Bill Text: CA AB93 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Healing arts: marriage and family therapists: clinical social workers: professional clinical counselors: required experience and supervision.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-09-26 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 743, Statutes of 2018. [AB93 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB93-Amended.html

Amended  IN  Senate  April 02, 2018
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 21, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 93

Introduced by Assembly Member Medina

January 09, 2017

An act to amend Sections 728, 2290.5, 4980.01, 4980.03, 4980.35, 4980.397, 4980.399, 4980.40, 4980.42, 4980.43, 4980.44, 4980.50, 4980.78, 4980.79, 4982, 4982.15, 4984.01, 4984.7, 4992.05, 4992.09, 4992.3, 4996.17, 4996.18, 4996.23, 4999.12, 4999.36, 4999.42, 4999.46, 4999.50, 4999.51, 4999.52, 4999.55, 4999.62, 4999.63, and 4999.90 of, to amend and renumber Section 4980.45 of, to add Sections 4980.43.1, 4980.43.2, 4980.43.3, 4980.43.4, 4980.43.6, 4980.43.5, 4996.20, 4996.21, 4996.23.1, 4996.23.2, 4996.23.3, 4999.46.1, 4999.46.2, 4999.46.3, 4999.46.4, and 4999.46.5 to, and to repeal Sections 4996.24, 4999.34, 4999.44, 4999.45, 4999.455, and 4999.47 of, the Business and Professions Code, and to amend Section 124260 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to healing arts.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 93, as amended, Medina. Healing arts: marriage and family therapists: clinical social workers: professional clinical counselors: required experience and supervision.
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and professional clinical counselors by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law requires trainees, interns, and applicants for licensure in those professions to comply with specified educational and experience requirements, including, but not limited to, hours of supervised experience, and sets forth terms, conditions, and limitations for those hours of experience, including required supervision, as specified. Existing law also requires individuals seeking licensure in those professions to register with the board in order to gain experience hours. Under existing law, a violation of any of the requirements of the licensing acts for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and professional clinical counselors is punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill would revise and recast those supervised experience requirements, as specified. The bill would place new requirements on supervisors of trainees, associates, and applicants for licensure and place new requirements on trainees, associates, and applicants for licensure who are under supervision, as specified. The bill would make conforming changes. By placing new requirements on trainees, associates, applicants for licensure, and their supervisors, a violation of which would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 728 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

728.
 (a) Any psychotherapist or employer of a psychotherapist who becomes aware through a patient that the patient had alleged sexual intercourse or alleged sexual contact with a previous psychotherapist during the course of a prior treatment shall provide to the patient a brochure promulgated by the department that delineates the rights of, and remedies for, patients who have been involved sexually with their psychotherapists. Further, the psychotherapist or employer shall discuss with the patient the brochure prepared by the department.
(b) Failure to comply with this section constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(c) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Psychotherapist” means a physician and surgeon specializing in the practice of psychiatry or practicing psychotherapy, a psychologist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), a clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist, a licensed professional clinical counselor, a psychological assistant, an associate marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist trainee, an associate professional clinical counselor or professional clinical counselor trainee, as specified in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10), or an associate clinical social worker.
(2) “Sexual contact” means the touching of an intimate part of another person.
(3) “Intimate part” and “touching” have the same meaning meanings as defined in subdivisions (g) and (e), respectively, of Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
(4) “The course of a prior treatment” means the period of time during which a patient first commences treatment for services that a psychotherapist is authorized to provide under his or her scope of practice, or that the psychotherapist represents to the patient as being within his or her scope of practice, until the psychotherapist-patient relationship is terminated.

SEC. 2.

 Section 2290.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

2290.5.
 (a) For purposes of this division, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “Asynchronous store and forward” means the transmission of a patient’s medical information from an originating site to the health care provider at a distant site without the presence of the patient.
(2) “Distant site” means a site where a health care provider who provides health care services is located while providing these services via a telecommunications system.
(3) “Health care provider” means either of the following:
(A) A person who is licensed under this division.
(B) A An associate marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist intern or trainee functioning pursuant to Section 4980.43. 4980.43.3.
(4) “Originating site” means a site where a patient is located at the time health care services are provided via a telecommunications system or where the asynchronous store and forward service originates.
(5) “Synchronous interaction” means a real-time interaction between a patient and a health care provider located at a distant site.
(6) “Telehealth” means the mode of delivering health care services and public health via information and communication technologies to facilitate the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of a patient’s health care while the patient is at the originating site and the health care provider is at a distant site. Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.
(b) Prior to the delivery of health care via telehealth, the health care provider initiating the use of telehealth shall inform the patient about the use of telehealth and obtain verbal or written consent from the patient for the use of telehealth as an acceptable mode of delivering health care services and public health. The consent shall be documented.
(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude a patient from receiving in-person health care delivery services during a specified course of health care and treatment after agreeing to receive services via telehealth.
(d) The failure of a health care provider to comply with this section shall constitute unprofessional conduct. Section 2314 shall not apply to this section.
(e) This section shall not be construed to alter the scope of practice of any health care provider or authorize the delivery of health care services in a setting, or in a manner, not otherwise authorized by law.
(f) All laws regarding the confidentiality of health care information and a patient’s rights to his or her medical information shall apply to telehealth interactions.
(g) This section shall not apply to a patient under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or any other correctional facility.
(h) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and for purposes of this section, the governing body of the hospital whose patients are receiving the telehealth services may grant privileges to, and verify and approve credentials for, providers of telehealth services based on its medical staff recommendations that rely on information provided by the distant-site hospital or telehealth entity, as described in Sections 482.12, 482.22, and 485.616 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) By enacting this subdivision, it is the intent of the Legislature to authorize a hospital to grant privileges to, and verify and approve credentials for, providers of telehealth services as described in paragraph (1).
(3) For the purposes of this subdivision, “telehealth” shall include “telemedicine” as the term is referenced in Sections 482.12, 482.22, and 485.616 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 2.SEC. 3.

 Section 4980.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.01.
 (a) Nothing in this This chapter shall not be construed to constrict, limit, or withdraw the Medical Practice Act, the Social Work Licensing Law, the Nursing Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, or the Psychology Licensing Act.
(b) This chapter shall not apply to any priest, rabbi, or minister of the gospel of any religious denomination when performing counseling services as part of his or her pastoral or professional duties, or to any person who is admitted to practice law in the state, or who is licensed to practice medicine, when providing counseling services as part of his or her professional practice.
(c) (1) This chapter shall not apply to an employee working in any of the following settings if his or her work is performed solely under the supervision of the employer:
(A) A governmental entity.
(B) A school, college, or university.
(C) An institution that is both nonprofit and charitable.
(2) This chapter shall not apply to a volunteer working in any of the settings described in paragraph (1) if his or her work is performed solely under the supervision of the entity, school, or institution.
(d) A marriage and family therapist licensed under this chapter is a licentiate for purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 805, and thus is a health care practitioner provider subject to the provisions of Section 2290.5 pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (b) and (c), all persons registered as associates or licensed under this chapter shall not be exempt from this chapter or the jurisdiction of the board.

SEC. 3.SEC. 4.

 Section 4980.03 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.03.
 (a) “Board,” as used in this chapter, means the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
(b) “Associate,” as used in this chapter, means an unlicensed person who has earned his or her master’s or doctoral degree qualifying him or her for licensure and meets one of the following: is registered with the board as an associate.

(1)The individual is registered with the board as an associate.

(2)The individual’s degree was awarded and the board receives his or her application for registration as an associate with the board within 90 days of the degree award date.

(c) “Trainee,” as used in this chapter, means an unlicensed person who is currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program, as specified in Sections 4980.36 and 4980.37, that is designed to qualify him or her for licensure under this chapter, and who has completed no less than 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of coursework in any qualifying degree program.
(d) “Applicant for licensure,” as used in this chapter, means an unlicensed person who has completed the required education and required hours of supervised experience for licensure as specified in this chapter. licensure.
(e) “Advertise,” as used in this chapter, includes, but is not limited to, any public communication, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 651, the issuance of any card, sign, or device to any person, or the causing, permitting, or allowing of any sign or marking on, or in, any building or structure, or in any newspaper or magazine or in any directory, or any printed matter whatsoever, with or without any limiting qualification. Signs within religious buildings or notices in church bulletins mailed to a congregation shall not be construed as advertising within the meaning of this chapter.
(f) “Experience,” as used in this chapter, means experience in interpersonal relationships, psychotherapy, marriage and family therapy, direct clinical counseling, and nonclinical practice that satisfies the requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist pursuant to Section 4980.40. therapist.
(g) “Supervisor,” as used in this chapter, means an individual who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has been actively licensed in this state or has held an active equivalent license in any other state as a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, for at least two years of the past five years immediately prior to commencing any supervision. held an active license for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision as either:
(A) A licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), licensed clinical social worker, or equivalent out-of-state license.
(B) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or an out-of-state licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(2) If the supervisor is a licensed professional clinical counselor, he or she meets has completed the additional training and education requirements specified in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.20.
(3) Has For at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision, has either practiced psychotherapy or provided direct clinical supervision of psychotherapy performed by marriage and family therapist trainees, associate marriage and family therapists, associate professional clinical counselors, or associate clinical social workers, who perform psychotherapy, for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision. workers. Supervision of social work students enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral program or psychotherapy performed by a social work intern or a professional clinical counselor trainees, who perform psychotherapy, trainee shall be accepted toward the required two years if the supervision provided to the students is substantially equivalent to the supervision required for registrants.
(4) Has received professional training in supervision as specified in this chapter and by regulation.
(5) Has not provided therapeutic services to the supervisee.
(6) Has and maintains a current and active California license that is not under suspension or probation. probation as one of the following:

(7)Complies with supervision requirements established by this chapter and by board regulations.

(A) A marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, or clinical social worker, issued by the board.
(B) A psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900).
(C) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(7) Is not a spouse, domestic partner, or relative of the supervisee.
(8) Does not currently have or previously had a personal, professional, or business relationship with the supervisee that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision.
(h) “Client centered advocacy,” as used in this chapter, includes, but is not limited to, researching, identifying, and accessing resources, or other activities, related to obtaining or providing services and supports for clients or groups of clients receiving psychotherapy or counseling services.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 Section 4980.35 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.35.
 (a) The Legislature acknowledges that the basic obligation to provide a complete and accurate application for a marriage and family therapist license lies with the applicant. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that an effort should be made by the board to ensure that persons who enter degree programs and supervisorial training settings that meet the requirements of this chapter are enabled to discern the requirements for licensing and to take the examination when they have completed their educational and experience requirements.
(b) In order that the board, the educational institutions, and the supervisors who monitor the education and experience of applicants may develop greater cooperation, the board shall do all of the following:
(1) Apply a portion of its limited resources specifically to the task of communicating information about its activities, the requirements and qualifications for licensure, and the practice of marriage and family therapy to the relevant educational institutions, supervisors, professional associations, applicants, trainees, associates, and the consuming public.
(2) Develop policies and procedures to assist educational institutions in meeting the curricula requirements of Sections 4980.36 and 4980.37 and any regulations adopted pursuant to those sections, so that those educational institutions may better provide assurance to their students that the curriculum offered to fulfill the educational requirements for licensure will meet those requirements at the time of the student’s application for licensure.
(3) Notify applicants in the application procedure when applications are incomplete, inaccurate, or deficient, and inform applicants of any remediation, reconsideration, or appeal procedures that may be applicable.
(4) Undertake, or cause to be undertaken, further comprehensive review, in consultation with educational institutions, professional associations, supervisors, associates, and trainees, of the supervision of associates and trainees, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following, and shall propose regulations regarding the supervision of associates and trainees that may include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) Supervisor qualifications.
(B) Continuing education requirements of supervisors.
(C) Registration or licensing of supervisors, or both.
(D) Responsibilities of supervisors in general.
(E) The board’s authority in cases of noncompliance or negligence by supervisors.
(F) The associate’s and trainee’s need for guidance in selecting well-balanced and high quality high-quality professional training opportunities within his or her community.
(G) The role of the supervisor in advising and encouraging his or her associate or trainee regarding the necessity or value and appropriateness of the associate or trainee engaging in personal psychotherapy, so as to enable the associate or trainee to become a more competent marriage and family therapist.

SEC. 5.SEC. 6.

 Section 4980.397 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.397.
 (a) Effective January 1, 2016, a A registrant or an applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall pass the following two examinations as prescribed by the board:
(1) A California law and ethics examination.
(2) A clinical examination.
(b) Upon registration with the board, an associate marriage and family therapist shall, within the first year of registration, take an examination on California law and ethics.
(c) A registrant or an applicant for licensure may take the clinical examination only upon meeting all of the following requirements:
(1) Completion of all required supervised work experience.
(2) Completion of all education requirements.
(3) Passage of the California law and ethics examination.

(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 6.SEC. 7.

 Section 4980.399 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.399.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 4980.398, each applicant and registrant shall obtain a passing score on a board-administered California law and ethics examination in order to qualify for licensure.
(b) A registrant shall participate in a board-administered California law and ethics examination prior to his or her registration renewal.

(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an applicant who holds a registration eligible for renewal, with an expiration date no later than June 30, 2016, and who applies for renewal of that registration between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2016, shall, if eligible, be allowed to renew the registration without first participating in the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall participate in the California law and ethics examination in the next renewal cycle, and shall pass the examination prior to licensure or issuance of a subsequent registration number, as specified in this section.

(d)

(c) If an applicant fails the California law and ethics examination, he or she may retake the examination, upon payment of the required fees, without further application except as provided in subdivision (e). (d).

(e)

(d) If a registrant fails to obtain a passing score on the California law and ethics examination described in subdivision (a) within his or her renewal period on or after the operative date of this section, he or she shall complete, at a minimum, a 12-hour course in California law and ethics in order to be eligible to participate in the California law and ethics examination. Registrants shall only take the 12-hour California law and ethics course once during a renewal period. The 12-hour law and ethics course required by this section shall be taken through a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation, a county, state or governmental entity, or a college or university.

(f)

(e) The board shall not issue a subsequent registration number unless the applicant has passed the California law and ethics examination.

(g)Notwithstanding subdivision (f), an applicant who holds or has held a registration, with an expiration date no later than January 1, 2017, and who applies for a subsequent registration number between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017, shall, if eligible, be allowed to obtain the subsequent registration number without first passing the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall pass the California law and ethics examination during the next renewal period or prior to licensure, whichever occurs first.

(h)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 7.SEC. 8.

 Section 4980.40 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.40.
 To qualify for a license, an applicant shall have An applicant for licensure shall satisfy all of the following qualifications:
(a) Meet the educational requirements of Section 4980.36 or both Sections 4980.37 and 4980.41, as applicable.
(b) Be at least 18 years of age.
(c) Have at least two years of supervised experience that meet the requirements of this chapter and those specified by the board in regulation. as specified in this chapter and its corresponding regulations.
(d) Effective January 1, 2016, successfully Successfully pass a California law and ethics examination and a clinical examination. An applicant who has successfully passed a previously administered written examination may be subsequently required to take and pass another written examination.
(e) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. The board shall not issue a registration or license to any person who has been convicted of a crime in this or another state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory.

(f)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 8.SEC. 9.

