Board adopts fee-reduction regulations after public comment; staff authorized to file final rulemaking package

The Board reviewed public comments on proposed fee-reduction regulations and voted to adopt the regulatory text and authorize staff to complete the final rulemaking package with the Office of Administrative Law.

Rachel Lanzoni, the Board’s budget analyst, told the Board that the fee-reduction proposal was noticed on Sept. 19, 2025, produced 32 written comments and one oral comment during a public hearing, and that staff had prepared recommended responses. "The board received 32 written comments and 1 oral comment," Lanzoni said during her presentation. Comments ranged from requests for clarification about which fees are included to suggestions about the length of the fee-reduction window.

Staff recommended that reductions apply to all application, registration, and renewal fees and explained their fiscal modeling: a four-year reduction window was proposed so the Board’s reserve would fall to an appropriate target without jeopardizing operations. Several commenters asked for a shorter reduction window or asked why the LCSW clinical exam fee was not included; staff explained the LCSW clinical exam is not administered by the Board and therefore not under its fee authority.

The Board first voted to accept staff' recommended responses to public comments and then voted to adopt the proposed regulatory text for California Code of Regulations (CCR) sections identified in the packet, directing staff to file the final rulemaking package and authorizing the Executive Officer to make non-substantive edits. Roll-call votes were recorded as 'yes' from members present; staff confirmed the motions carried.

Board members thanked staff for the review and public outreach. The Board noted it may revisit the duration of reductions in future depending on economic conditions and reserve performance.