Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in California.

California licenses its master’s-level clinical professions (clinical social work, marriage & family therapy, and professional clinical counseling) through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), which uses a two-tier “Associate registration → full license” ladder and its own California Law & Ethics Examination for every BBS profession. Doctoral-level psychologists are licensed separately by the California Board of Psychology, and substance use disorder (SUD) counselors are not state-licensed but must be registered and certified through one of three DHCS-recognized, NCCA-accredited certifying organizations (CADTP, CCAPP, or CAADE). California does NOT issue a state license for behavior analysts, so there is no state-level BCBA tier in this ladder.

Want the one-line summary instead? See the California licensure overview →
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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychology

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
APCC

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (BBS, administered by Pearson VUE) — must be TAKEN annually to renew the APCC registration until passed

Scope: A registered pre-license counselor who provides professional clinical counseling under the supervision of a qualified, BBS-approved supervisor while accruing the supervised experience required for LPCC licensure.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field meeting Business and Professions Code § 4999.33 content requirements (degree requirements differ for applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012).
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister as an APCC with the BBS before accruing supervised experience in California (except under the 90-day rule); the registration is valid for a 6-year life span (five renewals) under a BBS-approved supervisor.
  3. ExamTake the California Law & Ethics Exam annually to renew the APCC registration until it is passed; passing is required to obtain a subsequent registration number.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the APCC Registration Application (in-state or out-of-state/country degree version) with fee, transcripts, degree program certification, and complete Live Scan fingerprinting (DOJ/FBI).
LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (must be passed) AND the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), administered by NBCC

Scope: An independently licensed clinician who provides professional clinical counseling, including the application of counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying master’s/doctoral counseling degree; out-of-state applicants may need additional California-specific coursework (e.g., law & ethics, and CA-required content areas).
  2. Supervision / experienceAccrue 3,000 total supervised hours over a minimum of 104 weeks, gained while registered as an APCC (except under the 90-day rule), submitted with the Application for Licensure.
  3. ExamPass the California Law & Ethics Exam, then (after BBS approval) pass the NCMHCE clinical exam registered through NBCC.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for LPCC Licensure with verified experience; after passing the clinical exam, file the Request for Initial License Issuance and fee within one year.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
RADT

Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (registered SUD counselor)

Required exam: No examination at the registration step; registrant must complete a 9-hour orientation (3 hrs ethics, 3 hrs boundaries, 3 hrs confidentiality) and is allowed up to 5 years to become certified.

Scope: An entry-level registrant who may provide AOD/SUD counseling services under supervision while completing the education, practicum, and work experience required for full certification; registration must be held before any countable experience is earned.
  1. EducationBegin the required SUD coursework (toward 315 hours of AOD-specific education aligned with SAMHSA TAP 21) and complete the 9-hour orientation course.
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister with one of the three DHCS-recognized certifying organizations (CADTP, CCAPP, or CAADE) before gaining experience; begin accruing the 255-hour supervised field practicum and AOD/SUD work hours under supervision.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier; the certification (IC&RC ADC) exam comes at the certified-counselor step.
  4. ApplicationSubmit a registration application to a DHCS-recognized certifying organization (commonly via the Certemy platform) with proof of orientation and enrollment; certification must be completed within 5 years (hardship extensions up to 2 years).
CADC-I

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) written examination

Scope: A certified SUD counselor authorized to provide AOD/SUD counseling services; entry certified level (with an associate’s degree pathway requiring fewer work hours, or a non-degree pathway requiring more).
  1. EducationComplete 315 hours of AOD-specific education from a certifying-organization-approved school (with an associate’s degree in behavioral science / allied mental health for the degree pathway).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete a 255-hour supervised field practicum covering the 12 core functions, plus 2,080 hours of documented AOD counseling work experience (associate-degree pathway) or 3,000 hours (non-degree pathway).
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC and ADC written certification examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the CADC-I application (A for degree, B for non-degree) to a DHCS-recognized certifying organization via Certemy with documentation of education, practicum, and work hours.
CADC-II

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) written examination

Scope: An advanced certified SUD counselor with substantially greater documented AOD counseling work experience than CADC-I.
  1. EducationComplete 315 hours of AOD-specific education from an approved school.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the 255-hour field practicum and accumulate 6,000 hours of documented AOD counseling work experience.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC and ADC written certification examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the CADC-II application to a DHCS-recognized certifying organization via Certemy with full documentation.
CADC-III

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) written examination

Scope: A bachelor’s-level certified SUD counselor reflecting higher educational attainment in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession.
  1. EducationComplete a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession that includes the 315 hours of approved AOD-specific education.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the 255-hour field practicum and accumulate 4,000 hours of documented AOD counseling work experience.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC and ADC written certification examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the CADC-III application to a DHCS-recognized certifying organization via Certemy with documentation of the bachelor’s degree, practicum, and work hours.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
ASW