 Section 4980.42 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.42.
 (a) Trainees performing services in any work setting specified in Section 4980.43.4 4980.43.3 may perform those activities and services as a trainee, provided that the activities and services constitute part of the trainee’s supervised course of study and that the person is designated by the title “trainee.”
(b) Trainees subject to Section 4980.37 may gain hours of experience and counsel clients outside of the required practicum. This subdivision shall apply to hours of experience gained and client counseling provided on and after January 1, 2012.
(c) Trainees subject to Section 4980.36 may gain hours of experience outside of the required practicum but must be enrolled in a practicum course to counsel clients. Trainees subject to Section 4980.36 may counsel clients while not enrolled in a practicum course if the period of lapsed enrollment is less than 90 calendar days, and if that period is immediately preceded by enrollment in a practicum course and immediately followed by enrollment in a practicum course or completion of the degree program.
(d) All hours of experience gained pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) shall be subject to the other requirements of this chapter.
(e) All hours of experience gained as a trainee shall be coordinated between the school and the site where the hours are being accrued. The school shall approve each site and shall have a written agreement with each site that details each party’s responsibilities, including the methods by which supervision shall be provided. The agreement shall provide for regular progress reports and evaluations of the student’s performance at the site. If an applicant has gained hours of experience while enrolled in an institution other than the one that confers the qualifying degree, it shall be the applicant’s responsibility to provide to the board satisfactory evidence that those hours of trainee experience were gained in compliance with this section.

SEC. 9.Section 4980.43 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4980.43.

(a)To qualify for licensure as specified in Section 4980.40, each applicant shall complete experience related to the practice of marriage and family therapy under a supervisor who meets the qualifications set forth in Section 4980.03. The experience shall comply with the following:

(1)A minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised experience completed during a period of at least 104 weeks.

(2)A maximum of 40 hours in any seven consecutive days.

(3)A minimum of 1,700 hours obtained after the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree was awarded.

(4)A maximum of 1,300 hours obtained prior to the award date of the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree.

(5)A maximum of 750 hours of counseling and direct supervisor contact prior to the award date of the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree.

(6)No hours of experience may be gained prior to completing either 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of graduate instruction.

(7)Hours of experience shall not be gained more than six years prior to the date the application for licensure was received by the board, except that up to 500 hours of clinical experience gained in the supervised practicum required by subdivision (c) of Section 4980.37 and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4980.36 shall be exempt from this six-year requirement.

(8)A minimum of 1,750 hours of direct clinical counseling with individuals, groups, couples, or families, that includes not less than 500 total hours of experience in diagnosing and treating couples, families, and children.

(9)A maximum of 1,250 hours of nonclinical practice, consisting of direct supervisor contact, administering and evaluating psychological tests, writing clinical reports, writing progress or process notes, client centered advocacy, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to marriage and family therapy that have been approved by the applicant’s supervisor.

(10)It is anticipated and encouraged that hours of experience will include working with elders and dependent adults who have physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to carry out normal activities or protect their rights.

This subdivision shall only apply to hours gained on and after January 1, 2010.

(b)An individual who submits an application for licensure between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, may alternatively qualify under the experience requirements of this section that were in place on January 1, 2015.

SEC. 10.

 Section 4980.43 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.43.
 (a) To qualify for licensure as specified in Section 4980.40, each applicant shall complete experience related to the practice of marriage and family therapy under a supervisor who meets the qualifications set forth in Section 4980.03. The experience shall Except as provided in subdivision (b), all applicants shall have an active associate registration with the board in order to gain postdegree hours of supervised experience.
(b) (1) Preregistered postdegree hours of experience shall be credited toward licensure if all of the following apply:
(A) The registration applicant applies for the associate registration and the board receives the application within 90 days of the granting of the qualifying master’s degree or doctoral degree.
(B) For applicants completing graduate study on or after January 1, 2020, the experience is obtained at a workplace that, prior to the registration applicant gaining supervised experience hours, requires completed Live Scan fingerprinting. The applicant shall provide the board with a copy of that completed State of California “Request for Live Scan Service” form with his or her application for licensure.
(C) The board subsequently grants the associate registration.
(2) The applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.
(c) Supervised experience that is obtained for purposes of qualifying for licensure shall be related to the practice of marriage and family therapy and comply with the following:
(1) A minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised experience completed during a period of at least 104 weeks.
(2) A maximum of 40 hours in any seven consecutive days.
(3) A minimum of 1,700 hours obtained after the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree was awarded.
(4) A maximum of 1,300 hours obtained prior to the award date of the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree.
(5) A maximum of 750 hours of counseling and direct supervisor contact prior to the award date of the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree.
(6) No hours of experience may Hours of experience shall not be gained prior to completing either 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of graduate instruction.
(7) No hours of experience may be Hours of experience shall not have been gained more than six years prior to the date the application for examination eligibility was filed, licensure was received by the board, except that up to 500 hours of clinical experience gained in the supervised practicum required by subdivision (c) of Section 4980.37 and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4980.36 shall be exempt from this six-year requirement.
(8) A minimum of 1,750 hours of direct clinical counseling with individuals, groups, couples, or families, that includes not less than 500 total hours of experience in diagnosing and treating couples, families, and children.
(9) A maximum of 1,250 hours of nonclinical practice, consisting of direct supervisor contact, administering and evaluating psychological tests, writing clinical reports, writing progress or process notes, client centered advocacy, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to marriage and family therapy that have been approved by the applicant’s supervisor.
(10) It is anticipated and encouraged that hours of experience will include working with elders and dependent adults who have physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to carry out normal activities or protect their rights.
This subdivision shall only apply to hours gained on and after January 1, 2010.

(b)

(d) An individual who submits an application for examination eligibility licensure between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, may alternatively qualify under the experience requirements of this section that were in place on January 1, 2015.

(c)All applicants, trainees, and registrants shall be at all times under the supervision of a supervisor who shall be responsible for ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the training and experience of the person being supervised, and who shall be responsible to the board for compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy. Supervised experience shall be gained by an intern or trainee only as an employee or as a volunteer. The requirements of this chapter regarding gaining hours of experience and supervision are applicable equally to employees and volunteers. Associates and trainees shall not be employed as independent contractors, and shall not gain experience for work performed as an independent contractor, reported on an IRS Form 1099, or both.

(1)If employed, an intern shall provide the board with copies of the corresponding W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure.

(2)If volunteering, an intern shall provide the board with a letter from his or her employer verifying the intern’s employment as a volunteer upon application for licensure.

(d)Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences as described in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a), supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which experience is credited in each work setting, as specified:

(1)A trainee shall receive an average of at least one hour of direct supervisor contact for every five hours of client contact in each setting. No more than six hours of supervision, whether individual or group, shall be credited during any single week.

(2)An individual supervised after being granted a qualifying degree shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact for every week in which more than 10 hours of client contact is gained in each setting. No more than six hours of supervision, whether individual or group, shall be credited during any single week.

(3)For purposes of this section, “one hour of direct supervisor contact” means one hour per week of face-to-face contact on an individual basis or two hours per week of face-to-face contact in a group.

(4)Direct supervisor contact shall occur within the same week as the hours claimed.

(5)Direct supervisor contact provided in a group shall be provided in a group of not more than eight supervisees and in segments lasting no less than one continuous hour.

(6)Notwithstanding paragraph (3), an intern working in a governmental entity, a school, a college, or a university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable may obtain the required weekly direct supervisor contact via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that client confidentiality is upheld.

(7)All experience gained by a trainee shall be monitored by the supervisor as specified by regulation.

(8)The six hours of supervision that may be credited during any single week pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply to supervision hours gained on or after January 1, 2009.

(e)(1)A trainee may be credited with supervised experience completed in any setting that meets all of the following:

(A)Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

(B)Provides oversight to ensure that the trainee’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements set forth in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession as defined in Section 4980.02.

(C)Is not a private practice owned by a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed professional clinical counselor, a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed physician and surgeon, or a professional corporation of any of those licensed professions.

(2)Experience may be gained by the trainee solely as part of the position for which the trainee volunteers or is employed.

(f)(1)An intern may be credited with supervised experience completed in any setting that meets both of the following:

(A)Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

(B)Provides oversight to ensure that the intern’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements set forth in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession as defined in Section 4980.02.

(2)An applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice, as defined in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), until registered as an intern.

(3)While an intern may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration to interns.

(4)Except for periods of time during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave, an intern who is employed or volunteering in private practice shall be under the direct supervision of a licensee that has satisfied subdivision (g) of Section 4980.03. The supervising licensee shall either be employed by and practice at the same site as the intern’s employer, or shall be an owner or shareholder of the private practice. Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the supervision meets the requirements of this section.

(5)Experience may be gained by the intern solely as part of the position for which the intern volunteers or is employed.

(g)Except as provided in subdivision (h), all persons shall register with the board as an intern to be credited for postdegree hours of supervised experience gained toward licensure.

(h)Postdegree hours of experience shall be credited toward licensure so long as the applicant applies for the intern registration within 90 days of the granting of the qualifying master’s or doctoral degree and is thereafter granted the intern registration by the board. An applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until registered as an intern by the board.

(i)Trainees, interns, and applicants shall not receive any remuneration from patients or clients, and shall only be paid by their employers.

(j)Trainees, interns, and applicants shall only perform services at the place where their employers regularly conduct business, which may include performing services at other locations, so long as the services are performed under the direction and control of their employer and supervisor, and in compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision. For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 2290.5, interns and trainees working under licensed supervision, consistent with subdivision (c), may provide services via telehealth within the scope authorized by this chapter and in accordance with any regulations governing the use of telehealth promulgated by the board. Trainees and interns shall have no proprietary interest in their employers’ businesses and shall not lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of their employers.

(k)Trainees, interns, or applicants who provide volunteered services or other services, and who receive no more than a total, from all work settings, of five hundred dollars ($500) per month as reimbursement for expenses actually incurred by those trainees, interns, or applicants for services rendered in any lawful work setting other than a private practice shall be considered employees and not independent contractors. The board may audit applicants who receive reimbursement for expenses, and the applicants shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred.

(l)Each educational institution preparing applicants for licensure pursuant to this chapter shall consider requiring, and shall encourage, its students to undergo individual, marital or conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Each supervisor shall consider, advise, and encourage his or her interns and trainees regarding the advisability of undertaking individual, marital or conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Insofar as it is deemed appropriate and is desired by the applicant, the educational institution and supervisors are encouraged to assist the applicant in locating that counseling or psychotherapy at a reasonable cost.

SEC. 10.SEC. 11.

 Section 4980.43.1 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4980.43.1.
 (a) All trainees, associates, and applicants for licensure shall be at all times under the supervision of a supervisor as specified in this chapter and by regulation. at all times.
(b) As used in this chapter, the term “supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of mental health and related services being provided by the supervisee. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered supervision and shall not qualify as supervised experience.
(c)experience. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the education, training, and experience of the supervisee.
(2) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions and providing regular feedback.
(3) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s ability to provide services at the site or sites where he or she will be is practicing and to the particular clientele being served.
(4) Monitoring for and addressing clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to, countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that may affect the supervisory or the practitioner-patient relationship.
(5) Ensuring the supervisee’s compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(6) Reviewing the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(7) With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.

SEC. 11.Section 4980.43.2 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:
4980.43.2.

(a)Before applying for licensure with the board, all applicants for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist shall first satisfy the required supervised experience.

(b)Except as provided in subdivision (c), all applicants shall have an active associate registration with the board in order to gain postdegree hours of supervised experience.

(c)Postdegree hours of experience shall be credited toward licensure so long as the applicant applies for the associate registration and the board receives the application within 90 days of the granting of the qualifying degree and he or she is thereafter granted the associate registration by the board. An applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.

SEC. 12.

 Section 4980.43.3 4980.43.2 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4980.43.3.4980.43.2.
 (a) Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences, as described in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.43, supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which experience is credited in each work setting as follows: direct supervisor contact shall occur as follows:
(1) Supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which experience is credited in each work setting.

(1)

(2) A trainee shall receive an average of at least one hour of direct supervisor contact for every five hours of direct clinical counseling that is performed each week in each setting. No For experience gained on or after January 1, 2009, no more than six hours of supervision, whether individual individual, triadic, or group, shall be credited during any single week.

(2)

(3) An associate gaining experience who performs more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling in a week in any setting shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling is performed in each for that setting. No For experience gained on or after January 1, 2009, no more than six hours of supervision, whether individual individual, triadic, or group, shall be credited during any single week.
(4) Of the 104 weeks of required supervision, 52 weeks shall be individual supervision, triadic supervision, or a combination of both.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, “one hour of direct supervisor contact” means any of the following:
(1) Individual supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and one supervisee.
(2) Triadic supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and two supervisees.
(3) Group supervision, which means two hours of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and no more than eight supervisees. Segments of group supervision may be split into no less than one continuous hour. A supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.
(c) Direct supervisor contact shall occur within the same week as the hours claimed.

(d)An applicant for licensure shall have received at least one hour per week of direct supervisor contact that is individual, triadic, or a combination of both, as specified in paragraphs (1) or (2) of subdivision (b), for a minimum of 52 weeks.

(e)When conducting group supervision, as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), the supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.

(f)

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an associate working in a governmental entity, a school, a college, a university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable may obtain the required weekly direct supervisor contact via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal law federal and state laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information.

(g)All experience gained by a trainee or associate shall be monitored by the supervisor as specified by this chapter and regulation.

(h)The six hours of supervision that may be credited during any single week, pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a), shall apply to supervision hours gained on or after January 1, 2009.

(i)

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, once the required number of experience hours are gained, associates and applicants for licensure shall receive a minimum of one hour of direct supervisor contact per week for each practice setting in which direct clinical counseling is performed. Once the required number of experience hours are gained, further supervision for nonclinical practice, as defined in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.43, shall be at the supervisor’s discretion.

SEC. 13.

 Section 4980.43.4 4980.43.3 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4980.43.4.4980.43.3.
 (a) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services as an employee or as a volunteer. volunteer, and not as an independent contractor. The requirements of this chapter regarding gaining hours of experience and supervision shall apply equally to employees and volunteers. A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall not perform any services or gain any experience within the scope of practice of the profession, as defined in Section 4980.02, as an independent contractor. While an associate may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.
(1) If employed, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with copies of the corresponding W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure. claimed.
(2) If volunteering, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with a letter from his or her employer verifying the associate’s status as a volunteer during the dates the experience was gained. This letter shall be provided to the board upon application for licensure.
(b) (1) A trainee shall not perform services in a private practice. A trainee may be credited with supervised experience completed in any a setting that meets all of the following:
(A) Is not a private practice.

(A)

(B) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

(B)

(C) Provides oversight to ensure that the trainee’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession, as defined in Section 4980.02.

(C)Is not a private practice owned by a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed professional clinical counselor, a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed physician and surgeon, or a professional corporation of any of those licensed professions.

(2) Only experience gained in the position for which the trainee volunteers or is employed shall qualify as supervised experience.
(c) (1)An associate may be credited with supervised experience completed in any setting that meets both of the following:

(A)

(1) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

(B)

(2) Provides oversight to ensure that the associate’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession, as defined in Section 4980.02.

(2)While an associate may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.

