Licensed Psychologist CE Requirements in California
This page summarizes the current CE requirements for the Licensed Psychologist (PSY) license in California — renewal model, mandated topics, live/interactive rules, and home-study limits — with links to the official regulator.
Licensed Psychologist
- Laws and Ethics — 4 hMinimum 4 hrs each renewal; part of the 36; cannot be double-counted with cultural diversity.
- Cultural Diversity and/or Social Justice — 4 hMinimum 4 hrs each renewal; part of the 36; cannot be double-counted with laws/ethics.
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention — 6 hOne-time requirement attested at first renewal after Jan 1, 2020; coursework OR applied experience; if satisfied by a CE course it counts toward the 36 only in the cycle taken.
Complete your psychology CE with Triad
AATBS and CE4Less offer board-approved continuing education for psychology professionals — ethics, cultural competency, clinical topics, and more.
How many CE hours does a Licensed Psychologist need in California?
A Licensed Psychologist must complete 36 CE / continuing-education hours every 2 years in California. That total includes 4 hours of ethics.
Are there required CE topics for Licensed Psychologist in California?
Yes. California requires the following CE topics for Licensed Psychologist: Laws and Ethics (4 h); Cultural Diversity and/or Social Justice (4 h); Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (6 h).
Can Licensed Psychologist CE be completed online in California?
Generally yes — California does not require live or interactive hours for Licensed Psychologist, so approved online / home-study CE can typically satisfy the requirement. Home-study note: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model with 4 activity categories; hours must be accrued from at least two of the four categories each renewal. Category maximums per 2-year renewal: Sponsored Continuing Education (incl. APA-approved online/self-study) 27 hrs; Professional Activities (peer consultation 18 hrs; professional services 12 hrs; examination functions 12 hrs; expert review/consultation 12 hrs); Academic Coursework 18 hrs; Self-Directed Learning 6 hrs (its own category, not a subset of Academic). ABPP board certification can satisfy all 36. No mandated live/in-person hours..
What else should Licensed Psychologist renewals know in California?
Regulated by the Board of Psychology. Effective Jan 1, 2023 the board replaced traditional CE with a 36-hour biennial CPD framework across four activity categories. The 6-hour suicide training is a one-time attestation (AB 89), not recurring. As of July 2026 the 36-hr/2-yr CPD structure and the 4-hr law/ethics and 4-hr cultural diversity minimums remain current; no live/interactive minimum is imposed. Licensees must accrue CPD hours from at least two of the four activity categories each renewal period.