Mental Health Professional Person Information and Application Forms

A Mental Health Professional Person (MHPP) is a licensed professional who is authorized to carry out specific legal and clinical responsibilities for individuals with a severe mental illness in Montana. MHPPs play a key role in protecting individual rights and supporting appropriate treatment decisions within the state’s mental health system.

MHPPs may approve voluntary admissions to mental health facilities, participate in court-ordered commitments and recommitment, concur in emergency detentions, and request discharge, conditional release, alternative treatment, or readmission to the Montana State Hospital when appropriate. MHPPs also review summaries of extraordinary incidents involving patients and may supervise approved training programs and clinical competency evaluations.

Individuals who may qualify as an MHPP include licensed medical doctors, psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurses, psychologists, psychiatric physician assistants, and other licensed mental health professionals who meet certification requirements. Certification is governed by Administrative Rule – Chapter 91 and Montana Statute – Title 53, Chapter 21. Applicants must complete a formal application, meet minimum training and experience standards, and pass a proctored examination with a score of 90 percent or higher. MHPP certification must be renewed every three years.