Interactive CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The CLEE takes about 1.5 hours and costs $75[1][2] (California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE, verified Oct 23, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit | 90 minutes[1] | pearsonvue.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $75 per exam (reduced from $150, 7/1/2026–6/30/2030)[2] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 23, 2026 |
| Retake fee | $75 per re-exam[3] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Retake policy | 90-day wait between attempts; at least 3 attempts per renewal cycle[4] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Validity | Pass does not expire (unless the clinical exam is not passed within 7 years of first attempt)[4] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Renewal | Must be taken each annual renewal cycle until passed[5] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 23, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers (incl. select military bases)[1] | pearsonvue.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Eligibility | ASW, AMFT or APCC registrants; approved out-of-state licensure applicants[4] | California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Score release | Pass/fail score report at the test center right after the exam[1] | pearsonvue.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | Book at least one calendar day before testing[6] | home.pearsonvue.com · Oct 21, 2026 |
If you’re an attorney in California, you must pass the CLEE (California Law and Ethics Exam) Test. This test is key to keeping your license and meeting the legal profession’s high standards in California. It checks your knowledge of legal ethics, professional responsibility, and California’s laws and rules. Practice with the free CLEE - California Law and Ethics practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
Passing the CLEE exam shows you’re committed to ethical and responsible law practice. You’ll know about client confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and following the law. This knowledge helps you serve your clients well and keeps the trust of the legal community.
According to California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Department of Consumer Affairs; exam administered by Pearson VUE, “Any ASW, AMFT, or APCC who has a current, delinquent, or cancelled registration status is eligible to take the California Law and Ethics exam.”[4]
Prepare for the CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: A therapist decides to terminate therapy with a client who has repeatedly violated the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship by showing up late and not complying with treatment plans. What is the therapist’s responsibility when terminating therapy?
Answer: B. Provide the client with several referrals to other therapists and ensure a proper transition.
Explanation:
B is correct. Ending therapy with a client who keeps breaking boundaries does not remove the therapist's duty of care. The therapist should explain the reasons for ending treatment, offer referrals to other qualified providers, and help the client move to new care without a gap.
A is wrong because ending treatment immediately and without explanation amounts to abandoning the client. C is wrong because the client does not have to agree before the therapist can end treatment; it is the therapist's professional decision to make, handled responsibly. D is wrong because a written notice alone, with no referrals and no transition help, does not meet the duty.
Rule to remember: you may end therapy for good reasons, but you must not abandon the client. Explain, refer and support the transition.
Question: Which of the following is a reportable form of elder abuse under California law?
Answer: B. Financial abuse, including theft or misuse of an elder's funds
Explanation:
B is correct. Financial abuse, such as theft, fraud or misuse of an elder's funds or property, is a form of elder abuse that California law makes reportable.
A is wrong because a disagreement between family members over care decisions is a family conflict, not abuse in itself. C is wrong because an elder has the right to decline recommended medical treatment, and a competent person's refusal is not abuse. D is wrong because natural cognitive decline from aging is a health condition, not mistreatment by another person.
Rule to remember: reportable elder abuse involves harm done to the elder or exploitation of them, including financial exploitation. Disagreements, personal choices and ordinary aging are not reportable on their own.
Question: What is the standard of proof required for a mandated reporter to file an elder abuse report?
Answer: C. Reasonable suspicion
Explanation:
C is correct. A mandated reporter does not need proof or certainty before reporting elder abuse. Reasonable suspicion is enough, the same low threshold that applies to child abuse reporting.
A, beyond a reasonable doubt, is the standard for criminal convictions, so it is far too high for a report. B, clear and convincing evidence, is a demanding civil standard, and D, preponderance of the evidence, is the ordinary civil standard. Both ask for more than a reporter should need.
Rule to remember: the reporter's job is to report a reasonable suspicion, not to investigate or prove anything. Investigators decide what the facts show after the report is made.
Start with the official material. Read the BBS Law and Ethics FAQ and the exam page so you know the eligibility rules, the retake wait and what the BBS says the exam covers. Then use the practice sets to find where you are weak.
