reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.01.

4980.01. (a) This chapter shall not be construed to constrict, limit, or withdraw the Medical Practice Act, the Social Work Licensing Law, the Nursing Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, or the Psychology Licensing Law.
(b) This chapter shall not apply to any priest, rabbi, or minister of the gospel of any religious denomination when performing counseling services as part of their pastoral or professional duties, or to any person who is admitted to practice law in the state, or a physician and surgeon who provides counseling services as part of their professional practice.
(c) This chapter shall not apply to an unlicensed or unregistered employee or volunteer working in a governmental entity, a school, a college, a university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable if both of the following apply:
(1) The work of the employee or volunteer is performed under the oversight and direction of the entity.
(2) (A) On and after July 1, 2020, the employee or volunteer provides a client, prior to initiating psychotherapy services or as soon as practicably possible thereafter, a notice written in at least 12-point type that is in substantially the following form:
NOTICE TO CLIENTS
The (Name of office or unit) of the (Name of agency) receives and responds to complaints regarding the practice of psychotherapy by any unlicensed or unregistered practitioner providing services at (Name of agency). To file a complaint, contact (Telephone number, email address, internet website, or mailing address of agency).
The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided by individuals licensed and registered by the board. If you have a complaint and are unsure if your practitioner is licensed or registered, please contact the Board of Behavioral Sciences at 916-574-7830 for assistance or utilize the board’s online license verification feature by visiting www.bbs.ca.gov.
(B) The delivery of the notice described in subparagraph (A) to the client shall be documented.
(d) A marriage and family therapist licensed under this chapter is a licentiate for purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 805, and thus is a health care provider subject to the provisions of Section 2290.5 pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (b) and (c), all persons registered as associates or licensed under this chapter shall not be exempt from this chapter or the jurisdiction of the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 747, Sec. 1.5. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.02.

4980.02. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the practice of marriage and family therapy shall mean the application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, principles, and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or groups in order to assess, evaluate, and treat relational issues, emotional disorders, behavioral problems, mental illness, alcohol and substance use, and to modify intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors.
(b) The application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Assessment, evaluation, and prognosis.
(2) Treatment, planning, and evaluation.
(3) Individual, relationship, family, or group therapeutic interventions.
(4) Relational therapy.
(5) Psychotherapy.
(6) Client education.
(7) Clinical case management.
(8) Consultation.
(9) Supervision.
(10) Use, application, and integration of the coursework and training required by Sections 4980.36, 4980.37, and 4980.41, as applicable.
(c) The amendments to this section made by the act adding this subdivision do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law. It is the intent of the Legislature that these amendments shall not be construed to expand or constrict the existing scope of practice of a person licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 647, Sec. 22. (SB 801) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.04.

4980.04. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 799, Sec. 24. (SB 1575) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.05.

4980.05. The settings described in Section 4980.01 are exempt settings and do not fall under the jurisdiction of this chapter or the board except as specified in Section 4980.01, and with the following exceptions:
(a) Any individual working or volunteering in an exempt setting who is licensed or registered under this chapter shall fall under the jurisdiction of the board and is not exempt from this chapter.
(b) An entity that is licensed or certified by a government regulatory agency to provide health care services shall not be considered an exempt setting unless it directly meets the criteria described in Section 4980.01.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 747, Sec. 2. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.06.

4980.06. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Nonexempt setting” means any type of setting that does not qualify as an exempt setting, as specified in Section 4980.01.
(2) “Private practice” means a type of nonexempt setting that meets all of the following:
(A) The practice is owned by a health professional who is licensed under this division either independently or jointly with one or more other health professionals who are licensed under this division.
(B) The practice provides clinical mental health services, including psychotherapy, to clients.
(C) One or more licensed health professionals are responsible for the practice and for the services provided and set conditions of client payment or reimbursement for the provision of services.
(3) “Professional corporation” means a type of nonexempt setting and private practice that has been formed pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 13400) of Division 3 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code.
(b) An active license or registration number shall be required to engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy, as defined in Section 4980.02, in nonexempt settings at all times with the following exceptions:
(1) A trainee may engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy in a nonexempt setting that is not a private practice or a professional corporation while they are gaining supervised experience that meets the requirements of this chapter under the jurisdiction and supervision of their school as specified in Section 4980.42.
(2) An applicant for registration as an associate may engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy in a nonexempt setting that is not a private practice or a professional corporation before the registration number is issued if they are in compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 4980.43 and are gaining supervised experience that meets the requirements of this chapter.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 747, Sec. 3. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.08.

