AB 2117: Marriage and family therapists: clinical social workers: professional clinical counselors.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2018-09-18
(1)Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of marriage and family therapists, associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, associate clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and associate professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law provides that the registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor may be renewed before its expiration date by taking specified actions.
This bill would authorize renewal of an expired registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor in the same manner in which an unexpired registration is renewed.
(2)With respect to associate clinical social workers, existing law requires a registrant to comply with specified requirements to renew his or her registration, including obtaining a passing score on a state law and ethics examination. Existing law also authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times.
This bill would instead require an associate clinical social worker to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam. The bill would prohibit renewal or reinstatement of a registration beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued and would require an applicant seeking to obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration.
(3)Existing law requires experience gained outside of California to be accepted toward requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker and requires an applicant with education gained outside of California to complete a course in California law and ethics. Existing law also authorizes the board to issue a license in clinical social work to a person who holds a valid clinical social work license issued in another state if certain conditions are met, including completion of a course in California law and ethics.
This bill would require the course in California law and ethics to be completed before registration as an associate clinical social worker.
(4)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor to a person who holds a valid license in another state or country if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to requirements for licensure in this state, and specifies a method for the board to consider and calculate substantial equivalency for those purposes.
This bill would revise the method for determining substantially equivalent experience.
(5)The bill would make other related, nonsubstantive changes.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 4980.72, 4999.60, and 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(7)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and AB 93 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(8)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 and AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491, this bill and AB 93, or all 3 bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of marriage and family therapists, associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, associate clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and associate professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law provides that the registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor may be renewed before its expiration date by taking specified actions.
This bill would authorize renewal of an expired registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor in the same manner in which an unexpired registration is renewed.
(2)With respect to associate clinical social workers, existing law requires a registrant to comply with specified requirements to renew his or her registration, including obtaining a passing score on a state law and ethics examination. Existing law also authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times.
This bill would instead require an associate clinical social worker to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam. The bill would prohibit renewal or reinstatement of a registration beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued and would require an applicant seeking to obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration.
(3)Existing law requires experience gained outside of California to be accepted toward requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker and requires an applicant with education gained outside of California to complete a course in California law and ethics. Existing law also authorizes the board to issue a license in clinical social work to a person who holds a valid clinical social work license issued in another state if certain conditions are met, including completion of a course in California law and ethics.
This bill would require the course in California law and ethics to be completed before registration as an associate clinical social worker.
(4)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor to a person who holds a valid license in another state or country if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to requirements for licensure in this state, and specifies a method for the board to consider and calculate substantial equivalency for those purposes.
This bill would revise the method for determining substantially equivalent experience.
(5)The bill would make other related, nonsubstantive changes.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 4980.72, 4999.60, and 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(7)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and AB 93 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(8)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 and AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491, this bill and AB 93, or all 3 bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of marriage and family therapists, associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, associate clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and associate professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law provides that the registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor may be renewed before its expiration date by taking specified actions.
This bill would authorize renewal of an expired registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor in the same manner in which an unexpired registration is renewed.
(2)With respect to associate clinical social workers, existing law requires a registrant to comply with specified requirements to renew his or her registration, including obtaining a passing score on a state law and ethics examination. Existing law also authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times.
This bill would instead require an associate clinical social worker to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam. The bill would prohibit renewal or reinstatement of a registration beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued and would require an applicant seeking to obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration.
(3)Existing law requires experience gained outside of California to be accepted toward requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker and requires an applicant with education gained outside of California to complete a course in California law and ethics. Existing law also authorizes the board to issue a license in clinical social work to a person who holds a valid clinical social work license issued in another state if certain conditions are met, including completion of a course in California law and ethics.
This bill would require the course in California law and ethics to be completed before registration as an associate clinical social worker.
(4)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor to a person who holds a valid license in another state or country if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to requirements for licensure in this state, and specifies a method for the board to consider and calculate substantial equivalency for those purposes.
This bill would revise the method for determining substantially equivalent experience.
(5)The bill would make other related, nonsubstantive changes.