Take a short mixed set on the main practice test as a baseline. Note which topics you miss, then work through the matching topic sets one at a time, for example Mandated Reporting, Confidentiality and Privilege, Informed Consent and Licensing and Supervision. Add Dual Relationships and Professional Boundaries if boundary questions trip you up.
After each set, read every explanation, including those for questions you got right. Write down the rule behind each miss in a sentence of your own, and check it against the statute or BBS publication rather than relying on our wording alone. Go back to the same topic a few days later and retry the questions you missed.
Near test day, finish with another mixed set under timed conditions, and confirm your booking details with Pearson VUE.
The CLEE (California Law and Ethics Exam) test is key for all California lawyers. It checks their knowledge in legal ethics, professional responsibility, and California-specific regulations. These are vital for keeping the legal field honest and safe for everyone.
Passing the CLEE exam is a must for practicing law in California. It makes sure lawyers know the ethical standards, disciplinary procedures, and client confidentiality rules of the state. By passing, lawyers show they’re committed to following the rules and being responsible professionals.
To take the CLEE exam, you must have passed the California bar exam. This is for those getting their first license or renewing their current one. The State Bar of California runs the exam. It tests if lawyers know the ethics rules and legal education requirements set by the state.
| Exam Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Passing the California Bar Exam | Attorneys must have successfully passed the California bar exam to be eligible for the CLEE test. |
| Initial Licensure or License Renewal | The CLEE exam is required for both new attorneys seeking initial licensure and current attorneys renewing their license to practice law in California. |
| Administration by the State Bar of California | The CLEE exam is administered by the State Bar of California, the regulatory body responsible for attorney licensing and disciplinary procedures in the state. |
Getting ready for the CLEE (California Law and Ethics Exam) means knowing a lot about legal ethics and professional responsibility. It’s key to understand the ethical rules and standards for lawyers. Also, keep up with changes in the legal world.
Start by getting to know the California Rules of Professional Conduct. These rules talk about things like keeping client secrets, avoiding conflicts of interest, and managing client money. Knowing these rules well will help you handle ethical issues in your work.
It’s also important to know what lawyers in California should do. This includes how to talk to clients, what documents you need, and how to handle their money. Keeping up with new laws in California will help you spot and solve any problems during the exam.
Practice with sample questions and take part in continuing education to get ready for the CLEE test. This will improve your knowledge and get you used to the exam’s style. Being proactive in your preparation shows you’re serious about being a responsible lawyer.
| Key Preparation Strategies | Description |
|---|---|
| Review Ethical Rules | Thoroughly understand the California Rules of Professional Conduct, including client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and client trust account management. |
| Understand Legal Responsibilities | Stay informed about the latest developments in California’s legal regulations and the professional conduct expected of attorneys. |
| Practice with Sample Questions | Engage in practice tests and sample questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and structure. |
| Pursue Continuing Education | Participate in ongoing legal ethics and professional responsibility training to maintain a strong grasp of the relevant topics. |
Try these questions from our free CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
When reporting elder abuse in California, the initial report must be made to:
Answer: B. Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement
Reports of elder or dependent adult abuse must be made to Adult Protective Services (APS) or, in facilities, the appropriate licensing agency and law enforcement.
A therapist has a long-term client who runs a business offering services that the therapist could benefit from. The client offers a discount on their services to the therapist. How should the therapist respond?
Answer: B. Politely decline and explain the importance of keeping professional boundaries.
Accepting a discount on services from a client creates a dual relationship and can introduce conflicts of interest or feelings of obligation, compromising the therapeutic relationship's objectivity. Ethical guidelines require therapists to avoid situations where personal gain could influence professional judgment. Politely declining the offer respectfully reinforces professional boundaries and maintains the integrity of the therapeutic process.
Under HIPAA, what is the minimum necessary standard for disclosing protected health information?
Answer: B. Disclose only the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish the purpose
HIPAA's minimum necessary standard requires that only the minimum PHI needed to accomplish the intended purpose be disclosed.
When conducting a suicide risk assessment, which of the following is considered a static (historical) risk factor?
Answer: C. Previous suicide attempts
Previous suicide attempts are static/historical factors—they have already occurred and cannot change—and are among the strongest predictors of future attempts.
Take the full CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam practice test
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