What is grandparenting and who qualifies for it?
The intent behind grandparenting is to include counselors, who have been practicing before licensing standards were in place. To qualify for grandparenting, counselors must have the equivalent of two years of post-degree counseling experience, but they will have an additional 12 months to accrue experience after they submit their application for grandparenting. Applicants for grandparenting must meet requirements for education, supervision and examination. Click here to see 4999.54 regarding grandparenting.
How much time do counselors have to meet the grandparenting requirements?
Counselors have all of 2010 to take any coursework or continuing education, that they know they are missing. Counselors will submit their applications to the BBS between January 1 and June 30, 2011. The BBS will evaluate the applications and send a letter to each applicant outlining any deficiencies. Counselors will then have 12 months from the date of this letter to make up any deficiencies listed by the BBS. Deficiencies that can be completed during those 12 months include the two years post-degree experience, supervised hours, coursework and examinations. So, if counselors begin January 2010, they will have about two years to meet grandfathering requirements.
What about May 2010 graduates? Can they qualify for grandparenting?
These graduates may be able to meet the grandparenting timeline by utilizing the 12 months described above to meet the two-year post-degree requirement.
What about counselors who will not qualify for grandparenting?
Counselors, who cannot meet the two-year post-degree experience required for grandparenting, can register as an intern with the BBS, beginning January 1, 2011, to start their two years of supervised experience. Counselors can apply for regular licensure, beginning Jan 1, 2012. View a summary of requirements for those beginning graduate study before 2012 or view 4999.32 regarding licensure requirements.
Can MFTs and LCSWs be grandparented as LPCCs?
MFTs and LCSWs who are currently licensed in California can be grandparented, if they have at least three-semester-units or 4.5-quarter-units of coursework in each of the core content areas required for the LPCC. They have already met requirements for supervision.
View a description of the required core content areas
The BBS Board has recently determined that MFTs and LCSWs will need to pass an examination on the differences between the practices of their professions and the practice of professional clinical counseling, in order to be grandparented as LPCCs. These differences appear to be in the areas of research, appraisal/testing, and career development. These "gap" exams are under development.
MFTs and LCSWs should contact their professional organizations if they have further questions.
What about certificates? Will they be accepted for grandparenting?
Certificates are not accepted for grandparenting. Counselors will need to meet requirements for education, supervision and examination. Counselors with certificates may have already met these requirements, but they will have to submit documentation of each area to the BBS.
