CLEE Licensing and Supervision 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In California, which board licenses Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)?
- California Medical Board
- Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) (Correct answer)
- California Board of Psychology
- Department of Consumer Affairs only
Correct answer: Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the regulatory agency responsible for licensing MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs.
Question 2: How many hours of supervised experience are required for MFT licensure in California?
- 1,500 hours
- 2,000 hours
- 3,000 hours (Correct answer)
- 4,000 hours
Correct answer: 3,000 hours
California Business and Professions Code §4980.43 requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience for MFT licensure.
Question 3: Under BBS regulations, an MFT trainee may provide psychotherapy services only when:
- They have completed at least 500 hours of training
- They are enrolled in an approved program and working under qualified supervision (Correct answer)
- They have passed the California Law and Ethics Exam
- They have malpractice insurance in place
Correct answer: They are enrolled in an approved program and working under qualified supervision
MFT trainees must be enrolled in an approved graduate program and work under the supervision of a qualified supervisor to provide therapy services legally.
Question 4: What is the maximum caseload ratio of supervisees to supervisor under California BBS regulations for MFT supervision?
- 5 supervisees per supervisor
- No specific limit is set (Correct answer)
- The supervisor may have no more than 3 supervisees at any time
- The supervisor may supervise up to 10 supervisees concurrently
Correct answer: No specific limit is set
California BBS regulations do not specify a maximum supervisee-to-supervisor ratio but require that supervision be adequate and that each supervisee receives sufficient oversight.
Question 5: An MFT associate in California must complete the supervised experience requirement within how many years of receiving associate registration?
- 3 years
- 5 years
- 7 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
Correct answer: 7 years
California Business and Professions Code requires that MFT associates complete their 3,000 supervised hours within 7 years of initial associate registration.
Question 6: In California, who is qualified to provide supervision hours that count toward MFT licensure?
- Any licensed mental health professional with 2 years of experience
- A licensed MFT, LCSW, LPCC, or psychologist who meets BBS supervisor requirements (Correct answer)
- Only licensed MFTs may supervise MFT associates
- Any doctoral-level clinician regardless of license type
Correct answer: A licensed MFT, LCSW, LPCC, or psychologist who meets BBS supervisor requirements
BBS regulations allow licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and psychologists with appropriate qualifications to provide supervision that counts toward MFT licensure.
CLEE Licensing and Supervision 1
In California, which board licenses Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)?