4980.08. (a) The title “licensed marriage, family and child counselor” or “marriage, family and child counselor” is hereby renamed “licensed marriage and family therapist” or “marriage and family therapist,” respectively. Any reference in any statute or regulation to a “licensed marriage, family and child counselor” or “marriage, family and child counselor” shall be deemed a reference to a “licensed marriage and family therapist” or “marriage and family therapist.”
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of a person licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(c) This section shall become operative July 1, 1999.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 108, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999. Section operative July 1, 1999, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.09.

4980.09. (a) (1) The title “marriage and family therapist intern” or “marriage and family therapist registered intern” is hereby renamed “associate marriage and family therapist” or “registered associate marriage and family therapist,” respectively. Any reference in statute or regulation to a “marriage and family therapist intern” or “marriage and family therapist registered intern” shall be deemed a reference to an “associate marriage and family therapist” or “registered associate marriage and family therapist.”
(2) Any reference in this chapter to the term “intern” means “associate.” Any reference in statute or regulation to the abbreviation “MFTI” means an “AMFT.”
(b) This section shall not be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of a person licensed or registered pursuant to this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 573, Sec. 4. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2018.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.10.

4980.10. A person engages in the practice of marriage and family therapy when he or she performs or offers to perform or holds himself or herself out as able to perform this service for remuneration in any form, including donations.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 148, Sec. 1. (SB 274) Effective August 1, 2011.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.11.

4980.11. (a) Notwithstanding Section 4980, a person who holds a license in another jurisdiction of the United States as a marriage and family therapist may provide marriage and family therapy services in this state for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days in any calendar year, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The license from another jurisdiction is at the highest level for independent clinical practice in the jurisdiction in which the license was granted.
(2) The license from another jurisdiction is current, active, and unrestricted.
(3) The client is located in California during the time the person seeks to provide care in California.
(4) The client is a current client of the person and has an established, ongoing client-provider relationship with the person at the time the client became located in California.
(5) The person informs the client of the limited timeframe of the services and that the person is not licensed in California.
(6) The person provides the client with the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ internet website address.
(7) The person informs the client of the jurisdiction in which the person is licensed and the type of license held and provides the client with the person’s license number.
(b) A person who intends to provide marriage and family therapy services pursuant to this section shall provide the board with all of the following information before providing services:
(1) The name under which the person is licensed in another jurisdiction, the person’s mailing address, the person’s phone number, the person’s social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and the person’s electronic mailing address, if the person has an electronic mailing address.
(2) The jurisdiction in which the person is licensed, the type of license held, and the license number.
(3) The date on which the person will begin providing marriage and family therapy services to the person’s client in California.
(c) A person who provides services pursuant to this section is deemed to have agreed to practicing under the jurisdiction of the board and to be bound by the laws of this state.
(d) This section does not apply to any person licensed by the board whose license has been suspended or revoked.
(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 640, Sec. 2. (AB 232) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.30.

4980.30. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a person shall not practice, or advertise the performance of, marriage and family therapy services unless the person has applied to the board for a license, paid the license fee required by this chapter, and obtained a license from the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 640, Sec. 3. (AB 232) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.31.

4980.31. A licensee shall display his or her license in a conspicuous place in the licensee’s primary place of practice.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 879, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1999.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.32.

4980.32. (a) On and after July 1, 2020, a licensee or registrant shall provide a client with a notice written in at least 12-point type prior to initiating psychotherapy services, or as soon as practicably possible thereafter, that reads as follows:
NOTICE TO CLIENTS
The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of marriage and family therapists. You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov, or by calling (916) 574-7830.
(b) Delivery of the notice required by this section to the client shall be documented.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 647, Sec. 23. (SB 801) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.34.

4980.34. It is the intent of the Legislature that the board employ its resources for each and all of the following functions:
(a) The licensing of marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and educational psychologists.
(b) The development and administration of licensing examinations and examination procedures, as specified, consistent with prevailing standards for the validation and use of licensing and certification tests. Examinations shall measure knowledge and abilities demonstrably important to the safe, effective practice of the profession.
(c) Enforcement of laws designed to protect the public from incompetent, unethical, or unprofessional practitioners.
(d) Consumer education.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 799, Sec. 25. (SB 1575) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.38.