(6)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 4980.72, 4999.60, and 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(7)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and AB 93 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(8)This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1491 and AB 93 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1491, this bill and AB 93, or all 3 bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(1)Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of marriage and family therapists, associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, associate clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and associate professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law provides that an associate the registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor may be renewed before its expiration date by taking specified actions.
This bill would authorize renewal of an expired associate registration for an associate marriage and family therapist, associate clinical social worker, or associate professional clinical counselor in the same manner in which an unexpired registration is renewed.
(2)With respect to associate clinical social workers, existing law requires a registrant to comply with specified requirements to renew his or her registration, including obtaining a passing score on a state law and ethics examination. Existing law also authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times.
This bill would instead require an associate clinical social worker to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam. The bill would prohibit renewal or reinstatement of a registration beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued and would require an applicant seeking to obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration.
(3)Existing law requires experience gained outside of California to be accepted toward requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker and requires an applicant with education gained outside of California to complete a course in California law and ethics. Existing law also authorizes the board to issue a license in clinical social work to a person who holds a valid clinical social work license issued in another state if certain conditions are met, including completion of a course in California law and ethics.
This bill would require the course in California law and ethics to be completed before registering registration as an associate clinical social worker.
(4)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor to a person who holds a valid license in another state or country if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to requirements for licensure in this state, and specifies a method for the board to consider and calculate substantial equivalency for those purposes.
This bill would revise the method for determining substantially equivalent experience.
(5)The bill would make other related, nonsubstantive changes.
(1)Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of marriage and family therapists, associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, associate clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and associate professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law provides that an associate registration may be renewed before its expiration date by taking specified actions.
This bill would authorize renewal of an expired associate registration in the same manner in which an unexpired registration is renewed.
(2)With respect to associate clinical social workers, existing law requires a registrant to comply with specified requirements to renew his or her registration, including obtaining a passing score on a state law and ethics examination. Existing law also authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times.
This bill would instead require an associate clinical social worker to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam. The bill would prohibit renewal or reinstatement of a registration beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued and would require an applicant seeking to obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration.
(3)Existing law requires experience gained outside of California to be accepted toward requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker and requires an applicant with education gained outside of California to complete a course in California law and ethics. Existing law also authorizes the board to issue a license in clinical social work to a person who holds a valid clinical social work license issued in another state if certain conditions are met, including completion of a course in California law and ethics.
This bill would require the course in California law and ethics to be completed before registering as an associate clinical social worker.
(4)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor to a person who holds a valid license in another state or country if certain conditions are satisfied, including that the applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to requirements for licensure in this state, and specifies a method for the board to consider and calculate substantial equivalency for those purposes.
This bill would revise the method for determining substantially equivalent experience.
(5)The bill would make other related, nonsubstantive changes.
(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 1.5.Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.72.(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 2.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 2.5.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.1.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.2.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 4.Section 4996.28 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.28.(a)Registration as an associate clinical social worker shall expire one year from the last day of the month during which it was issued. To renew a registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(b)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(c)A registration as an associate clinical social worker may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application for a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 6.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 7.Section 1.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 8.Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 3.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) Senate Bill 1491 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Sections 3, 3.2, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 3.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 93 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491 in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 3.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 93, and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) all three bills amend Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93 and Senate Bill 1491, in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 1.5.Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.72.(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 2.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 2.5.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.1.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.2.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 4.Section 4996.28 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.28.(a)Registration as an associate clinical social worker shall expire one year from the last day of the month during which it was issued. To renew a registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(b)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(c)A registration as an associate clinical social worker may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application for a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 6.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 7.Section 1.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 8.Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 3.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) Senate Bill 1491 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Sections 3, 3.2, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 3.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 93 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491 in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 3.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 93, and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) all three bills amend Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93 and Senate Bill 1491, in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 1.5.Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.72.(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(3)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter. The board shall consider(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 2.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 2.5.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist intern registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(c)(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent intern associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent intern associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. examination. An applicant who is issued a subsequent intern associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.SEC. 3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.1.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.2.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 3.3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 4.Section 4996.28 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.28.(a)Registration as an associate clinical social worker shall expire one year from the last day of the month during which it was issued. To renew a registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(b)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(c)A registration as an associate clinical social worker may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application for a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(3)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter. The board shall consider(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a professional clinical counselor in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 6.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An intern associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(c)(d)The intern associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent intern associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent intern associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent intern associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.SEC. 7.Section 1.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.72 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 8.Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 3.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 93. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) Senate Bill 1491 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93, in which case Sections 3, 3.2, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 3.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 93 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491 in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 3.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 93, and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) all three bills amend Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 93 and Senate Bill 1491, in which case Sections 3, 3.1, and 3.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1491. That section shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2019, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1491, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter.
