Continuing Education (CE)
Stay Audit Ready! Don't Let CE Requirements Catch You Off–Guard
Associates and Licensees must complete mandatory CE courses, from providers who meet requirements in Title 16, §1887.4.3 of the California Code of Regulations.
- Continuing Education Regulation Changes Effective July 1, 2023
- First–time License Renewals
- Licensees renewing for the first time, must complete 18 hours of continuing education within the two years prior to first license renewal. This includes specific coursework required by law. NOTE: LICENSEES RENEWING FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER JULY 1, 2023 (or with an expiration date after July 1, 2023) MUST COMPLETE 36 HOURS OF CE.
- See Continuing Education Summary Chart and Licensee Continuing Education Information Brochure for more details
- Subsequent License Renewals
- Licensees must complete 36 hours of continuing education within the two years prior to each license renewal date, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics.
- See Continuing Education Summary Chart and Licensee Continuing Education Information Brochure for more details
- Exceptions from CE Requirements
- The Board may grant a temporary waiver of CE requirements for certain licensees, who during the previous renewal period:
- Had a physical or mental disability or medical condition as described in the Request for CE Waiver application instructions for at least one year; OR
- Are the primary caregiver for an immediate family member (including domestic partners) with a physical or mental disability or medical condition as described in the Request for CE Waiver application instructions for at least one year
- Request for Temporary CE Waiver (please read all information carefully):
- Must be submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration date
- Verification of Disability or Medical Condition:
- Must be submitted at least 60 days prior to license expiration date
- The Board may grant a temporary waiver of CE requirements for certain licensees, who during the previous renewal period:
- Associate Registration CE Requirements
- All associates beginning January 1, 2023 are required to complete a minimum 3 hours of continuing education coursework in California law and ethics during each renewal period (the one–year period prior to the registration's expiration date) to be eligible to renew their registration.
- For more information please see this FAQ. and the Registrant Continuing Education Information Brochure.
- One time Telehealth Coursework Requirement
- Effective July 1, 2023, the Board will begin requiring both applicants for licensure and licensees to have completed a minimum of three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which must include law and ethics related to telehealth.
- For more information please see this FAQ.
- One time Suicide Risk Assessment Requirement
- Effective January 1, 2021, the Board will begin requiring both applicants for licensure and licensees to have completed a minimum of six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention
- For more information please see this FAQ.
The Board performs audits for CE hours, as part of its consumer protection duties. Associates and/or Licensees who do not comply with the Board's CE requirements may be subject to disciplinary action from the Board's Enforcement Unit.
- Notification of Audit
- Associates and/or Licensee are notified of CE audits, by letter or email from the Board
- Upon receipt, the licensee must provide the Board with the information requested in the letter, by the due date.
- Non–compliance
- Non-compliant files will be forwarded to the Board's Enforcement Unit for further analysis following the audit.
- Associates and/or Licensees who are aware, or discover non–compliance with CE requirements are advised to:
- Complete all required hours immediately; AND
- Provide the Board with completed course information, along with a letter of explanation.
As of 7/1/17, the Board no longer keeps a list of valid CE Providers. Associates and Licensees are responsible for finding and verifying that a CE Provider is accepted by the BBS. The Board does not have the ability to verify if a provider's approval is in good standing or not. Please refer to the sections below for places to find CE courses.
- CE Approval Agencies
The following organizations are recognized by the Board as approval agencies for CE Providers:
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- California Psychological Association (CPA)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Board–Recognized Providers
The following organizations are recognized by the Board as CE Providers:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy–California Division (AAMFT–CA)
- California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- National Association of Social Workers–California Chapter (NASW–CA)
- California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW)
- California Association of School Psychologists (CASP)
- California Psychological Association (CPA)
- California Counseling Association (CCA)
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Postsecondary Institutions
CE hours may be earned from postsecondary institutions, which meet the requirements set forth in Business and Professions Code § 4980.54 (for LMFTs and AMFTs), § 4989.34 (for LEPs), § 4996.22 (for LCSWs and ASWs), or § 4999.76 (for LPCCs and APCCs) or that possess approval by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
Credit from postsecondary institutions is earned as follows:
- 1 semester unit = 15 CE hours
- 1 quarter unit = 10 CE hours
- Teaching Experience
Licensees may earn CE credit by teaching courses for Board–accepted CE Providers as follows:
- Course content must be related to the licensee's scope of practice
- Licensees may not claim the same course more than once, during a single renewal period
- Teaching receives the same amount of CE credit as attending the course
- NOTE: Licensees renewing after July 1, 2023 may only claim a maximum of 18 hours each renewal period for teaching a course. For more information see the Licensee Continuing Education Information Brochure.
- Other Ways CE may be Gained