What sized motor are we talking about here?
Until you get into large industrial motors, overload protection is usually built into the motor from what I have seen. Then you are really just talking about the branch circuit O/C device to give you short circuit/GF protection. As long as that is selected per 430.52 (generally 250% of FLA up to the next standard breaker) you should be good to go. Fractional HP motors are usually listed for 15 or 20a circuits and usually have internal O/L protection.
The labeling of the motor is the key indicator and replacements might create a troubling situation but we have to inspect what is there.
I would use figure 430.1 and verify that every step was satisfied in one way or another (understanding there may not be a feeder or secondary controller or resistor).
A packaged motor starter properly sized to the motor makes it easy but it is not the only way to comply.
Motors are really the most interesting part of the code as far as all the different situations that might arise. It ranges all the way from a big factory with hundreds of motors the size of small cars to plugging in your blender to make a frozen margurita. It may take different forms but
figure 430.1 applies to all of them.
