do I get a verification of my license?
Send in a request for verification of your license, along with a $20 check or money order to our address: Board of Medical Examiners, 301 S Park Ave 4th Floor, PO Box 200513, Helena MT 59620
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Physician Assistant <return to menu>
1. What are the qualifications for a physician assistant to be licensed in Montana?
The criteria for licensing physician assistants is set forth in state law, 37-20-402, MCA. The criteria includes:
a. Good moral character
b. Is a graduate of a physician assistant training program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or, if accreditation was granted before 2001, accredited by American Medical Association's Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health education programs.
c. Has passed an examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of a Physician Assistants, Inc., (NCCPA)
d. Holds a current certificate from NCCPA
2. How long does it take to get a physician assistant license?
Upon receipt of a completed application, the application will be processed and an interview will be arranged with a board member. After the completion of an interview, the physician assistant license will be issued within ten to fourteen days. If the application is considered non-routine there may be a delay in the processing of the application. The applicant may be notified to submit additional information as required or may be required to appear before the Board for a personal interview for consideration of the application during a regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Board meets six times per year every other month beginning in the month of January.
3. How do I become licensed as a physician assistant in Montana?
An applicant for physician assistant licensure will need to submit a completed application, the $325 application fee, and a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query. Other required documentation such as state licensing verifications and the DEA Query from must be sent directly to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners from those organizations. Applicants for a physician assistant license are required to participate in a teleconference interview with a current board member.
The applicant should review the qualifications for physician assistant licensure in Montana by reviewing the state laws and regulations. A licensed physician assistant cannot practice in Montana until a supervision agreement has been approved by the Board. A supervision agreement is a written agreement between a supervising physician and a physician assistant providing for the supervision of the physician assistant.
4. How do I get a supervision agreement approved by the Board?
A physician assistant must complete and submit a supervision agreement with the $25 application fee for approval by the Board in order for the physician assistant to practice in the state. Physician assistants applying for the approval of a supervision agreement may need to complete a teleconference interview with a current board member. An interview is required if the supervising physician has never supervised a Montana licensed physician assistant.
5 . What shall I expect during the interview for licensure or the approval of a supervision agreement?
The purpose of the interview is to insure both the physician assistant and supervising physician clearly understand their roles and regulatory obligations. You should review the laws and regulations related to physician assistants prior to the interview. The interview is conducted by a Board member with the applicant and the supervising physician. The process takes 15-20 minutes and is typically conducted through a teleconference call.
6. How long will it take to receive my physician assistant license once the Board receives the completed application?
Upon receipt of a completed application the physician assistant license will be issued within ten to fourteen days.
7. Can I obtain a temporary physician assistant license?
No, Montana does not issue a temporary license for physician assistants.
8. Can a physician assistant practice independently?
No, the physician assistant has a dependent practice and must be under physician supervision. Under 37-20-101 and 37-20-403, MCA, the supervising physician is professionally and legally responsible for all care and treatment of the physician assistant's patients.
9. What are the qualifications and responsibilities for a supervising physician?
A supervising physician must be a physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy) who possesses a current, active license to practice medicine in Montana; exercises supervision over the physician assistant in accordance with statute and rules adopted by the Board; retains professional and legal responsibility for the care and treatment of patients by the physician assistant; and who agrees to a supervision agreement and a duties and delegation agreement. Refer to 37-20-101 and 37-20-401(4), MCA.
10.Can a physician assistant practice once they receive an active license in Montana?
No, in accordance with Board statues 37-20-101, 37-20-104, 37-20-301 and 37-20-401, MCA, in order to practice as a physician assistant in the state of Montana the physician assistant must possess an active physician assistant Montana license and have a current supervision agreement on file with the Board. The physician assistant and supervising physician must have a duties and delegation agreement signed and on file at their place of work, available upon request by any other person, facility and/or the Board.
11. What is the definition of Supervision Agreement?
In accordance with 37-20-401(5), MCA, a supervision agreement is a written agreement between a supervising physician and a physician assistant providing for the supervision of the physician assistant.
12. What kind of supervision is required?
A supervising physician may provide the following types of supervision to a physician assistant: direct supervision, on-site supervision or general supervision. Direct supervision means the supervisor is within technologically unassisted audible and visible reach of the person being supervised. On-site supervision means the supervisor must be in the facility and quickly available to the physician assistant. General supervision means accepting responsibility for, and overseeing the medical services of, a physician assistant by telephone, radio, or in person as frequently as necessary considering the location , nature of practice, and experience of the physician assistant.
