Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of medicine by the Medical Board of California and requires a health care provider initiating the use of telehealth to inform the patient, before the delivery of health care via telehealth, about the use of telehealth and obtain verbal or written consent from the patient for the use of telehealth as an acceptable mode of delivering health care services and public health. The act defines "health care provider" to include, among others, an associate marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist trainee, as specified.
This bill would define health care provider to additionally include an associate clinical social worker and an associate professional clinical counselor, as specified.
Existing law establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and requires the board to license and regulate various registrants and licensees under the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act (LMFTA) , the Educational Psychologist Practice Act (EPPA) , the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act (CSWPA) , and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act (LPCCA) . Existing law requires the board to appoint an executive officer with certain duties and powers related to the administration and enforcement of those acts. Existing law repeals the provisions relating to the establishment of the board and the appointment, duties, and powers of the executive officer on January 1, 2022.
This bill would extend those provisions until January 1, 2026.
Existing law authorizes the board to deny, suspend, or revoke a license or registration for unprofessional conduct, which includes, among other things, a conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee or registrant. Existing law authorizes the board to take that disciplinary action when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under a specified provision allowing the person to withdraw a plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty or setting aside the verdict of guilty or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.
This bill, instead, would remove the specification that the board's authority to take that disciplinary action at those times is irrespective of such an order, and would require the board to take the action pursuant to the provisions governing the denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses of boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The LMFTA and LPCCA require applicants for licensure or registration to meet certain educational requirements, including, among others, training in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
This bill would include in those educational requirements training in prognosis, as specified.
The LPCCA authorizes a licensee to renew an expired license within 3 years of expiration if the licensee, among other requirements, pays all fees that would have been paid if the license had not become delinquent and all delinquency fees.
This bill would require that licensee to instead pay a two-year renewal fee prescribed by the board and a delinquency fee.
A violation of the LMFTA, EPPA, CSWPA, or LPCCA is a crime. The LMFTA, EPPA, CSWPA, and LPCCA all require a licensee or registrant, as provided, to provide a client with a certain notice written in at least 12-point type relating to a method for contacting the board regarding complaints about services provided by the applicable licensee prior to initiating services.
This bill, among other things, would revise that notice requirement to require the notice be delivered prior to initiating services, or as soon as practicably possible thereafter, and would require the delivery of the notice to be documented. The bill would also require an applicant, registrant, or licensee who has an electronic mail address to provide the board with that electronic mail address no later than July 1, 2022, and would require the electronic mail address to be considered confidential and not subject to public disclosure. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law defines the practice of marriage and family therapy as 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, including relationship and premarriage counseling. Existing law also specifies how marriage and family therapy principles may be applied, including, among others, psychotherapeutic techniques and the use, application, and integration of coursework and training required for licensed marriage and family therapists.
This bill would recast those provisions to include within this scope of practice 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. The bill would make conforming changes relating to the various ways in which marriage and family therapy principles may be applied.
By expanding the scope of practice for marriage and family therapists and thus expanding the application and breadth of the related crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would declare that these provisions are declaratory of existing law and would also declare the intent of the Legislature that this bill not be construed to expand or constrict the scope of practice of a licensed marriage and family therapist.
The Psychology Licensing Law establishes the Board of Psychology to license and regulate the practice of psychology, and authorizes the board to employ all personnel necessary to carry out that law and to employ an executive officer, as specified. Existing law repeals these provisions on January 1, 2022.
This bill would extend the provisions establishing the board and authorizing the board to employ necessary personnel and an executive officer until January 1, 2026.
The Psychology Licensing Law, with certain exceptions, prohibits a person from engaging in the practice of psychology, or representing themselves to be a psychologist, without a license issued by the board. The Psychology Licensing Law requires an applicant for licensure to meet certain educational requirements, including, among others, possessing an earned doctoral degree in psychology, educational psychology, or education with the field of specialization in counseling psychology or educational psychology. The Psychology Licensing Law authorizes a person other than a licensed psychologist to perform psychological functions in preparation for licensure as a psychologist if certain requirements are met, including, among others, registering with the board as a "psychological assistant" and having completed a master's or doctoral degree, or having been admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree, in similar subjects required for licensure. The Psychology Licensing Law requires the psychological assistant to be at all times under the immediate supervision of a licensed psychologist, or a board certified psychiatrist, as specified.
