AB 2270: Healing arts: continuing education: menopausal mental or physical health.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2024-09-27
Current Status:
Passed
(2024-09-27: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 636, Statutes of 2024.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, including osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 639 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2581 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1526 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, including osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 639 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2581 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1526 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, including osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 639 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2581 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1526 and AB 2581 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, including osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. surgeons, including osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require licensees under these provisions to have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education and professional development requirements. the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require licensees under these provisions to have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education and professional development requirements.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require licensees under these provisions to have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education and professional development requirements.
(a)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in human sexuality, defined as the study of a human being as a sexual being and how they function with respect thereto, and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
(b)The board shall consider including a course in child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
(c)The board shall consider including a course in acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
(d)The board shall encourage every physician and surgeon to take nutrition as part of their continuing education, particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
(e)The board shall consider including a course in elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
(f)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
(g)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of drug-addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
(h)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course providing training and guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(i)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(j)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall give its highest priority to considering a course on pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(k)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
(l)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 4.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 2.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 2, 2.2, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 2.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 2.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, SB 639, and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 639 and AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 4 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.(a)Section 5.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 5, 5.2, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 5.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 5.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Senate Bill 1526, and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 and Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 14.Section 8.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 8 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in human sexuality, defined as the study of a human being as a sexual being and how they function with respect thereto, and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
(b)The board shall consider including a course in child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
(c)The board shall consider including a course in acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
(d)The board shall encourage every physician and surgeon to take nutrition as part of their continuing education, particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
(e)The board shall consider including a course in elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
(f)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
(g)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of drug-addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
(h)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course providing training and guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(i)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(j)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall give its highest priority to considering a course on pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(k)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
(l)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 4.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 2.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 2, 2.2, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 2.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 2.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, SB 639, and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 639 and AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 4 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.(a)Section 5.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 5, 5.2, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 5.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 5.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Senate Bill 1526, and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 and Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 14.Section 8.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 8 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in human sexuality, defined as the study of a human being as a sexual being and how they function with respect thereto, and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
(b)The board shall consider including a course in child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
(c)The board shall consider including a course in acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
(d)The board shall encourage every physician and surgeon to take nutrition as part of their continuing education, particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
(e)The board shall consider including a course in elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
(f)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
(g)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of drug-addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
(h)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course providing training and guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(i)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management.
(2)The psycho-social psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(j)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall give its highest priority to considering a course on pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(k)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
(l)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 4.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(d)(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(i)(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 9.(a)Section 2.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 2, 2.2, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 2.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 2.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, SB 639, and AB 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after SB 639 and AB 2581, in which case Sections 2, 2.1, and 2.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 4 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.(a)Section 5.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2581 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 5, 5.2, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 5.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 5.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Senate Bill 1526, and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 and Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Sections 5, 5.1, and 5.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 14.Section 8.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2581. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2581, in which case Section 8 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in human sexuality, defined as the study of a human being as a sexual being and how they function with respect thereto, and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
(b)The board shall consider including a course in child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
(c)The board shall consider including a course in acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
(d)The board shall encourage every physician and surgeon to take nutrition as part of their continuing education, particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
(e)The board shall consider including a course in elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
(f)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
(g)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of drug-addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
(h)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course providing training and guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(i)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management.
(2)The psycho-social dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(j)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall give its highest priority to considering a course on pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(k)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
(l)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(a)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in human sexuality, defined as the study of a human being as a sexual being and how he or she functions they function with respect thereto, and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
(b)The board shall consider including a course in child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
(c)The board shall consider including a course in acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
(d)The board shall encourage every physician and surgeon to take nutrition as part of his or her their continuing education, particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
(e)The board shall consider including a course in elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
(f)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
(g)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of drug addicted drug-addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
(h)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course providing training and guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(i)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management.
(2)The psycho-social dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(j)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall give its highest priority to considering a course on pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(k)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
(l)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(c)(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(d)(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(i)(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SECTION 1.Section 2191.3 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2191.3.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 2.Section 2811.7 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2811.7.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 4.Section 3524.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:3524.6.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 5.Section 4980.56 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4980.56.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 6.Section 4989.35 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4989.35.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 7.Section 4996.29 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4996.29.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 8.Section 4999.77 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4999.77.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.7 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2811.7.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:3524.6.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.56 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4980.56.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.35 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4989.35.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.29 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4996.29.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.77 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4999.77.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.7 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2811.7.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:3524.6.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.56 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4980.56.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.35 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4989.35.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.29 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4996.29.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.77 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4999.77.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental and physical health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2024 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 636, Statutes of 2024. |
| Sep 27, 2024 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 3, 2024 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6568.). |
| Aug 21, 2024 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 23 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 21, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 33. Noes 0. Page 5272.). |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 14, 2024 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Jun 18, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 17, 2024 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. |
| Jun 3, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 23, 2024 | 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. |
| May 15, 2024 | Referred to Com. on B., P. & E. D. |
| May 2, 2024 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 2, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5088.) |
| Apr 25, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 24, 2024 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 24). |
| Apr 11, 2024 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 10, 2024 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 9, 2024 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 9). |
| Apr 2, 2024 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Apr 1, 2024 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 26, 2024 | Referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Feb 9, 2024 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 10. |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2024 | AB 2270 Maienschein Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 21, 2024 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB2270 Maienschein et al. By Limón | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 3, 2024 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development |
Passed |
|
| May 2, 2024 | AB 2270 Maienschein Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 24, 2024 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 9, 2024 | Do pass as amended 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
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Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Board of Psychology | ** Support | |
| California Retired Teachers Association | ** Support | |
| Neighbors of the 40th Assembly District for Sane Legislation | * Support | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood Affiliates Of California | * Support | Jun 3, 2024 |
| San Fernando Valley Alliance Serving Family Values | * Support | Jun 3, 2024 |
| SFV Alliance | ** Support | Apr 9, 2024 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2270
Author:(Maienschein)
As Amended Ver:August 14, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires the Medical Board of California (MBC), Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Board of Psychology (BOP), Physician Assistants Board (PAB), and Board of Behavioral Sciences (BSS) to, in determining their continuing education (CE) requirements, consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
Senate Amendments
Address chaptering conflicts.
COMMENTS
Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Physicians. Physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC and the OMBC are required to complete 50 hours of approved CE every two years as a condition of license renewal. Though existing law also requires the MBC to consider requiring CE related to various topics (e.g. nutrition), there are only two subject-specific CE requirements in statute. Most physicians and surgeons are required to complete a one-time, 12-hour training in either the pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients or the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients. Additionally, general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25%are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 20% of their mandatory CE in the field of geriatric medicine. Physicians are otherwise afforded great latitude in choosing which CE courses to take to satisfy their 50 hours. Both the MBC and the OMBC require CE courses to be accredited or approved by specified organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Osteopathic physician and surgeons specifically are required to complete a minimum of 20 CE hours certified by the American Osteopathic Association.
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses under the BRN are required by statute to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Psychologists. Psychologists under the BOP are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate-level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including six hours of Law and Ethics, every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BBS as a CE provider.
Menopause. Menopause is a natural part of aging for women and people assigned female at birth. During perimenopause, decreases in estrogen and progesterone cause menstrual periods to cease, typically over many years in a person's 40s or 50s. Menopause, which marks the end of a person's fertility, is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. Symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and emotional changes, and may be managed by hormone therapy, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes. Symptoms may improve during postmenopause, but risks of adverse health conditions such including osteoporosis and heart disease are elevated.
A 2017 survey of 183 postgraduates in family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across the US highlighted knowledge gaps concerning hormone therapy and menopause management strategies. Notably, 20% of respondents (36) reported a lack of menopause lectures during residency and just 6.8% (12) felt adequately prepared to manage menopausal patients. The authors of the study emphasized the need to invest in "the education of future clinicians to ensure evidence-based, comprehensive menopause management for the increasing population of midlife women." This bill would require the MBC, BRN, BOP, PAB, and BBS to consider requiring licensees to take CE related to menopause.
According to the Author
"It is imperative to address the misconceptions and lack of understanding surrounding menopause. It is crucial for both women experiencing menopause and healthcare professionals to comprehend the perimenopause transition, as it affects almost every woman. Lack of knowledge perpetuates anxiety and delays in care, potentially impacting the health-related quality of life. This bill aims to add an educational course on menopausal mental and physical health for healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, and others, to improve patient care during this significant life transition."
Arguments in Support
The California Retired Teachers Association writes in support:
AB 2270 would expand the scope of continuing education and professional development opportunities for doctors and therapists to include menopausal mental and physical health. Since a disproportionate number of teachers are women, ensuring medical professionals can expand their expertise on women's medical issues during menopause will provide overall better care.
Arguments in Opposition
No opposition on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
Pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, no significant state costs anticipated.