(3) Only experience gained in the position for which the associate volunteers or is employed shall qualify as supervised experience.
(4) An applicant for registration as an associate shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.
(d) Any experience obtained under the supervision of a spouse, relative, or domestic partner shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience. Any experience obtained under the supervision of a supervisor with whom the applicant has had or currently has a personal, professional, or business relationship that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience.
(e) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall not receive any remuneration from patients or clients and shall only be paid by his or her employer. employer, if an employee.
(f) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall have no proprietary interest in his or her employer’s business and shall not lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of his or her employer.
(g) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure who provides voluntary services in any lawful work setting other than a private practice and who only receives reimbursement for expenses actually incurred shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant for licensure who receives reimbursement for expenses and the applicant for licensure shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payment received was for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred.
(h) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment from a program designed to encourage demographically underrepresented groups to enter the profession or to improve recruitment and retention in underserved regions or settings shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment and the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payment received was for the specified purposes.
(i) For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 2990.5, an An associate or a trainee working under a licensed supervisor, consistent with this chapter, may provide services via telehealth within the scope authorized by this chapter and in accordance with any regulations governing the use of telehealth promulgated by the board. that are in the scope of practice outlined in this chapter.
(j) Each educational institution preparing applicants pursuant to this chapter shall consider requiring, and shall encourage, its students to undergo individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Each supervisor shall consider, advise, and encourage his or her associates and trainees regarding the advisability of undertaking individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Insofar as it is deemed appropriate and is desired by the applicant, educational institutions and supervisors are encouraged to assist the applicant in locating that to locate counseling or psychotherapy at a reasonable cost.

SEC. 14.

 Section 4980.43.6 4980.43.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4980.43.6.4980.43.5.
 The board shall have the right to may audit the records of any supervisor to verify the completion of the supervisor qualifications specified by this chapter and by regulation. A supervisor shall maintain records of completion of the required supervisor qualifications for a period of seven years after termination of the supervision and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.

SEC. 15.Section 4980.44 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4980.44.

An unlicensed associate marriage and family therapist employed under this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:

(a)Possess, at a minimum, a master’s degree as specified in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37, as applicable.

(b)Register with the board prior to performing any duties, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) of Section 4980.43.2.

(c)Prior to performing any professional services, inform each client or patient that he or she is an unlicensed registered associate marriage and family therapist, provide his or her registration number and the name of his or her employer, and indicate whether he or she is under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed psychologist, or a licensed physician and surgeon certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

(d)(1)Any advertisement by or on behalf of a registered associate marriage and family therapist shall include, at a minimum, all of the following information:

(A)That he or she is a registered associate marriage and family therapist.

(B)The associate’s registration number.

(C)The name of his or her employer.

(D)That he or she is supervised by a licensed person.

(2)The abbreviation “AMFT” shall not be used in an advertisement unless the title “registered associate marriage and family therapist” appears in the advertisement.

SEC. 15.

 Section 4980.44 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.44.
 An unlicensed associate marriage and family therapist employed under this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:

(a)Possess, at a minimum, a master’s degree as specified in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37, as applicable.

(b)Register with the board prior to performing any duties, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (h) of Section 4980.43.

(c)Prior

(a) Inform each client or patient prior to performing any professional services, inform each client or patient mental health and related services that he or she is an unlicensed registered associate marriage and family therapist, provide his or her registration number and the name of his or her employer, and indicate whether he or she is under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed psychologist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), or a licensed physician and surgeon certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

(d)

(b) (1) Any advertisement by or on behalf of a registered associate marriage and family therapist shall include, at a minimum, all of the following information:
(A) That he or she is a registered associate marriage and family therapist.
(B) The associate’s registration number.
(C) The name of his or her employer.
(D) That he or she is supervised by a licensed person.
(2) The abbreviation “AMFT” shall not be used in an advertisement unless the title “registered associate marriage and family therapist” appears in the advertisement.

SEC. 16.

 Section 4980.45 of the Business and Professions Code is amended and renumbered to read:

4980.43.5.4980.43.4.
 (a) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the place places where his or her employer regularly conducts business and services, which may include performing services at other locations as long as the services are performed under the direction and control of his or her employer and his or her supervisor and in compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision. services.

(b)Except for periods of time during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave, an associate who is employed or volunteering in private practice shall be under the direct supervision of a supervisor who is either employed by, and practices at the same site as, the associate’s employer or is an owner or shareholder of the private practice.

(b) An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A licensed professional in private practice who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (g) of Section 4980.03 may supervise or employ, supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three supervisees at any one time, no more than a total of three individuals registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker in that private practice. time. Supervisees may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.

(d)All of the following limits shall apply to marriage and family therapy corporations:

(1)A marriage and family therapy corporation may retain, at any one time, no more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker for each supervising employee or shareholder who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (g) of Section 4980.03.

(2)In no event shall any marriage and family therapy corporation retain, at any one time, more than a total of 15 employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.

(3)In no event shall any supervisor supervise, at any one time, more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as either an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker. A person who supervises an employee or volunteer registered as either an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker shall be employed full time by the marriage and family therapy corporation and shall be actively engaged in performing professional services at and for the marriage and family therapy corporation.

(4)Employment and supervision within a marriage and family therapy corporation shall be subject to all laws and regulations governing experience and supervision gained in a private practice setting.

(e)

(d) In a setting that is not a private practice, a written practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified by regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.

(f)In any setting that is not a private practice, a supervisor

(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where a trainee or associate will be gaining hours of experience toward licensure and shall determine both of the following: to determine that the site or sites comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter.

(1)That the site or sites provide experience that is within the scope of practice of a marriage and family therapist.

(2)That the experience is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and regulation.

(g)

(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and regulation.

SEC. 17.

 Section 4980.50 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4980.50.

Effective January 1, 2016, the following shall apply:

(a)Every

4980.50.
 (a) Every applicant who meets the educational and experience requirements and applies for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall be examined by the board. The examinations shall be as set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40. The examinations shall be given at least twice a year at a time and place and under supervision as the board may determine. The board shall examine the candidate with regard to his or her knowledge and professional skills and his or her judgment in the utilization of appropriate techniques and methods.
(b) The board shall not deny any applicant, applicant who has submitted a complete application for examination, admission to the licensure examinations required by this section if the applicant meets the educational and experience requirements of this chapter, and has not committed any acts or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(c) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the clinical examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s clinical examination or delay informing the candidate of the results of the clinical examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(d) If an applicant for examination who has passed the California law and ethics examination is the subject of a complaint or is under board investigation for acts or conduct that, if proven to be true, would constitute grounds for the board to deny licensure, the board shall permit the applicant to take the clinical examination for licensure, but may withhold the results of the examination or notify the applicant that licensure will not be granted pending completion of the investigation.
(e) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed either the California law and ethics examination or the clinical examination permission to retake either examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaints against the applicant. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination, withholding the results, or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Sections 11503 and 11504 of the Government Code, respectively, or the applicant has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years following the date of an examination.
(g) Effective January 1, 2016, an An applicant for licensure shall not be eligible to participate in the clinical examination if he or she fails to obtain a passing score on the clinical examination within seven years from his or her initial attempt, unless he or she takes and obtains a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination.
(h) A passing score on the clinical examination shall be accepted by the board for a period of seven years from the date the examination was taken.
(i) An applicant for licensure who has qualified pursuant to this chapter shall be issued a license as a marriage and family therapist in the form that the board deems appropriate.

(j)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 18.

 Section 4980.78 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.78.
 (a) This section applies to persons who apply for licensure or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who do not hold a license as described in Section 4980.72.
(b) For purposes of Section 4980.74, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The degree is obtained from a school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and consists of, at a minimum, the following:
(A) (i) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4980.36, the degree shall contain no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of instruction.
(ii) Up to 12 semester or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.
(B) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4980.37, the degree shall contain no less than 48 semester units or 72 quarter units of instruction.
(C) Six semester or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups, and an additional 75 hours of either face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups or client centered advocacy, or a combination of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups and client centered advocacy.
(D) Twelve semester or 18 quarter units in the areas of marriage, family, and child counseling and marital and family systems approaches to treatment, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4980.36.
(2) The applicant shall complete coursework in California law and ethics as follows:
(A) An applicant who completed a course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists as specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.81, that did not contain instruction in California law and ethics, shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and licensing process. This coursework shall be completed prior to registration as an associate.
(B) An applicant who has not completed a course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists as specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.81 shall complete this required coursework. The coursework shall contain content specific to California law and ethics. This coursework shall be completed prior to registration as an associate.
(3) The applicant completes the educational requirements specified in Section 4980.81 not already completed in his or her education. The coursework may be from an accredited school, college, or university as specified in paragraph (1), from an educational institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4980.54. Undergraduate courses shall not satisfy this requirement.
(4) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited school, college, or university as specified in paragraph (1) from an educational institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4980.54. Undergraduate courses shall not satisfy this requirement.
(A) At least three semester units, or 45 hours, of instruction regarding the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(B) At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.
(5) An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required under paragraphs (3) and (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered as an associate, unless otherwise specified.
(6) The applicant’s degree title need not be identical to that required by subdivision (b) of Section 4980.36.

SEC. 19.

 Section 4980.79 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.79.
 (a) This section applies to persons who apply for licensure or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who hold a license as described in Section 4980.72.
(b) For purposes of Section 4980.72, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The degree is obtained from a school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and consists of, at a minimum, the following:
(A) (i) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4980.36, the degree shall contain no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of instruction.
(ii) Up to 12 semester or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.
(B) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4980.37, the degree shall contain no less than 48 semester or 72 quarter units of instruction.
(C) Six semester or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups, and an additional 75 hours of either face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups or client centered advocacy, or a combination of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups and client centered advocacy.
(i) An out-of-state applicant who has been licensed for at least two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, is exempt from this requirement.
(ii) An out-of-state applicant who has been licensed for less than two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, who does not meet the practicum requirement, shall remediate it by obtaining 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups, and an additional 75 hours of either face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups or client centered advocacy, or a combination of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups and client centered advocacy. These hours are in addition to the 3,000 hours of experience required by this chapter, and shall be gained while registered as an associate.
(D) Twelve semester or 18 quarter units in the areas of marriage, family, and child counseling and marital and family systems approaches to treatment, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4980.36.
(2) An applicant shall complete coursework in California law and ethics as follows:
(A) An applicant who completed a course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists as specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.81 that did not include instruction in California law and ethics, shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and licensing process. This coursework shall be completed prior to registration as an associate.
(B) An applicant who has not completed a course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists as specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.81 shall complete this required coursework. The coursework shall include content specific to California law and ethics. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.
(3) The applicant completes the educational requirements specified in Section 4980.81 not already completed in his or her education. The coursework may be from an accredited school, college, or university as specified in paragraph (1), from an educational institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4980.54. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(4) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited school, college, or university as specified in paragraph (1) above, from an educational institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4980.54. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(A) At least three semester units, or 45 hours, of instruction pertaining to the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(B) At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.
(5) An applicant's degree title need not be identical to that required by subdivision (b) of Section 4980.36.
(6) An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required under paragraphs (3) and (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered as an associate, unless otherwise specified.

SEC. 20.

 Section 4982 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4982.
 The board may deny a license or registration or may suspend or revoke the license or registration of a licensee or registrant if he or she has been guilty of unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) The conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. The record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence only of the fact that the conviction occurred. The board may inquire into the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime in order to fix the degree of discipline or to determine if the conviction is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter shall be deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section. The board may order any license or registration suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license or registration when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or, when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing the person to withdraw a plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.
(b) Securing a license or registration by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation on any application for licensure or registration submitted to the board, whether engaged in by an applicant for a license or registration, or by a licensee in support of any application for licensure or registration.
(c) Administering to himself or herself any controlled substance or using of any of the dangerous drugs specified in Section 4022, or of any alcoholic beverage to the extent, or in a manner, as to be dangerous or injurious to the person applying for a registration or license or holding a registration or license under this chapter, or to any other person, or to the public, or, to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person applying for or holding a registration or license to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by the registration or license. The board shall deny an application for a registration or license or revoke the license or registration of any person, other than one who is licensed as a physician and surgeon, who uses or offers to use drugs in the course of performing marriage and family therapy services.
(d) Gross negligence or incompetence in the performance of marriage and family therapy.
(e) Violating, attempting to violate, or conspiring to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board.
(f) Misrepresentation as to the type or status of a license or registration held by the person, or otherwise misrepresenting or permitting misrepresentation of his or her education, professional qualifications, or professional affiliations to any person or entity.
(g) Impersonation of another by any licensee, registrant, or applicant for a license or registration, or, in the case of a licensee, allowing any other person to use his or her license or registration.
(h) Aiding or abetting, or employing, directly or indirectly, any unlicensed or unregistered person to engage in conduct for which a license or registration is required under this chapter.
(i) Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm to any client.
(j) The commission of any dishonest, corrupt, or fraudulent act substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant.
(k) Engaging in sexual relations with a client, or a former client within two years following termination of therapy, soliciting sexual relations with a client, or committing an act of sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct with a client, or committing an act punishable as a sexually related crime, if that act or solicitation is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a marriage and family therapist.
(l) Performing, or holding oneself out as being able to perform, or offering to perform, or permitting any trainee, registered associate, or applicant for licensure under supervision to perform, any professional services beyond the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(m) Failure to maintain confidentiality, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, of all information that has been received from a client in confidence during the course of treatment and all information about the client that is obtained from tests or other means.
(n) Prior to the commencement of treatment, failing to disclose to the client or prospective client the fee to be charged for the professional services, or the basis upon which that fee will be computed.
(o) Paying, accepting, or soliciting any consideration, compensation, or remuneration, whether monetary or otherwise, for the referral of professional clients. All consideration, compensation, or remuneration shall be in relation to professional counseling services actually provided by the licensee. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent collaboration among two or more licensees in a case or cases. However, no fee shall be charged for that collaboration, except when disclosure of the fee has been made in compliance with subdivision (n).
(p) Advertising in a manner that is false, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive, as defined in Section 651.
(q) Reproduction or description in public, or in any publication subject to general public distribution, of any psychological test or other assessment device, the value of which depends in whole or in part on the naivete of the subject, in ways that might invalidate the test or device.
(r) Any conduct in the supervision of any registered associate, trainee, or applicant for licensure by any licensee that violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted by the board.
(s) Performing or holding oneself out as being able to perform professional mental health services beyond the scope of one’s competence, as established by one’s education, training, or experience. This subdivision shall not be construed to expand the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(t) Permitting a trainee, registered associate, or applicant for licensure under one’s supervision or control to perform, or permitting the trainee, registered associate, or applicant for licensure to hold himself or herself out as competent to perform, professional mental health services beyond the trainee’s, registered associate’s, or applicant’s applicant for licensure’s level of education, training, or experience.
(u) The violation of any statute or regulation governing the gaining and supervision of experience required by this chapter.
(v) Failure to keep records consistent with sound clinical judgment, the standards of the profession, and the nature of the services being rendered.
(w) Failure to comply with the child abuse reporting requirements of Section 11166 of the Penal Code.
(x) Failure to comply with the elder and dependent adult abuse reporting requirements of Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(y) Willful violation of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 123100) of Part 1 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.
(z) Failure to comply with Section 2290.5.
(aa) (1) Engaging in an act described in Section 261, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code with a minor or an act described in Section 288 or 288.5 of the Penal Code regardless of whether the act occurred prior to or after the time the registration or license was issued by the board. An act described in this subdivision occurring prior to the effective date of this subdivision shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall subject the licensee to refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license under this section.
(2) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that protection of the public, and in particular minors, from sexual misconduct by a licensee is a compelling governmental interest, and that the ability to suspend or revoke a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section is equally important to protecting the public as is the ability to refuse a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section.
(ab) Engaging in any conduct that subverts or attempts to subvert any licensing examination or the administration of an examination as described in Section 123.

