Board of Behavioral Sciences launches education-review, urges students to wait to apply until degree conferred

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences said in a video presentation that it has launched a comprehensive review of education requirements for marriage and family therapist and professional clinical counselor applicants, formed a new outreach and education committee, and advised students to wait until their degrees are officially conferred before submitting registration applications.

The review, led by the board’s workforce development committee, will assess course timing, length and content for both in‑state and out‑of‑state applicants and consider whether to standardize approval processes for educational programs. "The goal of this review is to establish a more consistent and equitable framework, which will reduce confusion regarding the board's education requirements," said Steve Sodergren, executive officer of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The review matters because inconsistent program documentation and timing can delay licensure and the start of supervised experience, the board said. To reduce processing problems, the board reiterated practical steps for students and schools, including when to apply, what proof of coursework is acceptable, and how to use the board’s Breeze online licensing system.

Board officials said they have formed an outreach and education committee to improve consumer education, expand engagement with schools and increase public participation in board meetings. The committee held its first meeting on Feb. 7 to review strategic objectives, the board said.

On application timing, the board strongly advised students to wait until their degree is officially conferred before submitting a registration application. "We strongly recommend students to wait until their degree is officially conferred before applying," Sodergren said. Applying before a degree is conferred can prompt a deficiency notice if transcripts or program certifications have not been received.

The board provided additional, issue‑specific guidance: graduates of in‑state marriage and family therapy or professional clinical counseling programs who completed their degrees on or after Dec. 31, 2018, should already have most required coursework completed as part of their programs, with the possible exceptions of suicide risk assessment and telehealth training; the same general timeline applies to in‑state social workers who graduated on or after Jan. 1, 2021. The board said acceptable proof of additional coursework may include a letter from the school or continuing‑education certificates.

Officials also summarized the "90‑day rule," which they described as a state law that allows students to begin counting supervised experience hours from their graduation date if certain conditions are met. According to the board, to use the 90‑day rule students must (1) apply for AMFT registration within 90 days of graduation, (2) be fingerprinted by the agency where they will gain hours, and (3) retain a copy of the live‑scan form for submission with licensure applications.

On electronic procedures, the board advised students to type information into the fillable PDF registration form rather than handwrite it, to include any supporting coursework or explanatory letters in application packets, and to create a Breeze account only after submitting a registration application. Breeze is the board’s online licensing system for tracking applications, renewals and exams; help‑desk support is available at (916) 557‑1208 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The board encouraged schools to designate a point of contact to receive updates, to notify the board of degree‑program changes that could affect student eligibility, and to use available resources such as the board’s "10 tips for a smoother licensing process" PDF. For school questions, the board provided an email contact: bbs.schools@dca.ca.gov and a website with meeting schedules and materials at www.bbs.ca.gov.

The presentation closed by highlighting the Department of Health Care Access and Information, which offers grants, scholarships and loan‑repayment programs for health‑care students and professionals; the board advised schools and students to sign up for HCAI email updates for eligibility and application‑cycle information.

Board statements in the presentation were procedural and advisory; no formal motion or vote on regulatory changes was presented during the video. The workforce development committee will continue the education‑requirements review, and the newly formed outreach and education committee will pursue the board’s stated communication and engagement objectives.