VOTES:
ASM BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS: 18-0-0
YES: Berman, Flora, Alanis, Bains, Juan Carrillo, Chen, Dixon, Grayson, Irwin, Jackson, Low, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Stephanie Nguyen, Pellerin, Sanchez, Soria, Zbur
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta
ABS, ABST OR NV: Villapudua
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0-7
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
SENATE FLOOR: 33-0-7
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Blakespear, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Stern, Umberg, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Atkins, Becker, Bradford, Menjivar, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wahab
UPDATED
VERSION: August 14, 2024
CONSULTANT: Kaitlin Curry / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0004375
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2270 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2270
Author: Maienschein (D), et al.
Amended: 8/14/24 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 13-0, 6/3/24
AYES: Ashby, Nguyen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Becker, Dodd, Eggman, Glazer, Menjivar, Niello, Roth, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: menopausal mental or physical health
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/14/24 resolve chaptering conflicts with AB 2581 (Maienschein), SB 639 (Limón), and SB 1526 (Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development)
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including physicians and surgeons (under the Medical Practice Act by MBC), osteopathic physicians and surgeons (under the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC)) nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires all general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older to complete at least 20 percent of all mandatory CME hours in a course in the field of geriatric medicine or the care of older patients. (BPC § 2190.3)
- Requires all physicians and surgeons to complete a course in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, which must include the subject of the risks associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. Authorizes a physician and surgeon to complete a one-time course in the subjects of treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients as an alternative to the required course in pain management. (BPC §§ 2190.5 and 2190.6)
- Requires MBC, in determining CME requirements, to consider including a course in a range of topics including maternal mental health, which shall address best practices in screening for maternal mental health disorders, including cultural competency and unintended bias as a means to build trust with mothers; the range of maternal mental health disorders; the range of evidence-based treatment options, including the importance of allowing a mother to be involved in developing the treatment plan and; when an obstetrician or a primary care doctor should consult with a psychiatrist versus making a referral. (BPC § 2190.1)
- Requires OMBC to adopt and administer standards for the continuing education (CE) of OMBC licensed osteopathic physician and required licensees to demonstrate satisfaction of the CE as a condition for the renewal of a license at intervals of not less than one year nor more than two years. OMBC requires each licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as a condition for renewal of an active license. Requires OMBC licensed osteopathic physicians and surgeons to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPC § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16 § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee CE.
Background
Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. All physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC must complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year license renewal cycle. CME requirements can be met by taking a variety of approved courses. Approved CME consists of courses or programs designated by the American Medical Association or the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association related to patient care, community health or public health, preventive medicine, quality assurance or improvement, risk management, health facility standards, the legal aspects of clinical medicine, bioethics, professional ethics or improvement of the physician-patient relationship.
The only specifically required courses are a one-time, 12-hour training in pain
management and the treatment of terminally ill patients, and a requirement that
general internists and family physicians whose patient populations are over 25% 65
years of age and older must take at least 20% of their continuing education in the
field of geriatric medicine. However, all approved courses must contain
curriculum that includes cultural and linguistic competency in the practice of
medicine and the understanding of implicit bias.
Osteopathic physicians and surgeons licensed by OMBC are required to complete a
minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each
two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic
Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either
American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as
a condition for renewal of an active license. Licensed osteopathic physicians and
surgeons are also required to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated
with the use of Schedule II drugs.
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CPD every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CPD activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
California Board of Psychology
California Retired Teachers Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/13/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Retired Teachers Association, “Since a disproportionate number of teachers are women, ensuring medical professionals can expand their expertise on women’s medical issues during menopause will provide overall better care.”
The California Board of Psychology writes that “By considering a course in the topic of menopausal mental or physical health, the Board believes this will grant licensees the option to gain further education, training, and experience in treating clients and improve client care.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
Prepared by: Sarah Mason / B., P. & E.D. /
8/16/24 12:47:35
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2270 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2270
Author: Maienschein (D), et al.
