When You Are The Target of a BBS or Ethics Investigation...
What You Need To Know

Self-Assessment Test in Law and Ethics
This Course meets the qualifications for continuing education credit in Law and Ethics for LMFTs and LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Dear Member:

For those who practice or plan to practice for a long period of time, it is certainly possible that you will in some way be embroiled in some difficulty involving the licensing board or the Association’s Ethics Committee. For those who go through an entire career without being contacted by the BBS, you are fortunate. For those who go through an entire career without being the subject of an ethics complaint, you too are fortunate. Neither of these events are necessarily career threatening, but they may be. They certainly can be annoying and a source of concern or worry. Depending upon the circumstances, they can have far reaching implications. Therapists must be knowledgeable about their rights and about the steps that they can take in order to act effectively and in order to protect their licenses.

Licensing is not a right, but it is a privilege granted by the state. However, once a person is licensed by the state, as with California LMFTs, they have a valuable property right to pursue their professions. This right cannot be taken away by the state without it following certain procedures. Members who join CAMFT agree to abide by its Code of Ethics. Alleged violations of the Code may be investigated and cases may be pursued by the Ethics Committee upon the complaint, for example, of a patient. Licensees who are investigated by their peers (the Ethics Committee) must be prepared to respond appropriately. Likewise, licensees who are investigated by state government (the BBS) must respond appropriately. This test is intended to inform the taker of what kind of rights, obligations, or options he/she may have in such proceedings.

This continuing education self-assessment test, like the prior tests, is sponsored by CAMFT in partnership with Richard S. Leslie, J.D., who created the test and made it available to CAMFT. THERE IS NO PASSING OR FAILING SCORE. Here is how it works:

1. Take the test by answering true or false to each question.
2. Take the test online. There is a $35 charge for the test and you can pay with your credit card by filling in the requested information. Please Note: Once you make your online payment you have five hours available to take the test; after five hours the test will not be available to you online. In order to complete the test you will have to call CAMFT at (888) 892-2638 and request the test be sent to you by fax or e-mail.
3. CAMFT will send you the answers (including explanations), an evaluation form, and a certificate of course completion. You will earn two hours of self-study CE credits in Law and Ethics.

Don't want to take the test on line? You can print the test in PDF format and mail it to CAMFT.

1. Receive the test in PDF format
2. Print the test, complete the answer sheet and follow the directions to submit the test by mail or fax.
3. Make sure you have included your name and credit card information; the cost of the test is $35.
4. CAMFT will send you the answers (including explanations), an evaluation form, and a certificate of course completion. You will earn two hours of self-study CE credit in law and ethics.

There is no need to feel intimidated or embarrassed if you are not confident of the correct answers. You grade yourself. The goal is for you to learn what you know and what you don't know. A review of the evaluation forms submitted by prior test takes indicates unequivocally that participants find the tests to be an effective and valuable learning tools.

Remember: you can acquire all of the six-hour Law and Ethics continuing education requirements by taking these tests. It takes completion of only three tests to achieve the mandatory six hours in Law and Ethics. Further, if you enjoy this manner of supplementing your understanding of legal and ethical issues, you may acquire more than six hours in this important aspect of practice. You are limited to a maximum of 18 hours in self-study per license renewal period or 9 hours for your initial license renewal period.

We respectfully request that the answer sheet you will receive not be shared without prior written permission. The test and answers are copyrighted material. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the proprietary nature of this material. We encourage and look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,

Mary Riemersma
Executive Director

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists is approved for Continuing Education Units by:

California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Provider # PCE 50) for LFMTs and LCSWs;
California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider # CEP 4046);
The National Board of Certified Counselors (Provider # 5306)
California Foundation for Advancement of Addiction Professionals (formerly CAADAC) (Provider # IS-95-319-1010). CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

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Reference to Use with this Self-Assessment Test Article(s):

Laws

www.leginfo.ca.gov

• Click on “California Law”
• Click on the relevant Code
• Click “Search”
  

  - Business and Professions Code Sections: 125.9, 494, 805, 820, 822, 4982, 4982.26
  - Penal Code Section :23
  - Government Code Sections: 11517(c)(2), 11425.20, 11523
  - Code of Civil Procedure Section: 1094.5
  

• Click on "Bill Information"
  

  - In the search field, enter SB 1111 (2010)

CAMFT Articles

• CAMFT Ethical Standards Part II

Court Rulings

• Ettinger v. Board of Medical Quality Assurance
    (1982) 135 Cal.App.3d 853
•  Gray v. Superior Court 
     (205) 125Cal.App.4th 629

Additional Resources

• Review your personal malpractice insurance policy
• Disciplinary Key in The Therapist section on Disciplinary Actions