Welcome to the Board of Behavioral Sciences

Right Column

Experts Wanted

Expert Witness Recruitment

The Board is recruiting Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Educational Psychologists statewide to serve as expert witnesses for the Board’s enforcement program. An expert witness is any individual possessing appropriate technical or professional knowledge gained through advanced education or extensive work experience that enables the individual to form a definite opinion in the area of the standard of care for the profession.

An expert witness must meet the following qualifications:

  • A current MFT, LCSW or LEP license, in good standing; no prior or pending disciplinary action; no pending investigations;
  • A minimum of five years post-licensure practice;
  • Consistent, ongoing, face-to-face client contact, a minimum of 10 hours per week;
  • Current working knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations governing the practice which the expert witness is licensed to perform;
  • Strong writing skills, and the ability to express ideas logically and critically; and,
  • Willingness to serve as an expert witness for three consecutive years.

Licensees interested in serving the Board as an expert witness are encouraged to contact the Board’s Enforcement Unit at (916) 574-7868.

Examination Development - (Subject Matter Experts)

The Board of Behavioral Sciences is recruiting licensees to serve as Subject Matter Experts to participate in written examination development workshops.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEPs), and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) licensees are encouraged to participate in developing and maintaining the licensing examinations by serving as Subject Matter Experts. Such examinations could not exist without qualified licensees willing to assist with this important responsibility.

New licensees (5 years or less) are encouraged to apply, as your input is needed to maintain standards at entry level.

Workshops are conducted throughout the year in Sacramento. Types of workshops include item (question) writing and review, passing score setting, clinical vignette writing and review, and examination construction.

The fee paid to subject matter experts varies depending on the length and complexity of the workshop ($200 - $300 per day). Subject matter experts will also receive 8 continuing education units for each day of participation. Workshops last from one to three days, and are normally conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Participants who travel 50 miles or more each way to workshops are reimbursed for travel expenses. Hotel and airfare are typically prepaid by the board.

To qualify to serve as a Subject Matter Expert, a licensee MUST:

  1. As an MFT: Possess a degree title name in Section 4980.40(a) of the Business and Professions Code;
  2. As an LCSW: Possess a degree from an accredited school of social work;
  3. As an LEP: There is no specific degree requirement;
  4. Possess a license which is current and not under suspension or probation;
  5. Perform twenty to forty hours of training, supervision, education or clinical experience with a minimum of ten hours face-to-face counseling hours per week. For LEPs: Be currently practicing as an LEP;
  6. Agree to not participate in any examination coaching or preparation activities as stated in the agreement signed with the Board upon participation in examination development activities.

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in serving;

Please complete and submit a Subject Matter Expert application with your resume to the Board. Upon approval, you would be sent a list of workshops to return, indicating your availability to participate. Contact the Board's Examination Unit to obtain an application or you may download the applicable application below.

If you would like more information before applying, please contact Sandra Wright at (916) 574-7860.

Updated: May 31, 2007