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 2.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist intern registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registering registration as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 4.Section 4996.28 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.28.(a)Registration as an associate clinical social worker shall expire one year from the last day of the month during which it was issued. To renew a registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(b)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(c)A registration as an associate clinical social worker may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application for a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter. For
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 6.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant registrant, on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(d)The associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
(a)This section applies to a person who is licensed outside of California and applies for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing issued by a board of marriage counselor examiners, board of marriage and family therapists, or corresponding authority, of any state or country, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.79. The applicants degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(2)The applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable.
(3)(A)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter. The
(B)For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall consider determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours, if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4980.79 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the California law and ethics examination.
(5)The applicant passes a clinical examination designated by the board. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 2.Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4984.01.(a)The associate marriage and family therapist intern registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(c)(d)The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent intern associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent intern associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. An applicant who is issued a subsequent intern associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.SEC. 3.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.17.(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registration as an associate.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process. This coursework shall be completed before registering as an associate.
(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4)The applicants license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicants professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d)An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 4.Section 4996.28 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.28.(a)Registration as an associate clinical social worker shall expire one year from the last day of the month during which it was issued. To renew a registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1)Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(4)On and after January 1, 2016, obtain a passing score on Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. 4992.09 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(b)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(b)(c)A registration as an associate clinical social worker may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application for a subsequent associate clinical social worker registration number. number and has passed the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4992.09. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
SEC. 5.Section 4999.60 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.60.(a)This section applies to persons who are licensed outside of California and apply for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
(b)The board may issue a license to a person who, at the time of submitting an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, holds a valid license in good standing as a professional clinical counselor, or other counseling license that allows the applicant to independently provide clinical mental health services, in another jurisdiction of the United States, if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)The applicants education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4999.63.
(2)The applicant complies with subdivision (c) of Section 4999.40, if applicable.
(3)The applicants supervised experience is substantially equivalent to that required for a license under this chapter. The For persons who have held their license for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application, the board shall consider determine substantial equivalency by considering hours of experience obtained outside of California during the six-year period immediately preceding the date the applicant initially obtained the license described above. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a professional clinical counselor in the equivalent profession shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours if the applicants degree meets the practicum requirement described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 4999.63 without exemptions or remediation.
(4)The applicant passes the examinations required to obtain a license under this chapter. An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination if both of the following conditions are met:
(A)The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(B)The applicants license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
SEC. 6.Section 4999.100 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.100.(a)An intern associate registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b)To renew a registration, the registrant on or before the expiration date of the registration, shall do the following:
(1)Apply for a renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2)Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3)Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the registrants last renewal.
(4)Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4999.53 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(c)An expired registration may be renewed by completing all of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (b).
