(1) A license to practice as a social worker in the state of Montana may be issued to the holder of an out-of-state social worker license at the discretion of the board, provided the applicant completes and files with the board an application for licensure and the required application fee. The candidate must meet the following requirements:

(a) The candidate holds a valid and unrestricted license to practice as a social worker in another state or jurisdiction, which was issued under standards equivalent to or greater than current standards in this state. Official written verification of such licensure status must be received by the board directly from the other state(s) or jurisdiction(s) ;

(b) The candidate holds a MSW or equivalent Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) approved degree, and shall supply a copy of the certified transcript sent directly from a college, university or institution accredited by the CSWE;

(c) The candidate shall supply proof of successful completion of the American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB) advanced or clinical examination or another board-approved licensing examination. Candidate scores on the examination must be forwarded directly to the board.

(d) (i) The candidate shall submit proof the candidate has previously completed 3000 hours of supervised social work experience as defined in 37-22-301 , MCA. The candidate may verify the experience hours by affidavit, and need not supply a supervisor's signature upon reasonable explanation of why the supervisor's signature is unavailable to the candidate; or

(ii) The candidate shall submit proof the candidate has been in continuous practice as a social worker in another jurisdiction for the two years immediately preceding the date of application in Montana.