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Board of Behavioral Sciences launches education-review and outreach push for schools and licensure applicants
Summary
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences announced a comprehensive review of education requirements for LMFT and LPCC applicants, formed an outreach and education committee, and offered step‑by‑step guidance for students on registration, the 90‑day rule, Breeze accounts and proof of coursework.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences updated schools and licensure applicants in a video presentation, announcing a comprehensive review of education requirements for marriage and family therapists and professional clinical counselors and the creation of an outreach and education committee aimed at improving communication with schools and students.
The moves are intended to reduce confusion about program requirements and help students complete registration and supervised experience correctly, board leaders said.
Executive Officer Steve Sodergren said the board has “started a comprehensive review of the education requirements for both in state and out of state LMFT and LPCC applicants,” led by the workforce development committee. He said the review will assess course timing, length and content and consider “the feasibility of standardizing these requirements across all applicants and considering a process for approving educational programs.” The goal, he added, is “to establish a more consistent and equitable framework, which will reduce confusion regarding the board's education requirements.”
Registration Manager Carl Peralta said the board has formed an outreach and education committee “to enhance consumer education, expand the board's reach to diverse populations, increase engagement with schools, and encourage greater participation in board meetings.” Peralta noted the committee held its first meeting on Feb. 7 to review current outreach and set strategic objectives.
Both presenters offered practical guidance for students and schools. The board strongly recommends that students wait until their degree is officially conferred before submitting a registration application; applying early can trigger a deficiency notice if official transcripts or program certification are not available. Peralta said, “When filling out the registration application, we recommend students type their information into the fillable PDF to avoid errors,” and that applicants include required coursework documentation or letters of explanation to speed processing.
On coursework proof, Sodergren clarified that graduates from in‑state marriage and family therapy or professional clinical counseling programs who completed their degree on or after Dec. 31, 2018, should already have most required coursework included in their program, with the possible exceptions of suicide risk assessment and telehealth training. He said the same general timeline applies to in‑state social workers who graduated on or after Jan. 1, 2021. Acceptable proof for additional coursework can include a letter from the school or completion certificates from continuing education courses, the board said.
The board reiterated details of the so‑called 90‑day rule, which Sodergren described as “a state law” that allows students to begin counting supervised experience hours from their graduation date only if specific requirements are met: the applicant must apply for an AMFT registration within 90 days of graduation, be fingerprinted by the agency where they will gain hours, and retain a copy of the live scan form to submit with their licensure application and completed hours.
On the board’s online systems, Peralta advised students to set up a Breeze account after submitting a registration application. Breeze is the board’s online licensing system for tracking applications, renewing registrations and applying for exams; a step‑by‑step PDF and FAQs are available on the board website. For technical help, the board listed a help desk at (916) 557‑1208, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
The presenters also encouraged schools to provide a point of contact so the board can share updates and to notify the board of changes to degree programs that might affect student eligibility. They urged schools and students to follow the board’s social media and email subscriber lists for processing time updates and other notices.
Sodergren highlighted the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) as a resource for grants, scholarships and loan repayment programs, and directed audiences to HCAI’s website for program eligibility and timelines.
The board closed by inviting schools to request presentations and other support to help students navigate licensing steps and by providing a contact email for school inquiries (bbs.schools@dca.ca.gov).
