California LMFT Continuing Education Requirements: Your Complete Guide to License Renewal

By: David F Khalili, LMFT

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, staying current with your continuing education (CE) requirements is essential for maintaining your license and providing the best care to your clients. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) has specific requirements that all LMFTs must meet every two years to renew their licenses. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about LMFT continuing education requirements, helping you plan ahead and ensure compliance.

Overview: What You Need to Know

Total Hours Required: 36 hours of continuing education every two years
Renewal Frequency: Every two years, during your birth month
First Renewal: 36 hours
License Expiration: Last day of your birth month in the renewal year

California LMFTs must complete all continuing education before submitting their renewal application. The BBS requires you to certify completion of your CE hours when you renew, and failure to comply can result in citations, fines, and disciplinary action.

Mandatory Course Requirements

1. Law and Ethics (Required Every Renewal)

Hours Required: 6 hours
When: Every renewal period
Content: California-specific law and ethics for mental health professionals

This is the most important mandatory requirement. These 6 hours count toward your total 36-hour requirement and must be completed during each renewal period. The course must cover California laws and ethical standards specific to marriage and family therapy practice.

2. One-Time Requirements for All LMFTs

Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention

Hours Required: 6 hours
When: One-time requirement (effective January 1, 2021)
Content: Evidence-based training in suicide risk assessment and intervention techniques

This course must be completed before your first renewal after January 1, 2021. If you've already completed this requirement, you don't need to repeat it.

Telehealth Training

Hours Required: 3 hours
When: One-time requirement (effective July 1, 2023)
Content: Provision of mental health services via telehealth, including law and ethics related to telehealth practice

This requirement applies to all licensees renewing after July 1, 2023. If your graduate program included telehealth training, you may be able to use a letter from your program's registrar or training director to satisfy this requirement.

3. First Renewal Special Requirements

HIV/AIDS Training

Hours Required: 7 hours
When: First renewal only
Content: Comprehensive HIV/AIDS education for mental health professionals

This is required only for your first license renewal. If you've already completed your first renewal, this requirement no longer applies.

What Courses Count Toward Your CE Requirements?

Acceptable Course Content

• Courses relevant to marriage and family therapy practice
• Mental health and clinical topics
• Professional development related to your scope of practice
• Ethics and legal issues in therapy
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion training
• Trauma-informed care
• Evidence-based treatment modalities

What Doesn't Count

• Self-improvement courses designed for the general public
• Courses not related to mental health practice
• Training designed primarily for non-practitioners
• Personal development workshops without clinical application

Approved CE Providers

The BBS only accepts CE from specific types of providers. Make sure your courses come from:

1. Accredited Colleges and Universities: Schools meeting accreditation requirements specified in Business and Professions Code §4980.54
2. California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education: Approved private institutions
3. Board-Recognized Approval Agencies: Including organizations like:
   • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
     • Sponsor of Rouse Academy CEUs
   • National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
   • American Psychological Association (APA)
   • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
4. Providers Approved by Recognition Agencies: Organizations that have received approval from the above agencies

Pro Tip: Always verify that your CE provider is approved before taking a course. Look for statements like "approved by CAMFT" or "NBCC-approved" in course descriptions.

Alternative Ways to Earn CE Hours

Teaching

• Maximum: 18 hours per renewal period
• Requirement: Must teach for a Board-accepted CE provider
• Credit: Same amount as attendees would receive
• Limitation: Can only claim credit for teaching a specific course once per renewal period

BBS Service Opportunities

Several volunteer opportunities with the BBS can earn you CE credit:

• BBS Enforcement Case Review: Up to 6 hours of Law and Ethics credit
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Exam Development: Up to 6 hours of Law and Ethics credit
• Professional Law and Ethics Review Committee: Up to 6 hours of Law and Ethics credit (must be with a mental health professional organization)
• BBS Occupational Analysis Survey: 6 hours of general CE credit