13. Under what circumstances does a revision to the “supervision agreement” have to be submitted to the board for approval?
None, only new supervision agreements are submitted to the Board for approval. However, when a supervision agreement is terminated by either the physician or physician assistant, it is the responsibility of both the physician and physician assistant to notify the Board of the date of termination.
14. Under what circumstances is it appropriate to submit a new supervision agreement?
Prior to the physician assistant beginning practice in a new working relationship with a supervising physician.
15. Can a physician assistant practice without a supervision agreement?
No, under 37-20-104(2), MCA, prior to being issued a license and submitting a supervision agreement to the board, a physician assistant may not practice as a physician assistant in this state, even under the supervision of a licensed physician.
16. Can a physician assistant practice without a duties and delegation agreement?
No, under 37-20-301, MCA, (2) a supervising physician and the supervised physician assistant shall execute a duties and delegation agreement constituting a contract that defines the physician assistant's professional relationship with the supervising physician and the limitations on the physician assistant's practice under supervision of the supervising physician . The agreement must be kept current, by amendment or substitution, to reflect changes in the duties of each party occurring over time. The Board may, by rule, specify other requirements for the agreement.
17. What is the definition of a duties and delegation agreement?
Under 37-20-310, MCA, a duties and delegation agreement is a contract between the supervising physician and physician assistant that defines the physician assistant's professional relationship with the supervising physician and the limitations on the physician assistant's practice under the supervision of the supervising physician. The agreement must be kept current, by amendment or substitution, to reflect changes in the duties of each party occurring over time and a copy must be kept at the physician assistant's place of work. The duties and delegation agreement must be made available when requested from the board or any other individual, such as hospital, administrators, other healthcare provider and/or patient etc.
18. If a physician assistant's only supervising physician is not available, whose obligation is it to ensure that supervision is in place?
Both the supervising physician and physician assistant are obligated to ensure that there is active and continuous supervision, but do not require onsite direct supervision or the physical presence of the physician, as long as there is a means of communication available between the supervising physician and the physician assistant. However, in the event that communication is not available while the physician assistant is practicing, the supervising physician must provide for an alternate means of supervision to assist the physician assisted as needed. The physician assistant must be able to contact the physician designated as the back up physician in the absence of the supervising physician. This does not relieve the supervising physician's professional and legal responsibilities under 37-20-301(1)(b), MCA.
19. What are the qualifications for a back up physician?
A supervising physician may arrange for an alternate means of supervision in the event of the supervising physician's absence. A back up physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy) must possess a current, active license to practice medicine in Montana.
20. Does a back up physician who is covering in the absence of the supervising physician need to be approved by the Board?
No, the Board does not require back up physicians to be approved, nor does the Board need to be notified of a change in any back up physician. However, the duties and delegation agreement between the physician and physician assistant should describe the setting and continuous supervision method being utilized in their practice. (For example: On site, electronic, written instructions and/or protocols, back up supervising physician available or all of this above).
21. What is a physician assistant's scope of practice according to Montana Law?
Under 37-20-403(3), MCA, the physician assistant may diagnose, examine, and treat human conditions, ailments, diseases, injuries, or infirmities, either physical or mental, by any means, method, device, or instrumentality authorized by the supervising physician. The authorization will be delegated by the supervising physician, in writing through the duties and delegation agreement kept current and on file at the place of employment by the supervising physician and physician assistant.
22. What is the prescribing and dispensing authority for a physician assistant?
A physician assistant may prescribe, dispense, and administer drugs to the extent authorized by the supervising physician. All dispensing activities allowed by Montana law must comply with 37-2-104, MCA, and with the packaging and labeling guidelines developed by the Board of Pharmacy under Title 37, Chapter 7.
23. What is the maximum period a physician assistant is authorized to prescribe, dispense or administer of schedule II drugs listed in 50-32-224, MCA?
34 days as in 37-20-404, MCA, which has been effective since October 1, 1995.
24. Where do you find regulations for prescribing in Montana?
The Montana Board of Pharmacy Laws Title 37, Chapter 7 and Title 50 and Administrative Rules under Title 24, Chapter 174.
