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THE LPCC (Licensed professional Clinical Counselors)

LPCC Scope Restrictions 

Couples and Families

The California LPCC Scope does not include the assessment or treatment of couples or families, or the supervision of MFT or Professional Clinical Counselor Interns, unless the LPCC has:

  1. 6 semester-units (or 9 quarter-units) focused on MFT or a named specialization in MFT
  2. 500 hours supervised experience working with couples, families or children
  3. 6 hours of CEUs in MFT each renewal cycle
California Business & Professions Code 4999.20(a)(3), 4980.03(g)

This restriction was imposed by the CA chapter of AAMFT, as a condition of removing their opposition to the LPCC licensure bill.  No other state has this restriction.

Children
There is no restriction for LPCCs or PCCIs to assess and treat children.

The following BBS regulations, that clarify the above restriction, became law January 1, 2016.

Confirmation of Qualifications to treat couples or families
Effective January 1, 2017, a LPCC shall obtain written confirmation from the BBS that he or she has met the above  requirements and provide a copy of the written confirmation to clients prior to commencing couple or family treatment.  BBS regulation 1820.7

Confirmation of Qualifications to supervise MFT Interns or trainees or Professional Clinical Counselor Interns
Effective January 1, 2017, a LPCC shall obtain written confirmation from the BBS that he or she has met the above requirements and provide a copy of the written confirmation to supervisees prior to commencing supervision.  This restriction does not apply to the supervision of Associate Social Workers. BBS regulation 1820.7

Confirming Qualifications to Assess and Treat Couples and Families. 
 
This application is not to be submitted until a person has received his or her LPCC license.


 
Acceptable supervised hours:  LPCCs will submit transcripts to verify the graduate MFT coursework and a form to document supervised experience with couples, families or children will be available.  If the supervisor is no longer available, the employer can verify the supervisor's license information.  LPCCs who hold a license in another state, that allows LPCCs to assess and treat couples, families or children, do not need to document 500 hours working with couples, families or children.  A LPCC, who is also a LMFT,  only needs to submit a license number to receive this confirmation letter.

Exemptions:
Clinical counselor trainees are exempt if they are gaining supervised practicum experience.
 
LPCCs and PCCIs are exempt from this restriction, if they are earning the 500 hours of experience, and if they are under the supervision of a LMFT, LCSW, licensed psychologist, licensed physician, who is board-certified in psychiatry, or a LPCC, who has met the above requirements.  BBS Regulation 1820.5  While it is advisable to have completed the 6 units of MFT coursework before earning the 500 hours, it is not required, as long as one is under supervision.

Collateral consultation may be provided to a family of an individual who is being treated by a LPCC or PCCI, who does not meet the above requirements, and who is not working under supervision toward meeting these requirements.  Collateral contact includes, but is  not limited to, treatment planning, recommending resources, monitoring progress, or termination and aftercare planning.  BBS Regulation 1820.5

Assessments
LPCCs in California are restricted from the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality, individually administered intelligence tests, neuropsychological testing, or utilization of a battery of three or more tests to determine the presence of psychosis, dementia, amnesia, cognitive impairment, or criminal behavior.

This restriction was imposed by the California Psychological Association, as a condition of removing their opposition to the LPCC licensure bill.
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