BBS California
BBS California
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) California licenses Marriage and Family Therapist, Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, MFT and licensed school psychologists. The mission of the BBS is to Protect and serve Californians by setting, communicating, and enforcing standards for safe and competent mental health practice.
The BBS California investigates consumer complaints and imposes disciplinary action against licensees and registrants who violate the law. The Board constructs written examinations for each of its licenses, ensuring any individual holding a license passes an examination testing for competency.
The Board's outreach program provides information to consumers, licensees, registrants, and students on consumer rights, California licensing requirements, and other Board related activities. The Board also works alongside other mental health agencies and organizations to advocate for increased consumer awareness and access to mental health services. The Board develops statutes and regulations targeted at ensuring competency in the mental health profession and protecting consumers.
History of the BBS
In 1945, California became the first state to register social workers with the formation of the Board of Social Work Examiners. Jump ahead 18 years, to 1963, and this young regulatory agency received a new responsibility: administration of the Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor Act (later renamed the Social Worker and Marriage Counselor Act). New responsibilities meant a new name too. Appropriately, the Board was renamed the Social Worker and Marriage Counselor Qualification Board.
The BBS California took its current name, the Board of Behavioral Sciences, on January 1, 1997. This name better represents the true mission and duties of the Board.
Effective July 1, 1999, the then Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor profession underwent a name change. All references in statute or regulation to "licensed marriage, family, and child counselor" or "marriage, family, and child counselor" were changed to "licensed marriage and family therapist" or "marriage and family therapist." The Board discontinued regulating MFT corporations on January 1, 2000. However, the corporations are still required to file their articles with the California Secretary of State.
Mental Health Recovery Oriented Care and Methods of Delivery
Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction
California Culture and Socioeconomic Status
Developmental Issued from Infancy to Old Age
Suicide Assessment and Prevention CE
California Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting