24.189.648    POSTDOCTORAL SUPERVISION

(1) Postdoctoral supervisee licenses expire upon conclusion of the approved postdoctoral supervision unless the licensee completes the application process and obtains a full psychologist license. 

(2) Supervised experience must occur over two calendar years (3200 hours minimum) as follows:

(a) one year may be predoctoral, occurring after the master's degree and during an American Psychology Association (APA) approved or substantially equivalent internship for a psychology doctoral degree; and

(b) one year (1600 hours minimum) must be postdoctoral occurring after completion of doctoral degree requirements.  The board must approve the extension of supervised experience beyond 12 consecutive months.

(3) Postdoctoral supervision requirements are:

(a) at least one hour in-person or approved telehealth supervision each week;

(b) the supervisee providing direct clinical services at least 25 percent of the time;

(c) at least one other licensed mental health professional, in addition to the supervisor, participating in the supervisee's training and on-site when the supervisor is not; and

(d) supervision by a psychologist with:

(i) a minimum of three years licensure prior to supervising; and

(ii) previous supervisor training and/or experience;

(A) at least equivalent to Montana's requirements; and

(B) in the skills and knowledge in which the applicant is engaged.

(4) Satisfactory postdoctoral experience applies the skills, concepts, and principles gained during the formal professional education and includes:

(a) administering and interpreting psychological tests and helping solve professional or personal problems for no less than 25 percent of one year (400 hours minimum);

(b) supervising graduate-level practicum for no more than 25 percent of one year (400 hours maximum); and

(c) designing original research projects, analyzing and reporting research data, and teaching one or more psychology courses for no more than 50 percent of one year (800 hours maximum).

(5) Unacceptable supervised experience occurring without the board's preapproval and outside the exempted activities of 37-17-104, MCA, is unlicensed practice.  Unacceptable experience also includes:

(a) repetitious and routine tasks, e.g., administering and scoring structured tests, computing statistics, assisting psychology course instructors, or personal therapy; and

(b) experience gained prior to completing all requirements for a psychology master's degree or equivalent.

(6) Individual solo private practice does not qualify as acceptable professional experience. The supervisee must be an employee of the postdoctoral training setting and shall not bill independently for services provided.

(7) Credit for part-time supervisee employment will be prorated.

(8) Supervisors are not required to work at or be employed by the entity employing the supervisee but must:

(a) be available for emergency supervision;

(b) provide emergency consultation and intervention to the supervisee's clients;

(c) interrupt or terminate the supervisee's activities when needed to ensure adequate skill development and the public's protection;

(d) report supervisee breaches in ethical, legal, or professional responsibilities to the board; and

(e) develop with the supervisee a written individualized training plan that:

(i) specifies all roles, goals, and objectives;

(ii) is consistent with the purpose of the setting;

(iii) meets the supervisee's needs; and

(iv) serves as the foundation for quarterly evaluations that:

(A) address professional and ethical conduct, psychotherapy and evaluation skills, and other conduct, knowledge, and skills applicable to tasks performed and training received;

(B) are reviewed with the supervisee and signed by both supervisor and supervisee; and

(C) are maintained for a minimum of five years.

History: 37-1-131, 37-17-202, MCA; IMP, 37-1-131, 37-17-302, 37-17-320, MCA; NEW, 2023 MAR p. 1749, Eff. 12/9/23.