We announced a few months ago that the BBS was going to delay the changing of the MFT and LCSW exams in California. We are here today to confirm that the exams will not change until January 1, 2016.
The new exams were scheduled to begin as of January 1, 2014 (it was already pushed back once from the January 1, 2013). The original announcement that the date was going to be moved to 2015 or 2016 was made to stakeholders at the BBS California Policy and Advocacy meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Kim Madsen, Executive Officer of the Board of Behavioral Sciences, reported that the BBS will be launching a new software system for on-line applications and renewals and the BBS wants to make sure the software is working smoothly before changing the exam structures. She also requested that the associations and agencies release this information to members and constituents.
However many people have contacted us reporting that there is nothing mentioned on the BBS website and in fact a recent publication from the BBS (http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/
We found it hard to believe that the BBS would move forward with the changes to the LCSW and MFT exams with no mention of the changes in the candidate handbooks, which still reflect the current exams.
So we did some investigating and learned that the changes are "in the works" and are part of California Senate Bill 821 that is currently in the State Assembly after having passed in the Senate.
Here are the relevant sections of the bill:
Regarding MFT exams:
4980.397.
(a) Effective January 1, 2016, an applicant for
licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall pass the following
two examinations as prescribed by the board:
(1) A California law and ethics examination.
(2) A clinical examination.
(b) Upon registration with the board, a marriage and family
therapist intern shall, within the first year of registration, take an
examination on California law and ethics.
Regarding LCSW Exams:
4992.05.
(a) Effective January 1, 2016, an applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall pass the following two examinations as prescribed by the board:
(1) A California law and ethics examination.
(2) A clinical examination.
(b) Upon registration with the board, an associate social worker
registrant shall, within the first year of registration, take an
examination on California law and ethics.
See full bill here:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/
And finally, as if that wasn't enough already...here is the status of SB821 (yes, you can actually check on it every day if you want!):
http://openstates.org/ca/
Please spread the word to your MFT and social work peers. We don't want people worrying about something that won't happen for 2 years.
And for those of you worried about the Standard Written and Clinical Vignette exam, remember that 95% of social workers and 96% of MFTs pass using our highly efficient study systems.
Lastly, we offer free consults with anyone who plans to take the exams in the next 6 months and would like to learn how and when to study.
4992.05.
(a) Effective January 1, 2016, an applicant for
21licensure as a clinical social worker shall pass the following two
22examinations as prescribed by the board:
23(1) A California law and ethics examination.
24(2) A clinical examination.
25(b) Upon registration with the board, an associate social worker
26registrant shall, within the first year of registration, take an
27examination on California law and ethics.
Comments
What about the changes to passing scores? I took my test today and got a 20 however the passing score apparently switched from 20 to 21 18 days ago on July 1 2014. I was devastated. I couldn't find anything regarding the change on the BBS website and wasn't sure if there was anything I could do?