SB 1527 Summary

• Requires marriage and family therapists licensed in other jurisdictions to pass California law and ethics examination and be in good standing, with exemption from clinical examination if they hold a passing score accepted by the board; clinical exam scores valid for 7 years effective January 1, 2014.

• Requires clinical social workers licensed in other states to complete an 18-hour course in California law and professional ethics effective January 1, 2014, and exempts them from clinical examination if they previously passed an exam accepted by the board; establishes 7-year validity period for clinical exam scores.

• Requires associate clinical social worker applicants to complete training in California law and professional ethics effective January 1, 2014, covering topics including scope of practice, confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and licensing law.

• Extends professional clinical counselor examination evaluation provisions to January 1, 2014, establishes 7-year validity for passing scores on required examinations, and exempts applicants with licenses from other jurisdictions from retaking exams if they previously passed an accepted examination.

• Delays implementation of combined California law and ethics examination requirements for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and professional clinical counselors from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2014.