Associate Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (BBS, administered by Pearson VUE) — must be TAKEN annually to renew the ASW registration until passed

Scope: A registered pre-license social worker who performs clinical social work under the supervision of a qualified, BBS-approved supervisor while earning the supervised experience required for LCSW licensure.
  1. EducationEarn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school of social work.
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister as an ASW with the BBS before accruing post-degree supervised experience in California (except under the 90-day rule); registration has a 6-year life span (five renewals) under a qualified supervisor with weekly supervision.
  3. ExamTake the California Law & Ethics Exam annually to renew the ASW registration until passed; passing is required for a subsequent registration.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the ASW Registration Application (in-state or out-of-state/country) with fee, transcripts, required additional coursework documentation, and Live Scan fingerprinting (DOJ/FBI).
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (must be passed) AND the ASWB Clinical Examination

Scope: An independently licensed clinical social worker authorized to provide psychotherapy and clinical social work services, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationHold the CSWE-accredited MSW and any BBS-required additional coursework; out-of-state applicants with an out-of-state degree must meet supplemental requirements (minimum 1,700 supervised hours under a qualifying LCSW for certain out-of-state paths).
  2. Supervision / experienceAccrue 3,000 total supervised hours over a minimum of 104 weeks, including a minimum of one hour of direct supervisor contact per week per practice setting, gained while registered as an ASW (except under the 90-day rule).
  3. ExamPass the California Law & Ethics Exam, then (after BBS approval of the licensure application) pass the ASWB Clinical Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for LCSW Licensure with verified experience; after passing the clinical exam, file the Request for Initial License Issuance and fee within one year.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
AMFT

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (BBS, administered by Pearson VUE) — must be TAKEN annually to renew the AMFT registration until passed

Scope: A registered pre-license therapist who provides marriage and family therapy under the supervision of a qualified, BBS-approved supervisor while accruing the supervised experience required for LMFT licensure.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree meeting Business and Professions Code § 4980.36 content and practicum requirements (different rules apply to applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012).
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister as an AMFT with the BBS before accruing post-degree supervised experience in California (except under the 90-day rule); registration is valid for a 6-year life span (five renewals) under a qualified supervisor.
  3. ExamTake the California Law & Ethics Exam annually to renew the AMFT registration until passed; passing is required for a subsequent registration.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the AMFT Registration Application (in-state or out-of-state/country) with fee, transcripts, degree program certification, and Live Scan fingerprinting (DOJ/FBI).
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: California Law & Ethics Exam (must be passed) AND the California LMFT Clinical Exam (BBS, administered by Pearson VUE)

Scope: An independently licensed therapist authorized to provide marriage, family, and individual psychotherapy services, including the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational context.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying master’s/doctoral MFT degree with required practicum coursework; out-of-state applicants may need supplemental California-specific coursework.
  2. Supervision / experienceAccrue 3,000 total supervised hours over a minimum of 104 weeks, all post-degree hours gained while registered as an AMFT (except under the 90-day rule), submitted with the Application for Licensure.
  3. ExamPass the California Law & Ethics Exam, then (after BBS approval) pass the California LMFT Clinical Exam through Pearson VUE.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for LMFT Licensure with verified experience; after passing the clinical exam, file the Request for Initial License Issuance and fee within one year.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Registered Psychological Associate

Registered Psychological Associate (formerly Psychological Assistant)

Required exam: No state board examination at registration; the EPPP and CPLEE are taken later as part of psychologist licensure

Scope: A person who holds a qualifying degree and provides psychological services under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed psychologist (or other authorized licensee) while gaining supervised professional experience toward licensure; this is a registration, not an independent license.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying degree required for the Psychological Associate registration (governed by Business and Professions Code § 2913 and Title 16, CCR Article 5.1).
  2. Supervision / experiencePractice only under the direct supervision and professional responsibility of a licensed psychologist; supervised hours earned in this role can count toward the 3,000-hour SPE requirement for licensure.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for Registration as a Psychological Associate (PSB 100) with checklist items, supervision agreement, and fingerprinting; notify the Board of any supervisor or service-location change.
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered via ASPPB/Certemy, AND the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE), administered by PSI

Scope: An independently licensed doctoral-level psychologist authorized to practice the full scope of psychology, including psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology and complete the required prelicensure coursework (human sexuality; alcohol/chemical dependency; child abuse assessment; spousal/partner abuse; aging and long-term care; suicide risk assessment and intervention).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (SPE): 1,500 hours qualify for EPPP eligibility (earnable pre- or post-doctorally) and the full 3,000 (at least 1,500 of which must be post-doctoral) for CPLEE eligibility.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (national exam), then pass the CPLEE (California laws and ethics, 100 questions / 2.5 hours, released in new versions quarterly).
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for Licensure as a Psychologist with fees, transcripts, and supervision/verification forms via BreEZe; after passing both exams, submit the Request for Initial Licensure and fingerprints.

Official Psychology resources

All licenses

California licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one California license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.

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