Frequently Asked Questions

How many Continuing Education Units do I need?

According to the Board of Behavioral Sciences ...

• If you are renewing an initial license, 18 hours of CE are required and 36 hours will be required for all subsequent renewals. All other renewals are required to have 36 hours of CE to renew.
  

How many Continuing Education Units can I earn on-line?

According to the Board of Behavioral Sciences ...

• You can accrue all 36 hours of Continuing Education over the internet.
• Please note - Amended Regulation regarding obtaining CE: Effective February 1, 2003, licensees may obtain all of their hours of required continuing education through interactive, electronic means. This includes online, teleconferencing, and videotape viewing.
  

What courses are acceptable for CEU credit?

WHAT KINDS OF COURSES ARE ACCEPTABLE?

Any course relating to the MFT/LCSW scope of practice is acceptable. Courses can relate to direct patient/client care (theoretical frameworks, intervention techniques, etc.) or indirect patient/client care (legal issues, consultation, record keeping, office management, insurance matters, supervision, etc.).

WHAT KINDS OF COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE?

Courses designed for lay people (financial gain, time management, career development, computers/software, etc.) are not acceptable for continuing education.

What are the required courses mandated by the Board of Behavior Sciences.

WHAT IS THE SPOUSAL OR PARTNER ABUSE REQUIREMENT?

For renewals after January 1, 2004, licensees must complete a one-time course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. There is no hour length specified for courses taken in 2004. If the spousal or partner abuse course is taken on or after January 1, 2005, it must be at least seven hours. Equivalent course work or experience may be substituted for this requirement, but will not count as CE.

WHAT IS THE AGING AND LONG TERM CARE REQUIREMENT?

For renewals after January 1, 2005, those persons who began graduate study prior to January 1, 2004 must complete a 3-hour continuing education course in aging and long term care. The course could include, but is not limited to, the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging. Equivalent course work or experience may be substituted for this requirement, but will not count as CE.

WHAT IS THE LAW AND ETHICS REQUIREMENT?

MFT's and LCSW's must complete at least 6 hours of law and ethics continuing education for all renewals on and after January 1, 2004. Licensees must have at least 6 hours of law and ethics for each subsequent renewal.

WHAT IS THE HIV/AIDS COURSE REQUIREMENT?

MFTs and LCSWs must take a one-time course in the characteristics and methods of assessment and treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS. This course must be at least 7 hours in length and taken during the licensee's first renewal period after January 1, 1999. Equivalent course work or experience may be substituted for this requirement, but will not count as CE.

WHAT IS THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COURSE REQUIREMENT?

MFTs and LCSWs who started their graduate study prior to January 1, 1986, must take a one-time course in the detection and treatment of alcohol and other chemical substance dependency. This course must be at least 7 hours in length and taken during the licensee's first renewal period that ends in 1999 or 2000. Equivalent course work or experience may be substituted for this requirement, but will not count as CE.

This course work must include, but is not limited to, the following topics:
* Historical and contemporary perspectives on alcohol and other drug abuse.
* Extent of the alcohol and drug abuse epidemic and its effects on the individual, family, and community.
* Recognizing the symptoms of alcoholism and drug addiction.
* Making appropriate interpretations, interventions, and referrals.
* Recognizing and intervening with affected family members.
* Learning about current programs of recovery, such as 12 step programs, and how therapists can effectively utilize these programs.

What is MFT's/LCSW's Scope of Practice and how is it related to CEU course work?

WHAT TYPES OF COURSE WORK ARE ACCEPTABLE?

Course work needs to be related to the MFT's/LCSW's scope of practice, and incorporate at least one of the following:
* Aspects of counseling or social work that are fundamental to the understanding or practice of counseling or social work;
* Aspects of counseling or social work in which significant recent developments have occurred; and
* Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding or practice of counseling or social work.

WHAT IS AN MFT'S SCOPE OF PRACTICE?

It is that service performed with individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments. This practice includes relationship and pre-marriage counseling. The applications of marriage, family, and child counseling principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques, to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family, and the provision of explanations and interpretations of the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of relationships. (B& P 4980.02)

WHAT IS AN LCSW'S SCOPE OF PRACTICE?

It is a service in which a special knowledge of social resources, human capabilities, and the part that unconscious motivation plays in determining behavior, is directed at helping people to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments. The application of social work principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, counseling and using applied psychotherapy of a non-medical nature with individuals, families, or groups; providing information and referral services; providing or arranging for the provision of social services; explaining or interpreting the psychosocial aspects in the situations of individuals, families, or groups; helping communities to organize, to provide, or to improve social or health services; or doing research related to social work. (B& P 4996.9)

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