Renew your California license with clarity and confidence
If you are planning your next renewal in California, the first step is knowing which rules apply to your credential. LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs renew under the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Psychologists renew under the California Board of Psychology, which uses a Continuing Professional Development model. Domestic violence counselors are different: the key statewide rule is California Evidence Code section 1037.1, which defines who qualifies as a domestic violence counselor and the supervised training that role requires. (bbs.ca.gov)
Rhombus CE is built to make that picture easier to understand. This page is designed as a simple starting point for California LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, Psychologists, and Domestic Violence Counselors who want to understand the renewal landscape and choose the right next step with more confidence.
Trusted by California professionals and programs
Rhombus CE provides continuing education and training built for California mental health and domestic violence professionals, with a California-first structure designed to make requirements easier to understand and courses easier to find.
How California license renewal works
California renewal rules depend on the credential you hold, but the overall pattern is usually similar. You track your renewal cycle, complete the required total hours, meet any topic-specific requirements, and keep your records in case you are audited. For BBS licensees, renewal is tied to continuing education requirements. For psychologists, renewal is tied to the Board of Psychology’s CPD rules. (bbs.ca.gov)
Most California mental health licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Some hours must be completed in required topics, not just any subject you choose. You are also responsible for keeping documentation of completion in case your board audits your renewal. BBS conducts CE audits, and the Board of Psychology also requires record retention and random CPD audits. (bbs.ca.gov)
This page is meant to help you understand how Rhombus CE fits into that picture. It is an educational summary, not legal advice, and it does not replace the official rules that apply to your license or role.
California CE requirements by profession
Use these summaries as a starting point for your renewal plan. They are intended to give you a clearer view of the structure, the common required topics, and the kind of training you may need next.
LMFTs – California renewal snapshot
California LMFTs renew through the Board of Behavioral Sciences. BBS requires 36 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics. BBS also requires a one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment and intervention requirement for licensees who renew or reactivate after January 1, 2021, and a one-time 3-hour telehealth requirement for licensees who renew or reactivate after July 1, 2023, unless those were already submitted with the licensure application. (bbs.ca.gov)
If you are renewing for the first time, BBS points licensees to its CE Summary Chart for first-renewal-specific coursework. BBS also requires licensees to keep CE documentation for at least two years after the renewal period during which the courses were used. (bbs.ca.gov)
For most LMFTs, the practical approach is simple: confirm your current cycle, cover your Law and Ethics requirement first, verify whether any one-time requirements still apply to you, and then build the rest of your hours around the work you actually do. A DV-focused training path may be especially relevant for LMFTs working with domestic violence survivors, families, or trauma-related issues.
LCSWs – California renewal snapshot
California LCSWs also renew through the Board of Behavioral Sciences and follow the same core CE structure: 36 hours of continuing education each renewal period, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics. The same one-time suicide risk and telehealth rules apply based on renewal timing and prior submission with the licensure application. (bbs.ca.gov)
BBS requires LCSWs to keep their CE records for at least two years after the renewal period in which the courses were used, and the Board performs audits to verify compliance. (bbs.ca.gov)
For LCSWs, a strong renewal plan starts with the required topics and then expands into courses that match your setting, client population, and practice needs. For those working in domestic violence settings or supporting affected clients, DV-focused education may be a practical fit within a broader California renewal plan.
LPCCs – California renewal snapshot
California LPCCs renew through the Board of Behavioral Sciences and follow the same CE framework as LMFTs and LCSWs: 36 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics. BBS also applies the one-time suicide risk assessment and intervention requirement and the one-time telehealth requirement under the conditions listed in its CE materials. (bbs.ca.gov)
As with other BBS licensees, LPCCs must keep documentation of completed CE for at least two years after the renewal period during which the courses were used, and the Board conducts audits. (bbs.ca.gov)
For LPCCs, the clearest path is to map required topics first, then choose additional California courses based on the populations you serve and the issues most relevant to your practice. Rhombus CE’s California-first structure is built around that kind of guided course discovery.
