MontanaHB 43869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Establishing a board of physical, rehabilitative, and developmental healthcare professionals

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New licensing rules for athletic trainers

Beginning January 1, 2026, athletic trainer applicants must apply, take the required exam, and pay board-set fees. You must have at least a bachelor's degree from an approved program and two letters from clinical supervisors. You must disclose any criminal convictions or discipline. The board may issue a 90-day temporary license while it decides. If you have a valid out-of-state license with equal standards or a recognized certification, you may skip the exam.

New state board oversees therapy professions

The law creates a single state board on January 1, 2026. It sits in the Department of Labor and Industry. The board has 12 members, with practitioners from each field and one public member. It licenses and disciplines athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and their assistants. The board sets licensure rules and fees for applications, exams, new licenses, and renewals. Older separate boards are repealed, and legal references now point to the new board. The law updates practice and assistant definitions, including telehealth and hearing aid terms, under board rules. State code is updated to place these rules in Titles 2 and 37.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Josh Kassmier
Republican • Senate
Sara Novak
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 291 • No: 5

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 3

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 2

House vote • 2/20/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2025