Provide for standardization of substantial equivalency determinations in professional licensing

Added 'substantial equivalency' definition to clarify that education, examination, and experience requirements from other jurisdictions are compared without regard to the sequence in which they were attained.

Modified licensure by endorsement requirements to clarify that boards must determine if out-of-state qualifications are substantially equivalent to Montana standards before issuing licenses without examination.

Removed duplicate subsections related to equivalency and reciprocity that appeared in multiple sections of the Montana Code Annotated.

Clarified that for department-regulated professions, the department determines substantial equivalency, while for board-regulated professions, the board makes this determination.

Added provisions allowing boards to summarily suspend licenses if applicants falsely claim verification from other states regarding their licensure status.

Bill identifier changed from LC0218 to HB 246 in the header and page footers.

Sponsor names E. Buttre and L. Jones were added to the bill introduction line.