Path 1A - LPCC Application Requirements for California LCSWs and LMFTs

The application requirements for California LCSWs and LMFTs seeking a “grandparented” LPCC license are identical.

In order to qualify, the applicant must be currently licensed and in good standing with the BBS as a California LCSW or LMFT, meet LPCC educational requirements, and pass an LPCC “gap” examination.

If you still have questions after reviewing the information on this website, please contact the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR LICENSED PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELORS.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements include several components.

• First, the degree earned must be at least a master’s or doctoral degree and be “counseling or psychotherapy in content.”
• The degree must also include six semester or nine quarter units of practicum or field study experience that covers at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families or groups (except as noted below).
• The applicant must also have at least three semester or four-and-one-half quarter units in each of the nine core content areas.

The date of degree issuance will determine certain aspects of an applicant’s education requirements.

A. For applicants with degrees issued in 1996 or after,

• The degree program must be at least 48 semester or 72 quarter units in length and cover at least seven of the nine core content areas.

B. For applicants with a degree issued prior to 1996,

• The degree program must be at least 30 semester or 45 quarter units in length, and include at least six of the nine core content areas, and include three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of supervised practicum or field study experience. In total, these applicants must complete no less than 48 semester or 72 quarter units.

In order to make up deficiencies in the core content areas as allowed within the parameters previously described, an individual must complete graduate-level coursework. One exception is a counselor educator, who can receive credit for completing the core content area if his or her degree includes at least seven of the nine core content areas and he or she has taught the equivalent of the missing required core content area(s) in a graduate program in counseling.

If a California LCSW or LMFT were to apply for an LPCC “grandparented” license and did not complete all requirements, the BBS will notify the applicant of the deficiency, and the applicant would have one year from the notification of the deficiency to remedy it. If the deficiency is not completed in one year, the application for LPCC “grandparented” licensure will be closed.

Out-of-State Degrees

Applicants with out-of-state degrees must submit syllabi for all coursework listed under the “Required Education” and “Remedial Coursework” sections of the application form, except as specified below.

• If your degree was conferred in 1983 or later AND at the time of conferral, the degree program was CACREP accredited, then you DO NOT have to submit syllabi EXCEPT for coursework listed as meeting the “Diagnosis” core content area, however, the Board may require submission of syllabi after evaluating your application.
• If you are a California LMFT or LCSW “Grandparenting” applicant, then this syllabus requirement only applies to coursework listed under the “Required Education” and “Remedial Coursework” sections of the application form.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN THE BOARD REQUESTS COURSE SYLLABI

Examination Requirements

All licensure paths require examinations. An LPCC “gap” examination, designed to cover the differences between the practice of clinical counseling with the practices of marriage and family therapy and clinical social work, is required for current California LMFTs and LCSWs to earn a “grandparented” LPCC license.

( Source: Business and Professions Code Sections 4999.54 and 4999.32; California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 1806.)

Fingerprinting Requirements

All applicants must be fingerprinted with the BBS. Please click here for more information on the fingerprinting process.

Missing Education or Experience Hours? Still Need to Take an Exam?

That's okay. You may submit your application even if you have not completed all of the requirements. You have one year from the date you receive a deficiency letter from BBS to remediate these deficiencies. HOWEVER, you will not be issued a license until you complete all of the requirements and submit a complete initial license application with the necessary fee.

Updated: January 9, 2012