Law Changes

• Additional Coursework Changes Effective July 1, 2023
• Continuing Education Regulation Changes Effective July 1, 2023

• 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

• Important SB425 Fact Sheet – Updated 9/4/2020
• 90 day rule FAQ
• AB1651 LEP's as supervisor's FAQ
• License Portability FAQ
• AB 630 Requirement to provide notice
• Suicide Training Requirement FAQ

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Positions on Pending Bills

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014

Unprofessional Conduct

This proposal includes the following:

• Repeal regulatory provisions that duplicate provisions of the Business and Professions Code;
• Clarifies that the Board's Executive Officer must also consider the factors listed in the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) when assessing an administrative fine or issuing an order of abatement for violations of the CMIA, consistent with current Board practice;
• Adds a violation of the CMIA to the definition of a “citable offense”; and
• Specifies that the fine for violating the CMIA shall not exceed the amount specified in the CMIA.

The initial public comment period ended on Monday, March 25, 2024. The Board is proposing modifications to the originally proposed text. The modified text would amend the current proposal to further specify the fine amount that may be assessed where the citation alleges either a violation of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act or an unlawful or unauthorized breach of confidentiality not alleging a violation of the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act. The public comment period for the Modified Text ends on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

See the files provided below for more details about the proposed regulations as well as information about how to submit a written comment.

• Notice of Modified Text
• Modified Text
• Regulation Notice
• Initial Statement of Reasons
• Proposed Language
• Notice Extending Comment Period

Year	Topic	Documents	Effective Date
2023	Examination Waiting Periods; Professional Corporations; Accreditation	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval and Form 400 Adopted Text	April 1, 2023
2022	Continuing Education and Additional Coursework	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 Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval and Form 400 Adopted Text	July 1, 2023
2021	Supervision-Related Requirements	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text and Addendum to Initial Statement of Reasons – Comment Period April 16 – May 2, 2021 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Addendum to Initial Statement of Reasons 2nd 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text – Comment Period July 14 – July 29, 2021 2nd Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Extension of Comment Period for 2nd Modification of Text to August 14, 2021 Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	January 1, 2022
2020 AB2138	Substantial Relationship and Rehabilitation Criteria (Regulations to Implement AB 2138)	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations – Comment Period March 13-30, 2020 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	December 14, 2020
2020	Application Abandonment, Examination Rescoring and Subsequent APCC Registration Fee	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	July 1, 2020
2018	Application Processing and Registrant Advertising	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	March 14, 2018
2017	English as a Second Language: Additional Examination Time	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations – March 9–24, 2017 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Supplement to the Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	October 1, 2017
2016	Examination Restructure	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations: December 4–18, 2015 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Adopted Text	January 1, 2016
	Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Treatment of Couples and Families	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	January 1, 2016
	Standards of Practice for Telehealth	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations: September 9–24, 2015 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	July 1, 2016
2015	Uniform Standards Related to Substance Abuse and Disciplinary Guidelines	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	October 1, 2015
2014	Continuing Education	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations – July 3–18, 2014 Modification of Proposed Regulation Text plus 3 attachments Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text and Forms	January 1, 2015
2013	Advertising, Supervision, and Continuing Education	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Adopted Text	April 1, 2013
	Disciplinary Guidelines	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reasons Proposed Language 15 Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations Modification of Proposed Regulation Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Adopted Text	July 1, 2013
	Enforcement Regulations	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language 15 Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations Modification of Proposed Regulation Second 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations – November 15–30, 2012 Second Modification of Proposed Regulations – November 15–30, 2012 Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Adopted Text
	Marriage and Family Therapist Intern Experience	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language 15–Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulations Modification of Proposed Regulation Text Proposed Form 37A–524 (Rev 1/11) Proposed Form 37A–524a (Rev 1/11) Form 400 Final Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Adopted Text	October 1, 2013
2012	No Approved Regulation
2011	Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors and Licensed Educational Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements	Regulation Notice Initial Statement of Reason Proposed Language Proposed Form Changes Proposed Changes to the Disciplinary Guidelines 15 Day Notice of Modification to Text of Proposed Regulation Modification of Proposed Regulation Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Final Approved Language Explanation of Changes	May 24, 2011
2010	No Approved Regulation
2009	Disciplinary Guidelines Revision	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Proposed Disciplinary Guidelines Pages 1 – 4 Pages 5 – 15 Pages 16 – 30 Initial Statement of Reasons Regulation Hearing – Location Change Explanation of Changes Revised Disciplinary Guidelines Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action	July 3, 2009
	Fingerprint Submission	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Regulation Hearing – Location Change Explanation of Changes Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Final Approved Language	June 19, 2009
	Interim Recognition of Degrees from Institutions Approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education	Comment Period Extended Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Explanation of Changes Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action	February 27, 2009
2008	Continuing Education Requirements	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Approval of Regulatory Action Explanation of Changes	March 20, 2008
	Requirements for Supervisors	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Modified Text Modified Language Notice of Revised Modified Text Revised Modified Language Notice of Documents Added Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of an Associate Clinical Social Worker Form Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee or Intern Form Explanation of Changes	January 26, 2008
	Delinquency Fees for Continuing Education Providers	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Modified Text Modified Language Explanation of Changes	January 26, 2008
	Delegation of Authority	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Modified Text Modified Language Notice of General Public Interest	March 20, 2007
	Abandonment of Application Files, Fees, and Technical Cleanup	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Notice of Modified Text Modified Language Explanation of Changes	December 30, 2007
2006	Citations and Fines	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons 15 day Notice Modified Language Final Language
	Changes without Regulatory Effect (Technical or Editorial Changes)	2/21/06 – Final Language 12/18/05 – Final Language 10/20/05 – Final Language 5/25/05 – Final Language
2005	Disciplinary Guidelines	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Language Disciplinary Guidelines Document	August 21, 2005
2004	Alcoholism and Other Chemical Substance Dependency Training	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	August 1, 2004
	Restructuring LMFT and LCSW Examination Process	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	January 1, 2004
2003	Definitions	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	February 1, 2003
	Child Abuse Assessment: Training Requirements	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	April 13, 2003
	Unprofessional Conduct	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Addendum to Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	June 26, 2003
2002	Continuing Education: Course Requirements	Regulation Notice Proposed Language Modified Language Initial Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Reasons Final Language	January 1, 2002