25. What are the potential consequences should a physician assistant violate his or her prescribing authority?
a. Termination or restriction of prescribing authority by DEA or the Board of Medical Examiners,
b. Possible disciplinary action instituted against the physician assistant's license, and
c. Possible disciplinary action instituted against the supervising physician's license.
26. What is the rule governing chart review for a physician assistant?
In accordance with Board rule, ARM, 24, 156.1623, the supervising physician shall review a minimum of 10 percent of the physician assistant charts on at least a monthly basis. Chart review for a physician assistant having less than one year of full time practice experience from the date of initial licensure must be 100 percent for the first three months of practice, and then may be reduced to not less than 25 percent for the next three months, on a monthly basis, for each supervision agreement. The supervising physician shall countersign and date all written entries that have been chart reviewed and shall document any amendments, modifications, or guidance provided. Chart review for a physician assistant who has been issued a probationary license must be 100 percent on a monthly basis, unless the Board terminates the probationary period.
27. If you become aware of another healthcare provider that may be incompetent or committing unprofessional conduct, including chemical dependency or drug diversion, what should you do?
a. You are obligated to report acts of unprofessional conduct or incompetence as defined by 37-1-316, MCA, and ARM, 24.156.1625 for physician assistants.
b. You have two options on where you can report to assist the health care provider in question with any physical or mental impairment by habitual excessive use of addictive drugs, alcohol or any other drug/substance or by mental or chronic physical illness. One option is to contact the Board office. The second option is contact the Board's impairment program, the Montana Professional Assistance Program (MPAP), directly at 406-245-4300. Your referral to MPAP may be anonymous.
c. Anyone may file a complaint or provide information to the Board office regarding unprofessional conduct or incompetence.
28. What am I obligated to report?
As stated in ARM, 24.156.1621, you must report the following:
1. A physician assistant shall report to the board within three months from the date of a final judgment, order, or agency action, all information related to malpractice, misconduct, criminal, or disciplinary action in which the physician assistant or the physician assistant's supervisor, based on the physician assistant's conduct, is a named party.
2. A physician assistant shall, within 10 days of receipt of a complaint from the Board, provide the Board with the name of the supervising physician who is responsible under the supervision agreement to which the complaint is related.
3. A physician assistant with suspected or known impairment shall self-report to the Board or the Board endorsed professional assistant program (MPAP).
4. A physician assistant is obligated to report suspected or known impairment of other health care providers to the appropriate licensing board, agency or to the endorsed professional assistance program.
The Board also requests that you report the termination of a supervision agreement and any address or name change within 30 days.
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Podiatrist <return to menu>
1. What are the requirements for a podiatrist to be licensed in Montana?
a. Must be a graduate of a school of podiatry approved by the board.
b. Must complete at least 1 year post-graduate training or have had equivalent experience or training approved by the Board (See Board Statute 37-6-3-2, MCA)
c. Must have passed an examination administered by the National Board of Podiatry Examiners and be a diplomat of the National Board of Podiatry Examiners.
d. Must have obtained a score of at least 75% on all portions of the examination.
e. Must be of good moral character.
2. How do I reactivate an expired license?
Please contact the board office to reactivate an expired license. There is a special renewal form that will need to be completed and returned to the office. You will be required to pay the renewal fee, as well as the applicable late fee.
3. What are the requirements to perform ankle surgery in Montana?
a.
Must be licensed in Montana as a podiatrist; and
Submit proof of certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in foot and ankle surgery or reconstructive rear foot/ankle surgery; or
b. Submit proof of current licensure or certification to perform ankle surgery in another state whose licensing standard at the time the license or certificate was issued was essentially equivalent, in the judgment of the board, to those of this state;
or
c.
Submit proof of completion of a podiatric surgical residency approved in the year of the candidate’s residency by the council on podiatric medical education or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery or successor(s), and submit evidence satisfactory to the board of not fewer than 25 ankle surgeries performed by the applicant and proctored by a primary surgeon of record who is an orthopedic surgeon with foot and ankle experience or a doctor of podiatric medicine with ankle surgery certification within the 5 years immediately preceding this application.
4. How do I get a verification of my MT medical license?
Send in a request for verification of your license, along with a $20 check or money order to our address: Board of Medical Examiners, 301 S Park Ave 4th Floor, PO Box 200513, Helena MT 59620
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