(c)(d)The intern associate registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. Registration shall not be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent intern associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent intern associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. An applicant who is issued a subsequent intern associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2018 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 486, Statutes of 2018. |
| Sep 18, 2018 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 24, 2018 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m. |
| Aug 20, 2018 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug 14, 2018 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 16 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 13, 2018 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Aug 7, 2018 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 6, 2018 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Jun 28, 2018 | From Consent Calendar. |
| Jun 26, 2018 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jun 25, 2018 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| May 7, 2018 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (May 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 30, 2018 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D. |
| Apr 25, 2018 | Referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D. |
| Apr 12, 2018 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| Apr 12, 2018 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Apr 5, 2018 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 4, 2018 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 4). |
| Mar 20, 2018 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Feb 22, 2018 | Referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Feb 9, 2018 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 11. |
| Feb 8, 2018 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2018 | AB 2117 ARAMBULA Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 13, 2018 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB2117 Arambula By Galgiani | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 7, 2018 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development |
Passed |
|
| Apr 12, 2018 | AB 2117 ARAMBULA Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 4, 2018 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Mar 20, 2018 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Board of Behavioral Sciences | ** Support | Aug 8, 2018 |
| California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors | * Support | Mar 20, 2018 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2117
Author:(Arambula)
As Amended Ver:August 6, 2018
Majority vote
ASSEMBLY: | 68-0 | (April 12, 2018) | SENATE: | 36-0 | (August 13, 2018) |
Original Committee Reference: B. & P.
SUMMARY: Makes clarifications and technical changes to the licensing process for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) and seeks to increase consistency in licensing requirements across these three professions. Specifically, this bill:
- Extends the waiver of supervised experience hours requirements to applicants for licensure as LMFTs or LPCCs with at least four years of equivalent licensed experience in another state.
- Requires all LCSW licensure applicants with education outside of California to complete an 18-hour California law and ethics course prior to registration as an associate.
- Deletes the requirement that an LCSW licensure applicant must pass the California law and ethics exam to renew registration as an associate.
- Requires require a registered associate applying for LCSW licensure to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam.
- Prohibit renewal or reinstatement of associate registration for LCSW licensure applicants beyond six years from the month that registration was issued.
- Requires an LCSW licensure applicant seeking to renew their registration as an associate where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate registration.
- Allows an expired associate registration to be renewed in the same manner that an unexpired registration is renewed.
- Makes other technical and conforming changes, including updating references to "intern" to "associate."
The Senate amendments make additional technical changes and add chaptering language.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences (Board) within the Department of Consumer Affairs. (Business and Professions Code Section (BPC) 4990 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LMFTs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC 4980 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LCSWs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC 4996 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LPCCs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC 4999.30 et seq.)
- Requires the Board to consider substantially equivalent experience obtained outside of California in lieu of requirements for LMFT, LCSW, and LPPC licensure. (BPC 4980.72; BPC 4996.17; BPC 4999.60)
- Waives the supervised experience hours requirement for LCSW licensure applicants with at least four years of equivalent experience as a licensee in another state. (BPC 4996.17)
- Requires all LMFT and LPPC licensure applicants with education outside of California to complete an 18-hour California law and ethics course prior to registration as an associate. (BPC 4980.79; BPC 4999.63)
- Provides that an LCSW licensure applicant must pass the California law and ethics exam to renew registration as an associate. (BPC 4996.28)
- Provides for the renewal of an associate registration for an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC licensure application prior to its expiration. (BPC 4984.01; BPC 4996.28; BPC 4999.100)
- Requires a registered associate applying for LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC licensure to obtain a passing score on a state law and ethics examination prior to registration renewal, and authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of five times. (BPC 4984.01; BPC 4996.28; BPC 4999.100)
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. According to the author: "This bill makes some adjustments and clarifications to the Board's licensure process, to ensure parity in the requirements across the Board's licensed professions, and to ensure that certain requirements that have caused confusion in the past, are more easily understood. The result should be a smoother and more equitable process for all involved parties."
Background. The Board is responsible for regulating several categories of licensees engaged in the provision of mental health services. This includes distinct types of therapists, social workers, and clinical counselors. Each of these licensing categories features similar requirements for applicants to become licensed and are ultimately governed by many of the same professional standards. However, minor inconsistencies in the application process between license types has led to a lack of clarity and efficiency in the Board's licensing processes, suggesting a need for standardization and clarity.
One of the commonalities in the Board's application processes for its several license types is the requirement that applicants obtain a number of hours of supervised experience prior to becoming licensure. During this stage of their application, applicants register as associates. Registrations expire but may be renewed within certain limitations. This registration also coincides with a requirement that applicants take and pass a California law and ethics examination prior to obtaining licensure.
