BBS Announcement: Three COVID-19-Related Waivers Extended

From the California Board of Behavioral Sciences:

Three of the current COVID related waivers have been recently extended (These waivers have been updated  on our COVID-19 page for review.).

Passing the Law & Ethics exam requirement for a Subsequent Registration Number

This waiver allows registrants who’s number has reached it’s 6yr limit between 3/31/20 – 4/30/21, to be eligible for a subsequent registration number without the required passing score of the law & ethics exam.  However, after being issued the subsequent registration number, the registrant MUST pass the law & ethics exam before BBS will renew the subsequent registration number.

– BBS FAQ – https://bbs.ca.gov/pdf/law_ethics_exam_waiver_faq.pdf
– Actual DCA Waiver – https://www.dca.ca.gov/licensees/dca_21_125.pdf

Face-to-Face Supervision and Training

Associates
The waiver means that, regardless of the type of setting associates are working in (including private practices), they are not required by law to meet with their supervisor in-person during this state of emergency. Instead, they may gain their required weekly direct supervisor contact via two-way, real-time videoconferencing.

Trainees
The waiver means that MFT and PCC trainees are not required to provide in person “face-to-face” mental health services in order to meet their practicum hours, and instead are able to meet this requirement using telehealth.

– BBS FAQ – https://bbs.ca.gov/pdf/temp_waiver_facetoface.pdf
– Actual DCA Waiver – https://www.dca.ca.gov/licensees/dca_21_120.pdf

License/Registration Renewal Requirements

Licensees
The waiver allows licensees a 6 month grace period to complete all required Continuing Education requirements for renewal.  This only affects licensees who’s license expires between 3/31/20 – 3/31/21.  ** Reminder, BBS regulations allow BBS licensees the ability to complete all CE hours online.  BBS does not have any ‘in-person’ or ‘live’ CE requirements as other Boards may.

Registrants
The waiver allows registrants who’s registration is up for renewal between 3/31/20 – 3/31/21, the ability to renew their registration without the required attempt at the law & ethics exam.  However, the waiver does indicate the exam needs to be attempted within 6 months.

– BBS FAQ – https://bbs.ca.gov/pdf/bbs_wavier_faqs.pdf
– Actual DCA Waiver – https://www.dca.ca.gov/licensees/dca_21_117.pdf

Keep up-to-date will all COVID-19 Waivers by visiting our COVID-19 page – https://bbs.ca.gov/consumers/coronavirus.html
You can also review the information on the Department’s COVID page – https://www.dca.ca.gov/licensees/waiver_request_info.shtml

BBS’s newest newsletter has also been posted on their website. You can find it here, https://bbs.ca.gov/pdf/newsletters/jan_2021_web.pdf