Requirements For Licensure As LPCCs
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Compiled by Mary Riemersma, Executive Director
The following are excerpts from the licensing law that was recently passed that detail the requirements for LMFTs and LCSWs to become dually licensed as LPCCs in California. Section 4999.32 provides an overview of the educational requirements to qualify. One should compare these requirements against one’s transcript to see if there are deficiencies. If there are deficiencies, the deficient courses can be obtained now in preparation for acquiring the license. As indicated, one must have had in his/her educational program seven of the nine core courses. Thus, one can take two (or possibly three if one began graduate study prior to 1996) of these required courses outside of the degree program. These courses can be taken now to remediate the deficiencies. Each course must be a minimum of three semester or four and one-half quarter units. Courses taken now to satisfy these educational requirements are to be post-master’s or post-doctoral courses from an accredited or approved educational institution. The nine core courses are: counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques; human growth and development; career development; group counseling; assessment, appraisal and testing; multicultural counseling; diagnosis; research; ethics and law. For more complete descriptions of these core courses, carefully review the section of law that follows. Other required education can be completed outside of one’s degree; such courses mirror the requirements for LMFTs (e.g., psychopharmacology, human sexuality, etc.).
4999.32. (a) This section shall apply to applicants for examination
eligibility or registration who begin graduate study before August 1, 2012,
and complete that study on or before December 31, 2018. Those applicants
may alternatively qualify under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
4999.33.
(b) To qualify for examination eligibility or registration, applicants shall possess a master’s or doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content and that meets the requirements of this section, obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. For purposes of this subdivision, a degree is “counseling or psychotherapy in content” if it contains the supervised practicum or field study experience described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and, except as provided in subdivision (d), the coursework in the core content areas listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). 92
(c) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall contain not less than 48 graduate semester or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction, which shall, except as provided in subdivision (d), include all of the following: (1) The equivalent of at least three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of graduate study in each of following core content areas: (A) Counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, including the counseling process in a multicultural society, an orientation to wellness and prevention, counseling theories to assist in selection of appropriate counseling interventions, models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice, development of a personal model of counseling, and multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters.
(B) Human growth and development across the lifespan, including normal and abnormal behavior and an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior.
(C) Career development theories and techniques, including career development decisionmaking models and interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development.
(D) Group counseling theories and techniques, including principles of group dynamics, group process components, developmental stage theories, therapeutic factors of group work, group leadership styles and approaches, pertinent research and literature, group counseling methods, and evaluation of effectiveness.
(E) Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, statistical concepts, social and cultural factors related to assessment and evaluation of individuals and groups, and ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment instruments and techniques in counseling.
(F) Multicultural counseling theories and techniques, including counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, identity development, promoting cultural social justice, individual and community strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, and counselors’ roles in eliminating biases and prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.
(G) Principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders or medical psychological disorders, established diagnostic criteria for mental or emotional disorders, and the treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
(H) Research and evaluation, including studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, the use of research to inform evidence-based practice, the importance of research in advancing the profession of counseling, and statistical methods used in conducting research, needs assessment, and program evaluation.
(I) Professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling, including professional ethical standards and legal considerations, licensing law and process, regulatory laws that delineate the profession’s scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, confidentiality, the client dangerous to self or others, treatment of minors with or without parental consent, relationship between practitioner’s sense of self and human values, functions and relationships with other human service providers, strategies for collaboration, and advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients.
(2) In addition to the course requirements described in paragraph (1), a minimum of 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues, special populations, application of counseling constructs, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, therapeutic relationships, psychopathology, or other clinical topics.
(3) Not less than six semester units or nine quarter units of supervised practicum or field study experience, or the equivalent, in a clinical setting that provides a range of professional clinical counseling experience, including the following: (A) Applied psychotherapeutic techniques. (B) Assessment. (C) Diagnosis. (D) Prognosis. (E) Treatment. (F) Issues of development, adjustment, and maladjustment. (G) Health and wellness promotion. (H) Other recognized counseling interventions. (I) A minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups. (d) (1) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than two of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph
(1) of subdivision (c) may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing post-master’s or postdoctoral degree coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12.