SEC. 21.

 Section 4982.15 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4982.15.
 (a) The board may place a license or registration on probation under the following circumstances:
(1) In lieu of, or in addition to, any order of the board suspending or revoking the license or registration of any licensee or associate.
(2) Upon the issuance of a license to an individual who has been guilty of unprofessional conduct, but who had otherwise completed all education and training and experience required for licensure.
(3) As a condition upon the reissuance or reinstatement of any license that has been suspended or revoked by the board.
(b) The board may adopt regulations establishing a monitoring program to ensure compliance with any terms or conditions of probation imposed by the board pursuant to subdivision (a). The cost of probation or monitoring may be ordered to be paid by the licensee, registrant, or applicant.
(c) The board, in its discretion, may require any licensee or registrant who has been placed on probation, or whose license or registration has been suspended, to obtain additional professional training, and to pass an examination upon completion of that training, and to pay any necessary examination fee. The examination may be written, oral, or a practical or clinical examination.

SEC. 22.

 Section 4984.01 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4984.01.
 (a) The associate marriage and family therapist registration shall expire one year from the last day of the month in which it was issued.
(b) To renew the registration, the registrant shall, on or before the expiration date of the registration, complete all of the following actions:
(1) Apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board.
(2) Pay a renewal fee prescribed by the board.
(3) Participate in the California law and ethics examination pursuant to Section 4980.399 each year until successful completion of this examination.
(4) Notify the board whether he or she has been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against him or her by a regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state subsequent to the last renewal of the registration.
(c) The registration may be renewed a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked. When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4980.399. examination. An applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.

(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 23.Section 4984.7 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4984.7.

(a)The board shall assess the following fees relating to the licensure of marriage and family therapists:

(1)The application fee for an associate registration shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).

(2)The renewal fee for an associate registration shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).

(3)The fee for the application for examination eligibility shall be one hundred dollars ($100).

(4)The fee for the clinical examination shall be one hundred dollars ($100). The fee for the California law and ethics examination shall be one hundred dollars ($100).

(A)An applicant who fails to appear for an examination, after having been scheduled to take the examination, shall forfeit the examination fee.

(B)The amount of the examination fees shall be based on the actual cost to the board of developing, purchasing, and grading each examination and the actual cost to the board of administering each examination. The examination fees shall be adjusted periodically by regulation to reflect the actual costs incurred by the board.

(5)The fee for rescoring an examination shall be twenty dollars ($20).

(6)The fee for issuance of an initial license shall be a maximum of one hundred eighty dollars ($180).

(7)The fee for license renewal shall be a maximum of one hundred eighty dollars ($180).

(8)The fee for inactive license renewal shall be a maximum of ninety dollars ($90).

(9)The renewal delinquency fee shall be a maximum of ninety dollars ($90). A person who permits his or her license to expire is subject to the delinquency fee.

(10)The fee for issuance of a replacement registration, license, or certificate shall be twenty dollars ($20).

(11)The fee for issuance of a certificate or letter of good standing shall be twenty-five dollars ($25).

(12)The fee for issuance of a retired license shall be forty dollars ($40).

(b)With regard to license, examination, and other fees, the board shall establish fee amounts at or below the maximum amounts specified in this chapter.

(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 23.

 Section 4984.7 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4984.7.
 (a) The board shall assess the following fees relating to the licensure of marriage and family therapists:
(1) The application fee for an associate registration shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).
(2) The renewal fee for an associate registration shall be seventy-five dollars ($75).
(3) The fee for the application for licensure shall be one hundred dollars ($100).
(4) The fee for the clinical examination shall be one hundred dollars ($100). The fee for the California law and ethics examination shall be one hundred dollars ($100).
(A) An applicant who fails to appear for an examination, after having been scheduled to take the examination, shall forfeit the examination fee.
(B) The amount of the examination fees shall be based on the actual cost to the board of developing, purchasing, and grading each examination and the actual cost to the board of administering each examination. The examination fees shall be adjusted periodically by regulation to reflect the actual costs incurred by the board.
(5) The fee for rescoring an examination shall be twenty dollars ($20).
(6) The fee for the issuance of an initial license shall be a maximum of one hundred eighty dollars ($180).
(7) The fee for license renewal shall be a maximum of one hundred eighty dollars ($180).
(8) The fee for inactive license renewal shall be a maximum of ninety dollars ($90).
(9) The renewal delinquency fee shall be a maximum of ninety dollars ($90). A person who permits his or her license to expire is subject to the delinquency fee.
(10) The fee for issuance of a replacement registration, license, or certificate shall be twenty dollars ($20).
(11) The fee for issuance of a certificate or letter of good standing shall be twenty-five dollars ($25).
(12) The fee for issuance of a retired license shall be forty dollars ($40).
(b) With regard to license, examination, and other fees, the board shall establish the fee amounts at or below the maximum amounts specified in this chapter.

SEC. 24.

 Section 4992.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4992.05.
 (a) Effective January 1, 2016, a A registrant or an applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall pass the following two examinations as prescribed by the board:
(1) A California law and ethics examination.
(2) A clinical examination.
(b) Upon registration with the board, an associate clinical social worker registrant shall, registrant, within the first year of registration, shall take an examination on California law and ethics.
(c) A registrant or an applicant for licensure may take the clinical examination only upon meeting all of the following requirements:
(1) Completion of all education requirements.
(2) Passage of the California law and ethics examination.
(3) Completion of all required supervised work experience.

(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 25.

 Section 4992.09 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4992.09.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 4992.07, an applicant and registrant shall obtain a passing score on a board-administered California law and ethics examination in order to qualify for licensure.
(b) A registrant shall participate in a board-administered California law and ethics examination prior to his or her registration renewal.

(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an applicant who holds a registration eligible for renewal, with an expiration date no later than June 30, 2016, and who applies for renewal of that registration between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2016, shall, if eligible, be allowed to renew the registration without first participating in the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall participate in the California law and ethics examination in the next renewal cycle, and shall pass the examination prior to licensure or issuance of a subsequent registration number, as specified in this section.

(d)

(c) If an applicant fails the California law and ethics examination, he or she may retake the examination, upon payment of the required fees, without further application except for as provided in subdivision (e). (d).

(e)

(d) If a registrant fails to obtain a passing score on the California law and ethics examination described in subdivision (a) within his or her renewal period on or after the operative date of this section, he or she shall complete, at a minimum, a 12-hour course in California law and ethics in order to be eligible to participate in the California law and ethics examination. Registrants shall only take the 12-hour California law and ethics course once during a renewal period. The 12-hour law and ethics course required by this section shall be taken through a continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation, a county, state or governmental entity, or a college or university.

(f)

(e) The board shall not issue a subsequent registration number unless the applicant has passed the California law and ethics examination.

(g)Notwithstanding subdivision (f), an applicant who holds or has held a registration, with an expiration date no later than January 1, 2017, and who applies for a subsequent registration number between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017, shall, if eligible, be allowed to obtain the subsequent registration number without first passing the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall pass the California law and ethics examination during the next renewal period or prior to licensure, whichever occurs first.

(h)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 26.

 Section 4992.3 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4992.3.
 The board may deny a license or a registration, or may suspend or revoke the license or registration of a licensee or registrant if he or she has been guilty of unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) The conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. The record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence only of the fact that the conviction occurred. The board may inquire into the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime in order to fix the degree of discipline or to determine if the conviction is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter is a conviction within the meaning of this section. The board may order any license or registration suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license or registration when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or, when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing the person to withdraw a plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.
(b) Securing a license or registration by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation on any application for licensure or registration submitted to the board, whether engaged in by an applicant for a license or registration, or by a licensee in support of any application for licensure or registration.
(c) Administering to himself or herself any controlled substance or using any of the dangerous drugs specified in Section 4022 or any alcoholic beverage to the extent, or in a manner, as to be dangerous or injurious to the person applying for a registration or license or holding a registration or license under this chapter, or to any other person, or to the public, or, to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person applying for or holding a registration or license to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by the registration or license. The board shall deny an application for a registration or license or revoke the license or registration of any person who uses or offers to use drugs in the course of performing clinical social work. This provision does not apply to any person also licensed as a physician and surgeon under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) or the Osteopathic Act who lawfully prescribes drugs to a patient under his or her care.
(d) Incompetence in the performance of clinical social work.
(e) An act or omission that falls sufficiently below the standard of conduct of the profession as to constitute an act of gross negligence.
(f) Violating, attempting to violate, or conspiring to violate this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board.
(g) Misrepresentation as to the type or status of a license or registration held by the person, or otherwise misrepresenting or permitting misrepresentation of his or her education, professional qualifications, or professional affiliations to any person or entity. For purposes of this subdivision, this misrepresentation includes, but is not limited to, misrepresentation of the person’s qualifications as an adoption service provider pursuant to Section 8502 of the Family Code.
(h) Impersonation of another by any licensee, registrant, or applicant for a license or registration, or, in the case of a licensee, allowing any other person to use his or her license or registration.
(i) Aiding or abetting abetting, or employing, directly or indirectly, any unlicensed or unregistered person to engage in conduct for which a license or registration is required under this chapter.
(j) Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm to any client.
(k) The commission of any dishonest, corrupt, or fraudulent act substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant.
(l) Engaging in sexual relations with a client or with a former client within two years from the termination date of therapy with the client, soliciting sexual relations with a client, or committing an act of sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct with a client, or committing an act punishable as a sexually related crime, if that act or solicitation is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a clinical social worker.
(m) Performing, or holding oneself out as being able to perform, or offering to perform or permitting, any registered associate, trainee, or applicant for licensure under supervision to perform any professional services beyond the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(n) Failure to maintain confidentiality, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, of all information that has been received from a client in confidence during the course of treatment and all information about the client that is obtained from tests or other means.
(o) Prior to the commencement of treatment, failing to disclose to the client or prospective client the fee to be charged for the professional services, or the basis upon which that fee will be computed.
(p) Paying, accepting, or soliciting any consideration, compensation, or remuneration, whether monetary or otherwise, for the referral of professional clients. All consideration, compensation, or remuneration shall be in relation to professional counseling services actually provided by the licensee. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent collaboration among two or more licensees in a case or cases. However, no fee shall be charged for that collaboration, except when disclosure of the fee has been made in compliance with subdivision (o).
(q) Advertising in a manner that is false, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive, as defined in Section 651.
(r) Reproduction or description in public, or in any publication subject to general public distribution, of any psychological test or other assessment device, the value of which depends in whole or in part on the naivete of the subject, in ways that might invalidate the test or device. A licensee shall limit access to that test or device to persons with professional interest who are expected to safeguard its use.
(s) Any conduct in the supervision of any registered associate clinical social worker, associate, or trainee by any licensee associate, trainee, or applicant for licensure by any licensee that violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted by the board.
(t) Performing or holding oneself out as being able to perform professional mental health services beyond the scope of one’s competence, as established by one’s education, training, or experience. This subdivision shall not be construed to expand the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(u) Permitting an applicant for licensure, trainee, or registrant under one’s supervision or control to perform, or permitting the supervisee to hold himself or herself out as competent to perform, professional mental health services beyond the supervisee’s level of education, training, or experience.
(v) The violation of any law or regulation governing the gaining or supervision of experience required by this chapter.
(w) Failure to keep records consistent with sound clinical judgment, the standards of the profession, and the nature of the services being rendered.
(x) Failure to comply with the child abuse reporting requirements of Section 11166 of the Penal Code.
(y) Failure to comply with the elder and dependent adult abuse reporting requirements of Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(z) Willful violation of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 123100) of Part 1 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.
(aa) Failure to comply with Section 2290.5.
(ab) (1) Engaging in an act described in Section 261, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code with a minor or an act described in Section 288 or 288.5 of the Penal Code regardless of whether the act occurred prior to or after the time the registration or license was issued by the board. An act described in this subdivision occurring prior to the effective date of this subdivision shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall subject the licensee to refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license under this section.
(2) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that protection of the public, and in particular minors, from sexual misconduct by a licensee is a compelling governmental interest, and that the ability to suspend or revoke a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section is equally important to protecting the public as is the ability to refuse a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section.
(ac) Engaging in any conduct that subverts or attempts to subvert any licensing examination or the administration of the examination as described in Section 123.

SEC. 27.Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4996.17.

(a)(1)Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.

(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, an applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.

(b)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid active clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:

(1)The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.

(2)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:

(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.

(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.

(3)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.

(4)The applicant’s license is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.

(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicant’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.

(6)The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.

(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.

(c)The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid, active clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:

(1)Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:

(A)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(B)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(C)A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.

(D)A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.

(2)Commencing January 1, 2014, completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.

(3)The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.

(4)The applicant’s license is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.

(5)The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicant’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.

(6)The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.

(7)The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.

(d)Commencing January 1, 2016, an applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if the applicant obtained a passing score on the licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.

SEC. 27.

 Section 4996.17 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4996.17.
 (a) (1) Experience gained outside of California shall be accepted toward the licensure requirements if it is substantially the equivalent of the requirements of this chapter.
(2) Commencing January 1, 2014, an An applicant with education gained outside of California shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.
(b) The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or corresponding authority of any state, if the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1 and pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1) The applicant has supervised experience that is substantially the equivalent of that required by this chapter. If the applicant has less than 3,200 hours of qualifying supervised experience, time actively licensed as a clinical social worker shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(2) Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of this state:
(A) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C) A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(3) Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.
(4) The applicant’s license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5) The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicant’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6) The applicant shall provide a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7) The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(c) The board may issue a license to any person who, at the time of application, holds a valid clinical social work license issued by a board of clinical social work examiners or a corresponding authority of any state, if the person has held that license for at least four years immediately preceding the date of application, the person passes, or has passed, the licensing examinations as specified in Section 4996.1, and the person pays the required fees. Issuance of the license is conditioned upon all of the following:
(1) Completion of the following coursework or training in or out of state:
(A) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(B) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(C) A minimum of 15 contact hours of training or coursework in alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, as specified by regulation.
(D) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework or training in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies.
(2) Commencing January 1, 2014, completion Completion of an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to, the following: advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous patients, psychotherapist-patient privilege, recordkeeping, patient access to records, state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to patients, differences in legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings, and licensing law and process.
(3) The applicant has been licensed as a clinical social worker continuously for a minimum of four years prior to the date of application.
(4) The applicant’s license is in good standing and is not suspended, revoked, restricted, sanctioned, or voluntarily surrendered in any state.
(5) The applicant is not currently under investigation in any other state, and has not been charged with an offense for any act substantially related to the practice of social work by any public agency, entered into any consent agreement or been subject to an administrative decision that contains conditions placed by an agency upon an applicant’s professional conduct or practice, including any voluntary surrender of license, or been the subject of an adverse judgment resulting from the practice of social work that the board determines constitutes evidence of a pattern of incompetence or negligence.
(6) The applicant provides a certification from each state where he or she holds a license pertaining to licensure, disciplinary action, and complaints pending.
(7) The applicant is not subject to denial of licensure under Section 480, 4992.3, 4992.35, or 4992.36.
(d) An applicant who obtained his or her license or registration under another jurisdiction may apply for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4996.1 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2) The applicant’s license or registration in that jurisdiction is active, in good standing at the time of his or her application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.

