California
**CA Board of Behavioral Sciences final regulation effective 1/1/2016: Amendments to the Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapists Rules
Issue: Professional Board Requirements
Subissue: Selected Professions
First Reported: 03/04/2014
Date Updated: 12/09/2015
Contact: Rosanne Helms (916) 574-7830
Citation: Title 16, Section 1820, 1822 and 1833
Upcoming Action: Nothing Scheduled
Status: Final
Regulation ID: CA25202
Rule Summary:
The Board adopted amendments to the rules impacting licensed professional counselors (LPCC) and marriage and family therapists. Specifically, the amendments are as follows: (1) clarification of exemption for pre–degree trainees and practicum experience; (2) delete the requirement that LPCC licensees complete coursework specific to couples and families prior to gaining the supervised experience; (2) require the 500 hours of supervised experience treating couples, families or children be obtained from an “approved supervisor”; (3) clarify that LPCCs who do not yet meet requirements to treat families may provide collateral consultation to the family of a client; (4) require LPCCs to obtain Board approval and provide this approval to couple or family clients prior to treatment; or to a supervisee; (5) provide guidance on acceptable documentation of past supervised experience; (6) amend the Weekly Summary of Experience Hours form, incorporated by reference; (7) clarify that the Supervisory Plan form is only required for supervision hours gained toward licensure.
Notice of OAL approval:
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/regulation/2015/1820_oalapproval.pdf
Notice of Board meeting 8/27/2015 and 8/28/2015: (pdf pg 130)
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/agen_notice/2015/not0815_bdmtg.pdf
Notice of the proposed rule: (pdf pg 22)
http://www.oal.ca.gov/res/docs/pdf/notice/10z-2015.pdf
A copy of the March 2014 Board meeting agenda:
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/agen_notice/2014/0314bdmtg_material.pdf
Rule Development:
OAL has approved the final rule. The rule is effective 1/1/2016.
The Board discussed rule amendments at the Board meeting on 3/5/2014 and 3/6/2014. The rules may be separated once they are formally proposed. The Board has released notice of the proposed rule. Comments were due 4/20/2015. A public hearing was held 4/21/2015. Staff discussed the rule at the 8/27/2015 and 8/28/2015 Board meeting. Staff internally reviewed any comments received. The final rule was internally approved and staff submitted the rule to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for review. A decision from OAL was expected in late November 2015.
Source: Board website