June 26, 2014
Jill Epstein, JD
Executive Director
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A. Continuing Education Regulations
In 2012 and 2013, the BBS underwent an extensive committee process to revise
its regulations related to continuing education. The regulations were reviewed
by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and several changes were recently
proposed. The substance of these changes required another review by the BBS,
to be followed by a 15-day comment period.
The Board discussed:
1. Continuing Education Course Content Language – OAL suggested that
the subsection dealing with course content should be replaced with language
that CE courses must “be supported using research practices and procedures
which are generally accepted in mental health research and which have been
subjected to external peer review”.
The Board’s preference was to delete the language that was proposed by
the OAL since the goals requiring courses have a methodological, theoretical,
research or practice knowledge base are accomplished elsewhere in the regulatory
language.
The OAL deleted the section that had stated that “courses shall not predominantly
reflect the commercial views of the provider or any other person giving financial
assistance to the provider”. The Board agreed that the risk is minimal
and the language was too vague and, thus, agreed to deleting the section.
Finally, the OAL amended the section on records of course completion to require
the provider to include the board-recognized approval agency name or a statement
that the provider is one of the entities recognized by the board to provide
continuing education. The Board agreed with that amendment.
2. Timeline/phase out period to account for the delay of the regulation package
- The new proposed timelines are:
-
January 1, 2015 – The Board begins accepting documentation from entities
wishing to become a Board-recognized approval agency. At this time, the
Board also ceases accepting applications for new Board-approved CE provider
numbers.
-
July 1, 2015 – Language implementing the Board’s existing CE
approval program sunsets. Board approved CE providers will no longer be
renewed. CE
providers expiring after July 1, 2015 cannot be renewed early to avoid
the deadline. All Board-approved CE providers with a number that expires
after
July 1, 2015 may continue providing CE coursework until the provider
number expires.
B. AB 186 Military Spouses: Temporary Licenses
This bill would require a board within the Department of Consumer Affairs
(DCA) to issue a temporary license to a spouse of a military member who is
already
eligible for an expedited license. The BBS does not currently offer temporary
licenses. Existing law requires the BBS to expedite the licensing process
for an applicant (who holds a current license in another state in the same
profession
for which he/she is seeking a CA license) who is married to or in a domestic
partnership with an active member of the US Military who is assigned to active
duty in California.
An amendment was accepted to require passage of the CA law and ethics exam,
but other requested amendments have not been made to date.
CAMFT raised concern that these applicants would not be immediately subject
to the requirements imposed on other applicants for licensure.
The Board voted to oppose unless amended to exempt the BBS from this
bill.
C. Future Agenda
CAMFT requested that a future agenda include a discussion about waiving
the intern registration fee for interns who have submitted all hours
and are
waiting in the 8+ month queue for review when their registration
renewal comes due.