37-38-202. Certificate requirements -- supervision -- fees. (1) A person may apply for certification as a behavioral health peer support specialist if the person has attested to the fact that the person:

(a) has been diagnosed by a mental health professional as having a behavioral health disorder;

(b) has received treatment; and

(c) is in recovery, as defined by the board by rule, from a behavioral health disorder.

(2) An applicant shall submit a written application on a form provided by the board and an application fee prescribed by the board. A person must be recertified annually using a process specified by the board by rule, including payment of a fee prescribed by the board.

(3) An applicant must have:

(a) successfully completed a training course in behavioral health peer support, as defined by the board by rule, which must include a module in ethics; and

(b) verified the applicant's ability to perform all essential functions of the certified peer support role through the application and certification process provided for by the board.

(4) As a prerequisite to the issuance of a certificate, the board shall require the applicant to submit fingerprints for the purpose of fingerprint background checks by the Montana department of justice and the federal bureau of investigation as provided in 37-1-307.

(5) Pursuant to 37-1-203, an applicant who has a history of criminal convictions has the opportunity to demonstrate to the board that the applicant is sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust. The board may deny the license if it determines that the applicant is not sufficiently rehabilitated.

(6) Supervision of a certified behavioral health peer support specialist must be provided by a competent mental health professional. The amount, duration, and scope of supervision may vary depending on the demonstrated competency and experience of the peer support specialist, as well as the service mix. Supervision may range from direct oversight to periodic care consultation. The board may create guidelines for supervision but must allow for flexibility in the provision of peer support services.

(7) In selecting approved training courses as required in subsection (3), the board shall provide as much flexibility and inclusivity as possible to applicants. The board shall review existing training materials from national, regional, and state agencies and organizations, including existing Montana-based peer support providers, that adequately address the essential functions of the certified peer support role and shall include those materials as possible. The board may not exclude a training course from the list of approved courses solely because the training course was created by or is provided by a faith-based or culturally based entity, association, tribe, church, or educational institution.