Psychologists – California renewal snapshot
California psychologists are regulated by the Board of Psychology, not BBS. For licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2024, the Board requires 36 hours of Continuing Professional Development for each two-year renewal period. That total must include at least 4 hours in laws and ethics and at least 4 hours in cultural diversity and/or social justice. (psychology.ca.gov)
The Board of Psychology also says licensees must accrue hours from at least two of the four CPD categories during each renewal period. One CPD activity cannot be used to satisfy both the laws and ethics requirement and the cultural diversity/social justice requirement. Psychologists must retain CPD records for at least four years, and the Board conducts random audits. (psychology.ca.gov)
That means psychologists should not assume the BBS renewal model applies to them. A sound plan starts with the Board of Psychology’s CPD rules, then moves into courses that fit both the required categories and the realities of your practice. For psychologists involved in trauma or domestic violence work, specialized training may still be highly relevant professionally, even where the renewal framework differs from BBS licensees. (psychology.ca.gov)
Domestic Violence Counselors – California training snapshot
Domestic violence counselors in California do not follow a statewide board renewal structure like BBS licensees or psychologists. The key statewide rule is Evidence Code section 1037.1. That law says a domestic violence counselor is a person employed by a domestic violence victim service organization to render advice or assistance to victims of domestic violence and who has at least 40 hours of training. The law also says the 40 hours must be supervised by an individual who qualifies as a counselor and who has at least one year of experience counseling domestic violence victims for that organization. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
Section 1037.1 also identifies minimum training content areas, including the history of domestic violence, civil and criminal law related to domestic violence, confidentiality and privilege, societal attitudes toward domestic violence, peer counseling techniques, housing and financial resources, and referral services. It further states that a domestic violence counselor employed for less than six months must be supervised by a qualifying counselor with at least one year of experience counseling domestic violence victims for that organization. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
For California domestic violence counselors, the clearest next step is usually a structured 40-hour training path built around the California standard. This is also the core offer and primary California funnel described in the Rhombus CE project materials.
Courses and bundles that often fit into California renewal plans
Rhombus CE is being built to help California professionals move from uncertainty to a clearer renewal plan. In the current project materials, the flagship California offer is the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training, supported by a California-first renewal funnel and future profession-specific renewal bundles.
If you are an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC, one of the smartest first steps is identifying how you will cover your required Law and Ethics hours for the renewal cycle. If you are a psychologist, you should confirm that any course you take fits the Board of Psychology’s CPD rules before relying on it for renewal. If you are a domestic violence counselor, the 40-hour California training standard is the key statewide benchmark to understand first. (bbs.ca.gov)
A simple way to approach your next renewal
Start by confirming which regulator applies to your credential. BBS licensees should verify their CE requirements directly with BBS. Psychologists should verify their CPD requirements with the Board of Psychology. Domestic violence counselors should begin with Evidence Code section 1037.1 and then confirm any organization-specific expectations that apply to their role. (bbs.ca.gov)
Next, map your required topics before anything else. If you are an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC, that means Law and Ethics first, plus any one-time BBS requirements that still apply to you. If you are a psychologist, that means laws and ethics plus cultural diversity and/or social justice, along with the required CPD category mix. (psychology.ca.gov)
From there, build the rest of your hours around the kind of work you actually do. Choose education that supports your setting, client population, and professional goals. Then keep your certificates and records organized. BBS licensees should keep records for at least two years after the renewal period during which the courses were used. Psychologists should keep CPD records for at least four years. (bbs.ca.gov)
Questions about California renewal and Rhombus CE
Is this page legal advice or official board guidance?
No. This page is an educational summary only. It does not replace your board’s official rules, statutes, or regulations. (bbs.ca.gov)
Do LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs follow the same general renewal structure?
Yes. At a high level, BBS requires 36 hours every renewal period and 6 hours of Law and Ethics each cycle for these licensees, with additional one-time requirements that may apply depending on timing and prior submissions. (bbs.ca.gov)
Are psychologists on the same renewal rules as BBS licensees?
No. California psychologists renew under the Board of Psychology’s CPD system, not the BBS CE model. (psychology.ca.gov)
Do I need to send certificates with my renewal?
Not typically. BBS says not to submit CE certificates with renewal and to keep them for audit purposes. The Board of Psychology likewise says CPD documentation is kept by the licensee and submitted if selected for audit. (bbs.ca.gov)
Does the 40-hour domestic violence training replace professional license renewal requirements?
No. The 40-hour domestic violence counselor standard is separate from the CE or CPD rules that apply to licensed mental health professionals. Licensed professionals still have to follow the renewal rules of their own board. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
Can one course count toward everything I need?
Not always. Boards have specific rules about required topics and how hours are counted. For psychologists, the Board expressly says one CPD activity cannot be used to satisfy both the laws and ethics requirement and the cultural diversity/social justice requirement. (psychology.ca.gov)
Ready to take the next step toward your California renewal?
Rhombus CE is being built to make California renewal easier to understand and easier to act on. Whether you are looking for a structured domestic violence training path or a clearer way to think through your next renewal cycle, the goal is the same: less guesswork, more confidence, and a cleaner path forward.