4980.38. (a) Each educational institution preparing applicants to qualify for registration or licensure shall notify each of its students by means of its public documents or otherwise in writing that its degree program is designed to meet the requirements of Section 4980.36 or 4980.37, and shall certify to the board that it has so notified its students.
(b) An applicant for registration or licensure shall submit to the board a certification by the applicant’s educational institution that the institution’s required curriculum for graduation and any associated coursework completed by the applicant does one of the following:
(1) Meets all of the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36.
(2) Meets all of the requirements set forth in Section 4980.37 and paragraphs (4) and (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.41.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 26, Sec. 7. (SB 33) Effective January 1, 2010.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.39.

4980.39. (a) An applicant for licensure whose education qualifies him or her under Section 4980.37 shall complete, as a condition of licensure, a minimum of 10 contact hours of coursework in aging and long-term care, which may include, but is not limited to, the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging. On and after January 1, 2012, this coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(b) Coursework taken in fulfillment of other educational requirements for licensure pursuant to this chapter, or in a separate course of study, may, at the discretion of the board, fulfill the requirements of this section.
(c) In order to satisfy the coursework requirement of this section, the applicant shall submit to the board a certification from the chief academic officer of the educational institution from which the applicant graduated stating that the coursework required by this section is included within the institution’s required curriculum for graduation, or within the coursework, that was completed by the applicant.
(d) The board shall not issue a license to the applicant until the applicant has met the requirements of this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 703, Sec. 30. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.395.

4980.395. (a) On or after July 1, 2023, an applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall show, as part of the application, that they have completed a minimum of three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which shall include law and ethics related to telehealth. This requirement shall be met in one of the following ways:
(1) Obtained as part of their qualifying graduate degree program. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the registrar or training director of the educational institution or program from which the applicant graduated stating that the coursework required by this section is included within the institution’s curriculum required for graduation at the time the applicant graduated, or within the coursework that was completed by the applicant.
(2) Obtained by completing a continuing education course that meets the requirements of Section 4980.54. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a certification of completion.
(b) As a one-time requirement, a licensee before the time of their first renewal after July 1, 2023, or an applicant for reactivation or reinstatement to an active license status on or after July 1, 2023, shall have completed a minimum of three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which shall include law and ethics related to telehealth, using one of the methods specified in subdivision (a).
(c) Proof of compliance with subdivision (b) shall be certified under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with this section and shall be retained for submission to the board upon request.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 520, Sec. 2. (AB 1759) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.396.

4980.396. (a) On or after January 1, 2021, an applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall show, as part of the application, that they have completed a minimum of six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention. This requirement shall be met in one of the following ways:
(1) Obtained as part of their qualifying graduate degree program. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the registrar or training director of the educational institution or program from which the applicant graduated stating that the coursework required by this section is included within the institution’s curriculum required for graduation at the time the applicant graduated, or within the coursework that was completed by the applicant.
(2) Obtained as part of their applied experience. Applied experience can be met in any of the following settings: practicum or associateship that meets the requirement of this chapter, formal postdoctoral placement that meets the requirements of Section 2911, or other qualifying supervised experience. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the director of training for the program or primary supervisor where the qualifying experience has occurred stating that the training required by this section is included within the applied experience.
(3) By taking a continuing education course that meets the requirements of Section 4980.54. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a certification of completion.
(b) As a one-time requirement, a licensee prior to the time of their first renewal after January 1, 2021, or an applicant for reactivation or reinstatement to an active license status on or after January 1, 2021, shall have completed a minimum of six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention, using one of the methods specified in subdivision (a).
Proof of compliance with this section shall be certified under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with this section and shall be retained for submission to the board upon request.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 511, Sec. 28. (SB 1495) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.397.

4980.397. (a) A registrant or an applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall pass the following two examinations as prescribed by the board:
(1) A California law and ethics examination.
(2) A clinical examination.
(b) Upon registration with the board, an associate marriage and family therapist shall, within the first year of registration, take an examination on California law and ethics.
(c) A registrant or an applicant for licensure may take the clinical examination only upon meeting all of the following requirements:
(1) Completion of all required supervised work experience.
(2) Completion of all education requirements.
(3) Passage of the California law and ethics examination.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 743, Sec. 6. (AB 93) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.398.