SEC. 28.

 Section 4996.18 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4996.18.
 (a) A person who wishes to be credited with experience toward licensure requirements shall register with the board as an associate clinical social worker prior to obtaining that experience. The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the board. All applicants shall have an active registration with the board as an associate clinical social worker in order to gain hours of supervised experience.
(b) An applicant for registration shall satisfy the following requirements:
(1) Possess a master’s degree from an accredited school or department of social work.
(2) Have committed no crimes or acts constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.
(3) Commencing January 1, 2014, have Have completed training or coursework, which may be embedded within more than one course, in California law and professional ethics for clinical social workers, including instruction in all of the following areas of study:
(A) Contemporary professional ethics and statutes, regulations, and court decisions that delineate the scope of practice of clinical social work.
(B) The therapeutic, clinical, and practical considerations involved in the legal and ethical practice of clinical social work, including, but not limited to, family law.
(C) The current legal patterns and trends in the mental health professions.
(D) The psychotherapist-patient privilege, confidentiality, dangerous patients, and the treatment of minors with and without parental consent.
(E) A recognition and exploration of the relationship between a practitioner’s sense of self and human values, and his or her professional behavior and ethics.
(F) Differences in legal and ethical standards for different types of work settings.
(G) Licensing law and process.
(c) An applicant who possesses a master’s degree from a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education shall be eligible, and shall be required, to register as an associate clinical social worker in order to gain experience toward licensure if the applicant has not committed any crimes or acts that constitute grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. That applicant shall not, however, be eligible to take the clinical examination until the school or department of social work has received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.
(d) An applicant who possesses a master’s degree from an accredited school or department of social work shall be able to apply experience the applicant obtained during the time the accredited school or department was in candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education toward the licensure requirements, if the experience meets the requirements of Section 4996.23. This subdivision shall apply retroactively to persons who possess a master’s degree from an accredited school or department of social work and who obtained experience during the time the accredited school or department was in candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.
(e) An applicant for registration or licensure trained in an educational institution outside the United States shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that he or she possesses a master’s of social work degree that is equivalent to a master’s degree issued from a school or department of social work that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. These applicants shall provide the board with a comprehensive evaluation of the degree and shall provide any other documentation the board deems necessary. The board has the authority to make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements regardless of evaluation or accreditation.
(f) All applicants for licensure and registrants shall be at all times under the supervision of a supervisor who shall be responsible for ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the training and experience of the person being supervised and who shall be responsible to the board for compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations laws governing the practice of clinical social work.
(g) All applicants and registrants shall inform each client or patient prior to performing any professional services that he or she is unlicensed and is under the supervision of a licensed professional.

SEC. 29.

 Section 4996.20 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4996.20.
 (a) “Supervisor,” as used in this chapter, means an individual who meets the requirements set forth in this chapter and by regulation. The requirements include, but are not limited to, all of the following: all of the following requirements:
(1) Has been actively licensed in this state or has held an active equivalent license in any other state as a licensed held an active license for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision as either:
(A) A licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), licensed clinical social worker, or licensed physician worker, or equivalent out-of-state license.
(B) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, for at least two years of the past five years immediately prior to commencing any supervision. Neurology or an out-of-state licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(2) Has For at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision, has either practiced psychotherapy or provided direct clinical supervision of psychotherapy performed by associate clinical social workers, associate marriage and family therapists or trainees, or associate professional clinical counselors, who perform psychotherapy, for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision. counselors. Supervision of psychotherapy performed by a social work students enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral program who perform psychotherapy or professional clinical counselor trainees who perform psychotherapy intern or a professional clinical counselor trainee shall be accepted toward the required two years if the supervision provided to the students is substantially equivalent to the supervision required for registrants.
(3) Has received professional training in supervision as specified in this chapter and by regulation.
(4) Has not provided therapeutic services to the supervisee.
(5) Has and maintains a current and active California license that is not under suspension or probation. license that is not under suspension or probation as one of the following:

(6)Complies with supervision requirements established by this chapter and by board regulations.

(A) A marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, or clinical social worker, issued by the board.
(B) A psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900).
(C) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(6) Is not a spouse, domestic partner, or relative of the supervisee.
(7) Does not currently have or previously had a personal, professional, or business relationship with the supervisee that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision.
(b) “Supervision,” for purposes of this chapter, As used in this chapter, the term “supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of mental health and related services being provided by the supervisee. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered supervision and shall not qualify as supervised experience.

(c)Supervision

“Supervision” includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the education, training, and experience of the supervisee.
(2) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions and providing regular feedback.
(3) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s ability to provide services to the particular clientele being served at the site or sites where he or she will be practicing. at the site or sites where he or she is practicing and to the particular clientele being served.
(4) Monitoring for and addressing clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to, countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that may affect the supervisory or the practitioner-patient relationship.
(5) Ensuring the supervisee’s compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of clinical social work.
(6) Reviewing the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(7) With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.

SEC. 30.

 Section 4996.21 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4996.21.
 The board shall have the right to may audit the records of any supervisor to verify the completion of the supervisor qualifications specified by this chapter and by regulation. A supervisor shall maintain records of completion of the required supervisor qualifications for a period of seven years after termination of supervision and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.

SEC. 31.Section 4996.23 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4996.23.

(a)To qualify for licensure as specified in Section 4996.2, each applicant shall complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised experience related to the practice of clinical social work under a supervisor who meets the qualifications in Section 4996.20. Experience shall not be gained until the applicant is actively registered as an associate clinical social worker. The experience shall comply with the following:

(1)At least 1,700 hours shall be gained under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. The remaining required supervised experience may be gained under the supervision of a supervisor holding any of the license types listed as acceptable in this chapter.

(2)A minimum of 2,000 hours in clinical psychosocial diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, including psychotherapy or counseling.

(3)A maximum of 1,000 hours in client centered advocacy, consultation, evaluation, research, direct supervisor contact, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to clinical social work that have been approved by the applicant’s supervisor.

(4)Of the 2,000 clinical hours required in paragraph (2), no less than 750 hours shall be face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy provided to clients in the context of clinical social work services.

(5)A minimum of two years of supervised experience is required to be obtained over a period of not less than 104 weeks and shall have been gained within the six years immediately preceding the date on which the application for licensure was received by the board.

(6)Experience shall not be credited for more than 40 hours in any week.

(7)No more than six hours of supervision, whether individual or group, shall be credited during any single week.

(b)An individual who submits an application for licensure between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, may alternatively qualify under the experience requirements of this section that were in place on January 1, 2015.

(c)The six hours of supervision that may be credited during any single week pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) shall apply only to supervision hours gained on or after January 1, 2010.

SEC. 31.

 Section 4996.23 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4996.23.
 (a) To qualify for licensure as specified in Section 4996.2, licensure, each applicant shall complete 3,200 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised experience related to the practice of clinical social work. Experience shall not be gained until the applicant is registered as an associate clinical social worker. The experience shall comply with the following: be as follows:
(1) At least 1,700 hours shall be gained under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. The remaining required supervised experience may be gained under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional acceptable to the board as defined by a regulation adopted by the board. physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), or licensed clinical social worker.
(2) A minimum of 2,000 hours in clinical psychosocial diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, including psychotherapy or counseling. counseling; however, at least 750 hours shall be face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy provided in the context of clinical social work services.
(3) A maximum of 1,200 1,000 hours in client centered advocacy, consultation, evaluation, research, direct supervisor contact, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to clinical social work that have been approved by the applicant’s supervisor.

(4)Of the 2,000 clinical hours required in paragraph (2), no less than 750 hours shall be face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy provided to clients in the context of clinical social work services.

(5)

(4) A minimum of two years of supervised experience is required to be obtained over a period of not less than 104 weeks and shall have been gained within the six years immediately preceding the date on which the application for licensure was filed. received by the board.

(6)Experience shall not be credited for more

(5) No more than 40 hours of experience may be credited in any week. seven consecutive days.
(6) For hours gained on or after January 1, 2010, no more than six hours of supervision, whether individual, triadic, or group supervision, shall be credited during any single week.
(b) An individual who submits an application for examination eligibility licensure between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, may alternatively qualify under the experience requirements of this section that were in place on January 1, 2015.

(c)“Supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of clinical social work services being provided. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered to be supervision.

(d)(1)Prior to the commencement of supervision, a supervisor shall comply with all requirements enumerated in Section 1870 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations and shall sign under penalty of perjury the “Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of an Associate Clinical Social Worker” form.

(2)Supervised experience shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact for a minimum of 104 weeks. For purposes of this subdivision, “one hour of direct supervisor contact” means one hour per week of face-to-face contact on an individual basis or two hours of face-to-face contact in a group conducted within the same week as the hours claimed.

(3)An associate shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact for every week in which more than 10 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy is performed in each setting in which experience is gained. No more than six hours of supervision, whether individual or group, shall be credited during any single week.

(4)Supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact during each week for which experience is gained in each work setting. Supervision is not required for experience gained attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).

(5)The six hours of supervision that may be credited during any single week pursuant to paragraph (3) shall apply only to supervision hours gained on or after January 1, 2010.

(6)Group supervision shall be provided in a group of not more than eight supervisees and shall be provided in segments lasting no less than one continuous hour.

(7)Of the 104 weeks of required supervision, 52 weeks shall be individual supervision, and of the 52 weeks of required individual supervision, not less than 13 weeks shall be supervised by a licensed clinical social worker.

(8)Notwithstanding paragraph (2), an associate clinical social worker working for a governmental entity, school, college, or university, or an institution that is both a nonprofit and charitable institution, may obtain the required weekly direct supervisor contact via live two-way videoconferencing. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that client confidentiality is preserved.

(e)The supervisor and the associate shall develop a supervisory plan that describes the goals and objectives of supervision. These goals shall include the ongoing assessment of strengths and limitations and the assurance of practice in accordance with the laws and regulations. The associate shall submit to the board the initial original supervisory plan upon application for licensure.

(f)Experience shall only be gained in a setting that meets both of the following:

(1)Lawfully and regularly provides clinical social work, mental health counseling, or psychotherapy.

(2)Provides oversight to ensure that the associate’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements set forth in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession as defined in Section 4996.9.

(g)Experience shall not be gained until the applicant has been registered as an associate clinical social worker.

(h)Employment in a private practice as defined in subdivision (i) shall not commence until the applicant has been registered as an associate clinical social worker.

(i)A private practice setting is a setting that is owned by a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed psychologist, a licensed professional clinical counselor, a licensed physician and surgeon, or a professional corporation of any of those licensed professions.

(j)Associates shall not be employed as independent contractors, and shall not gain experience for work performed as an independent contractor, reported on an IRS Form 1099, or both.

(k)If volunteering, the associate shall provide the board with a letter from his or her employer verifying his or her voluntary status upon application for licensure.

(l)If employed, the associate shall provide the board with copies of his or her W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure.

(m)While an associate may be either a paid employee or volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration to associates.

(n)An associate shall not do the following:

(1)Receive any remuneration from patients or clients and shall only be paid by his or her employer.

(2)Have any proprietary interest in the employer’s business.

(3)Lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of his or her employer.

(o)An associate, whether employed or volunteering, may obtain supervision from a person not employed by the associate’s employer if that person has signed a written agreement with the employer to take supervisory responsibility for the associate’s social work services.

(p)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, associates and applicants for examination shall receive a minimum of one hour of supervision per week for each setting in which he or she is working.

SEC. 32.

 Section 4996.23.1 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4996.23.1.
 (a) For Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences, as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4996.23, direct supervisor contact shall occur as follows:
(1) Supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact each week for which experience is credited in each work setting.
(2) An associate gaining experience who performs more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling in a week in any setting shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact for that setting.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, “one hour of direct supervisor contact” means any of the following:
(1) Individual supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and one supervisee.
(2) Triadic supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and two supervisees.
(3) Group supervision, which means two hours of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and no more than eight supervisees. Segments of group supervision may be split into no less than one continuous hour. A supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.

(b)Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences, as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4996.23, supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which experience is credited in each work setting. An associate clinical social worker gaining experience shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact in every week in which more than 10 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy is performed in each setting.

(c) Direct supervisor contact shall occur within the same week as the hours claimed.
(d) Of the 104 weeks of required supervision, 52 weeks shall be individual supervision, triadic supervision, or a combination of both.
(e) Of the 52 weeks of required individual or triadic supervision, no less than 13 weeks shall be supervised by a licensed clinical social worker.

(f)When conducting group supervision, the supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.

(g)

(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), (b), an associate clinical social worker working for in a governmental entity, a school, a college, a university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable may obtain the required weekly direct supervisor contact via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal law laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information.

(h)

(g) Notwithstanding any other law, once the required number of experience hours are gained, an associate clinical social worker or applicant for licensure shall receive a minimum of one hour of direct supervisor contact per week for each practice setting in which direct clinical counseling is performed. Once the required number of experience hours are gained, further supervision for nonclinical practice, as defined described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4996.23, shall be at the supervisor’s discretion.

SEC. 33.

 Section 4996.23.2 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4996.23.2.
 (a) An associate clinical social worker or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services as an employee or as a volunteer. volunteer, not as an independent contractor. The requirements of this chapter regarding gaining hours of experience and supervision shall apply equally to employees and volunteers. An associate or applicant for licensure shall not perform any services or gain any experience within the scope of practice of the profession, as defined in Section 4996.9, as an independent contractor. While an associate may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.
(1) If employed, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with copies of the corresponding W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure. claimed.
(2) If volunteering, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with a letter from his or her employer verifying the associate’s status as a volunteer during the dates the experience was gained. This letter shall be provided to the board upon application for licensure.
(b) “Private practice,” for purposes of this chapter, is defined as a setting owned by a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed psychologist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), a licensed professional clinical counselor, a licensed physician and surgeon, or a professional corporation of any of those licensed professions.
(c) Employment in a private practice shall not commence until the applicant has been registered as an associate clinical social worker.
(d) Experience shall only be gained in a setting that meets both of the following:
(1) Lawfully and regularly provides clinical social work, mental health counseling, or psychotherapy.
(2) Provides oversight to ensure that the associate’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements set forth in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession as defined in Section 4996.9.

(e)While an associate clinical social worker may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.

(f)

(e) Only experience gained in the position for which the associate clinical social worker volunteers or is employed shall qualify as supervised experience.

(g)

(f) Any experience obtained under the supervision of a spouse or relative by blood or marriage shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience. Any experience obtained under the supervision of a supervisor with whom the applicant has had or currently has a personal, professional, or business relationship that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience.

(h)An associate or applicant shall not do any of the following:

(1)Receive any remuneration from patients or clients and shall only be paid by his or her employer.

(2)Have any proprietary interest in his or her employer’s business.

(3)Lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of his or her employer.

(i)

(g) An associate clinical social worker or applicant for licensure who provides voluntary services in any lawful work setting other than a private practice and who only receives reimbursement for expenses actually incurred shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant for licensure who receives reimbursement for expenses and the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred.