Amended: 5/23/24 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 13-0, 6/3/24
AYES: Ashby, Nguyen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Becker, Dodd, Eggman, Glazer, Menjivar, Niello, Roth, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: menopausal mental or physical health
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
ANALYSIS:
Existing Law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including physicians and surgeons (under the Medical Practice Act by MBC), osteopathic physicians and surgeons (under the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC)) nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires all general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older to complete at least 20 percent of all mandatory CME hours in a course in the field of geriatric medicine or the care of older patients. (BPC § 2190.3)
- Requires all physicians and surgeons to complete a course in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, which must include the subject of the risks associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. Authorizes a physician and surgeon to complete a one-time course in the subjects of treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients as an alternative to the required course in pain management. (BPC §§ 2190.5 and 2190.6)
- Requires MBC, in determining CME requirements, to consider including a course in a range of topics including maternal mental health, which shall address best practices in screening for maternal mental health disorders, including cultural competency and unintended bias as a means to build trust with mothers; the range of maternal mental health disorders; the range of evidence-based treatment options, including the importance of allowing a mother to be involved in developing the treatment plan and; when an obstetrician or a primary care doctor should consult with a psychiatrist versus making a referral. (BPC § 2190.1)
- Requires OMBC to adopt and administer standards for the continuing education (CE) of OMBC licensed osteopathic physician and required licensees to demonstrate satisfaction of the CE as a condition for the renewal of a license at intervals of not less than one year nor more than two years. OMBC requires each licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as a condition for renewal of an active license. Requires OMBC licensed osteopathic physicians and surgeons to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPC § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16 § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education.
Background
- Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. All physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC must complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year license renewal cycle. CME requirements can be met by taking a variety of approved courses. Approved CME consists of courses or programs designated by the American Medical Association or the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association related to patient care, community health or public health, preventive medicine, quality assurance or improvement, risk management, health facility standards, the legal aspects of clinical medicine, bioethics, professional ethics or improvement of the physician-patient relationship.
The only specifically required courses are a one-time, 12-hour training in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill patients, and a requirement that general internists and family physicians whose patient populations are over 25% 65 years of age and older must take at least 20% of their continuing education in the field of geriatric medicine. However, all approved courses must contain curriculum that includes cultural and linguistic competency in the practice of medicine and the understanding of implicit bias.
Osteopathic physicians and surgeons licensed by OMBC are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as a condition for renewal of an active license. Licensed osteopathic physicians and surgeons are also required to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
- Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
- Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CPD every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CPD activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
- Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
- Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 6/18/24)
California Board of Psychology
California Retired Teachers Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/18/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the California Retired Teachers Association, “Since a disproportionate number of teachers are women, ensuring medical professionals can expand their expertise on women’s medical issues during menopause will provide overall better care.”
The California Board of Psychology writes that “By considering a course in the topic of menopausal mental or physical health, the Board believes this will grant licensees the option to gain further education, training, and experience in treating clients and improve client care.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
Prepared by: Sarah Mason / B., P. & E.D. /
6/18/24 15:49:19
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Senator Angelique Ashby, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 2270 Hearing Date: June 3, 2024
Author: | Maienschein | ||
Version: |
| ||
Urgency: | Fiscal: | ||
Consultant: | |||
Subject: Healing arts: continuing education: menopausal mental or physical health
SUMMARY:
Requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
Existing law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including physicians and surgeons (under the Medical Practice Act by MBC), osteopathic physicians and surgeons (under the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC)) nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires all general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older to complete at least 20 percent of all mandatory CME hours in a course in the field of geriatric medicine or the care of older patients. (BPC § 2190.3)
- Requires all physicians and surgeons to complete a course in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, which must include the subject of the risks associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. Authorizes a physician and surgeon to complete a one-time course in the subjects of treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients as an alternative to the required course in pain management. (BPC §§ 2190.5 and 2190.6)
- Requires MBC, in determining CME requirements, to consider including a course in: (BPC § 2190.1)
- Human sexuality and nutrition to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in those areas.
- Child abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected children.
- Acupuncture to be taken by those licensees whose practices may require knowledge in the area of acupuncture and whose education has not included instruction in acupuncture.
- Nutrition, for every physician and surgeon, as part of his or her CME particularly a physician and surgeon involved in primary care.
- Elder abuse detection and treatment to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with abused or neglected persons 65 years of age and older.
- The early detection and treatment of substance abusing pregnant women to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these women.
- The special care needs of drug addicted infants to be taken by those licensees whose practices are of a nature that there is a likelihood of contact with these infants.
- Guidelines on how to routinely screen for signs exhibited by abused women, particularly for physicians and surgeons in emergency, surgical, primary care, pediatric, prenatal, and mental health settings. In the event the MBC establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
- The special care needs of individuals and their families facing end-of-life issues, including, but not limited to, pain and symptom management, the psycho-social dynamics of death, dying and bereavement and hospice care.
