California · LMFT Renewal
California LMFT CEU Requirements (2026–2027)
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires LMFTs to complete 36 CE hours every two years, plus two one-time trainings you complete once in your career. Here is the verified breakdown.
Last verified: April 2026 · Source: California Business and Professions Code § 4980.54; Title 16 CCR § 1887–1887.11
The short version
| Requirement | Hours | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Total continuing education | 36 | Every 2 years |
| Law and Ethics (California-specific) | 6 | Every 2 years |
| Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention | 6 | One-time |
| Telehealth (law and ethics) | 3 | One-time |
BBS runs LMFT, LCSW, and LPCC under the same 36-hour renewal framework set in 16 CCR § 1887 et seq. The per-credential statute (BPC § 4980.54 for LMFT) anchors the obligation to your specific license. Numbers below come from the BBS continuing education page.
Law and Ethics: 6 hours per cycle
The 6-hour law and ethics block must cover California-specific professional law and ethics applicable to marriage and family therapy. A generic AAMFT ethics course without California content will not satisfy the requirement.
One-time requirements explained
California stacks one-time training requirements on top of the per-cycle total. Once completed, they do not repeat, but they must be on file with the board.
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (6 hrs): required under AB 2112 for LMFTs renewing on or after January 1, 2021. Does not repeat.
- Telehealth (3 hrs): per AB 1759, effective July 1, 2023. Must include law and ethics specific to telehealth practice with California clients.
Renewal timing
Biennial. BBS does not offer a grace period, so the license becomes delinquent the moment it expires. You have a 3-year late-renewal window, after which the license is cancelled and you would need to reapply.
Self-study cap
None. BBS removed the 50% home-study cap effective July 1, 2015, when the rules were consolidated under 16 CCR § 1887 et seq. Self-study and asynchronous online courses from an acceptable provider category count the same as live training, with no percentage cap. Teaching is capped at 18 hours per cycle and board service at 6 hours per cycle under § 1887.3.
Carryover
California does not document carryover. Assume excess hours do not roll over.
Accepted CE providers
BBS no longer maintains an approved-provider list. You verify provider status independently. Acceptable provider categories include:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Accredited postsecondary institutions
- Teaching engagements in relevant subject areas
Board links
Track these requirements automatically.
Still Licensed keeps your California ethics and total hours up to date as you log each CE. Multi-state support means one entry can count toward every state you're licensed in.
This page is informational. Rules change. Verify against the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) before acting on anything here.