This bill would clarify the associate registration process for licensure applicants under the Board and add greater consistency between license types. This bill also seeks to clarify and standardize how the Board considers substantially equivalent experience in another state in lieu of certain licensure requirements and when additional education is required for these applicants. This bill also makes clear that the process for renewing an expired associate registration is the same process by which a soon-to-be-expired registration is renewed.
Analysis Prepared by: Robert Sumner / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0003839
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2117
:
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 8-0, 5/7/18
AYES: Hill, Fuller, Dodd, Galgiani, Glazer, Hernandez, Newman, Pan
NO VOTE RECORDED: Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SOURCE: Board of Behavioral Sciences
DIGEST:
This bill makes clarifying and conforming changes to the Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act regarding associate registration renewals and equivalent supervised experience towards licensure, and makes technical changes.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/6/18 add double-jointing language with SB 1491 (Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee) and AB 93 (Medina).
Existing law:
- Establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to administer the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Act. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 4990.12)
- Establishes requirements for individuals who are licensed outside of California applying for licensure as an MFT or LPCC after January 1, 2016.
(BPC §§ 4980.72, 4999.60) - Establishes the following requirements for renewing an associate MFT, CSW, or LPCC registration: (BPC §§ 4984.01, 4996.28, 4999.100)
- Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the BBS and pay a fee.
- Take the California law and ethics examination until successful completion.
- Notify the BBS if the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last registration renewal.
- Establishes coursework requirements for a CSW student prior to registration as an associate. (BPC § 4996.17)
This bill:
- Requires BBS to determine what supervised experience constitutes “substantial equivalency” towards MFT or LPCC licensure for individuals who have held a license outside of California for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application.
- States that the out-of-state licensee does not have to specifically be a MFT or LPCC license, but rather an “equivalent profession.”
- Clarifies that the process to renew an expired MFT, SCW, or LPCC registration is the same as renewing a registration prior to its expiration date.
- Clarifies which coursework must be completed prior to registration as a SCW associate.
- Requires a candidate for registration as an associate SCW to participate in the California law and ethics examination each year until successful completion – mirroring the requirements for MFTs and SCWs.
- Prohibits registration as an associate CSW from being renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked.
- States that when no further renewals as an associate CSW are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application and has passed the California law and ethics examination.
- Makes technical changes.
Background
Supervision for Out-of-State Licensees. Current law requires out-of-state LCSW applicants to have supervised experience that is substantially equivalent to what California requires of in-state applicants. However, if the out-of-state applicant has been licensed for at least four years in another state, he or she is not required to have the same amount of supervised experience hours as required by this state because BBS considers the time spent practicing as fulfilling those additional hours. The same is not true for LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants, however. This bill extends the provisions benefitting out-of-state LCSWs who have practiced for at least four years to LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants.
The language in this bill is drafted in such a way so that if an applicant has been licensed less than four years, BBS will look at the applicant’s experience during the previous six years and allow them to account for practice time at a rate of 100 hours per month. For those licensed over four years, BBS doesn’t check experience on an hour for hour basis, as long as it appears that the time is substantially equivalent.
The bill also replaces exact licensure terms with “equivalent profession” to accommodate varied state licensing systems.
California Law and Ethics Exam and Coursework. This bill conforms coursework and exam requirements for SCW associate applicants with those of the MFT and LPCC practice acts.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
Board of Behavioral Sciences (source)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division writes, “License portability concerns are at the forefront for MFTs around the country. This bill represents a common-sense approach to evaluating the qualifications of out-of-state licensees without compromising public protection.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18
AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bloom, Cristina Garcia, Gray, Jones-Sawyer, Limón, Low, Mullin, Santiago, Steinorth
8/8/18 15:38:05
**** END ****
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 2117
:
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 8-0, 5/7/18
AYES: Hill, Fuller, Dodd, Galgiani, Glazer, Hernandez, Newman, Pan
NO VOTE RECORDED: Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SOURCE: Board of Behavioral Sciences
DIGEST:
This bill makes clarifying and conforming changes to the Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act regarding associate registration renewals and equivalent supervised experience towards licensure, and makes technical changes.