(2) Coursework taken to meet deficiencies in the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.
(3) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation. (e) In addition to the degree described in this section, or as part of that degree, an applicant shall complete the following coursework or training prior to registration as an intern:
(1) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in alcoholism and other chemical substance abuse dependency, as specified by regulation.
(2) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(3) A two semester unit or three quarter unit survey course in psychopharmacology.
(4) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics.
(5) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations adopted thereunder.
(6) A minimum of 18 contact hours of instruction in California law and professional ethics for professional clinical counselors. When coursework in a master’s or doctoral degree program is acquired to satisfy this requirement, it shall be considered as part of the 48 semester unit or 72 quarter unit requirement in subdivision (c).
(7) A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, which may include, but is not limited to, the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging.
(8) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in crisis or trauma counseling, including multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters, and brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.
The following sections provide the specifics on what LMFTs and LCSWs will need to do to become licensed and the timeframes within which the requirements must be met. LMFTs and LCSWs do not need to take the three exams indicated, but may have to take an examination if the BBS and Office of Professional Examination Resources determines that there are differences between the practices of each of the professions. It is anticipated that the differences between the professions will be minimal, therefore any required additional testing should be nominal. Persons who are contemplating the additional license should compare his/her education against the requirements indicated below and addressed in Section 4999.32.
4999.54. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4999.50, the board may issue a license to any person who submits an application for a license between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, provided that all documentation is submitted within 12 months of the board’s evaluation of the application, and provided he or she meets one of the following sets of criteria: (1) He or she meets all of the following requirements: (A) Has a master’s or doctoral degree from a school, college, or university as specified in Section 4999.32, that is counseling or psychotherapy in content. If the person’s degree does not include all the graduate coursework in all nine core content areas as required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32, a person shall provide documentation that he or she has completed the required coursework prior to licensure pursuant to this chapter. A qualifying degree must include the supervised practicum or field study experience as required in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32. (i) A counselor educator whose degree contains at least seven of the nine required core content areas shall be given credit for coursework not contained in the degree if the counselor educator provides documentation that he or she has taught the equivalent of the required core content areas in a graduate program in counseling or a related area. (ii) Degrees issued prior to 1996 shall include a minimum of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units and at least six of the nine required core content areas specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32. The total number of units shall be no less than 48 semester units or 72 quarter units. (iii) Degrees issued in 1996 and after shall include a minimum of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units and at least seven of the nine core content areas specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32.
(B) Has completed all of the coursework or training specified in subdivision (e) of Section 4999.32.
(C) Has at least two years, full-time or the equivalent, of postdegree counseling experience, that includes at least 1,700 hours of experience in a clinical setting supervised by a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed psychologist, a licensed physician and surgeon specializing in psychiatry, or a master’s level counselor or therapist who is certified by a national certifying or registering organization, including, but not limited to, the National Board for Certified Counselors or the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
(D) Has a passing score on the following examinations: (i) The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination. (ii) The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination. (iii) A California jurisprudence and ethics examination, when developed by the board.
(2) Is currently licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the State of California, meets the coursework requirements described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), and passes the examination described in subdivision (b).
(3) Is currently licensed as a clinical social worker in the State of California, meets the coursework requirements described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), and passes the examination described in subdivision (b). (b) (1) The board and the Office of Professional Examination Services shall jointly develop an examination on the differences, if any differences exist, between the following:
(A) The practice of professional clinical counseling and the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(B) The practice of professional clinical counseling and the practice of clinical social work.
(2) If the board, in consultation with the Office of Professional Examination Services, determines that an examination is necessary pursuant to this subdivision, an applicant described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) shall pass the examination as a condition of licensure.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of professional clinical counseling, as defined in Section 4999.20.
4999.56. (a) A license issued under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.54 shall be valid for six years from the issuance date of the initial license provided that the license is annually renewed during that period pursuant to Section 4999.101. After this six-year period, it shall be canceled unless the licensee does both of the following within the next renewal period:
(1) Obtains a licensure renewal as provided in Section 4999.101.
(2) Passes the examinations required for licensure on or after January 1, 2012, as required by the board pursuant to Section 4999.52, or documents that he or she has already passed those examinations. (b) Upon failure to meet the requirements set forth in this section, a license issued pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.54 shall be canceled and the person shall be required to meet the requirements listed in Section 4999.50 to obtain a new license. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
Additional questions can be raised with CAMFT attorneys or executive director. The number is 888-892-2638. It is best to call with questions, rather than to e-mail questions, given the complexity of the law and the uniqueness of each person’s needs. It is also worthwhile to have a copy of one’s transcript available when asking questions about grandparenting.
(b) To qualify for examination eligibility or registration, applicants shall possess a master’s or doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content and that meets the requirements of this section, obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. For purposes of this subdivision, a degree is “counseling or psychotherapy in content” if it contains the supervised practicum or field study experience described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and, except as provided in subdivision (d), the coursework in the core content areas listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). 92
(c) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall contain not less than 48 graduate semester or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction, which shall, except as provided in subdivision (d), include all of the following: (1) The equivalent of at least three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of graduate study in each of following core content areas: (A) Counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, including the counseling process in a multicultural society, an orientation to wellness and prevention, counseling theories to assist in selection of appropriate counseling interventions, models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice, development of a personal model of counseling, and multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters.
(B) Human growth and development across the lifespan, including normal and abnormal behavior and an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior.
(C) Career development theories and techniques, including career development decisionmaking models and interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development.
(D) Group counseling theories and techniques, including principles of group dynamics, group process components, developmental stage theories, therapeutic factors of group work, group leadership styles and approaches, pertinent research and literature, group counseling methods, and evaluation of effectiveness.
(E) Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, statistical concepts, social and cultural factors related to assessment and evaluation of individuals and groups, and ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment instruments and techniques in counseling.
(F) Multicultural counseling theories and techniques, including counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, identity development, promoting cultural social justice, individual and community strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, and counselors’ roles in eliminating biases and prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.
(G) Principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders or medical psychological disorders, established diagnostic criteria for mental or emotional disorders, and the treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
(H) Research and evaluation, including studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, the use of research to inform evidence-based practice, the importance of research in advancing the profession of counseling, and statistical methods used in conducting research, needs assessment, and program evaluation.
(I) Professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling, including professional ethical standards and legal considerations, licensing law and process, regulatory laws that delineate the profession’s scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, confidentiality, the client dangerous to self or others, treatment of minors with or without parental consent, relationship between practitioner’s sense of self and human values, functions and relationships with other human service providers, strategies for collaboration, and advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients.
(2) In addition to the course requirements described in paragraph (1), a minimum of 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues, special populations, application of counseling constructs, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, therapeutic relationships, psychopathology, or other clinical topics.
(3) Not less than six semester units or nine quarter units of supervised practicum or field study experience, or the equivalent, in a clinical setting that provides a range of professional clinical counseling experience, including the following: (A) Applied psychotherapeutic techniques. (B) Assessment. (C) Diagnosis. (D) Prognosis. (E) Treatment. (F) Issues of development, adjustment, and maladjustment. (G) Health and wellness promotion. (H) Other recognized counseling interventions. (I) A minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups. (d) (1) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than two of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph
(1) of subdivision (c) may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing post-master’s or postdoctoral degree coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12.
(2) Coursework taken to meet deficiencies in the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.
(3) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation. (e) In addition to the degree described in this section, or as part of that degree, an applicant shall complete the following coursework or training prior to registration as an intern:
(1) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in alcoholism and other chemical substance abuse dependency, as specified by regulation.
(2) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(3) A two semester unit or three quarter unit survey course in psychopharmacology.
(4) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics.
