MontanaSB 27969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Adopt the dietitian licensure compact

Sponsored By: Wendy McKamey (Republican)

Became Law

Professions and Occupations GenerallyRule MakingInterstate Cooperation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Discipline and penalties across states

If your home-state license is encumbered, your compact privileges in all other states are revoked until it is cleared. To restore privileges, your home state must certify your license is unencumbered and you must complete reapplication steps. Remote states can discipline your compact privilege and issue subpoenas that other member states enforce; the issuer pays required witness and travel costs. Only your home state can act on your home license, must treat other states’ reports like local ones, and must finish any open investigations if you change home states. A state may make a licensee pay investigation and discipline costs if state law allows. States may use non-disciplinary programs like monitoring or remediation instead of formal discipline.

Multi-state practice for dietitians

Montana joins the Dietitian Licensure Compact. If you meet set rules, you can get a compact privilege to practice in other member states. You must have a current registered dietitian registration or qualifying degree, complete at least 1,000 supervised hours, and pass an approved national exam taken within 5 years of initial licensure with continuous licensure. You need an unencumbered home-state license, must notify the commission, meet any remote-state law test, pay fees, and report any nonmember-state discipline within 30 days. Initial compact applicants give fingerprints for FBI and state checks, and changing your home state also requires a new application, fees, and fingerprint checks. Your compact privilege lasts until your home license expires and renews with it, and only your home state’s continuing education rules apply. A nonresident single-state license does not give compact privileges. If you move into or out of a compact state, the new state’s normal licensing rules apply. Active-duty military members and spouses may keep a chosen home state license during active service. The compact operates once seven states enact it.

Fingerprint checks and fees in Montana

Montana dietitian license applicants must submit fingerprints for state and federal background checks. Applicants pay all fees. The board may also require fingerprints at renewal. The Department of Justice may share fingerprint data with the FBI.

How the compact is run

The commission can make rules after public notice and hearings, and can adopt emergency rules. It oversees compliance, can mediate disputes, and may sue or terminate a state that fails to comply. New members must already license dietitians and have a complaint system. The compact starts when seven states enact it. A state can withdraw after 180 days and must keep recognizing compact privileges for at least 180 days; terminated states must also recognize privileges for a set period and remain liable for prior obligations. In Montana, the Department of Labor and Industry must notify the code commissioner within 15 days after the seventh state enacts the compact.

Shared license data and privacy

The compact commission runs a shared data system and gives each compact applicant a unique ID. Member states must use the system and send a standard set of data, including IDs, license status, discipline, denials, significant investigations, and alternative program dates. States must promptly report adverse actions, and certified data-system records are admissible in hearings. Only states can view current significant investigative details; states may mark some data as not public, and expunged records must be removed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Wendy McKamey
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Terry Nelson
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 283 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 95 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 45 • No: 5

Senate vote • 2/26/2025