Counselors · California · Continuing education
California Counselor (LPC) CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LPCC36 hours every 2 years, including 6 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 7 h HIV/AIDS (before the first renewal), 6 h suicide prevention (once), 6 h clinical supervision; renewal on the anniversary of your license date.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
California LPCC CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 36hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- License anniversary
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the anniversary of your license date
- Accepted credit
- Courses from providers approved by APA, ASWB, CAMFT, CPA, NASP, NASW or NBCC; Board-recognized providers (AAMFT, AAMFT-CA, CALPCC, CAMFT, NASW-CA, CSCSW, CASP, CPA, CCA, ACA); qualifying postsecondary institutions (1 semester unit = 15 h, 1 quarter unit = 10 h); teaching for accepted providers (max 18 h per period)
- New licensees
- First renewal: 36 hours during the first renewal period plus a 7-hour HIV/AIDS course (and the one-time suicide and telehealth courses if not submitted with the licensure application).
- Audits & records
- Certify completion under penalty of perjury at renewal; do not submit certificates unless audited. Keep records at least 2 years from the renewal date.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & law | 6 | every renewal |
| HIV/AIDS | 7 | before the first renewal |
| Suicide preventionLicensees renewing or reactivating after Jan 1, 2021 (unless submitted with the licensure application) | 6 | once |
| Clinical supervisionSupervisors of associates and MFT trainees (continuing professional development) | 6 | every renewal |
| Telehealth / telepracticeLicensees renewing or reactivating after Jul 1, 2023 (must include telehealth law and ethics) | 3 | once |
Good to know. Renewal period runs from the day after issue/prior expiration to the license expiration date. One-time courses taken before the renewal period count for the one-time requirement but not toward the 36 hours. Associates: 3 hours California law and ethics per yearly renewal.
Source: www.bbs.ca.gov · Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §4999.76; 16 CCR §1887.3 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
05 Questions
How many CE hours do counselors need in California?
36 hours every 2 years.
How do I verify a counselor license in California?
Use the license lookup of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (bbs.ca.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for counselors in California?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 6 h (every renewal); HIV/AIDS — 7 h (before the first renewal); Suicide prevention — 6 h (once); Clinical supervision — 6 h (every renewal); Telehealth / telepractice — 3 h (once).
Which CE courses count for counselors in California?
Courses from providers approved by APA, ASWB, CAMFT, CPA, NASP, NASW or NBCC; Board-recognized providers (AAMFT, AAMFT-CA, CALPCC, CAMFT, NASW-CA, CSCSW, CASP, CPA, CCA, ACA); qualifying postsecondary institutions (1 semester unit = 15 h, 1 quarter unit = 10 h); teaching for accepted providers (max 18 h per period).
When is the renewal deadline for counselors in California?
Licenses renew on the anniversary of your license date (2 years cycle).