(5) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations adopted thereunder.
(6) A minimum of 18 contact hours of instruction in California law and professional ethics for professional clinical counselors. When coursework in a master’s or doctoral degree program is acquired to satisfy this requirement, it shall be considered as part of the 48 semester unit or 72 quarter unit requirement in subdivision (c).
(7) A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, which may include, but is not limited to, the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging.
(8) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in crisis or trauma counseling, including multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters, and brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.
The following sections provide the specifics on what LMFTs and LCSWs will need to do to become licensed and the timeframes within which the requirements must be met. LMFTs and LCSWs do not need to take the three exams indicated, but may have to take an examination if the BBS and Office of Professional Examination Resources determines that there are differences between the practices of each of the professions. It is anticipated that the differences between the professions will be minimal, therefore any required additional testing should be nominal. Persons who are contemplating the additional license should compare his/her education against the requirements indicated below and addressed in Section 4999.32.
4999.54. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4999.50, the board may issue a license to any person who submits an application for a license between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, provided that all documentation is submitted within 12 months of the board’s evaluation of the application, and provided he or she meets one of the following sets of criteria: (1) He or she meets all of the following requirements: (A) Has a master’s or doctoral degree from a school, college, or university as specified in Section 4999.32, that is counseling or psychotherapy in content. If the person’s degree does not include all the graduate coursework in all nine core content areas as required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32, a person shall provide documentation that he or she has completed the required coursework prior to licensure pursuant to this chapter. A qualifying degree must include the supervised practicum or field study experience as required in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32. (i) A counselor educator whose degree contains at least seven of the nine required core content areas shall be given credit for coursework not contained in the degree if the counselor educator provides documentation that he or she has taught the equivalent of the required core content areas in a graduate program in counseling or a related area. (ii) Degrees issued prior to 1996 shall include a minimum of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units and at least six of the nine required core content areas specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32. The total number of units shall be no less than 48 semester units or 72 quarter units. (iii) Degrees issued in 1996 and after shall include a minimum of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units and at least seven of the nine core content areas specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.32.
(B) Has completed all of the coursework or training specified in subdivision (e) of Section 4999.32.
(C) Has at least two years, full-time or the equivalent, of postdegree counseling experience, that includes at least 1,700 hours of experience in a clinical setting supervised by a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed psychologist, a licensed physician and surgeon specializing in psychiatry, or a master’s level counselor or therapist who is certified by a national certifying or registering organization, including, but not limited to, the National Board for Certified Counselors or the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
(D) Has a passing score on the following examinations: (i) The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination. (ii) The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination. (iii) A California jurisprudence and ethics examination, when developed by the board.
(2) Is currently licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the State of California, meets the coursework requirements described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), and passes the examination described in subdivision (b).
(3) Is currently licensed as a clinical social worker in the State of California, meets the coursework requirements described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), and passes the examination described in subdivision (b). (b) (1) The board and the Office of Professional Examination Services shall jointly develop an examination on the differences, if any differences exist, between the following:
(A) The practice of professional clinical counseling and the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(B) The practice of professional clinical counseling and the practice of clinical social work.
(2) If the board, in consultation with the Office of Professional Examination Services, determines that an examination is necessary pursuant to this subdivision, an applicant described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) shall pass the examination as a condition of licensure.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of professional clinical counseling, as defined in Section 4999.20.
4999.56. (a) A license issued under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.54 shall be valid for six years from the issuance date of the initial license provided that the license is annually renewed during that period pursuant to Section 4999.101. After this six-year period, it shall be canceled unless the licensee does both of the following within the next renewal period:
(1) Obtains a licensure renewal as provided in Section 4999.101.
(2) Passes the examinations required for licensure on or after January 1, 2012, as required by the board pursuant to Section 4999.52, or documents that he or she has already passed those examinations. (b) Upon failure to meet the requirements set forth in this section, a license issued pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.54 shall be canceled and the person shall be required to meet the requirements listed in Section 4999.50 to obtain a new license. (c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
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