(j)

(h) An associate clinical social worker or applicant for licensure who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment from a program designed to encourage demographically underrepresented groups to enter the profession or to improve recruitment and retention in underserved regions or settings shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment and the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for the specified purposes.
(i) An associate or applicant for licensure shall not receive any remuneration from patients or clients and shall only be paid by his or her employer, if an employee.
(j) An associate or applicant for licensure shall have no proprietary interest in his or her employer’s business and shall not lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of his or her employer.
(k) Each educational institution preparing applicants pursuant to this chapter shall consider requiring, and shall encourage, its students to undergo individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Each supervisor shall consider, advise, and encourage his or her supervisees regarding the advisability of undertaking individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Insofar as it is deemed appropriate and is desired by the applicant, educational institutions and supervisors are encouraged to assist the applicant to locate counseling or psychotherapy at a reasonable cost.

SEC. 34.

 Section 4996.23.3 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4996.23.3.
 (a) An associate clinical social worker or an applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the place places where his or her employer regularly conducts business and services, which may include performing services at other locations, as long as the services are performed under the direction and control of his or her employer and his or her supervisor and in compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision. services.

(b)Except for periods of time during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave, an associate clinical social worker who is employed or volunteering in private practice shall be under the direct supervision of a supervisor who is either employed by, and practices at the same site as, the associate’s employer or is an owner or shareholder of the private practice.

(b)  An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A licensed professional in private practice who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 4996.20 may supervise or employ, at any one time, no supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three individuals supervisees at any one time. A supervisee may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker in that private practice. worker.

(d)All of the following limits shall apply to a licensed clinical social worker corporation:

(1)A licensed clinical social worker corporation may retain, at any one time, no more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker for each supervising employee or shareholder who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 4996.20.

(2)In no event shall any licensed clinical social worker corporation retain, at any one time, more than a total of 15 employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.

(3)In no event shall any supervisor supervise, at any one time, more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker. A person who supervises an employee or volunteer registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker shall be employed full time by the licensed clinical social worker corporation and shall be actively engaged in performing professional services at and for the licensed clinical social worker corporation.

(4)Employment and supervision within a licensed clinical social worker corporation shall be subject to all laws and regulations governing experience and supervision gained in a private practice setting.

(e)

(d) In a setting that is not a private practice, a written practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified by regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.

(f)In any setting that is not a private practice, a

(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where an associate clinical social worker will be gaining hours of experience toward licensure and shall to determine both of the following:
(1)That that the site provides experience that is within the scope of practice of a clinical social worker.
(2)That the experience is or sites are in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and regulations.

(g)

(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and by regulation.

SEC. 35.

 Section 4996.24 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 36.

 Section 4999.12 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.12.
 For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Board” means the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
(b) “Accredited” means a school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
(c) “Approved” means a school, college, or university that possessed unconditional approval by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at the time of the applicant’s graduation from the school, college, or university.
(d) “Applicant for licensure” means an unlicensed person who has completed the required education and required hours of supervised experience for licensure as specified in this chapter. licensure.
(e) “Licensed professional clinical counselor” or “LPCC” means a person licensed under this chapter to practice professional clinical counseling, as defined in Section 4999.20.
(f) “Associate” means an unlicensed person who meets the requirements of Section 4999.42 and who meets one of the following: is registered with the board.

(1)The individual is registered with the board as an associate.

(2)The individual’s degree was awarded and the board receives his or her application for registration with the board as an associate within 90 days of the degree award date.

(g) “Clinical counselor trainee” means an unlicensed person who is currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program, as specified in Section 4999.32 or 4999.33, as applicable, that is designed to qualify him or her for licensure under this chapter, and who has completed no less than 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of coursework in any qualifying degree program.
(h) “Supervisor” means an individual who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has been actively licensed in this state or has held an active equivalent license in another state as a licensed held an active license for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision as either:
(A) A licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), licensed clinical social worker, or licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, for at least two of the past five years immediately prior to commencing any supervision. worker, or equivalent out-of-state license.

(2)The supervisor meets the additional training and education requirements in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.20 if he or she is a licensed professional clinical counselor, supervising an associate marriage and family therapist, a marriage and family therapist trainee, or an associate professional clinical counselor or licensee seeking experience to treat couples and families pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.20.

(B) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or an out-of-state licensed physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(2) If the individual is a licensed professional clinical counselor seeking to supervise an associate marriage and family therapist, a marriage and family therapist trainee, or an associate professional clinical counselor or licensee seeking experience to treat couples and families pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.20, he or she shall meet the additional training and education requirements in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.20.
(3) Has For at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision, has either practiced psychotherapy or provided direct clinical supervision of psychotherapy performed by marriage and family therapist trainees, associate marriage and family therapists, associate professional clinical counselors, or associate clinical social workers, who perform psychotherapy, for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision. workers. Supervision of psychotherapy performed by a social work students enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral program or professional clinical counselor trainees, who perform psychotherapy, intern or a professional clinical counselor trainee shall be accepted toward the required two years if the supervision provided to the students is substantially equivalent to the supervision required for registrants.
(4) Has received professional training insupervision as specified in supervision as specified in this chapter and by regulation.
(5) Has not provided therapeutic services to the supervisee.
(6) Has and maintains a current and active California license that is not under suspension or probation. probation as one of the following:

(7)Complies with supervision requirements established by this chapter and by regulation.

(A) A marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, or clinical social worker, issued by the board.
(B) A psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900).
(C) A physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(7) Is not a spouse, domestic partner, or relative of the supervisee.
(8) Does not currently have or previously had a personal, professional, or business relationship with the supervisee that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision.
(i) “Client centered advocacy” includes, but is not limited to, researching, identifying, and accessing resources, or other activities, related to obtaining or providing services and supports for clients or groups of clients receiving psychotherapy or counseling services.
(j) “Advertising” or “advertise” includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of any card, sign, or device to any person, or the causing, permitting, or allowing of any sign or marking on, or in, any building or structure, or in any newspaper or magazine or in any directory, or any printed matter whatsoever, with or without any limiting qualification. It also includes business solicitations communicated by radio or television broadcasting. Signs within church buildings or notices in church bulletins mailed to a congregation shall not be construed as advertising within the meaning of this chapter.
(k) “Referral” means evaluating and identifying the needs of a client to determine whether it is advisable to refer the client to other specialists, informing the client of that judgment, and communicating that determination as requested or deemed appropriate to referral sources.
(l) “Research” means a systematic effort to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data that describes how social characteristics, behavior, emotion, cognitions, disabilities, mental disorders, and interpersonal transactions among individuals and organizations interact.
(m) (1)“Supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of mental health and related services being provided by the supervisee. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered supervision and shall not qualify as supervised experience.
(2)Supervision experience. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(A)

(1) Ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the education, training, and experience of the person being supervised. supervisee.

(B)

(2) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions of the supervisee and providing regular feedback.

(C)

(3) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s ability to provide services to the particular clientele at the site or sites where he or she will be practicing. at the site or sites where he or she is practicing and to the particular clientele being served.

(D)

(4) Monitoring for and addressing clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to, countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that may affect the supervisory or the practitioner-patient relationship.

(E)

(5) Ensuring the supervisee’s compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of licensed professional clinical counseling.

(F)

(6) Reviewing the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.

(G)

(7) With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(n) “Clinical setting” means any setting that meets both of the following requirements:
(1) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.
(2) Provides oversight to ensure that the associate’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements set forth in this chapter and in regulation and is within the scope of practice of the profession.
(o) “Community mental health setting,” as used in Section 4999.46, means a clinical setting that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.
(2) Clients routinely receive psychopharmacological interventions in conjunction with psychotherapy, counseling, or other psycho-social interventions.
(3) Clients receive coordinated care that includes the collaboration of mental health providers.
(4) Is not a private practice.

SEC. 37.

 Section 4999.34 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 38.

 Section 4999.36 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.36.
 (a) A clinical counselor trainee may perform activities and services provided that the activities and services constitute part of the clinical counselor trainee’s supervised course of study and that the person is designated by the title “clinical counselor trainee.”
(b) All practicum and field study hours gained as a clinical counselor trainee shall be coordinated between the school and the site where hours are being accrued. The school shall approve each site and shall have a written agreement with each site that details each party’s responsibilities, including the methods by which supervision shall be provided. The agreement shall provide for regular progress reports and evaluations of the student’s performance at the site.
(c) If an applicant has gained practicum and field study hours while enrolled in an institution other than the one that confers the qualifying degree, it shall be the applicant’s responsibility to provide to the board satisfactory evidence that those practicum and field study hours were gained in compliance with this section.
(d) A clinical counselor trainee shall inform each client or patient, prior to performing any professional services, that he or she is unlicensed and under supervision.
(e) No hours earned while a clinical counselor trainee may count toward the 3,000 hours of required postdegree supervised experience.

SEC. 39.Section 4999.42 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4999.42.

(a)To qualify for registration as an associate, an applicant shall have all of the following qualifications:

(1)The applicant shall have earned a master’s or doctoral degree as specified in Section 4999.32 or 4999.33, as applicable. An applicant whose education qualifies him or her under Section 4999.32 shall also have completed the coursework or training specified in subdivision (e) of Section 4999.32.

(2)The applicant shall not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(3)

The board shall not issue a registration to any person who has been convicted of a crime in this or another state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory.

(b)The board shall begin accepting applications for associate registration on January 1, 2011.

SEC. 39.

 Section 4999.42 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.42.
 To qualify for registration as an associate, an applicant (a) An applicant shall have meet all of the following qualifications: qualifications to qualify for registration as an associate:

(a)The applicant shall have earned

(1) Earned a master’s or doctoral degree as specified in Section 4999.32 or 4999.33, as applicable. An applicant whose education qualifies him or her under Section 4999.32 shall also have completed the coursework or training specified in subdivision (e) of Section 4999.32.
(2) Be at least 18 years of age.

(b)The applicant shall not have

(3) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(c)

(b) The board shall not issue a registration to any person who has been convicted of a crime in this or another state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory.

SEC. 40.

 Section 4999.44 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 41.

 Section 4999.45 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 42.

 Section 4999.455 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 43.

 Section 4999.46 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.46.
 (a) To qualify for licensure as specified in Section 4999.50, applicants shall complete experience related to the practice of professional clinical counseling under a supervisor. The experience shall Except as provided in subdivision (b), all applicants shall have an active associate registration with the board in order to gain postdegree hours of supervised experience.
(b) (1) Preregistered postdegree hours of experience shall be credited toward licensure if all of the following apply:
(A) The registration applicant applies for the associate registration and the board receives the application within 90 days of the granting of the qualifying master’s degree or doctoral degree.
(B) For applicants completing graduate study on or after January 1, 2020, the experience is obtained at a workplace that, prior to the registration applicant gaining supervised experience hours, requires completed Live Scan fingerprinting. The applicant shall provide the board with a copy of that completed State of California “Request for Live Scan Service” form with his or her application for licensure.
(C) The board subsequently grants the associate registration.
(2) The applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.
(c) Supervised experience that is obtained for the purposes of qualifying for licensure shall be related to the practice of professional clinical counseling and comply with the following:
(1) A minimum of 3,000 postdegree hours of supervised experience performed over a period of not less than two years (104 weeks).
(2) Not more than 40 hours in any seven consecutive days.
(3) Not less than 1,750 hours of direct clinical counseling with individuals, groups, couples, or families in a setting described in Section 4999.46.3 using a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques and recognized counseling interventions within the scope of practice of licensed professional clinical counselors. interventions.
(4) Not less than 150 hours of clinical experience in a hospital or community mental health setting, as defined in Section 4999.12.
(5) A maximum of 1,250 hours of nonclinical practice, consisting of direct supervisor contact, administering and evaluating psychological tests, writing clinical reports, writing progress or process notes, client centered advocacy, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to professional clinical counseling that have been approved by the applicant’s supervisor.

(b)

(d) An individual who submits an application for licensure between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, may alternatively qualify under the experience requirements of this section that were in place on January 1, 2015.

(c)No hours of clinical mental health experience may be

(e) Experience hours shall not have been gained more than six years prior to the date the application for licensure was received by the board.

SEC. 44.

 Section 4999.46.1 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4999.46.1.
 (a) An associate or applicant for licensure shall be at all times under the supervision of a supervisor as specified in this chapter and by regulation. supervisor at all times.

(b)Except as provided in subdivision (c), an applicant shall have an active associate registration with the board in order to gain postdegree hours of supervised experience.

(c)Postdegree hours of experience shall be credited toward licensure so long as the applicant applies for associate registration and the board receives the application within 90 days of the granting of the qualifying degree and he or she is thereafter granted registration as an associate by the board. An applicant shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.

(b) As used in this chapter, the term “supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of mental health and related services provided by the supervisee. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered supervision and shall not qualify as supervised experience. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Ensuring the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the education, training, and experience of the supervisee.
(2) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions and providing regular feedback.
(3) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s ability to provide services at the site or sites where he or she is practicing and to the particular clientele being served.
(4) Monitoring and addressing clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to, countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that may affect the supervisory or practitioner-patient relationship.
(5) Ensuring the supervisee’s compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of licensed professional clinical counseling.
(6) Reviewing the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(7) With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.

(d)

(c) An associate employed under this chapter shall do all both of the following:

(1)Not perform any duties, except for those services provided as a clinical counselor trainee, until registered as an associate.

(2)Not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until registered as an associate with the board.

(3)

(1) Inform each client, prior to performing any professional services, that he or she is unlicensed and under supervision.

(4)

(2) Renew annually for a maximum of five years after initial registration with the board. the registration a maximum of five times. No registration shall be renewed or reinstated beyond six years from the last day of the month during which it was issued, regardless of whether it has been revoked.

(e)When no further renewals are possible,

(d) When no further renewals are possible, an applicant may apply for and obtain a subsequent associate registration number if the applicant meets the educational requirements for registration in effect at the time of the application for a subsequent associate registration number and has passed the California law and ethics examination described in Section 4999.53. examination. An applicant issued a subsequent associate registration number pursuant to this subdivision shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice.

SEC. 45.

 Section 4999.46.2 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:
4999.46.2.

(a)A clinical counselor trainee shall receive an average of at least one hour of direct supervisor contact for every five hours of direct clinical counseling that is performed in each setting.

(b)(1)Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.46, supervision shall

4999.46.2.
 (a) Except for experience gained by attending workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.46, direct supervisor contact shall occur as follows:
(1) Supervision shall include at least one hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which experience is credited in each work setting.
(2) An associate gaining experience shall receive A trainee shall receive an average of at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact in each week for which more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling is performed in each setting. No more than six hours of supervision, whether individual or group, shall be credited during any single week. for every five hours of direct clinical counseling performed each week in each setting. For experience gained after January 1, 2009, no more than six hours of supervision, whether individual, triadic, or group, shall be credited during any single week.
(3) An associate gaining experience who performs more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling in a week in any setting shall receive at least one additional hour of direct supervisor contact for that setting. For experience gained after January 1, 2009, no more than six hours of supervision, whether individual supervision, triadic supervision, or group supervision, shall be credited during any single week.
(4) Of the 104 weeks of required supervision, 52 weeks shall be individual supervision, triadic supervision, or a combination of both.

