BBS Update

January/February 2008

By Mary Riemersma, Executive Director

The BBS met in mid-November, and among other things, discussed or took action on the following items.

Experience Calculator for Hours of Experience
The BBS has created an experience calculator for persons pursuing the MFT license and the CSW license. It is not mandatory that one use the calculator, but it was created to assist applicants in the sometimes daunting task of accurately identifying and totaling hours of experience. It is available on the BBS website at www.bbs.ca.gov and can be accessed by clicking on the applicant/registrant bar at the top of the homepage of the BBS website.

Acceptability of Degrees to Be Granted by Approved Schools
As we have previously reported, the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) has been extended by the legislature to July 1, 2008. The legislation permits degrees from approved schools to be accepted to January 1, 2009. While there continues to be legislation pending that could recreate the BPPVE in some form, no one has any certainty as to what could become of that legislation. The BBS has taken every reasonable step to try to pass law and regulation to protect as many in the pipeline as possible, however, the legislature has not been receptive to permitting this legislation to move forward and without supporting legislation, regulation may likewise be impossible. The legislature and Governor want to see the whole system fixed and are unwilling to look at short-term, partial fixes. While we have been on the periphery of what is happening to approved schools, we have been supportive of finding a mechanism to continue these programs that allows alternative ways for students to acquire education to prepare them for MFT licensure. The BBS pursued a legislative fix last year, but legislators were not willing to accept a short-term fix when they believe the whole bureau is in need of an overhaul.

The BBS will once again pursue legislation in 2008 and will simultaneously begin the process for a change in regulation. The desire is to accept degrees that are accredited by most legitimate accrediting bodies. The overarching problem will be corrected for some schools if the BBS 2008 proposed legislation is ultimately signed, but it will not save all unaccredited schools—it will save only those that are accredited by another accrediting body. The BBS, by regulation is looking to extend the period of time that degrees from approved schools will be accepted, but they may not have the legal authority to do what they are trying to do and may be prevented from moving forward. Regardless, they have to be commended for attempting to identify every possible solution to this very complex problem.

Some schools may be able to acquire accreditation from a regionally accepted accrediting body by the time the Bureau is extinguished, but the task will prove challenging and possibly even insurmountable. Approved schools are, of course, significantly down in enrollments due to the uncertainty of the future of their degree programs. A number of approved schools are not accepting new enrollees because of this uncertain future.

Because no one is capable of looking into a crystal ball to determine what the future holds, those acquiring degrees to be granted by approved schools should make every effort to complete their programs of study by the end of 2008 to have full assurance of their degrees qualifying for licensure.

The only other options if the Bureau should disintegrate and no governmental body is created to take its place, are:

The Board could accept the degrees of these schools, but the schools would become selfpolicing. This option might be okay in the short term but would not be satisfactory as a long-term solution. Further such degrees would not meet out-of-state licensure criteria for persons needing to relocate. But, even this possible solution would require legislation.

The Board could become the body that oversees the approved schools and their curriculum. This arrangement is not a desirable solution for them as the BBS believes it would be far removed for their current skills and capabilities and would divert attention away from the reasons for their existence.

It could be another accrediting body accredits these educational programs, such as the AAMFT Commission on Accreditation (COA), however, the COA has not, in the past, and does not now accredit schools unless they are already accredited by a regionally accepted accrediting body. There could be a wholly new entity created solely for the purpose of overseeing/policing the development and continued existence of MFT educational programs not otherwise accredited.

BBS Strategic Plan
The BBS has recently completed the process of strategic planning and has adopted a new strategic plan. Persons interested in better understanding the BBS role and direction may view the recently accepted Strategic Plan on the BBS website at www.bbs. ca.gov.

SB 797—Statute of Limitations for Cases Involving Sexual Contact with a Minor
The BBS voted to take a position of support on this legislation, however, they, like CAMFT, were of the opinion that it should be applicable to all health care professionals, or especially mental health care professionals, and plan to make that concern known to the author, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Licensing Fee Reduction and Redirection
Due to surplus funds, the BBS took action to temporarily reduce license renewal fees for its licentiates and to redirect this reduction to the Licensed Mental Health Service Provider Education Program. The $20 fee reduction will be directed to the Health Professions Education Foundation who, through its Advisory Committee, will select recipients to receive up to $15,000 each to repay outstanding school loans, when they are pursuing one of the mental health disciplines and commit to work in a mental health professions’ shortage area. The funds derived from MFTs are used to reimburse MFTs. The bottom line for the MFT licensee is that one will see any change in the fees paid on renewal to the BBS.

Changing MFT Educational Requirements
The BBS discussed the evolving educational requirements and the legislation that will be pursued in 2008 to significantly alter the requirements for MFT licensure in the state of California. These changes will also necessitate changes in the educational requirements for those who move to California and seek licensure. The BBS has yet to work on the proposed changes for those coming into California who may have been licensed in one or more states, or who may have had education and experience, or solely education from out of state. To identify the necessary changes in educational preparation, the BBS brought together an array of stakeholders, consumers, and family members to determine the best direction for the changing requirements. We believe the Board’s efforts to hear from all interested parties is to be commended, and we further believe that the proposed changes will help to make newly educated MFTs better prepared for the marketplace that they will enter. These changes will have no impact on those already licensed or in the pipeline in pursuit of licensure. Nothing from the old curriculum has been removed, except that greater educational discretion will be provided by relaxing some of the specific unit requirements that exi

BBS Update January/February 2008