Manage License/Registration

The Board encourages all Licensees and Registrants to renew online. Online renewals are processed instantly through the Board's BreEZe system. Manual renewals are subject to 4 to 6–week processing times.

  • Licensees (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, LEP) must:

    A license cannot be renewed earlier than 90 days prior to the expiration date

  • Registrants (ASW, AMFT, APCC) must:
    • Renew annually, from their original month of issuance; AND
    • Effective 1/1/2023 – must completed a minimum of 3 hours of continuing education in the subject of California Law & Ethics EACH year
    • TAKE the Law and Ethics Exam, until passed, for the renewal to be approved.
    • Renew online (updates instantly)
    • Registration Manual Renewal Application (4 to 6–week processing time)
  • Fees

    Make checks payable to “Behavioral Sciences Fund.”

    LICENSE TYPE Active Renewal Inactive Renewal
    Timely Delinquent Timely Delinquent
    LMFT* $220.00 $320.00 $120.00 $170.00
    LCSW* $220.00 $320.00 $120.00 $170.00
    LPCC* $220.00 $320.00 $120.00 $170.00
    LEP $200.00 $300.00 $100.00 $150.00
    AMFT $150.00 N/A N/A N/A
    ASW $150.00 N/A N/A N/A
    AFCC $150.00 N/A N/A N/A

    * Above fees for LMFT, LCSW, and LPCC include a $20 for Mental Health Practitioner Education Fund – B & P codes 4984.75, 4996.65 & 4999.121

    Renewals postmarked after the license expiration date will be charged a delinquency fee. There is no grace period.

  • Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number Requirement
    • Licensees and registrant must disclose their federal taxpayer identification number to the Board.
    • A Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is acceptable.
    • The taxpayer identification number will be used for compliance with:
      • Any judgment or order for family support; OR
      • Verification of licensure or examination status by a licensing or examination entity which utilizes a national examination, and where licensure is reciprocal with the requesting state.
    • Failure to disclose the taxpayer identification number will prevent the issuance and renewal of a license or registration.
  • Family Support Program
    • The Department of Consumer Affairs works with the Department of Child Support Services, as well as other appropriate agencies, to administer the State Licensing Match System Program.
    • This program prohibits the issuance and renewal of a permanent professional license to individuals who are delinquent in their court–ordered child support payments.
    • In place of the permanent license, a 150–day temporary license or registration may be issued.
  • State Tax Obligation
  • Active

    An active license or registration is required to practice in the stat of California. To maintain active status, licensees and registrants must:

  • Delinquent

    The law deems a license or registration as delinquent, if it is not renewed by the expiration date. It is illegal to practice with a delinquent license or registration.
    Renewals postmarked after the expiration date of the license or registration must include a delinquent fee. There is no grace period.
    While a license or registration is delinquent, a licensee or registrant MAY NOT:

    • Provide psychotherapy, unless working in an exempt setting;
    • Supervise or sign–off experience; or
    • Collect payment from a client, insurer, or other third–party, for services performed while the license or registration is delinquent.
  • Inactive

    Licensees not practicing have the option to place their license on inactive status. The holder of an inactive license MAY NOT:

    • Provide psychotherapy, unless working in an exempt setting;
    • Supervise or sign–off experience; or
    • Collect payment from a client, insurer, or other third–party, for services performed while the license or registration is delinquent.

    To obtain an inactive license, a licensees must:

    • Submit a complete renewal application;
    • Mark the "Inactive Renewal" box; and
    • Submit the inactive renewal fee.

    An inactive license must be renewed biannually. There is no penalty for having an inactive status. Licensees may renew with an inactive status indefinitely, and no CE is required to renew. Inactive licensees may reactivate at any time by submitting an Inactive to Active License Status Change application, completing the CE required at the time of reactivation, and paying the remainder of the renewal fee.

  • Retired

    Licensees not practicing have the option to place their license on "retired status. The holder of a retired license MAY NOT:

    • Provide psychotherapy, unless working in an exempt setting;
    • Supervise or sign–off experience; or
    • Collect payment from a client, insurer, or other third–party, for services performed while the license or registration is delinquent.

    To obtain a retired license, a licensee must:

    A retired license never has to be renewed. A licensee approved for retired status may only return to active status for up to three (3) years. To return to active status, a retired licensee must complete CE, obtain fingerprint clearance, and submit a Retired to Active License Status Change application and fee. A licensee retired for three (3) years or longer is not eligible for reactivation. To become licensed again, individuals must reapply for a new license, meet all current requirements, and pass the licensing examinations.

  • Cancelled

    A license that is not renewed within three (3) years after its expiration date will be cancelled. To be licensed again, individuals must reapply for a new license, meet all current requirements, and pass the licensing examinations.
    A registration will cancelled after six years from the date of its original issuance and cannot be renewed.

  • Address of Record or Email Change

    Within 30 days of a change, all Licensees and Registrants must update their address of record with the Board. This includes your email address, if you have one. (Note: Email addresses are not subject to public disclosure).

  • Name Change

    Within 30–days of the issuance of a new government–issued photographic identification, all Licensees and Registrants must update their legal name with the Board. Please allow a minimum of 30 business days for processing.

    Name changes must be supported by legal documentation. You cannot change your name to a nickname or alias. The following TWO required documents must be submitted with the application:

    • One of the following additional legal documents as proof of name change: certified court order, marriage certificate, or dissolution of marriage (divorce).
      • AND
    • A current government issued photographic identification: driver license, alien registration, passport, etc.

    Apply for a Name Change – Please allow a minimum of 30 business days for processing.

    • Name Change – ONLINE in your BreEZe account You will be required to attach EACH required document in the online application.

    Name and Gender Change Notification and Request for Confidentiality (SB 372, 2023)

    Effective January 1, 2024, under Business and Professions Code section 27.5, licensees may notify the licensing board or bureau within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) of a name and/or gender change and request confidentiality of the previous name or gender information, when meeting certain specified requirements. For more information and to make a request, click here.

    Questions

    For name change process questions, click here to Message the Board and select Name Change in the Reasons drop–down menu.

Licensees may request a replacement license, or duplicate certificate, for a $20 fee.