CLEE Licensing and Supervision 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is required for a California BBS licensee to renew their license?
- Passing a written renewal exam every two years
- Completing continuing education (CE) hours as required by the BBS (Correct answer)
- Submitting a new background check at every renewal
- Completing 500 additional supervised hours
Correct answer: Completing continuing education (CE) hours as required by the BBS
California BBS licensees must complete required continuing education hours — typically 36 hours per renewal period for MFTs — to renew their license.
Question 2: Under California law, practicing psychotherapy without a license or registration is a:
- Civil infraction with no criminal penalties
- Misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances (Correct answer)
- Violation handled only by the BBS administratively
- Minor regulatory violation with a small fine
Correct answer: Misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances
Unlicensed practice of psychotherapy in California violates Business and Professions Code §4980.02 and can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
Question 3: A California MFT supervisor has an ethical and legal obligation to ensure their supervisee's clients receive:
- Services identical in quality to what a licensed therapist would provide
- Only a basic level of care until the supervisee is licensed
- Adequate care, and the supervisor bears legal responsibility for supervisee conduct (Correct answer)
- Documentation only, since treatment responsibility lies with the supervisee
Correct answer: Adequate care, and the supervisor bears legal responsibility for supervisee conduct
Supervisors bear vicarious liability for supervisee conduct and are responsible for ensuring clients receive adequate and appropriate care.
Question 4: When must a California MFT disclose their license status to clients?
- Only when a client specifically asks
- At the outset of treatment as part of informed consent disclosures (Correct answer)
- Only in writing on the office door or waiting room
- Disclosure is recommended but not required
Correct answer: At the outset of treatment as part of informed consent disclosures
California law requires therapists to provide clients with information about their license type and status as part of the required disclosure statement at the start of treatment.
Question 5: An MFT associate must use which designation when identifying themselves to clients?
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- MFT Associate or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Correct answer)
- Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
- Registered Psychological Assistant
Correct answer: MFT Associate or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
California updated the title to 'Associate Marriage and Family Therapist' (AMFT) — using the term 'intern' is no longer permitted as it may be misleading to clients.
Question 6: How many hours of the 3,000 required supervision hours for MFT licensure must be direct supervisor contact?
- At least 100 hours (Correct answer)
- At least 52 hours
- At least 250 hours
- At least 500 hours
Correct answer: At least 100 hours
California Business and Professions Code §4980.43 requires at least 104 hours of direct supervisor contact (individual or group) within the 3,000 supervised hours.
CLEE Licensing and Supervision 2
Which of the following is required for a California BBS licensee to renew their license?