4980.398. (a) Each applicant who had previously taken and passed the standard written examination but had not passed the clinical vignette examination shall also obtain a passing score on the clinical examination in order to be eligible for licensure.
(b) An applicant who had previously failed to obtain a passing score on the standard written examination shall obtain a passing score on the California law and ethics examination and the clinical examination.
(c) An applicant who had obtained eligibility for the standard written examination shall take the California law and ethics examination and the clinical examination.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 473, Sec. 23. (SB 821) Effective January 1, 2014. Section initially operative January 1, 2016, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.399.

4980.399. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 4980.398, each applicant and registrant shall obtain a passing score on a board-administered California law and ethics examination in order to qualify for licensure.
(b) A registrant shall participate in a board-administered California law and ethics examination before their registration renewal.
(c) If an applicant fails the California law and ethics examination, they may retake the examination, upon payment of the required fees, without further application.
(d) The board shall not issue a subsequent registration number unless the applicant has passed the California law and ethics examination.
(e) A registrant shall complete a minimum of three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during each renewal period to be eligible to renew their registration, regardless of whether they have passed the California law and ethics examination. The coursework shall be obtained from a board-accepted provider of continuing education, as specified in Section 4980.54.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 520, Sec. 3. (AB 1759) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.40.

4980.40. An applicant for licensure shall satisfy all of the following qualifications:
(a) Meet the educational requirements of Section 4980.36 or both Sections 4980.37 and 4980.41, as applicable.
(b) Be at least 18 years of age.
(c) Have at least two years of supervised experience as specified in this chapter and its corresponding regulations.
(d) Successfully pass a California law and ethics examination and a clinical examination. An applicant who has successfully passed a previously administered written examination may be subsequently required to take and pass another written examination.
(e) Not be subject to denial of licensure under Section 480. The board shall not issue a registration or license to any person who has been convicted of a crime in this or another state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory, in accordance with Section 480.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 647, Sec. 26. (SB 801) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.42.

4980.42. (a) Trainees performing services in any work setting specified in Section 4980.43.3 may perform those activities and services as a trainee, provided that the activities and services constitute part of the trainee’s supervised course of study and that the person is designated by the title “trainee.”
(b) Trainees subject to Section 4980.37 may gain hours of experience and counsel clients outside of the required practicum. This subdivision shall apply to hours of experience gained and client counseling provided on and after January 1, 2012.
(c) Trainees subject to Section 4980.36 may gain hours of experience outside of the required practicum but must be enrolled in a practicum course to counsel clients. Trainees subject to Section 4980.36 may counsel clients while not enrolled in a practicum course if the period of lapsed enrollment is less than 90 calendar days, and if that period is immediately preceded by enrollment in a practicum course and immediately followed by enrollment in a practicum course or completion of the degree program.
(d) All hours of experience gained pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) shall be subject to the other requirements of this chapter.
(e) All hours of experience gained as a trainee shall be coordinated between the school and the site where the hours are being accrued. The school shall approve each site and shall have a written agreement with each site that details each party’s responsibilities, including the methods by which supervision shall be provided. The agreement shall provide for regular progress reports and evaluations of the student’s performance at the site. If an applicant has gained hours of experience while enrolled in an institution other than the one that confers the qualifying degree, it shall be the applicant’s responsibility to provide to the board satisfactory evidence that those hours of trainee experience were gained in compliance with this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 743, Sec. 9. (AB 93) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.43.1.

4980.43.1. (a) All trainees, associates, and applicants for licensure shall be under the supervision of a supervisor at all times.
(b) As used in this chapter, the term “supervision” means responsibility for, and control of, the quality of mental health and related services provided by the supervisee. Consultation or peer discussion shall not be considered supervision and shall not qualify as supervised experience. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Ensuring the extent, kind, and quality of counseling performed is consistent with the education, training, and experience of the supervisee.
(2) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions and providing regular feedback.
(3) Monitoring and evaluating the supervisee’s ability to provide services at the site or sites where he or she is practicing and to the particular clientele being served.
(4) Monitoring and addressing clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to, countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that may affect the supervisory or practitioner-patient relationship.
(5) Ensuring the supervisee’s compliance with laws and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(6) Reviewing the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(7) With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 743, Sec. 11. (AB 93) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.43.4.