- Pain management and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
- Geriatric care for emergency room physicians and surgeons.
- Integrating HIV/AIDS pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis medication maintenance and counseling in primary care settings.
- Integrating mental and physical health care in primary care settings, especially as it pertains to early identification of mental health issues in children and young adults and their appropriate care and treatment.
- Maternal mental health, which shall address best practices in screening for maternal mental health disorders, including cultural competency and unintended bias as a means to build trust with mothers; the range of maternal mental health disorders; the range of evidence-based treatment options, including the importance of allowing a mother to be involved in developing the treatment plan and; when an obstetrician or a primary care doctor should consult with a psychiatrist versus making a referral.
- Prohibits educational activities that are not directed toward the practice of medicine, or are directed primarily toward the business aspects of medical practice, including, but not limited to, medical office management, billing and coding, and marketing from meeting the CME standards for physicians and surgeons. (BPC § 2190.1(f))
- Requires OMBC to adopt and administer standards for the continuing education (CE) of OMBC licensed osteopathic physician and required licensees to demonstrate satisfaction of the CE as a condition for the renewal of a license at intervals of not less than one year nor more than two years. OMBC requires each licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as a condition for renewal of an active license. Requires OMBC licensed osteopathic physicians and surgeons to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
FISCAL EFFECT:
This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel. According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, the bill will not result in significant state costs.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. The Author is the Sponsor of this bill. According to the Author, “..most women had limited knowledge and negative attitudes toward menopause, leaving them unprepared to cope with the physical and psychological changes associated with this stage of life. Improved menopause education is required to improve the quality of life during the menopausal transition and a most positive narrative of life post menopause.” The Author cites a 2019 Mayo Clinic study which “found that ‘family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology residency trainees recognize the importance of training in menopause management, but important knowledge gaps exist. Investing in the education of future clinicians to provide evidence-based, comprehensive menopause management for the growing population of midlife women is a priority.’” The Author also cites a 2022 National Library of Medicine study which found that “there is an urgent need for menopause to be included in mainstream curricula and for an appropriate pedagogy that acknowledges the complexity of the topic, to achieve excellence in education across health professions education. There is a broader perspective in addressing the challenges for health professions' education in terms of the prioritisation and pedagogy of women's health.” The Author states that “Because of the lack of knowledge and training on this issue of menopause, women go into this phase of their lives with little to no help. Allowing physicians and behavioral health providers to take a course to expand their knowledge on this issue would allow women to get answers from medical/ behavioral health providers during this time in their lives.”
- Background
Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. All physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC must complete a minimum of 50 hours of approved CME during each two-year license renewal cycle. CME requirements can be met by taking a variety of approved courses. The only exception to this requirement is for a physician who takes and passes a certifying or recertifying examination administered by a recognized specialty board; the individual can be granted credit for four consecutive years of CME credit for purposes of licensure renewal. Upon renewal, physicians are required to self-certify under penalty of perjury that they have met each of the CME requirements, that they have met the conditions exempting them from all or part of the requirements, or that they hold a permanent CME waiver. MBC is authorized to audit a random sample of physicians who have reported compliance with the CME requirements for verification purposes. MBC reports that it currently audits approximately one percent of the total number of renewing physicians per year.
Approved CME consists of courses or programs designated by the American Medical Association or the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association related to patient care, community health or public health, preventive medicine, quality assurance or improvement, risk management, health facility standards, the legal aspects of clinical medicine, bioethics, professional ethics or improvement of the physician-patient relationship.
The only specifically required courses are a one-time, 12-hour training in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill patients, and a requirement that general internists and family physicians whose patient populations are over 25% 65 years of age and older must take at least 20% of their continuing education in the field of geriatric medicine. However, all approved courses must contain curriculum that includes cultural and linguistic competency in the practice of medicine and the understanding of implicit bias.
Osteopathic physicians and surgeons licensed by OMBC are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours during each two-year cycle, of which 20 hours shall be completed in American Osteopathic Association Category 1 CE hours and the remaining 30 hours shall be either American Osteopathic Association or American Medical Association accredited as a condition for renewal of an active license. Licensed osteopathic physicians and surgeons are also required to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CPD every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CPD activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
- Arguments in Support. According to the California Retired Teachers Association, “Since a disproportionate number of teachers are women, ensuring medical professionals can expand their expertise on women’s medical issues during menopause will provide overall better care.”