Existing law:
- Establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to administer the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Act. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 4990.12)
- Establishes requirements for individuals who are licensed outside of California applying for licensure as an MFT or LPCC after January 1, 2016.
(BPC §§ 4980.72, 4999.60) - Establishes the following requirements for renewing an associate MFT, CSW, or LPCC registration: (BPC §§ 4984.01, 4996.28, 4999.100)
- Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the BBS and pay a fee.
- Take the California law and ethics examination until successful completion.
- Notify the BBS if the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last registration renewal.
- Establishes coursework requirements for a CSW student prior to registration as an associate. (BPC § 4996.17)
This bill:
- Requires BBS to determine what supervised experience constitutes “substantial equivalency” towards MFT or LPCC licensure for individuals who have held a license outside of California for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application.
- States that the out-of-state licensee does not have to specifically be a MFT or LPCC license, but rather an “equivalent profession.”
- Clarifies that the process to renew an expired MFT, SCW, or LPCC registration is the same as renewing a registration prior to its expiration date.
- Clarifies which coursework must be completed prior to registration as a SCW associate.
- Requires a candidate for registration as an associate SCW to participate in the California law and ethics examination each year until successful completion – mirroring the requirements for MFTs and SCWs.
- Prohibits registration as an associate CSW from being renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked.
- States that when no further renewals as an associate CSW are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application and has passed the California law and ethics examination.
- Makes technical changes.
Supervision for Out-of-State Licensees. Current law requires out-of-state LCSW applicants to have supervised experience that is substantially equivalent to what California requires of in-state applicants. However, if the out-of-state applicant has been licensed for at least four years in another state, he or she is not required to have the same amount of supervised experience hours as required by this state because BBS considers the time spent practicing as fulfilling those additional hours. The same is not true for LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants, however. This bill extends the provisions benefitting out-of-state LCSWs who have practiced for at least four years to LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants.
The language in this bill is drafted in such a way so that if an applicant has been licensed less than four years, BBS will look at the applicant’s experience during the previous six years and allow them to account for practice time at a rate of 100 hours per month. For those licensed over four years, BBS doesn’t check experience on an hour for hour basis, as long as it appears that the time is substantially equivalent.
The bill also replaces exact licensure terms with “equivalent profession” to accommodate varied state licensing systems.
California Law and Ethics Exam and Coursework. This bill conforms coursework and exam requirements for SCW associate applicants with those of the MFT and LPCC practice acts.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
Board of Behavioral Sciences (source)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/26/18)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division writes, “License portability concerns are at the forefront for MFTs around the country. This bill represents a common-sense approach to evaluating the qualifications of out-of-state licensees without compromising public protection.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18
AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bloom, Cristina Garcia, Gray, Jones-Sawyer, Limón, Low, Mullin, Santiago, Steinorth
6/27/18 10:23:43
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Senator Jerry Hill, Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: Hearing Date: May 7, 2018
Author: | |||
Version: | April 30, 2018 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Sarah Huchel | ||
Subject:
SUMMARY:
Makes clarifying and conforming changes to the Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act regarding associate registration renewals and equivalent supervised experience towards licensure, and makes technical changes.
Existing law:
- Establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to administer the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Act. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 4990.12)
- Establishes requirements for individuals who are licensed outside of California applying for licensure as an MFT or LPCC after January 1, 2016. (BPC §§ 4980.72, 4999.60)
- Establishes the following requirements for renewing an associate MFT, CSW, or LPCC registration: (BPC §§ 4984.01, 4996.28, 4999.100)
- Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the BBS and pay a fee.
- Take the California law and ethics examination until successful completion.
- Notify the BBS if the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last registration renewal.
- Establishes coursework requirements for a CSW student prior to registration as an associate. (BPC § 4996.17)
This bill:
- Requires BBS to determine what supervised experience constitutes “substantial equivalency” towards MFT or LPCC licensure for individuals who have held a license outside of California for less than four years immediately preceding the date of application.
- States that the out-of-state licensee does not have to specifically be a MFT or LPCC license, but rather an “equivalent profession.”