This bill would rename the position of psychological assistant as registered psychological associate. The bill, among other things, would revise the qualifying subjects of the doctoral degree an applicant for licensure is required to have to include psychology with the field specialization in clinical, counseling, school, consulting, forensic, industrial, or organizational psychology, or education with the field specialization in counseling psychology, educational psychology, or school psychology. The bill would make similar revisions to the qualifying educational requirements for a registered psychological associate. The bill would revise the supervision requirements by, among other things, requiring a licensed psychologist to be the primary supervisor of the registered psychological associate and authorizing the primary supervisor to delegate supervision as prescribed by the board's regulations.
The Psychology Licensing Law requires an applicant for licensure trained in an educational institution outside the United States or Canada to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board they possess a doctorate degree in psychology that is equivalent to a degree earned from a regionally accredited university in the United States or Canada by providing 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) .
This bill would additionally allow an applicant to demonstrate their degree is equivalent by having the National Register of Health Services Psychologists (NRHSP) evaluate the degree. The bill would require the evaluation to, among other things, include a transcript in English, or translated into English by the credential evaluation service, of the degree. The bill would require the evaluation to be submitted directly to the board by a member of the NACES or NRHSP.
The Psychology Licensing Law provides that a person with specified education and training employed by a specified nonprofit community agency is not restricted or prevented from conducting activities of a psychological nature or the use of the official title of their position, provided that person is performing those activities as part of the duties for which they were employed, is performing those activities solely within the confines of or under the jurisdiction of the organization in which they are employed, and does not offer to render or render psychological services, as specified. The Psychology Licensing Law requires those persons to be registered by the agency with the board at the time of employment and to be identified in the setting as a "registered psychologist." Existing law makes those persons exempt from the Psychology Licensing Law for a maximum period of 30 months from the date of registration.
This bill would repeal these provision.
The Psychology Law requires an applicant for licensure to complete training in the detection and treatment of alcohol and other chemical substance dependency and to complete coursework in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention.
This bill would authorize an applicant to fulfill the above-described requirements by completing coursework or training in those subjects.
The Psychology Licensing Law requires an applicant for licensure who began graduate study on or after January 1, 2004, to complete a minimum of 10 contact hours of coursework in aging and long-term care, as specified. The Psychology Licensing Law requires the applicant to submit to the board a certification from the chief academic officer of the educational institution from which the applicant graduated stating that this required coursework is included within the institution's required curriculum for graduation, or within the coursework that was completed by the applicant.
This bill, instead, would require an applicant for licensure to complete a minimum of 6 hours of coursework or applied experience in aging and long-term care, as specified. The bill would authorize this requirement to be satisfied by taking a continuing education course, as specified. The bill would revise the requirement that the applicant submit a certification to, among other things, require it to be made and submitted under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The Psychology Licensing Law requires the board to grant a license to a person who passes the board's supplemental licensing examination and, at the time of application, has been licensed for at least 5 years by a licensing authority in another state or Canadian province if the requirements for obtaining a certificate or license in that state or province were substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Psychology Licensing Law. The Psychology Licensing Law authorizes such an applicant to perform activities and services of a psychological nature without a valid license for a period not to exceed 180 calendar days from the time of submitting their application or from the commencement of residency in this state, whichever comes first.
This bill would decrease the number of years the applicant is required to have been licensed to 2 years and would extend these provisions to a person who has been licensed by a psychology licensing authority in a territory of the United States.
The Psychology Licensing Law imposes various fees on applicants for licensure and on licensees.
This bill, additionally, would impose a file transfer fee of $10.
Existing law requires various boards in the Department of Consumer Affairs to provide information concerning the status of licensees on the internet, including information on suspensions and revocations of licenses issued by the entity and other related enforcement actions, and a licensee's address of record. Existing law requires the Board of Psychology to comply with those provisions and disclose information on its licensees, including psychologists, psychological assistants, and registered psychologists.
This bill would instead specify that the licensees for which the Board of Psychology is required to disclose this information include psychologists and registered psychological associates.