Important Dates and Deadlines

Renewal Timeline

• License expires: Last day of your birth month in even or odd years (depending on when you were licensed)
• CE must be completed: Before submitting your renewal application
• Renewal submission: Can be done online (instant) or by mail (up to 6 weeks processing)

Late Renewal Consequences

• Delinquent license: Illegal to practice after expiration date
• Delinquent fee: Additional fees required for late renewal
• No grace period: License becomes delinquent immediately after expiration

Course Format Options

The BBS accepts continuing education in various formats:

• In-person workshops and seminars
• Online courses and webinars
• Video-based training
• Teleconferencing programs
• Interactive electronic learning
• Text and audio-based courses

You can complete all 36 hours through electronic/online means if you prefer.

Record Keeping Requirements

What to Keep

• Course completion certificates
• Transcripts or course material provided
• Attendance verification
• Course syllabi and descriptions

How Long to Keep Records

• Minimum: 2 years after the renewal period
• Recommendation: Keep records for at least 4 years for safety

Important Notes

• Don't submit certificates with your renewal - the BBS won't retain them
• The BBS doesn't track your CE - you're responsible for maintaining records
• Providers don't submit certificates to BBS - if you lose a certificate, contact the provider directly

Audit Process

The BBS randomly audits licensees to verify CE completion. If selected:

• You'll receive written notification
• Must submit documentation promptly
• Failure to respond can result in disciplinary action
• Keep organized records to make audits stress-free

Special Considerations

Dual Licensees

If you hold multiple BBS licenses (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC), you can apply the same CE hours to multiple licenses if the subject matter relates to both scopes of practice.

Supervisors

If you supervise associates or MFT trainees:

• Supervisor training hours can count toward your CE requirement
• Must be from a Board-accepted provider
• Law and ethics courses designed specifically for supervisor training cannot count toward the 6-hour law and ethics requirement (but do count toward the overall 36 hours)

Course Equivalency

• 1 hour of instruction = 1 CE hour
• 1 semester unit = 15 CE hours
• 1 quarter unit = 10 CE hours

Planning Your CE Strategy

Create a Two-Year Plan

1. Year 1: Complete mandatory courses (Law & Ethics, any one-time requirements)
2. Year 2: Focus on professional development and specialty areas
3. Spread it out: Don't wait until the last minute - aim for 18 hours per year

Budget Considerations

• Law and Ethics courses: $50-200
• Online courses: $25-150 per hour
• In-person workshops: $100-500 per day
• University courses: Varies widely

Track Your Progress

• Use a spreadsheet or CE tracking app
• Note course dates, hours, and provider
• Keep digital copies of certificates
• Set calendar reminders for renewal deadlines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Taking courses from non-approved providers
2. Waiting until the last minute to complete CE
3. Not keeping proper documentation
4. Assuming first renewal only requires 18 hours
5. Forgetting one-time requirements (telehealth, suicide prevention)
6. Not verifying course content is relevant to LMFT practice

Resources for Finding CE Courses

Professional Organizations

• CAMFT: Offers extensive CE opportunities and maintains approved provider lists
• AAMFT: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• Local CAMFT chapters: Often provide affordable local training

Online CE Providers

Look for NBCC, APA, ASWB, or CAMFT approval when choosing online providers.

Universities and Graduate Programs

Many offer continuing education through their professional development or extension programs.

Conclusion

Staying compliant with California LMFT continuing education requirements doesn't have to be stressful. By understanding the requirements, planning ahead, and choosing quality courses that enhance your practice, you can fulfill your obligations while genuinely improving your skills as a therapist.

Remember the key numbers: 36 total hours, 6 hours of law and ethics, and any applicable one-time requirements. Start early, keep good records, and choose courses that will genuinely benefit your practice and your clients.

Your continuing education is an investment in your professional growth and your clients' well-being. Make it count by selecting courses that align with your interests, your client population's needs, and the evolving field of marriage and family therapy.

For the most current information on continuing education requirements, always consult the California Board of Behavioral Sciences website at bbs.ca.gov. Requirements may change, and it's your responsibility to stay informed about current regulations.