MontanaHB 24169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Adopt the psychology interjurisdictional compact

Sponsored By: Jodee Etchart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health Care ServicesHealthMental Illness or IncapacityProfessions and Occupations O-ZRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Telepsychology across states now allowed

You can get telepsychology from a licensed psychologist in another compact state. A psychologist may also see you in person in your state for up to 30 days each calendar year. The receiving state’s scope of practice and laws apply. The receiving state can limit or end a psychologist’s authority to practice there to protect public safety, using its due process rules.

Rules for psychologists to practice across states

To use the compact, psychologists must meet set rules. They need an approved graduate psychology degree and supervised training, a full clean home-state license, no disqualifying history, and an active E.passport. For short in-person practice in another state, they also need an active Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC). The home state must require the E.passport or IPC, have complaint and reporting systems, and add fingerprint or other biometric checks within 10 years. The home state keeps authority over the license.

Commission runs and sets compact rules

Montana joins the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. The compact creates a national commission that runs the system and makes binding rules for member states. The compact takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. States that join later must follow existing rules, and any change to the compact must be enacted by every member state. Commission members and staff are immune from civil suits for acts within their duties, except for intentional misconduct.

Fingerprint checks for license applicants

If you apply for a Montana psychologist license, you must submit full fingerprints for state and federal background checks. You pay all fees for those checks. The board may also require fingerprints when you renew. The Montana Department of Justice may share your fingerprints with the FBI.

How the commission is funded

The commission can charge annual assessments to member states or fees to others to pay for its work. A state that is terminated still owes all assessments and debts it incurred while a member. The commission does not cover a defaulting or terminated state's costs unless both sides sign a written agreement. Dollar amounts are set by commission rules, not by this law.

Compliance, disputes, and leaving the compact

The commission enforces the compact. If a state defaults, the commission gives written notice and help; if not fixed, it can vote to end that state's membership. The commission can sue a defaulting state in federal court in Georgia or where the commission is based, and the winner gets court costs and attorney fees; a defaulting state may appeal in those courts. The commission must try to resolve disputes among states and must set mediation and binding-decision rules. A state can leave the compact by repealing it, but exit takes effect six months later, and the state must still report actions that happened before leaving.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jodee Etchart
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Sara Novak
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 291 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

House vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 1/30/2025