CA Bus & Prof Code Section 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 intern.

(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 counseling.

(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 counseling, 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 intern.

(D)

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

(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) 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 those deficiencies shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four and one-half quarter units of study.

(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 intern. (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 intern.

(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 intern, unless otherwise specified.