- Clarifies that the process to renew an expired MFT, SCW, or LPCC registration is the same as renewing a registration prior to its expiration date.
- Clarifies which coursework must be completed prior to registration as a SCW associate.
- Requires a candidate for registration as an associate SCW to participate in the California law and ethics examination each year until successful completion – mirroring the requirements for MFTs and SCWs.
- Prohibits registration as an associate CSW from being renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which the registration was issued, regardless of whether the registration has been revoked.
- States that when no further renewals as an associate CSW are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent registration number if the applicant meets all requirements for registration in effect at the time of his or her application and has passed the California law and ethics examination.
- Makes technical changes.
FISCAL EFFECT:
This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel. According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis dated April 4, 2018, costs to BBS are expected to be minor and absorbable (Behavioral Science Examiners Fund).
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the BBS. According to the Author’s office, “This bill makes clarifications to the licensing process for Licensed MFTs, Licensed CSWs, and LPCCs. It also seeks to increase consistency in the licensing requirements across these three professions.”
- Supervision for Out-of-State Licensees. Current law requires out-of-state LCSW applicants to have supervised experience that is substantially equivalent to what California requires of in-state applicants. However, if the out-of-state applicant has been licensed for at least four years in another state, he or she is not required to have the same amount of supervised experience hours as required by this state because BBS considers the time spent practicing as fulfilling those additional hours. The same is not true for LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants, however. This bill extends the provisions benefitting out-of-state LCSWs who have practiced for at least four years to LMFT and LPCC out-of-state applicants.
The language in this bill is drafted in such a way so that if an applicant has been licensed less than four years, BBS will look at the applicant’s experience during the previous six years and allow them to account for practice time at a rate of 100 hours per month. For those licensed over four years, BBS doesn’t check experience on an hour for hour basis, as long as it appears that the time is substantially equivalent.
The bill also replaces exact licensure terms with “equivalent profession” to accommodate varied state licensing systems.
- California Law and Ethics Exam and Coursework. This bill conforms coursework and exam requirements for SCW associate applicants with those of the MFT and LPCC practice acts.
- Related Legislation. AB 93 (Medina of 2017) expands, clarifies, and standardizes supervisory requirements across marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, and clinical social worker licensees. (Status: This bill is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.)
AB 456 (Thurmond of 2017) amends the requirement that an applicant must register with the BBS as an associate clinical social worker (ACSW) prior to obtaining experience towards licensure, prohibits the applicant from being employed or volunteering in a private practice until he or she has been registered as an ACSW, and reduces the number of supervised experience hours necessary for licensure. (Status: This bill is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.) - Prior Related Legislation. AB 2213 (Eggman, Chapter 387, Statutes of 2014) revised the education and curriculum requirements for licensure as a MFT and LPCC for out-of-state applicants applying for licensure on or after January 1, 2016.
- Arguments in Support. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division writes, “License portability concerns are at the forefront for MFTs around the country. This bill represents a common-sense approach to evaluating the qualifications of out-of-state licensees without compromising public protection.”
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:
Support:
Board of Behavioral Sciences (Sponsor)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, California Division
Opposition:
None on file as of May 1, 2018
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 4, 2018
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2117
Author:(Arambula) – As Introduced Ver:February 8, 2018
Policy Committee: | Business and Professions | Vote: | 12 - 0 |
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill makes minor, technical, and clarifying changes to the licensing process for behavioral health licensees overseen by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
FISCAL EFFECT:
Costs to BBS are expected to be minor and absorbable (Behavioral Science Examiners Fund).
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the BBS to clarify specific provisions of its licensing statute and to increase consistency among its professional license types (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)). It has no opposition.
- Prior Legislation. AB 2191 (Salas), Chapter 458, Statutes of 2016, extended the sunset date for the BBS to January 1, 2021, and made technical, nonsubstances changes.
Analysis Prepared by: Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: March 20, 2018
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Evan Low, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2117
Author:(Arambula) – As Introduced Ver:February 8, 2018
SUBJECT: Marriage and family therapists: clinical social workers: professional clinical counselors.