4980.43.4. (a) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the places where their employer permits business to be conducted.
(b) An associate who is employed by or is volunteering in a private practice or a professional corporation shall be supervised by an individual who is both of the following:
(1) Is employed by or contracted by the associate’s employer or is an owner of the private practice or professional corporation.
(2) Either provides psychotherapeutic services to clients for the associate’s employer, or meets both of the following:
(A) The supervisor and the associate’s employer have a written contract providing the supervisor the same access to the associate’s clinical records provided to employees of that employer.
(B) The associate’s clients authorize the release of their clinical records to the supervisor.
(c) Supervisors of supervisees in a nonexempt setting shall not serve as individual or triadic supervisors for more than six supervisees at any time. Supervisees may be registered as associate marriage and family therapists, associate professional clinical counselors, associate clinical social workers, or any combination of those registrations.
(d) A written oversight agreement, as specified by the board by regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer. The supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where the supervisee will be gaining experience to determine that the site or sites comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 747, Sec. 7. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.43.5.

4980.43.5. The board may audit the records of any supervisor to verify the completion of the supervisor qualifications specified by this chapter and by regulation. A supervisor shall maintain records of completion of the required supervisor qualifications for seven years after termination of the supervision and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 743, Sec. 14. (AB 93) Effective January 1, 2019.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.44.

4980.44. An associate marriage and family therapist employed under this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) Inform each client or patient prior to performing any mental health and related services that the person is an unlicensed registered associate marriage and family therapist, provide the person’s registration number and the name of the person’s employer, and indicate whether the person is under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900), licensed educational psychologist, or a licensed physician and surgeon certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
(b) (1) Any advertisement by or on behalf of a registered associate marriage and family therapist shall include, at a minimum, all of the following information:
(A) That the person is a registered associate marriage and family therapist.
(B) The associate’s registration number.
(C) The name of the person’s employer.
(D) That the person is supervised by a licensed person.
(2) The abbreviation “AMFT” shall not be used in an advertisement unless the title “registered associate marriage and family therapist” appears in the advertisement.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 321, Sec. 3. (AB 1651) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.46.

4980.46. Any licensed marriage and family therapist who owns a business using a fictitious business name shall not use any name that is false, misleading, or deceptive, and shall inform the patient, prior to the commencement of treatment, of the name and license designation of the owner or owners of the practice.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 747, Sec. 8. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.48.

4980.48. (a) A trainee shall, prior to performing any professional services, inform each client or patient that the trainee is an unlicensed marriage and family therapist trainee, provide the name of the trainee’s employer, and indicate whether the trainee is under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed professional clinical counselor, a licensed psychologist, a licensed physician certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or a licensed educational psychologist.
(b) Any person that advertises services performed by a trainee shall include the trainee’s name, the supervisor’s license designation or abbreviation, and the supervisor’s license number.
(c) Any advertisement by or on behalf of a marriage and family therapist trainee shall include, at a minimum, all of the following information:
(1) That the trainee is a marriage and family therapist trainee.
(2) The name of the trainee’s employer.
(3) That the trainee is supervised by a licensed person.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 321, Sec. 4. (AB 1651) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.49.

4980.49. (a) A marriage and family therapist shall retain a client’s or patient’s health service records for a minimum of seven years from the date therapy is terminated. If the client or patient is a minor, the client’s or patient’s health service records shall be retained for a minimum of seven years from the date the client or the patient reaches 18 years of age. Health service records may be retained in either a written or an electronic format.
(b) This section shall apply only to the records of a client or patient whose therapy is terminated on or after January 1, 2015.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 312, Sec. 1. (SB 578) Effective January 1, 2015.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.55.

4980.55. As a model for all therapeutic professions, and to acknowledge respect and regard for the consuming public, all licensed marriage and family therapists are encouraged to provide to each client, at an appropriate time and within the context of the psychotherapeutic relationship, an accurate and informative statement of the therapist’s experience, education, specialities, professional orientation, and any other information deemed appropriate by the licensee.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 316, Sec. 21. (SB 1466) Effective January 1, 2015.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.57.

4980.57. (a) The board shall require a licensee who began graduate study prior to January 1, 2004, to take a continuing education course during his or her first renewal period after the operative date of this section in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken prior to the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement.
(b) Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this section shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under subdivision (c) of Section 4980.54.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 588, Sec. 61. Effective January 1, 2008.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.60.

4980.60. (a) The board may adopt those rules and regulations as may be necessary to enable it to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter. The adoption, amendment, or repeal of those rules and regulations shall be made in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(b) The board may, by rules or regulations, adopt, amend, or repeal rules of advertising and professional conduct appropriate to the establishment and maintenance of a high standard of integrity in the profession, provided that the rules or regulations are not inconsistent with Section 4982. Every person who holds a license to practice marriage and family therapy shall be governed by the rules of professional conduct.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1013, Sec. 31. Effective January 1, 2003.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.70.

