California Law and Ethics for BBS Associates (AMFTs, APCCs, & ASWs) - 2026
Information on changes to state law for 2026 and beyond, and advanced discussion of legal and ethical standards impacting the work of prelicensed clinicians. Meets BBS requirements for a 3-hour Law & Ethics course for associate registration renewal. 3 hours CE
On-demand video format. Complete at your own pace.
| Please note - This 3-hour CE course is intended to fulfill requirements for Associate registration renewal. It is not a prep course for your Law & Ethics Exam. Please visit our Exam Prep collection for courses built to prepare you for your L&E Exam. |
Course Description
This course highlights recent changes to California state law, as well as common legal and ethical concerns, that impact the work of Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFTs), Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASWs), and Associate Professional Clinical Counselors (APCCs). Specific topics for this edition include 2026 and planned future law changes, key areas of risk for associates, documentation of sensitive information, and working with difficult clients.
This course is designed to conform with Assembly Bill 1759 (2022), which requires all California BBS registrants to complete 3 hours of continuing education in Law & Ethics in each one-year registration renewal period.
Course Information
- Introduction (0:08)
- Legal changes for 2026 (0:36)
- Planned future changes in law (0:20)
a. Licensing and exam process
b. Additional regulatory changes - Changes in professional ethics (0:29)
a. Areas of ethical evolution
b. Proposed CAMFT changes
c. Proposed AAMFT changes - Key risk areas for associates (0:17)
- Documentation of sensitive client information (0:32)
a. Specific documentation standards
b. Types of sensitive information
c. Techniques for protecting sensitive information - Working with difficult clients (0:42)
a. Using supervision
b. Guidelines around termination
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least two recent changes to state law impacting mental health care in 2026
- Describe at least two planned future changes to statutes and regulations impacting BBS associates
- Identify at least three risk areas for associates related to legal and ethical compliance
- Apply at least one technique for protecting sensitive client information while documenting care in accordance with legal and ethical standards
- List at least two common dynamics that lead to therapists experiencing clients as difficult, and the appropriate ethical response to each
Published October 21, 2025
about the presenter
Ben Caldwell, PsyD
Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Adjunct Faculty for California State University Northridge. He is the author of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and lead author of AAMFT’s Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy. He has published and presented around the country on issues related to law, ethics, technology, supervision, and professional development.
Administrative Information
To complete the course, watch all required video components, complete a quiz on course content with a score of at least 80%, and complete a satisfaction survey. When all course components have been successfully completed, your certificate will issue automatically and can be downloaded from your dashboard.
Our policies on Accommodations can be found on our Accessibility page. All course videos are captioned. Our other CE policies can be found here.
On-demand video format. Total running time approximately 3 hours, 3 minutes.
All video segments include captioning.
Continuing Education Provider Approval
Ben Caldwell Labs d/b/a High Pass Education is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for California LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Ben Caldwell Labs d/b/a High Pass Education maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. CAMFT CEPA provider #137848. This course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, and/or LPCCs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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