SUMMARY: Makes clarifications and technical changes to the licensing process for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) and seeks to increase consistency in licensing requirements across these three professions.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences (Board) within the Department of Consumer Affairs. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 4990 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LMFTs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC § 4980 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LCSWs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC § 4996 et seq.)
- Provides for the licensure of LPCCs by the Board following completion of required hours of supervised experience as a registered associate, as specified. (BPC § 4999.30 et seq.)
- Requires the Board to consider substantially equivalent experience obtained outside of California in lieu of requirements for LMFT, LCSW, and LPPC licensure. (BPC § 4980.72; BPC § 4996.17; BPC § 4999.60)
- Waives the supervised experience hours requirement for LCSW licensure applicants with at least four years of equivalent experience as a licensee in another state. (BPC § 4996.17)
- Requires all LMFT and LPPC licensure applicants with education outside of California to complete an 18-hour California law and ethics course prior to registration as an associate. (BPC § 4980.79; BPC § 499.63)
- Provides that an LCSW licensure applicant must pass the California law and ethics exam to renew registration as an associate. (BPC § 4996.28)
- Provides for the renewal of an associate registration for an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC licensure application prior to its expiration. (BPC § 4984.01; BPC § 4996.28; BPC § 4999.100)
- Requires a registered associate applying for LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC licensure to obtain a passing score on a state law and ethics examination prior to registration renewal, and authorizes that registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times. (BPC § 4984.01; BPC § 4996.28; BPC § 4999.100)
THIS BILL:
- Extends the waiver of supervised experience hours requirements to applicants for licensure as LMFTs or LPCCs with at least four years of equivalent licensed experience in another state.
- Requires all LCSW licensure applicants with education outside of California to complete an 18-hour California law and ethics course prior to registration as an associate.
- Deletes the requirement that an LCSW licensure applicant must pass the California law and ethics exam to renew registration as an associate.
- Requires require a registered associate applying for LCSW licensure to participate in the state law and ethics examination each year until successful completion of the exam.
- Prohibit renewal or reinstatement of associate registration for LCSW licensure applicants beyond 6 years from the month that registration was issued.
- Requires an LCSW licensure applicant seeking to renew their registration as an associate where no further renewals are possible to pass the state law and ethics examination as a condition of obtaining a subsequent associate registration.
- Allows an expired associate registration to be renewed in the same manner that an unexpired registration is renewed.
- Makes other technical and conforming changes, including updating references to “intern” to “associate.”
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown; this bill is keyed fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. According to the author: “This bill makes some adjustments and clarifications to the Board’s licensure process, to ensure parity in the requirements across the Board’s licensed professions, and to ensure that certain requirements that have caused confusion in the past, are more easily understood. The result should be a smoother and more equitable process for all involved parties.”
Background. The Board is responsible for regulating several categories of licensees engaged in the provision of mental health services. This includes distinct types of therapists, social workers, and clinical counselors. Each of these licensing categories features similar requirements for applicants to become licensed and are ultimately governed by many of the same professional standards. However, minor inconsistencies in the application process between license types has led to a lack of clarity and efficiency in the Board’s licensing processes, suggesting a need for standardization and clarity.
One of the commonalities in the Board’s application processes for its several license types is the requirement that applicants obtain a number of hours of supervised experience prior to becoming licensure. During this stage of their application, applicants register as associates. Registrations expire but may be renewed within certain limitations. This registration also coincides with a requirement that applicants take and pass a California law and ethics examination prior to obtaining licensure.
This bill would clarify the associate registration process for licensure applicants under the Board and add greater consistency between license types. The bill also seeks to clarify and standardize how the Board considers substantially equivalent experience in another state in lieu of certain licensure requirements and when additional education is required for these applicants. The bill also makes clear that the process for renewing an expired associate registration is the same process by which a soon-to-be-expired registration is renewed.
Prior Related Legislation. AB 2191 (Salas) from 2016 extended the sunset date for the Board to January 1, 2021 and made technical, nonsubstances changes to its authorizing statute.
REGISTERED SUPPORT:
California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Sponsor)
REGISTERED OPPOSITION:
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Robert Sumner / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Assembly Floor
46SEC
Senate Floor
5MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):