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:
Support:
California Retired Teachers Association
Opposition:
None received
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 24, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2270
Author:(Maienschein) – As Amended Ver:April 10, 2024
Policy Committee: | Business and Professions | Vote: | 18 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Medical Board of California (MBC), the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), the Physician Assistants Board (PAB), the Board of Psychology (BOP), and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BSS) to consider, in determining CE requirements, a course on menopausal mental or physical health to satisfy continuing education (CE) requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT:
No significant state costs.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
It is imperative to address the misconceptions and lack of understanding surrounding menopause. It is crucial for both women experiencing menopause and healthcare professionals to comprehend the perimenopause transition, as it affects almost every woman. Lack of knowledge perpetuates anxiety and delays in care, potentially impacting the health-related quality of life. This bill aims to add an educational course on menopausal mental and physical health for healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, and others, to improve patient care during this significant life transition.
- Background. Menopause, which marks the end of a woman’s fertility, is a natural part of aging for women. Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. During perimenopause, the transitional time around menopause, decreases in estrogen and progesterone cause menstrual periods to cease, typically over many years in a person’s 40s or 50s. Symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and emotional changes, and may be managed by hormone therapy, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes. Symptoms may improve during postmenopause, but risks of adverse health conditions including osteoporosis and heart disease are elevated.
A survey of postgraduates in family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across the U.S. revealed knowledge gaps concerning hormone therapy and menopause management strategies. Notably, 20% of respondents reported a lack of menopause lectures during residency and just 7% felt adequately prepared to manage menopausal patients. The authors of the study emphasized the need to invest in “the education of future clinicians to ensure evidence-based, comprehensive menopause management for the increasing population of midlife women.”
- Related Legislation.
- AB 2581 (Maienschein) requires the same boards referenced in this bill to consider, in determining CE requirements, coursework on maternal mental health. AB 2581 is pending in this committee.
- AB 3119 (Low) requires MBC to consider requiring licensed physicians to take a continuing education CE course on long COVID. AB 3119 is pending in this committee.
- AB 2581 (Maienschein) requires the same boards referenced in this bill to consider, in determining CE requirements, coursework on maternal mental health. AB 2581 is pending in this committee.
- Prior Legislation.
- AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires MBC to consider including a course in maternal mental health in CE requirements for physicians.
- AB 1791 (Waldron), Chapter 122, Statutes of 2018, requires MBC to consider including among CE requirements for physicians a course relating to the integration of HIV/AIDS pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication maintenance and counseling in primary care settings.
- AB 1340 (Maienschein), Chapter 759, Statutes of 2017, requires MBC to consider including among CE requirement for physicians a course integrating mental and physical health care in primary care settings.
- AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires MBC to consider including a course in maternal mental health in CE requirements for physicians.
Analysis Prepared by: Allegra Kim / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 9, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Marc Berman, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2270
Author:(Maienschein) – As Amended Ver:April 1, 2024
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: menopausal mental and physical health.
SUMMARY: Requires licensees of the Medical Board of California (MBC), the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), the Physician Assistants Board (PAB), the Board of Psychology (BOP), and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BSS) to have the option to take coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education (CE) requirements.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the Medical Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, and the Osteopathic Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of osteopathic physicians and surgeons. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 2000 et seq.)