This bill would make conforming and other nonsubstantive changes.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 27 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 1534 and SB 826 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1534, SB 826, or both are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2946 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 107 to be operative only if this bill and AB 107 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 4980.01, 4980.43.3, 4996.14, and 4999.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 690 to be operative only if this bill and AB 690 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB801: 4999.46.1 BPC
02/19/21 - Introduced: 4999.46.1 BPC
04/13/21 - Amended Senate: 2290.5 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC, 4999.71 BPC, 4999.76 BPC, 4999.120 BPC, 4999.122 BPC, 4999.123 BPC
06/17/21 - Amended Assembly: 27 BPC, 2290.5 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC, 4999.71 BPC, 4999.76 BPC, 4999.120 BPC, 4999.122 BPC, 4999.123 BPC
07/07/21 - Amended Assembly: 27 BPC, 2290.5 BPC, 2909 BPC, 2909.5 BPC, 2910 BPC, 2911 BPC, 2913 BPC, 2914 BPC, 2915 BPC, 2915.5 BPC, 2915.7 BPC, 2920 BPC, 2933 BPC, 2942 BPC, 2944 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2960 BPC, 2987 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.02 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.36 BPC, 4980.37 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4980.81 BPC, 4982 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.36 BPC, 4989.38 BPC, 4989.40 BPC, 4989.54 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4990 BPC, 4990.04 BPC, 4990.30 BPC, 4992.3 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.3 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.32 BPC, 4999.33 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC, 4999.71 BPC, 4999.76 BPC, 4999.80 BPC, 4999.90 BPC, 4999.104 BPC, 4999.120 BPC, 4999.122 BPC, 4999.123 BPC, 1010 EVID
07/15/21 - Amended Assembly: 27 BPC, 2290.5 BPC, 2909 BPC, 2909.5 BPC, 2910 BPC, 2911 BPC, 2913 BPC, 2914 BPC, 2915 BPC, 2915.5 BPC, 2915.7 BPC, 2920 BPC, 2933 BPC, 2942 BPC, 2944 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2960 BPC, 2987 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.02 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.36 BPC, 4980.37 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4980.81 BPC, 4982 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.36 BPC, 4989.38 BPC, 4989.40 BPC, 4989.54 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4990 BPC, 4990.04 BPC, 4990.30 BPC, 4992.3 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.3 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.32 BPC, 4999.33 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC, 4999.71 BPC, 4999.76 BPC, 4999.80 BPC, 4999.90 BPC, 4999.104 BPC, 4999.120 BPC, 4999.122 BPC, 4999.123 BPC, 1010 EVID
09/01/21 - Amended Assembly: 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 2290.5 BPC, 2909 BPC, 2909.5 BPC, 2910 BPC, 2911 BPC, 2913 BPC, 2914 BPC, 2915 BPC, 2915.5 BPC, 2915.7 BPC, 2920 BPC, 2933 BPC, 2942 BPC, 2944 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2960 BPC, 2987 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.02 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.36 BPC, 4980.37 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4980.81 BPC, 4982 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.36 BPC, 4989.38 BPC, 4989.40 BPC, 4989.54 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4990 BPC, 4990.04 BPC, 4990.30 BPC, 4992.3 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.3 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.32 BPC, 4999.33 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC, 4999.71 BPC, 4999.76 BPC, 4999.80 BPC, 4999.90 BPC, 4999.104 BPC, 4999.120 BPC, 4999.122 BPC, 4999.123 BPC, 1010 EVID
09/13/21 - Enrolled: 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 27 BPC, 2290.5 BPC, 2909 BPC, 2909.5 BPC, 2910 BPC, 2911 BPC, 2913 BPC, 2914 BPC, 2915 BPC, 2915.5 BPC, 2915.7 BPC, 2920 BPC, 2933 BPC, 2942 BPC, 2944 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2946 BPC, 2960 BPC, 2987 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.01 BPC, 4980.02 BPC, 4980.32 BPC, 4980.36 BPC, 4980.37 BPC, 4980.40 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.43.3 BPC, 4980.54 BPC, 4980.81 BPC, 4982 BPC, 4984.7 BPC, 4987.5 BPC, 4989.17 BPC, 4989.20 BPC, 4989.24 BPC, 4989.32 BPC, 4989.34 BPC, 4989.36 BPC, 4989.38 BPC, 4989.40 BPC, 4989.54 BPC, 4989.68 BPC, 4990 BPC, 4990.04 BPC, 4990.30 BPC, 4992.3 BPC, 4996.2 BPC, 4996.3 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.14 BPC, 4996.17.2 BPC, 4996.18 BPC, 4996.22 BPC, 4996.75 BPC, 4998 BPC, 4998.2 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.22 BPC, 4999.32 BPC, 4999.33 BPC, 4999.42 BPC, 4999.46.1 BPC, 4999.51 BPC,