Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 37. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS

CHAPTER 17. PSYCHOLOGISTS

Part 1. General

Definitions

37-17-102. Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Accredited college or university" means a college or university accredited by the regional accrediting association for institutions of higher learning, such as the northwest commission on colleges and universities.

(2) "Board" means the board of psychologists provided for in 2-15-1741.

(3) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 17.

(4) (a) "Practice of psychology" means the observation, description, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and improving interpersonal relations, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, and mental health.

(b) The practice of psychology includes but is not limited to psychological testing and evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders or disabilities, chemical dependency, substance abuse, and the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation.

(5) A person represents to the public that the person is a "psychologist" when the person uses a title or description of services incorporating the words "psychologist", "psychological", "psychologic", or "psychology" and offers to render or renders psychological services described in subsection (4) to individuals, groups, corporations, or the public, whether or not the person does so for compensation or fee.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 73, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 312, Ch. 350, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 66-3202; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 22, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 274, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 324, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 347, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 18, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 126, Ch. 483, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 2, L. 2009.