2024 California Law and Ethics 6-Hour for LMFTs, LPCCs, & LCSWs

Information on changes to state law for 2024, and key reminders of legal and ethical standards impacting the work of licensed clinicians. Meets BBS requirements for a 6-hour Law & Ethics course for LMFT, LPCC, or LCSW license renewal. 6 hours CE

On-demand video format. Complete at your own pace.

Instructor

Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD, LMFT

Course Description

Therapists often wonder and worry about proper practices related to the use of artificial intelligence, telehealth across state lines, personal values, and other legal and ethical issues. This course highlights recent changes to California state law, as well as common legal and ethical concerns, that impact the work of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs). Specific topics include California’s updated definition of “gravely disabled,” changes in privilege law, changes in elder abuse reporting protocols, interstate compacts, the ethical use of AI, impairment, debate surrounding licensure requirements, and the role of personal values in therapy.

This course is designed to fulfill California BBS requirements for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs to complete 6 hours of continuing education in Law & Ethics in each two-year licensure period.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe at least four recent changes to state law impacting mental health care
2. Describe two changes in California’s 2024 legal definition of “gravely disabled”
3. List two key considerations when determining whether to provide treatment to a client located outside of California
4. Identify one critical ethical concern related to the role of personal values in therapy
5. Describe at least two current applications of artificial intelligence in mental health care
6. Identify at least one policy action that states could take to improve accessibility of mental health care from licensed providers

Course Outline and Format

1. Introduction
2. What’s New (changes in state law)
      a. Legal changes for 2023 and earlier
      b. Legal changes for 2024
      c. Legal changes under consideration
3. What’s Tough (legal and ethical issues of current debate and controversy)
      a. Practicing across state and country lines
      b. License portability and interstate compacts
      c. Artificial intelligence
      d. Impairment and burnout
      e. Employment law
      f. Licensure requirements and access to care
4. What Matters (personal and professional values in treatment)
      a. Understanding personal and professional values
      b. Value conflicts
      c. Legal and ethical boundaries
      d. Self-disclosure
      e. Addressing value-based concerns
   

On-demand video format. Total running time at least 6 hours.

Course Completion and CE Certificates

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.

CE Provider Approval

Ben Caldwell Labs Inc d/b/a High Pass Education is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (#137848) to provide continuing education for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and educational psychologists. Ben Caldwell Labs Inc d/b/a High Pass Education maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

This course meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Refunds, Grievances, Accommodations, and Additional Policies

Our policies on Accommodations can be found on our Accessibility page. All course videos are captioned. Our other CE policies can be found here.

Course History

Published May 13, 2024.