(c)

(b) For purposes of this chapter, “one hour of direct supervisor contact” means any of the following:
(1) Individual supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and one supervisee.
(2) Triadic supervision, which means one hour of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and two supervisees.
(3) Group supervision, which means two hours of face-to-face contact between one supervisor and no more than eight supervisees. Segments of group supervision may be split into no less than one continuous hour. The supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.

(d)

(c) Direct supervisor contact shall occur within the same week as the hours claimed.

(e)An applicant for licensure shall have received at least one hour per week of direct supervisor contact that is individual, triadic, or a combination of both, as specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (c), for a minimum of 52 weeks.

(f)When conducting group supervision, as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), the supervisor shall ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each supervisee.

(g)

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (c), (b), an associate working in a governmental entity, a school, a college, a university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable may obtain the required weekly direct supervisor contact via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal law federal and state laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information.

(h)The six hours of supervision that may be credited during any single week, pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), shall apply to supervision hours gained on or after January 1, 2009.

(i)

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, once the required number of experience hours are gained, associates and applicants for licensure shall receive a minimum of one hour of direct supervisor contact per week for each practice setting in which direct clinical counseling is performed. Once the required number of experience hours are gained, further supervision for nonclinical practice, as defined in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) (c) of Section 4999.46, shall be at the supervisor’s discretion.

SEC. 46.

 Section 4999.46.3 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4999.46.3.
 (a) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services as an employee or as a volunteer. volunteer, and not as an independent contractor. The requirements of this chapter regarding gaining hours of experience and supervision shall apply equally to employees and volunteers. A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall not perform any services or gain any experience within the scope of practice of the profession, as defined in Section 4999.20, as an independent contractor. While an associate may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.
(1) If employed, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with copies of the corresponding W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure. experience claimed.
(2) If volunteering, an associate shall provide the board board, upon application for licensure, with a letter from his or her employer verifying the associate’s status as a volunteer during the dates the experience was gained. This letter shall be provided to the board upon application for licensure.
(b) (1)A clinical counselor trainee shall not perform services in a private practice.

(2)A clinical counselor trainee shall complete the required predegree supervised practicum or field study experience in a setting that meets both of the following:

(c) A trainee shall complete the required predegree supervised practicum or field study experience in a setting that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Is not a private practice.

(A)

(2) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

(B)

(3) Provides oversight to ensure that the clinical counselor trainee’s work at the setting meets the practicum or field study experience requirements in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for licensed professional clinical counselors. experience and supervision requirements in this chapter and is within the scope of practice of the profession, as defined in Section 4999.20.

(3)

(4) Only experience gained in the position for which the clinical counselor trainee volunteers or is employed shall qualify as supervised practicum or field study experience.

(c)

(d) (1) An associate may be credited with supervised experience completed in any setting that meets both of the following:
(A) Lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.
(B) Provides oversight to ensure that the associate’s work at the setting meets the experience and supervision requirements in this chapter and is within the scope of practice for the profession profession, as specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 4999.20). defined in Section 4999.20.

(2)While an associate may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.

(3)

(2) Only experience gained in the position for which the associate volunteers or is employed shall qualify as supervised experience.

(4)

(3) An applicant for registration as an associate shall not be employed or volunteer in a private practice until an associate registration has been issued to the applicant he or she has been issued an associate registration by the board.

(d)Experience

(e) Any experience obtained under the supervision of a spouse or relative by blood or marriage spouse, relative, or domestic partner shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience. Experience Any experience obtained under the supervision of a supervisor with whom the applicant has had or currently has a personal, professional, or business relationship that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision shall not be credited toward the required hours of supervised experience.

(e)

(f) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall not receive any remuneration from patients or clients and shall only be paid by his or her employer. employer, if an employee.

(f)

(g) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall have no proprietary interest in his or her employer’s business and shall not lease or rent space, pay for furnishings, equipment, or supplies, or in any other way pay for the obligations of his or her employer.

(g)

(h) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure who provides voluntary services in any lawful work setting other than a private practice and who only receives reimbursement for expenses actually incurred shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant for licensure who receives reimbursement for expenses and the applicant for licensure shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred.

(h)

(i) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment from a program designed to encourage demographically underrepresented groups to enter the profession or to improve recruitment and retention in underserved regions or settings shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor. employee. The board may audit an applicant who receives a stipend or educational loan repayment and the applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for the specified purposes.

(i)

(j) Each educational institution preparing applicants pursuant to this chapter shall consider requiring, and shall encourage, its students to undergo individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Each supervisor shall consider, advise, and encourage his or her associates and trainees regarding the advisability of undertaking individual, marital, conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Insofar as it is deemed appropriate and is desired by the applicant, educational institutions and supervisors are encouraged to assist the applicant in locating to locate that counseling or psychotherapy at a reasonable cost.

SEC. 47.

 Section 4999.46.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4999.46.4.
 (a) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the place places where his or her employer regularly conducts business and services, which may include performing services at other locations, as long as the services are performed under the direction and control of his or her employer and his or her supervisor and in compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision. services.

(b)Except for periods of time during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave, an associate who is employed or volunteering in private practice shall be under the direct supervision of a supervisor who is either employed by, and practices at the same site as, the associate’s employer or is an owner or shareholder of the private practice.

(b) An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A licensed professional in private practice who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (h) of Section 4999.12 may supervise or employ, at any one time, no more than a total of three individuals registered as supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three supervisees at any one time. A supervisee may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker in that private practice. worker.

(d)All of the following limits shall apply to a professional clinical counselor corporation:

(1)A professional clinical counselor corporation may retain, at any one time, no more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker for each supervising employee or shareholder who has satisfied the requirements of subdivision (h) of Section 4999.12.

(2)In no event shall any professional clinical counselor corporation retain, at any one time, more than a total of 15 employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.

(3)In no event shall any supervisor supervise, at any one time, more than a total of three employees, volunteers, or a combination of employees and volunteers, registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker. A person who supervises an employee or volunteer registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker shall be employed full time by the professional clinical counselor corporation and shall be actively engaged in performing professional services at and for the professional clinical counselor corporation.

(4)Employment and supervision within a professional clinical counselor corporation shall be subject to all laws and regulations governing experience and supervision gained in a private practice setting.

(e)

(d) In a setting that is not a private practice, a written practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified in regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.

(f)In any setting that is not a private practice, a

(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where an associate will be gaining hours of experience toward licensure and shall to determine both of the following:
(1)That that the site or sites provide experience that is within the scope of practice of a professional clinical counselor.
(2)That the experience is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and by regulation. chapter.

(g)

(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and regulation.

SEC. 48.

 Section 4999.46.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4999.46.5.
 The board shall have the right to may audit the records of any supervisor to verify the completion of the supervisor qualifications specified by this chapter and by regulation. A supervisor shall maintain records of completion of the required supervisor qualifications for a period of seven years after termination of supervision and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.

SEC. 49.Section 4999.47 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 49.

 Section 4999.47 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.
4999.47.

(a)Clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants shall perform services only as an employee or as a volunteer.

The requirements of this chapter regarding gaining hours of clinical mental health experience and supervision are applicable equally to employees and volunteers. Associates and trainees shall not be employed as independent contractors, and shall not gain experience for work performed as an independent contractor, reported on an IRS Form 1099, or both.

(1)If employed, a clinical counselor intern shall provide the board with copies of the corresponding W-2 tax forms for each year of experience claimed upon application for licensure as a professional clinical counselor.

(2)If volunteering, a clinical counselor intern shall provide the board with a letter from his or her employer verifying the intern’s employment as a volunteer upon application for licensure as a professional clinical counselor.

(b)Clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants shall not receive any remuneration from patients or clients, and shall only be paid by their employers.

(c)While an intern may be either a paid employee or a volunteer, employers are encouraged to provide fair remuneration.

(d)Clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants who provide voluntary services or other services, and who receive no more than a total, from all work settings, of five hundred dollars ($500) per month as reimbursement for expenses actually incurred by those clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants for services rendered in any lawful work setting other than a private practice shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor.

(e)The board may audit an intern or applicant who receives reimbursement for expenses and the intern or applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating that the payments received were for reimbursement of expenses actually incurred.

(f)Clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants shall only perform services at the place where their employer regularly conducts business and services, which may include other locations, as long as the services are performed under the direction and control of the employer and supervisor in compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to supervision. Clinical counselor trainees, interns, and applicants shall have no proprietary interest in the employer’s business.

(g)Each educational institution preparing applicants for licensure pursuant to this chapter shall consider requiring, and shall encourage, its students to undergo individual, marital or conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Each supervisor shall consider, advise, and encourage his or her interns and clinical counselor trainees regarding the advisability of undertaking individual, marital or conjoint, family, or group counseling or psychotherapy, as appropriate. Insofar as it is deemed appropriate and is desired by the applicant, the educational institution and supervisors are encouraged to assist the applicant in locating that counseling or psychotherapy at a reasonable cost.

SEC. 50.

 Section 4999.50 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.50.
 (a) The board may issue a professional clinical counselor license to any person who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) He or she has received a master’s or doctoral degree described in Section 4999.32 or 4999.33, as applicable.
(2) He or she has completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience in the practice of professional clinical counseling as provided in Section 4999.46. counseling.
(3) He or she provides evidence of a passing score, as determined by the board, on the examinations designated in Section 4999.53.
(b) An applicant for licensure who has satisfied the requirements of this chapter shall be issued a license as a professional clinical counselor in the form that the board may deem appropriate. counselor.

(c)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 51.

 Section 4999.51 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.51.
 To qualify An applicant for licensure as a professional clinical counselor or registration as an associate, applicants shall meet the board’s regulatory requirements for professional clinical counselor licensure or associate registration, as applicable, including the following: associate shall satisfy the following qualifications:
(a) The applicant has not Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.
(b) The board shall not issue a license or registration to any person who has Not have been convicted of a crime in this or another state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory.
(c) The applicant has Have successfully passed a state and federal level criminal offender record information search conducted through the Department of Justice, as follows:
(1)The board shall direct applicants to electronically submit to the Department of Justice Justice by submitting fingerprint images and related other information required by to the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state and federal level convictions and arrests and information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal level arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on his or her own recognizance pending trial or appeal. records of state and federal convictions and arrests. The board shall request the subsequent arrest notification service on all applicants, pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.

(2)The Department of Justice shall forward the fingerprint images and related information received pursuant to paragraph (1) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and request a federal summary for criminal history information.

(3)The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and compile and disseminate a response to the board pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

(4)The board shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent arrest notification service, pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for each person who submitted information pursuant to paragraph (1).

(5)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of processing the request described in this section.

SEC. 52.

 Section 4999.52 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.52.
 (a) Every applicant for a license as a professional clinical counselor shall be examined by the board. The board shall examine the candidate with regard to his or her knowledge and professional skills and his or her judgment in the utilization of appropriate techniques and methods. take one or more examinations, as determined by the board, to ascertain his or her knowledge, professional skills, and judgment in the utilization of appropriate techniques and methods of professional clinical counseling.
(b) The examinations shall be given at least twice a year at a time and place and under supervision as the board may determine.
(c) The board shall not deny any applicant admission to an examination who has submitted a complete application for examination admission to the licensure examinations required by this section if the applicant meets the educational and experience requirements of this chapter, chapter and has not committed any acts or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(d) The board shall not deny any applicant applicant, whose application for licensure is complete admission to the examinations specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, complete, admission to the clinical examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay this any applicant’s clinical examination for any applicant or delay informing the candidate of the results of this the clinical examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(e) If an applicant for the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, who has passed the California law and ethics examination, is the subject of a complaint or is under board investigation for acts or conduct that, if proven to be true, would constitute grounds for the board to deny licensure, the board shall permit the applicant to take this examination, but may notify the applicant that licensure will not be granted pending completion of the investigation.
(f) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed either the California law and ethics examination, or the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, permission to retake either examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaints against the applicant.
(g) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination, withholding the results, or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Section 11503 or 11504 of the Government Code, respectively, or the application has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years following the date of an examination.
(i) On and after January 1, 2016, If the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53 shall be is not passed within seven years of an applicant for licensure’s initial attempt. attempt, the applicant shall obtain a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination in order to be eligible to retake this examination.
(j) A passing score on the clinical examination shall be accepted by the board for a period of seven years from the date the examination was taken.

(k)An applicant for licensure shall not be eligible to participate in the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, if he or she fails to obtain a passing score on this examination within seven years from his or her initial attempt. If the applicant for licensure fails to obtain a passing score within seven years of initial attempt, he or she shall obtain a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination in order to be eligible to retake this examination.

(l)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

SEC. 53.

 Section 4999.55 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.55.
 (a) Each applicant and registrant shall obtain a passing score on a board-administered California law and ethics examination in order to qualify for licensure.
(b) A registrant shall participate in take a board-administered California law and ethics examination prior to his or her registration renewal.

(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), an applicant who holds a registration eligible for renewal, with an expiration date no later than June 30, 2016, and who applies for renewal of that registration between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2016, shall, if eligible, be allowed to renew the registration without first participating in the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall participate in the California law and ethics examination in the next renewal cycle, and shall pass the examination prior to licensure or issuance of a subsequent registration number, as specified in this section.

(d)

(c) If an applicant fails the California law and ethics examination, he or she may retake the examination, upon payment of the required fees, without further application, except as provided in subdivision (e). (d).

(e)

(d) If a registrant fails to obtain a passing score on the California law and ethics examination described in subdivision (a) within his or her renewal period on or after the operative date of this section, period, he or she shall complete, at minimum, a 12-hour course in California law and ethics in order to be eligible to participate in the prior to retaking the board-administered California law and ethics examination. Registrants shall only take the 12-hour California law and ethics course once during a renewal period. The 12-hour law and ethics course required by this section shall be taken through a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation, a county, state, or governmental entity, or a college or university.

(f)

(e) The board shall not issue a subsequent registration number unless the applicant has passed the California law and ethics examination.

(g)Notwithstanding subdivision (f), an applicant who holds or has held a registration, with an expiration date no later than January 1, 2017, and who applies for a subsequent registration number between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017, shall, if eligible, be allowed to obtain the subsequent registration number without first passing the California law and ethics examination. These applicants shall pass the California law and ethics examination during the next renewal period or prior to licensure, whichever occurs first.

(h)This section shall become operative January 1, 2016.

SEC. 54.Section 4999.62 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4999.62.

(a)This section applies to persons who apply for examination eligibility or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who do not hold a license as described in Section 4999.60.

(b)For purposes of Section 4999.61, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:

(1)The degree is obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12, and consists of, at a minimum, the following:

(A)(i)For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.33 the degree shall contain no less than 60 graduate semester or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction.

(ii)Up to 12 semester or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.

(B)For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.32 the degree shall contain no less than 48 graduate semester or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction.

(C)Six semester or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.

(D)The required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.

(i)(I)An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than six of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing graduate level coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. Coursework taken to meet any deficiencies shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.

(II)Notwithstanding subclause (I), no applicant shall be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraph (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.

(ii)An applicant who completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 that did not contain instruction in California law and ethics shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics that includes, but is not limited to, instruction in advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous clients, psychotherapist-client privilege, recordkeeping, client access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, and therapist disclosures to clients. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.

(iii)An applicant who has not completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 shall complete this required coursework, including content in California law and ethics. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.

