For most registrants, renewing a California AMFT, APCC, or ASW registration is quick and easy. Here's what you need to do to renew an associate registration with the BBS, and what you need to have completed in advance.
One quick definition first. Your registration period is one year. When you first register, it's the time between the issuance of your number and when it would first expire a year later. After that, it's the time between your last renewal and your next expiration date.
Before you renew
Law & Ethics Exam. You need to at least attempt the Law & Ethics Exam for your profession once in each renewal period until you pass it. For most people, once you have passed the L&E Exam, you will not ever need to take it again. We have excellent prep programs for the California LMFT Law & Ethics Exam, the California LPCC Law & Ethics Exam, and the California LCSW Law & Ethics Exam.
Law & Ethics Continuing Education. You need to complete a 3-hour CE course in California Law & Ethics prior to each registration renewal, even if you have already passed the Law & Ethics Exam. The exam and the CE course are separate requirements. We have a 3-hour Law & Ethics CE course designed to meet this requirement, and we update the course each year.
Other continuing education requirements may be needed for when you apply for licensure, depending on what content was included in your graduate degree. But those are not needed to renew an associate registration. Only the 3-hour Law & Ethics CE course is required for registration renewal.
When to renew
The Breeze system will typically allow you to renew a registration up to 90 days in advance of its expiration date. Prior to that time, renewing will not be a visible option on Breeze. You should not renew your registration until you have completed the required CE course described above.
To be on the safe side, we recommend taking your Law & Ethics Exam (if necessary) at least 10 days before your registration is set to expire, and filing for renewal on Breeze at least a week before that expiration date. That way, if anything holds up the process, you'll have time to contact the BBS in an effort to get it straightened out.
How to renew
Renewing a registration is fast and easy on the state's Breeze system. You should:
- Register for an account on Breeze (if you don't already have one)
- Connect your registration to your account (if you haven't done this previously)
- Apply to renew your registration (available under "License Activities")
The renewal application typically takes less than 5 minutes. In most cases, you will not need to upload any documents. The BBS receives exam results automatically, and you will simply check a box attesting that you completed the required CE. You should retain copies of CE certificates in the event of a future audit.
Your registration renewal process is not complete until you have paid your renewal fee, completed all steps of the renewal application, and had your registration expiration date extended on Breeze.
Registration renewals are typically processed quickly, often within one business day. However, the process can be delayed if the BBS has not received the results from your Law & Ethics Exam (this typically happens within 1-2 business days).
As you can see, the renewal process is typically quick and easy. A registration can remain valid for a total of six years; for more information on this, check out my explainer on the six-year rule for California AMFTs, APCCs, and ASWs.
