Continuing Education (CE)
Stay Audit Ready! Don't Let CE Requirements Catch You Off–Guard
Registrants and licensees must certify at each renewal that they have met all CE requirements. Courses must be taken from Board-accepted providers and meet all requirements in law, as described in the informational documents at the links provided below.
- Licensees: First–time Renewals
- Licensees renewing for the first time must complete 36 hours of continuing education during their first license renewal period (the two-year period that spans from the first day after the license's issue date to the license's expiration date). This includes specific coursework described in the CE summary Chart below.
- See Continuing Education Summary Chart and Licensee Continuing Education Information for more details
- Licensees: Subsequent Renewals
- Licensees must complete 36 hours of continuing education during each renewal period (the two-year period that spans from the first day after the license's prior expiration date to the current license expiration date), including 6 hours of Law and Ethics during each renewal period.
- See Continuing Education Summary Chart and Licensee Continuing Education Information for more details
- Licensees: Temporary CE Waivers
- The Board may grant a temporary waiver of CE requirements for licensees who meet all requirements set in law for conditions that qualify for a waiver. Both forms below must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the license's expiration date to allow sufficient time for processing. Be sure to carefully follow all instructions provided with the forms. Note: Registrants do not qualify for CE waivers.
- Request for Temporary CE Waiver
- Verification of Disability or Medical Condition
- Registrant CE Requirements
- All associates 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 that spans from the first day after the registration's issue date or prior expiration date to the current registration expiration date) to be eligible to renew their registration. This requirement applies even if you have already passed the Law and Ethics exam.
- For more information, please read the Registrant Continuing Education Information .
- One time Telehealth Coursework Requirement
- Three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which must include law and ethics related to telehealth, is required of licensees who renew or reactivate their license after July 1, 2023. This one-time course is not required for renewal or reactivation if you previously submitted proof of completion with your application for licensure.
- For more information please see this FAQ.
- One time Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention Requirement
- Six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention is required of licensees who renew or reactivate their license after January 1, 2021. This one-time requirement is not required for renewal or reactivation if you previously submitted proof of completion with your application for licensure.
- 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