- Establishes the MBC within the Department of Consumer Affairs for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Medical Practice Act. (BPC § 2001)
- Establishes the OMBC for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Osteopathic Act and the Medical Practice Act, when applicable. (BPC § 2701)
- Specifies that references to the MBC in the Medical Practice Act also refer to the OMBC, as specified. (BPC § 2451)
- Requires the MBC to adopt and administer standards for the CE of its licensees; authorizes the MBC to set content standards for any education regarding the prevention and treatment of a chronic disease; and mandates that the MBC require each licensed physician and surgeon to demonstrate satisfaction of CE requirements at intervals of not less than four nor more than six years. (BPC § 2190)
- Authorizes the MBC’s Division of Licensing to establish continuing medical education standards for courses that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance that a physician and surgeon uses to provide care, or to improve the quality of care provided to patients. (BPC § 2190.1)
- Requires a physician and surgeon to complete not less than 50 hours of approved CE during every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1336)
- In determining its CE requirements, requires the MBC to consider including courses related to numerous specified subjects. (BPC §§ 2191, 2191.4, 2191.5, 2196.9)
- Requires most physicians and surgeons to complete a one-time CE course in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, which must include the subject of the risks associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2190.5)
- Authorizes a physician and surgeon to complete a one-time CE course on the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients as an alternative to the required course in pain management. (BPC § 2190.6)
- Requires the OMBC to adopt and administer standards for CE of osteopathic physician and surgeons. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Mandates that the OMBC require each licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours, as specified, and demonstrate satisfaction of CE requirements every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Requires osteopathic physician and surgeons to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Establishes the Nursing Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of registered nurses. (BPC §§ 2700-2838.4)
- Establishes the BRN, within DCA, for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Nursing Practice Act. (BPC § 2701)
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations. Title 16 § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Establishes the Psychology Licensing Law, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of psychologists. (BPC § 2901)
- Establishes the BOP within DCA for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Psychology Licensing Law. (BPC § 2920)
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Establishes the Physician Assistant Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of PAs. (BPC §§ 3500.5-3545)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Establishes the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed educational psychologists (LEP), the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, which provides for the licensure and regulation of licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC), and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). (BPC §§ 4980-4989; 4989.10-4989.18; 4991-4998.5, 4999.10-4999.129)
- Establishes the BBS for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act. (BPC § 4989.12)
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
THIS BILL:
- Requires a licensee of the MBC, OMBC, BRN, BOP, PAB, or the BBS to have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements, notwithstanding any law to the contrary.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. This bill is author-sponsored. According to the author:
It is imperative to address the misconceptions and lack of understanding surrounding menopause. It is crucial for both women experiencing menopause and healthcare professionals to comprehend the perimenopause transition, as it affects almost every woman. Lack of knowledge perpetuates anxiety and delays in care, potentially impacting the health-related quality of life. This bill aims to add an educational course on menopausal mental and physical health for healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, and others, to improve patient care during this significant life transition.
Background.
Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. Physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC and the OMBC are required to complete 50 hours of approved CE every two years as a condition of license renewal. Though existing law also requires the MBC to consider requiring CE related to various topics (e.g. nutrition), there are only two subject-specific CE requirements in statute. Most physicians and surgeons are required to complete a one-time, 12-hour training in either the pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients or the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients.[1] Additionally, general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 20 percent of their mandatory CE in the field of geriatric medicine. Physicians are otherwise afforded great latitude in choosing which CE courses to take to satisfy their 50 hours. Both the MBC and the OMBC require CE courses to be accredited or approved by specified organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Osteopathic physician and surgeons specifically are required to complete a minimum of 20 CE hours certified by the American Osteopathic Association.[2]
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses under the BRN are required by statute to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care.[3] Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists under the BOP are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate-level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE.[4] The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal.[5] Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.[6]
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics[7], every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal.[8] Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting[9] and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency[10] if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BBS as a CE provider.[11]
Menopause. Menopause is a natural part of aging for women and people assigned female at birth.[12] During perimenopause, decreases in estrogen and progesterone cause menstrual periods to cease, typically over many years in a person’s 40s or 50s. Menopause, which marks the end of a person’s fertility, is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. Symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and emotional changes, and may be managed by hormone therapy, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes. Symptoms may improve during postmenopause, but risks of adverse health conditions such including osteoporosis and heart disease are elevated.
A 2017 survey of 183 postgraduates in family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across the US highlighted knowledge gaps concerning hormone therapy and menopause management strategies. Notably, 20% of respondents (36) reported a lack of menopause lectures during residency and just 6.8% (12) felt adequately prepared to manage menopausal patients. The authors of the study emphasized the need to invest in “the education of future clinicians to ensure evidence-based, comprehensive menopause management for the increasing population of midlife women.”[13]
This bill would require physician and surgeons, osteopathic physician and surgeons, registered nurses, psychologists, physician assistants, LCSWs, LEPs, LMFTs, and LPCCs to have the option of taking CE related to menopausal mental or physical health within their scope of practice. Considering people of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to experience menopause at a younger age and have worse symptoms,[14] the author’s office believes that this bill will reduce health-related inequities by ensuring health care providers are knowledgeable about menopause,
Current Related Legislation.
AB 2467 (Bauer-Kahan) of 2024 would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, except for a specialized contract or policy, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, to include coverage for treatment of perimenopause and menopause. AB 2467 is pending in the Assembly Health Committee.
AB 2229 (Wilson) of 2024 would require comprehensive sexual health education to include instruction and materials on menopause, among other topics related to menstruation. AB 2229 is pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
AB 2581 (Maienschein) of 2024 would licensees of the MBC, OMBC, BRN, PAB, BOP, and the BBS to have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy CE requirements. AB 2581 is pending in this committee.