4980.70. Except as provided by Section 159.5, the board may employ whatever additional personnel is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1365, Sec. 4.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.74.

4980.74. (a) This section applies to persons with education gained from an out-of-state school or experience gained outside of California who apply for licensure or registration and who do not qualify for a license under Section 4980.72.
(b) The board shall accept education gained from an out-of-state school for purposes of satisfying licensure or registration requirements if the education is substantially equivalent, as defined in Section 4980.78, and the applicant complies with Section 4980.76, if applicable. The applicant’s degree title need not be identical to that required by Section 4980.36 or 4980.37.
(c) The board shall accept experience gained outside of California for purposes of satisfying licensure or registration requirements if the experience is substantially equivalent to the experience required by this chapter. If the applicant has fewer than 3,000 hours of qualifying supervised experience, the board shall accept as qualifying supervised experience the amount of time the applicant held an active license in good standing in another state or country as a marriage and family therapist at the highest level for independent clinical practice at a rate of 100 hours per month, up to a maximum of 1,200 hours.
(d) An applicant who obtained a license or registration in another state or country may qualify for licensure with the board without taking the clinical examination specified in Section 4980.40 if both of the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant obtained a passing score on the clinical licensing examination set forth in regulation as accepted by the board.
(2) The applicant’s license or registration in that state or country is active, in good standing at the time of the application, and is not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied, or otherwise restricted or encumbered.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 380, Sec. 4. (SB 679) Effective January 1, 2020.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 1 - Regulation › Section 4980.76.

4980.76. An applicant for licensure or registration with a degree obtained from an educational institution outside the United States shall provide the board with a comprehensive evaluation of the degree performed by a foreign credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), and shall provide any other documentation the board deems necessary.
(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 26, Sec. 17. (SB 33) Effective January 1, 2010.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 2 - Denial, Suspension, and Revocation › Section 4982.05.

4982.05. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (e), any accusation filed against a licensee pursuant to Section 11503 of the Government Code shall be filed within three years from the date the board discovers the alleged act or omission that is the basis for disciplinary action, or within seven years from the date the alleged act or omission that is the basis for disciplinary action occurred, whichever occurs first.
(b) An accusation filed against a licensee pursuant to Section 11503 of the Government Code alleging the procurement of a license by fraud or misrepresentation is not subject to the limitations set forth in subdivision (a).
(c) The limitation provided for by subdivision (a) shall be tolled for the length of time required to obtain compliance when a report required to be filed by the licensee or registrant with the board pursuant to Article 11 (commencing with Section 800) of Chapter 1 is not filed in a timely fashion.
(d) If an alleged act or omission involves a minor, the seven-year limitations period provided for by subdivision (a) and the 10-year limitations period provided for by subdivision (e) shall be tolled until the minor reaches the age of majority.
(e) An accusation filed against a licensee pursuant to Section 11503 of the Government Code alleging sexual misconduct shall be filed within three years after the board discovers the act or omission alleged as the grounds for disciplinary action, or within 10 years after the act or omission alleged as the grounds for disciplinary action occurs, whichever occurs first. This subdivision shall apply to a complaint alleging sexual misconduct received by the board on and after January 1, 2002.
(f) The limitations period provided by subdivision (a) shall be tolled during any period if material evidence necessary for prosecuting or determining whether a disciplinary action would be appropriate is unavailable to the board due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
(g) For purposes of this section, “discovers” means the later of the occurrence of any of the following with respect to each act or omission alleged as the basis for disciplinary action:
(1) The date the board received a complaint or report describing the act or omission.
(2) The date, subsequent to the original complaint or report, on which the board became aware of any additional acts or omissions alleged as the basis for disciplinary action against the same individual.
(3) The date the board receives from the complainant a written release of information pertaining to the complainant’s diagnosis and treatment.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 658, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2006.)
2023 California Code › Business and Professions Code - BPC › DIVISION 2 - HEALING ARTS › CHAPTER 13 - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists › ARTICLE 2 - Denial, Suspension, and Revocation › Section 4982.1.

4982.1. The board may refuse to issue any registration or license whenever it appears that an applicant may be unable to practice his or her profession safely due to mental illness or chemical dependency. The procedures set forth in Article 12.5 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 shall apply to any denial of a license or registration pursuant to this section.
(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 384, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1993.)