Law Changes
- Law Changes 2022
- AB 462 – "Important Information for LPCCs and LPCC Applicants (AB 462)"
- AB 468 – "Law Change Regarding Emotional Support Animals (AB 468)"
- AB 690 – "Practice Setting Definitions and Supervision Law Changes (AB 690)"
- Other Law Changes – "Other Miscellaneous Law Changes (SB 801)"
- Required Notice to Consumers 2022- "Updated Requirement to Provide Notice to Psychotherapy Clients (SB 801)"
- Supervision Regulation Changes for LMFT, LCSW & LPCC Licensure
- Law Changes 2021
- Fee Increases Effective 1/1/2021 Fact Sheet
- AB2138 FAQ’s
- Law Changes for 2020
- Law Changes for 2019
- LCSW, LMFT, LPCC: Upcoming License Renewal Fee Increase (SB 1188):
All licensees with an expiration date on or after July 1, 2018 will experience a fee increase upon renewal. This is a result of the passage of SB 1188 (Chapter 557, Statutes of 2017), and the increased revenue will provide additional funds to the Mental Health Practitioner Education Fund (more info):
- LMFTs: Biennial renewal fee will increase from $140 to $150
- LCSWs: Biennial renewal fee will increase from $110 to $120
- LPCCs: Biennial renewal fee will increase from $175 to $195
- LMFT Out-of-State Educational Requirements (BPC §4980.81):
Applicants shall meet (each of) the following educational requirements:
- A minimum of two semester units of instruction in the diagnosis, assessment, prognosis, and treatment of mental disorders, including severe mental disorders, evidence-based practices, and promising mental health practices that are evaluated in peer reviewed literature.
- At least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychological testing AND at least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychopharmacology.
- LPCC Core Content Areas (AB 1917):
No applicant shall be deficient (prohibits remediation outside of the applicant’s qualifying degree program) in the required core content areas of:
- Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, as specified.
- Principles of the diagnostic process and the use of diagnostic tools, as specified.
- LPCC Treatment of Couples and Families (CCR §1820.7):
LPCCs shall obtain Board confirmation of qualifications to treat couples and families, and shall provide a copy of this confirmation to:
- 1) Couple or family clients prior to commencement of treatment.
- 2) An associate marriage and family therapist or trainee prior to commencement of supervision.
- 3) Another LPCC or Associate PCC gaining supervised experience to comply with requirements to treat couples or families prior to commencement of supervision.
- Subsequent Registration Associates and Interns (BPC: ASW: §4992.09(f),(g); IMF: §4980.39(f),(g); APCC: §4999.55(f),(g))
Applicants who obtained a subsequent (2nd or 3rd) ASW, IMF, or APCC registration anytime during 2016, must pass the California Law and Ethics Exam, in order to renew their registration in 2017.
In addition, on or after January 1, 2017, applicants for subsequent ASW, IMF, or APCC registration must pass the California Law and Ethics Exam, before a subsequent registration may be issued.
- Pending Legislation
For further information regarding pending legislation see California's Legislative Information website, which provides the bill's language, history, status, and analysis as provided by the California State Legislature
BBS Position on Pending Bills
- Approved Legislation
- Citizen's Guide to Participation
- Pending Regulations
Continuing Education and Additional Coursework
This proposal would do the following:
- Update content requirements for human sexuality, child abuse assessment and reporting, and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency training, and create consistency in the required qualifications for training providers.
- Modify CE exception (waiver) criteria.
- Update CE waiver forms incorporated by reference for consistency with the proposed updated requirements and for clarity.
- Require licensees who are granted a CE waiver to complete six hours of CE in law and ethics.
- Limit the amount of CE that can be claimed for teaching a course.
- Allow a licensee who completes a board occupational analysis survey to be credited with six hours of CE.
- Make technical and clarifying changes.
- Repeal outdated regulations pertaining to the board’s former CE program.
- Regulation Notice
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Language
- Proposed Changes to Form No. 37A-635 - Request for Continuing Education Exception – Licensee Application
- Proposed Changes to Form No. 37A-636 - Request for Continuing Education Exception – Verification of Disability or Medical Condition
- Notice of Extension of Comment Period to January 3, 2022
- 15-Day Notice of Modified Text – Comment Period February 28, 2022 to March 15, 2022
- Modification of Proposed Regulation Text
- Approved Regulations
- How to Participate in the Rulemaking Process