(2)The applicant completes any units required by subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 not already completed in his or her education as follows:

(A)At least 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations. This coursework is in addition to the course requirements described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1).

(B)Coursework shall be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12.

(3)(A)The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education:

(i)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated thereunder, including the study of the physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior, gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.

(ii)A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.

(iii)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(iv)A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, including biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.

(B)This coursework may be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.

(4)The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.

(A)At least three semester units, or 45 hours, of instruction regarding the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experiences of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.

(B)At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.

(5)An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required under paragraphs (2), (3), or (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered with the board as an associate.

SEC. 55.Section 4999.63 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
4999.63.

(a)This section applies to persons who apply for examination eligibility or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who hold a license as described in Section 4999.60.

(b)For purposes of Section 4999.60, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:

(1)The degree is obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12, and consists of the following:

(A)(i)For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.33 the degree shall contain no less than 60 graduate semester or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction.

(ii)Up to 12 semester or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.

(B)For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.32 the degree shall contain no less than 48 graduate semester or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction.

(C)Six semester or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.

(i)An applicant who has been licensed for at least two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, is exempt from this requirement.

(ii)An out-of-state applicant who has been licensed for less than two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, who does not meet the practicum requirement, shall remediate the requirement by demonstrating completion of a total of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience, as specified in subparagraph (K) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33. Any postdegree hours gained to meet this requirement are in addition to the 3,000 hours of experience required by this chapter, and shall be gained while the applicant is registered with the board as an associate.

(D)The required areas of study specified in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.

(i)(I)An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than six of the required areas of study specified in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing graduate level coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. Coursework taken to meet any deficiencies shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.

(II)Notwithstanding subclause (I), no applicant shall be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraph (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.

(ii)An applicant who completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 that did not contain instruction in California law and ethics shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics that includes, but is not limited to, instruction in advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous clients, psychotherapist-client privilege, recordkeeping, client access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, and therapist disclosures to clients. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.

(iii)An applicant who has not completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 shall complete this required coursework, including content in California law and ethics. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.

(2)The applicant completes any units required under subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 not already completed in his or her education as follows:

(A)At least 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations. This coursework is in addition to the course requirements described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1).

(B)Coursework shall be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12.

(3)The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education:

(A)A minimum of 10 contact hours of training in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated thereunder, including the study of the physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior, gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.

(B)A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.

(C)A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated under that section.

(D)A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, including biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.

(E)This coursework may be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.

(4)The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.

(A)At least three semester units or 45 hours of instruction regarding the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.

(B)At least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.

(5)An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required by subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) or paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered with the board as an associate, unless otherwise specified.

SEC. 54.

 Section 4999.62 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.62.
 (a) This section applies to persons who apply for licensure or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who do not hold a license as described in Section 4999.60.
(b) For purposes of Section 4999.61, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The degree is obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12, and consists of, at a minimum, the following:
(A) (i) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.33 the degree shall contain no less than 60 graduate semester units or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction.
(ii) Up to 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.
(B) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.32 the degree shall contain no less than 48 graduate semester units or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction.
(C) Six semester units or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.
(D) The required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.
(i) (I) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than six of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing graduate level coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. Coursework taken to meet any deficiencies shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.
(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I), no applicant shall be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraph (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.
(ii) An applicant who completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 that did not contain instruction in California law and ethics shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics that includes, but is not limited to, instruction in advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous clients, psychotherapist-client privilege, recordkeeping, client access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, and therapist disclosures to clients. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.
(iii) An applicant who has not completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 shall complete this required coursework, including content in California law and ethics. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.
(2) The applicant completes any units required by subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 not already completed in his or her education as follows:
(A) At least 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations. This coursework is in addition to the course requirements described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1).
(B) Coursework shall be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12.
(3) (A) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education:
(i) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated thereunder, including the study of the physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior, gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(ii) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.
(iii) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(iv) A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, including biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(B) This coursework may be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined described in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(4) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined described in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(A) At least three semester units, or 45 hours, of instruction regarding the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experiences of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(B) At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.
(5) An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required under paragraph (2), (3), or (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered with the board as an associate.

SEC. 55.

 Section 4999.63 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.63.
 (a) This section applies to persons who apply for licensure or registration on or after January 1, 2016, and who hold a license as described in Section 4999.60.
(b) For purposes of Section 4999.60, education is substantially equivalent if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The degree is obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12, and consists of the following:
(A) (i) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.33 the degree shall contain no less than 60 graduate semester or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction.
(ii) Up to 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of instruction may be remediated, if missing from the degree. The remediation may occur while the applicant is registered as an associate.
(B) For an applicant who obtained his or her degree within the timeline prescribed by subdivision (a) of Section 4999.32 the degree shall contain no less than 48 graduate semester or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction.
(C) Six semester units or nine quarter units of practicum, including, but not limited to, a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.
(i) An applicant who has been licensed for at least two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, is exempt from this requirement.
(ii) An out-of-state applicant who has been licensed for less than two years in clinical practice, as verified by the board, who does not meet the practicum requirement, shall remediate the requirement by demonstrating completion of a total of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience, as specified in subparagraph (K) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33. Any postdegree hours gained to meet this requirement are in addition to the 3,000 hours of experience required by this chapter, and shall be gained while the applicant is registered with the board as an associate.
(D) The required areas of study specified in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.
(i) (I) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than six of the required areas of study specified in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing graduate level coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. Coursework taken to meet any deficiencies shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.
(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I), no applicant shall be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraphs subparagraph (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33.
(ii) An applicant who completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 that did not contain instruction in California law and ethics shall complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics that includes, but is not limited to, instruction in advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous clients, psychotherapist-client privilege, recordkeeping, client access to records, state and federal laws relating to confidentiality of patient health information, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, and therapist disclosures to clients. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.
(iii) An applicant who has not completed a course in professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling as required by subparagraph (I) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 shall complete this required coursework, including content in California law and ethics. An applicant shall complete this coursework prior to registration as an associate.
(2) The applicant completes any units required under subdivision (c) of Section 4999.33 not already completed in his or her education as follows:
(A) At least 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations. This coursework is in addition to the course requirements described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1).
(B) Coursework shall be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12.
(3) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education:
(A) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated thereunder, including the study of the physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior, gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(B) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.
(C) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated under that section.
(D) A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, including biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(E) This coursework may be from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined described in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(4) The applicant completes the following coursework not already completed in his or her education from an accredited or approved school, college, or university as defined in Section 4999.12, or from a continuing education provider that is acceptable to the board as defined described in Section 4999.76. Undergraduate coursework shall not satisfy this requirement.
(A) At least three semester units or 45 hours of instruction regarding the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, including structured meetings with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(B) At least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction that includes an understanding of various California cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.
(5) An applicant may complete any units and course content requirements required by subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) or paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) not already completed in his or her education while registered with the board as an associate, unless otherwise specified.

SEC. 56.

 Section 4999.90 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.90.
 The board may refuse to issue any registration or license, or may suspend or revoke the registration or license of any associate or licensed professional clinical counselor, if the applicant, licensee, or registrant has been guilty of unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) The conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. The record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence only of the fact that the conviction occurred. The board may inquire into the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime in order to fix the degree of discipline or to determine if the conviction is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant under this chapter shall be deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section. The board may order any license or registration suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license or registration when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or, when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing the person to withdraw a plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.
(b) Securing a license or registration by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation on any application for licensure or registration submitted to the board, whether engaged in by an applicant for a license or registration, or by a licensee in support of any application for licensure or registration.
(c) Administering to himself or herself any controlled substance or using any of the dangerous drugs specified in Section 4022, or any alcoholic beverage to the extent, or in a manner, as to be dangerous or injurious to the person applying for a registration or license or holding a registration or license under this chapter, or to any other person, or to the public, or, to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person applying for or holding a registration or license to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by the registration or license. The board shall deny an application for a registration or license or revoke the license or registration of any person, other than one who is licensed as a physician and surgeon, who uses or offers to use drugs in the course of performing licensed professional clinical counseling services.
(d) Gross negligence or incompetence in the performance of licensed professional clinical counseling services.
(e) Violating, attempting to violate, or conspiring to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board.
(f) Misrepresentation as to the type or status of a license or registration held by the person, or otherwise misrepresenting or permitting misrepresentation of his or her education, professional qualifications, or professional affiliations to any person or entity.
(g) Impersonation of another by any licensee, registrant, or applicant for a license or registration, or, in the case of a licensee or registrant, allowing any other person to use his or her license or registration.
(h) Aiding or abetting, or employing, directly or indirectly, any unlicensed or unregistered person to engage in conduct for which a license or registration is required under this chapter.
(i) Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm to any client.
(j) The commission of any dishonest, corrupt, or fraudulent act substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant.
(k) Engaging in sexual relations with a client, or a former client within two years following termination of therapy, soliciting sexual relations with a client, or committing an act of sexual abuse, or sexual misconduct with a client, or committing an act punishable as a sexually related crime, if that act or solicitation is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensed professional clinical counselor.
(l) Performing, or holding oneself out as being able to perform, or offering to perform, or permitting any trainee, applicant, or registrant under supervision to perform, any professional services beyond the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(m) Failure to maintain confidentiality, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, of all information that has been received from a client in confidence during the course of treatment and all information about the client which is obtained from tests or other means.
(n) Prior to the commencement of treatment, failing to disclose to the client or prospective client the fee to be charged for the professional services, or the basis upon which that fee will be computed.
(o) Paying, accepting, or soliciting any consideration, compensation, or remuneration, whether monetary or otherwise, for the referral of professional clients. All consideration, compensation, or remuneration shall be in relation to professional clinical counseling services actually provided by the licensee. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent collaboration among two or more licensees in a case or cases. However, no fee shall be charged for that collaboration, except when disclosure of the fee has been made in compliance with subdivision (n).
(p) Advertising in a manner that is false, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive, as defined in Section 651.
(q) Reproduction or description in public, or in any publication subject to general public distribution, of any psychological test or other assessment device, the value of which depends in whole or in part on the naivete of the subject, in ways that might invalidate the test or device.
(r) Any conduct in the supervision of a registered associate, trainee, or applicant by any licensee that violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted by the board.
(s) Performing or holding oneself out as being able to perform professional mental health services beyond the scope of one’s competence, as established by one’s education, training, or experience. This subdivision shall not be construed to expand the scope of the license authorized by this chapter.
(t) Permitting a trainee, associate, or applicant under one’s supervision or control to perform, or permitting the trainee, associate, or applicant to hold himself or herself out as competent to perform, professional mental health services beyond the trainee’s, associate’s, or applicant’s level of education, training, or experience.
(u) The violation of any statute or regulation governing the gaining and supervision of experience required by this chapter.
(v) Failure to keep records consistent with sound clinical judgment, the standards of the profession, and the nature of the services being rendered.
(w) Failure to comply with the child abuse reporting requirements of Section 11166 of the Penal Code.
(x) Failing to comply with the elder and dependent adult abuse reporting requirements of Section 15630 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(y) Repeated acts of negligence.
(z) (1) Engaging in an act described in Section 261, 286, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code with a minor or an act described in Section 288 or 288.5 of the Penal Code regardless of whether the act occurred prior to or after the time the registration or license was issued by the board. An act described in this subdivision occurring prior to the effective date of this subdivision shall constitute unprofessional conduct and shall subject the licensee to refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license under this section.
(2) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that protection of the public, and in particular minors, from sexual misconduct by a licensee is a compelling governmental interest, and that the ability to suspend or revoke a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section is equally important to protecting the public as is the ability to refuse a license for sexual conduct with a minor occurring prior to the effective date of this section.
(aa) Engaging in any conduct that subverts or attempts to subvert any licensing examination or the administration of an examination as described in Section 123.
(ab) Revocation, suspension, or restriction by the board of a license, certificate, or registration to practice as a professional clinical counselor, clinical social worker, educational psychologist, or marriage and family therapist.
(ac) Failing to comply with the procedures set forth in Section 2290.5 when delivering health care via telehealth.
(ad) Willful violation of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 123100) of Part 1 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.

SEC. 57.

 Section 124260 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

124260.
 (a) As used in this section:
(1) “Mental health treatment or counseling services” means the provision of outpatient mental health treatment or counseling by a professional person, as defined in paragraph (2).
(2) “Professional person” means any of the following:
(A) A person designated as a mental health professional in Sections 622 to 626, inclusive, of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations.
(B) A marriage and family therapist, as defined in Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 4980) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(C) A licensed educational psychologist, as defined in Chapter 13.5 (commencing with Section 4989.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(D) A credentialed school psychologist, as described in Section 49424 of the Education Code.
(E) A clinical psychologist licensed under Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(F) Any of the following persons, while working under the supervision of a licensed professional specified in Section 2902 of the Business and Professions Code:
(i) A registered psychologist, as defined in Section 2909.5 of the Business and Professions Code.
(ii) A registered psychological assistant, as defined in Section 2913 of the Business and Professions Code.
(iii) A psychology trainee, as defined in Section 1387 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.
(G) A licensed clinical social worker, as defined in Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 4991) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(H) An associate clinical social worker, or a social work intern, as defined in Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 4991) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, while working under the supervision of a licensed professional specified in Section 4996.20 of the Business and Professions Code.
(I) A person registered as an associate marriage and family therapist or a marriage and family therapist trainee, as defined in Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 4980) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, while working under the supervision of a licensed professional specified in subdivision (g) of Section 4980.03 of the Business and Professions Code.
(J) A board certified, or board eligible, psychiatrist.
(K) A licensed professional clinical counselor, as defined in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(L) A person registered as an associate profession professional clinical counselor or a clinical counselor trainee, as defined in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, while working under the supervision of a licensed professional specified in subdivision (h) of Section 4999.12 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to mental health treatment or counseling services if, in the opinion of the attending professional person, the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the mental health treatment or counseling services.
(2) A marriage and family therapist trainee, a clinical counselor trainee, a psychology trainee, or a social work intern, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), shall notify his or her supervisor or, if the supervisor is unavailable, an on-call supervisor at the site where the trainee or intern volunteers or is employed within 24 hours of treating or counseling a minor pursuant to paragraph (1). If upon the initial assessment of the minor the trainee or intern believes that the minor is a danger to self or to others, the trainee or intern shall notify the supervisor or, if the supervisor is unavailable, the on-call supervisor immediately after the treatment or counseling session.
(3) Nothing in paragraph (2) is intended to supplant, alter, expand, or remove any other reporting responsibilities required of trainees or interns under law.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the mental health treatment or counseling of a minor authorized by this section shall include involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian, unless the professional person who is treating or counseling the minor, after consulting with the minor, determines that the involvement would be inappropriate. The professional person who is treating or counseling the minor shall state in the client record whether and when the person attempted to contact the minor’s parent or guardian, and whether the attempt to contact was successful or unsuccessful, or the reason why, in the professional person’s opinion, it would be inappropriate to contact the minor’s parent or guardian.
(d) The minor’s parent or guardian is not liable for payment for mental health treatment or counseling services provided pursuant to this section unless the parent or guardian participates in the mental health treatment or counseling, and then only for services rendered with the participation of the parent or guardian.
(e) This section does not authorize a minor to receive convulsive treatment or psychosurgery, as defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 5325 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or psychotropic drugs without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian.

SEC. 58.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

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