Continuing Education

LPCC CE Requirements in California

This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) license in California — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.

36CE hours / cycle
2 yrrenewal cycle
0 hlive / interactive required
6 hethics required
Full California LPCC requirements
Verified

LPCC

LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor)
36hours / 2-year renewal cycle
No live / interactive hours required — all hours may be self-study
Mandated topics
  • Law and Ethics — 6 hRequired every renewal period.
  • Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention — 6 hOne-time requirement for renewals/reactivations after Jan 1, 2021; coursework or supervised applied experience; counts toward the 36 if not submitted at licensure.
  • Telehealth — 3 hOne-time requirement for renewals/reactivations after July 1, 2023; counts toward the 36.
  • HIV/AIDS — 7 hOne-time requirement completed during the FIRST renewal period only (new licensees).

Home study: No limit on self-study/home-study from a BBS-approved CE provider; no live or in-person hours are mandated.

Board notes: Regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). 36 hrs/2-yr cycle with 6 hrs Law & Ethics every cycle. One-time 6-hr suicide and 3-hr telehealth requirements count toward the 36. New LPCCs must also complete a one-time 7-hr HIV/AIDS course at first renewal. First renewal still requires the full 36 hours.

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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does an LPCC need in California?

An LPCC must complete 36 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in California. That total includes 6 hours of ethics.

Are there required CE topics for LPCC in California?

Yes. California requires the following CE topics for LPCC: Law and Ethics (6 h); Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (6 h); Telehealth (3 h); HIV/AIDS (7 h).

Can LPCC CE be completed online in California?

Generally yes — California does not require live or interactive hours for LPCC, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: No limit on self-study/home-study from a BBS-approved CE provider; no live or in-person hours are mandated..

What else should LPCC renewals know in California?

Regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). 36 hrs/2-yr cycle with 6 hrs Law & Ethics every cycle. One-time 6-hr suicide and 3-hr telehealth requirements count toward the 36. New LPCCs must also complete a one-time 7-hr HIV/AIDS course at first renewal. First renewal still requires the full 36 hours.

Other California licenses
LPCC CE requirements in other states
Updated July 2026 from official licensing-board, regulatory-college, and government sources. CE / CPD requirements change often — always confirm current rules directly with your licensing board or regulator before you renew. Informational only, not legal advice.