AB 3119 (Low) of 2024 would require the MBC, in determining its CE requirements, to consider including a course in Long COVID. AB 3119 is pending in this committee.
Prior Related Legislation.
AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires the MBC, in determining its CE requirements for licensed physicians and surgeons, to consider including a course in maternal mental health.
AB 1791 (Waldron), Chapter 122, Statutes of 2018, requires the MBC, in determining its CE requirements, to consider including a continuing medical education course relating to the integration of HIV/AIDS pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication maintenance and counseling in primary care settings.
AB 1340 (Maienschein), Chapter 759, Statutes of 2017, requires the MBC to, when determining its CE requirements, consider including a course in integrating mental and physical health care in primary care settings.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
The California Retired Teachers Association writes in support:
[This bill] would expand the scope of continuing education and professional development opportunities for doctors and therapists to include menopausal mental and physical health. Since a disproportionate number of teachers are women, ensuring medical professionals can expand their expertise on women’s medical issues during menopause will provide overall better care.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:
None on file
POLICY ISSUE(S) FOR CONSIDERATION:
Need for the bill. Historically, similar bills have either required a board to encourage its licensees to take CE related to a particular topic, mandated licensees to complete CE related to a specific topic, or required a board to consider requiring licensees to complete specified CE. This bill only requires that licensees have the option to take CE related to a specific subject—menopausal mental or physical health. This committee is currently aware of at least one CE course on the topic.[15] As such, it is unclear why a licensee would not currently have the option to take CE related to menopausal health unless such coursework is not relevant to the licensee’s practice or does not meet a board’s parameters for acceptable CE. Provided the availability of CE related to menopause, the benefit of the bill is uncertain.
Relevance. Existing law requires licensees under the BBS (LCSWs, LMFTs, LEPs, and LPCCs) to take CE courses that are related to their field of practice. While the topic of menopause may be relevant to the practice of a LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC, it is much less likely to be applicable to LEPs whose clients are children. However, as currently written, this bill could be interpreted to require the BBS to accept menopause-related CE from any licensee regardless of germaneness.
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES:
Impact on existing CE requirements. Existing law requires licensees to complete 30-50 hours of CE (depending on license type) every license renewal period. In fulfillment of some of those hours, some boards require licensees to complete coursework related to California law and ethics. As the bill is currently drafted, it is unclear whether the completion of a single CE course related to menopause would satisfy the entirety of a licensee’s CE obligation, including any specific coursework required by a board.
AMENDMENTS:
To address the aforementioned policy and implementation issues, the author has agreed to amend the bill as follows:
- In Section 3 of the bill, strike out “
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.” and replace with “In determining its continuing professional development requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.” - Strike the remainder of the bill.
- Add “In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.” to the following existing BPC Sections, respectively:
- BPC § 2191 related to physicians and surgeons
- BPC § 2811.5 related to registered nurses
- BPC § 3524.5 related to physician assistants
- BPC § 4980.54 related to marriage and family therapists
- BPC § 4989.34 related to educational psychologists
- BPC § 4996.22 related to social workers
- BPC § 4999.76 related to clinical counselors
REGISTERED SUPPORT:
California Retired Teachers Association
REGISTERED OPPOSITION:
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Kaitlin Curry / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
Pathologists and radiologists are exempt from this requirement. ↑
Osteopathic Medical Board of California Continuing Medical Education ↑
Board of Registered Nursing Continuing Education for License Renewal ↑
Board of Psychology Continuing Professional Development Information ↑
16 CCR § 1399.615 ↑
Physician Assistant Board Continuing Medical Education Information ↑
16 CCR § 1887.3(d) ↑
16 CCR § 1887.3(c) ↑
16 CCR § 1807.2 ↑
16 CCR § 1810 ↑
Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensee Continuing Education Information Brochure ↑
Kling JM, MacLaughlin KL, Schnatz PF, Crandall CJ, Skinner LJ, Stuenkel CA, Kaunitz AM, Bitner DL, Mara K, Fohmader Hilsaca KS, Faubion SS. Menopause Management Knowledge in Postgraduate Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019 Feb;94(2):242-253. ↑
Santoro N, Sutton-Tyrrell K. The SWAN song: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation's recurring themes. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2011 Sep;38(3):417-23. ↑
Discussed in Hearing
37SEC
Assembly Floor
1MIN
Senate Floor
3MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
4MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
