How to Choose CE That Actually Counts (and Why We Don't Offer AASECT Credits)

You are scrolling through continuing education options, and every course seems to display a different badge. APA. AASECT. CAMFT. Some list hours, some list certifications, and none of them explain which one your license actually needs. It's a strange gap in an otherwise heavily regulated profession. Before you enroll in anything, it helps to understand what CE credits for therapists California actually require, because the wrong badge can mean hours that don't count toward your renewal at all.

What Your License Actually Requires

California therapists licensed through the Board of Behavioral Sciences, including LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs, need 36 hours of continuing education every two years to renew, and six of those hours must specifically cover Law and Ethics. That requirement doesn't care how interesting a course sounds or how many people recommend it. What matters is whether the hours come from a source the Board actually recognizes.

Before Enrolling in Any CE Course, Check This First

A little verification up front saves a real headache later, especially close to renewal time.

• Is the provider approved by an organization the BBS actually recognizes?
• Does the course clearly state how many CE hours it offers?
• Are Law and Ethics hours labeled separately from general CE?
• Is there a certificate of completion you can keep for your records?
• Does the provider's approval apply to your specific license type?

What CAMFT Approval Actually Means

This is where a lot of the confusion starts. CAMFT approved CE simply means the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has reviewed a provider and confirmed its courses meet the standards the Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts for renewal. 

It's not a marketing label. It's the actual credential that makes your hours usable when you sit down to renew your license. If a course carries CAMFT approval, you can trust that the hours will count without needing to double check anything later.

Signs a CE Provider Is Legitimately Approved

Not every provider makes this easy to verify, and that alone can tell you something. A legitimate one won't make you dig for the basics. 

• Their approval number is listed clearly, not buried in fine print.
• The course description states the exact number of CE hours offered.
• Law and Ethics courses are labeled as such, not lumped into general topics.
• The provider can answer direct questions about their approval status.
• Their certificates include the information the Board expects to see.

AASECT and CAMFT Are Not the Same Thing

Here's where things genuinely get mixed up, and it's a fair thing to be confused about. The AASECT vs CAMFT comparison isn't really a competition, because the two organizations serve different purposes entirely. AASECT, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, offers its own certification track for clinicians who want to specialize formally in sex therapy. 

It's a respected credential, but it exists outside the CE system that California's licensing board uses for renewal. CAMFT approval, on the other hand, is specifically what the BBS recognizes for your license hours. A course can be excellent and still not carry the badge your renewal actually needs.

When Each Credential Actually Matters

It really comes down to what you're trying to accomplish. Match the credential to the goal, and the confusion mostly disappears. 

• Renewing your California license: CAMFT approved hours are what count.
• Pursuing formal sex therapy certification: AASECT credentials serve that specific path.
• Meeting your six required Law and Ethics hours: this needs CAMFT approval specifically.
• Building specialized clinical expertise outside renewal requirements: AASECT can be valuable there too.

Neither credential is better across the board. They simply answer different professional questions, and mixing them up is an easy, understandable mistake.

Choosing Continuing Education That Actually Fits

Once you know the difference, choosing continuing education gets a lot simpler. The real question isn't which course looks the most impressive. It's whether the hours will actually apply to what your license requires this renewal cycle. A course can be well produced, thoughtfully taught, and still be the wrong fit if it doesn't carry the approval your specific requirement needs.

A Quick Framework Before You Commit

You don't need a complicated system for this, just a few honest questions before you click enroll. 

• Start with what you still need: general hours, Law and Ethics hours, or both.
• Confirm the provider's approval covers your exact license type.
• Check whether the course timing works with your renewal deadline.
• Read the course description for real content, not just the credit count.
• Keep documentation the moment you finish, not months later when you need it.

Where Rouse Academy Fits Into This

We want to be upfront about something simple. Rouse Academy is CAMFT approved, which means our courses count directly toward your California license renewal, including your required Law and Ethics hours. We do not offer AASECT credits, and we'd rather tell you that clearly than let you assume otherwise. 

If you're looking to knock out your full Law and Ethics requirement in one place, our Law and Ethics Bundle covers all six required hours through content built specifically for California clinicians. No guessing about whether the hours will count. Just straightforward CE from Rouse Academy that does exactly what your renewal needs it to do.