California LCSW & MFT Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a Social Worker in California
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Apply for ASW Registration
- Submit transcripts
- Complete Live Scan fingerprinting (background check)
- Pay Application Fee: $150
- Apply via the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) here
Step 3: Apply for the L&E Exam and Pass with confidence!
- Apply to take the CA Law & Ethics Exam here (you can apply once you have your ASW registration number)
- Pay Application Fee: $150
- Study for your exam to PASS WITH CONFIDENCE using TDC’s California Law & Ethics Exam
- Please note: Once you pass this exam, you will not need to retake it. However, if you do not pass, you must attempt it during each registration period. Passing this exam is required to be eligible for licensure.
Step 4: Complete Supervised Experience
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least 104 weeks
- Must include:
- 750 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy
- 2 hours of individual/triadic or 2 hours of group supervision weekly
Step 5: Apply for the ASWB Clinical Exam and PASS with confidence!
- Apply to take the ASWB Clinical Exam here (you can apply once you have completed 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least 104 weeks)
- Pay Application Fee: $250
- ASWB Clinical Exam
Step 6: Apply for LCSW Licensure
- Submit supervision verification and exam results
- Pay licensure fee: $100
LCSW Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure-Social Workers
Every Renewal Cycle
- 3 hours of Law & Ethics
One Time Only
- 6 hours Suicide Risk Assessment Training (part of pre-licenure requirement)
- 3 hours Telehealth
Licensed Social Workers
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 36 hours
- Must include:
- 7 hours HIV/AIDS (first-time renewal only)
- 6 hours of Law & Ethics (each renewal)
Clinical Supervisor
- Eligibility: 2+ years post initial licensure
- 15 hours Clinical Supervision (one time only)
- 6 hours Clinical Supervision (each renewal)
Therapist Development Center is an approved continuing education provider through ASWB ACE, which the BBS accepts for MFTs and social workers.
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a MFT in California
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
- Master’s or Doctorate in MFT or related field from COAMFTE or the BBS-approved school
Step 2: Register as an Associate MFT (AMFT)
- Transcripts
- Background check via Live Scan
- Application fee: $150
- Apply via BBS: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lmft.html
Step 3: Accrue Supervised Experience
- Completion of 2 years of post-degree work experience as an MFT
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience over at least 104 weeks
- Must include:
- A minimum of 1,700 hours must be earned post-degree, and a maximum of 1,300 hours obtained during graduate training may count towards this requirement.
- A minimum of 1,750 hours of direct counseling to individuals, groups, couples, or families. A minimum of 500, of which must be with families, couples, or children.
- A maximum of 1,250 hours of nonclinical practice.
- One hour of direct supervisor contact is required for every five hours of client contact. No more than six hours of supervision shall be credited during any single week
- During this time, you must take 3 hours of California law and ethics continuing education each associate registration period.
Step 4: Pass CA Law & Ethics exam within 1st year of registration
- Study with TDC’s MFT Law & Ethics exam prep course to pass with confidence!
- This exam must be passed before MFT Clinical exam is taken
- Submit completed hours and exam results
- Pay application fee + clinical exam fee: $250 + $250 = $500 total
- Schedule LMFT Clinical exam with Pearson Vue
- Study and pass with TDC’s CA MFT Clinical Exam prep course!
LMFT Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements For Florida MFTs
Pre-licensed MFTs
- Every Renewal Cycle
- 3 hours of Law & Ethics
- One Time Only
- 6 hours Suicide Risk Assessment Training (part of pre-licenure requirement)
- 3 hours Telehealth
Licensed MFTs
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 36 hours
- Must include:
- 7 hours HIV/AIDS (first-time renewal only)
- 6 hours of Law & Ethics (each renewal)
Clinical Supervisor
- Eligibility: 2+ years post initial licensure
- 15 hours Clinical Supervision (one time only)
- 6 hours Clinical Supervision (each renewal)
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider by ASWB ACE, which is recognized by the BBS.
