California Professional Counseling License Bill 2009 -
Calling all California counselors and California therapists -
Are you aware of the new proposed license bill that may be legislated 2009?
I want you to think about how this new bill may or may not affect you.
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“Forty-nine states license Professional Counselors. California is at present the only state, which does not license counselors.
In 2009 all this could change.
The originally bill, which was approved by the State Assembly, ceased in the State Senate in August 2008. It has been reported that a new bill will be introduced in the 2009 legislative session.
The sponsor of the bill is the California Coalition for Counselor Licensure (CCCL).
It is intended that the counselor licensure bill will license Professional Counselors with requirements that are level with California MFTs and LCSWs and with Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in the other 49 states.
Counselors will need to meet requirements for education, supervision and examination.
The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) – California Chapter continues to oppose this bill and is telling its members that the LPC license would diminish the status of the MFT license and might even edge MFTs out of their licensed status in the future. This has never been the intent in California and, in fact, this has not happened in the other 47 states where both disciplines are licensed
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) are staying neutral on the bill.
CCCL has been working in good faith to address the concerns outlined by the California Psychological Association. Many amendments have been taken in the hope that CPA would move to a neutral position on the bill, but their position continues to be “Oppose unless amend”.”
Source CCCL
What do you intend to do in relation to examinations – supervision – education?
Will this change how or where you practice ?
Let me ask you to share your thoughts on this issue with the rest of the world…We’re listening… We are interested…
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This is the first time I have heard about this. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I am wondering what the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) stance is on this. Does anyone know? Thanks Gary, for keepin us informed. Warm regards, Jan Broderick
This is an interesting development. I suppose I should be against it because I fall under the American Psychological Association. I wonder if becoming a certified counselor allows for 3rd party billing…..I would think so if other states require the licensing process.
If this new certification succeeds, it will only benefit the schools which will provide the training. It is the masters degree in psychology which all of these programs like the MFT, MHC and LPC are based on.
If means that the incomes for these groups will continue to decline. Currently, a certified anger management provider earns much more than either of these three groups.
George Anderson
Hi George,
Many thanks for taking the time to read our post and for submitting a valuable comment.
I had a look at your site, we may do some business.
Regards
Gary Graye
Does anybody think this will take away from MFTs? I am a Counseling Psy major (So here in AL I would sit for the board to be a LPC) and I really want to move to CA. I don’t see how I can work without being licensed. Here LPCs are in private practice, and mental health centers for the most part. Where would they work in CA?
Hi Lindsay,
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read our post and for leaving a valuable comment.
May I suggest that you take advantage of our networking site “Therapist Coaching Club” – (There is the facility to join on our pages) We have other members who may offer you some insightful answers to your dilemma or they may know of somewhere that you can acquire some information on this subject.
Hope you find this useful.
Regards
Gary.
I am a graduate student in TX. I am getting my Masters in both LPC (licensed practitioner counselor ) and LMFT (licensed marriage & family therapist). In Texas, both fields provide you with the same work abilities and environments. However, I am very interested to see what the requirements would be for a practitioner in CA. I hope that if it does happen, CA will accept accreditation from TX. I also noticed that the LMFT requirements in CA are very rigid and is very picky in accepting out-of state credentials. I hope it does pass though, it would be good to be on par with all other states. I also agree that many states have both LMFT and LPC and both are very beneficial and lucrative.
Hi Nadiya,
Thank you for taking time to read our post and for leaving a valid and valuable comment.
I think this regulation will be passed and it will, for the large part, be beneficial.
Regards
Dawn
I hold a Masters Degree in Educational Counseling, a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and an Administrative Credential. My full time job is facilitating group counseling sessions at a continuation high school in California. I am very interested in opening up my own group counseling business, and I’m assuming that I can do that now because I can’t find anywhere (local or federal) that states I can’t do that. Do you know which agency I can contact? Also, I’m very interested in becoming a LPC and plan on returning to school to seek the licensure. Will I have to go through another masters level program?
Hi Terri,
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read our article and secondly thanks for sharing your comments with us.
Let me say we admire any one that starts their own Therapy business, (or any business for that matter) so we wish you luck on that score.
Terri you may benefit from joining “Therapist coaching club”: Network with other therapists and learn how to optimize your business and obtain a steady client stream.
http://therapistscoachingclub.ning.com/
I would also suggest that you contact ACA American Counseling Association for clarity on licensees and feasibility in relation to your intended venture. (Couldn’t give you the link as their site was temporarily unavailable)
I hope you find this useful?
Please keep in touch and let us know how things develop.
Regards
Gary
I was SHOCKED to see that the state of California is behin the times, they are the ONLY state that does not license counselors when they have the same credentials, background and training as LMFT,LLP’s and LMSW’s, I would hope that California would “wake up” and welcome counselors!!!!!
Hi Mary,
Thank you for taking the time to read our article and for submitting a valuable comment.
Yes it was quite alarming to learn that California did not license their counselors – albeit that that, may be different now.
Regards
Gary
Hello
I am currently an LPC in PA and thinking about relocating to CA next year. I work in private practice and am wondering how counselors run their practices in CA without licensure? Are they able to submit to insurance for reimbursement? Are counselors able to practice in CA with only a Masters? Thanks!
Hi Hilary,
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read this article and for submitting an interesting question.
Secondly let me recommend that you ask this question in the forum at;
http://www.Therapistcoachingclub.com
Maybe you will gain the answer that you are looking for.
Many thanks
Regards
Gary.
Hello, I am a grad student working towards my LPC in Community Counseling, I live in Oklahoma, moved here from CA, where I was born and raised. I am contemplating moving back home (CA); with that said will I be able to open my practice and work as an LPC. I have a year left to complete my degree. Should I complete my hours under supervision in Ok or seek supervision in CA? I am a bit confused.
Hi Sherri,
Thank you for taking time out to read our article and for leaving a valid question.
I think that as long as you can verify your supervision hours I don’t think it matters where they take place but please check this out, maybe with your current supervisor.
You may wish to join our Therapist network “Therapist Coaching Club”
@ http://therapistscoachingclub.ning.com/
There you can network with other professional therapist and maybe they can answer this question and any others that you might have.
Hope you find this useful?
Bye for now.
Regards
Dawn Pugh
To answer one of the questions, currently, only LMFT and LCSWs can work in private practice in CA. I am a registered Marriage Family Therapist Intern and I work in a private practice under a LICENSED Marriage and Family Therapist in order to earn hours to become licensed. You need to earn 3000 hours. LCSWs need to hear 3200.
You cannot work in private practice with just a Masters. You need to be either registered or licensed. The last time I checked, the only state where you could practice with a Masters without a license is Montana.
Any questions can be answered by going to to the BBS web site in CA. It stands for Board of Behavioral Sciences. It has all the information there as to what you need to practice in CA.
Hi Kathleen and thank you for the useful information – I will pass this on to our members @ “Therapist Coaching Club”
Why not come and join us there Kathleen?
You have a nice clean site with lots of good valuable information.
Take care and bye for now.
Regards
Gary.