Associate Professional Clinical Counselor Registration - Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper

Board of Behavioral Sciences provides an application packet and educational requirements guide for Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) registration for out-of-state and out-of-country applicants. The materials outline the 90-day graduation rule for counting California experience hours, define out-of-state versus out-of-country degrees, and describe steps toward later eligibility for the CA Law and Ethics Exam and the NCMHCE. It also summarizes minimum degree requirements, remediation rules, acceptable course providers, and pathways for LPCC licensure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages50

Reading Time2 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

How will I know if my degree qualifies for registration as an APCC?

What are the minimum degree requirements for APCC registration?

What additional coursework must I take prior to issuance of my APCC registration?

What additional units and coursework must I complete prior to approval of my Application for LPCC Licensure?

Who is an acceptable course provider?

What if my degree is from a school located outside of the United States?

Summary Chart: LPCC Education Requirements & Remediation

Core Content Areas (CCAs)

Board of Behavioral Sciences 1625 North Market Blvd. , Suite S200, Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone: (916) 574-7830 [www.bbs.ca.gov](www.bbs.ca.gov) APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELOR REGISTRATION Out-of-State* and Out-of-Country** Applicants 􀂨 Apply within 90 days of graduation*** to count experience hours gained in California immediately after graduating See 90-day Rule FAQ on the Board’s website for details Thank you for your interest in becoming an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) . Included in this packet are the following forms and documents: 1. Application Selector and Overview of Licensure Process 2. Guide to Educational Requirements for APCCs 3. Application Instructions 4. Application Checklist 5. Important Information for Applicants 6. Application for Registration as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor 7. Degree Program Certification Form (Out-of-State Degree) 8. Degree Program Worksheet (Out-of-Country Degree) 9. Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country 10. Instructions for Live Scan Fingerprinting 11. Request for Live Scan Service Form *Out-of-State means an applicant with a degree from a school located outside of California, or from an online program that is not designed to meet California’s requirements. **Out-of-Country means an applicant with a degree from a school located outside of the United States or its territories. ***Per the degree award date posted on your transcript LPCC Out-of-State/Out-of-Country Application Selector and Overview of Licensure Process This is a summary. For a full description of licensure requirements, see Statutes and Regulations. Submit the APCC Out-ofState/Out-of-Country Application Click Here for APCC Application Once you receive an APCC registration you may apply to take the CA Law and Ethics Exam, which you must take prior to renewing your APCC registration After obtaining 3,000 hours of qualifying experience and completing Additional Coursework you may submit the LPCC IN-STATE Application Click Here for LPCC Application Once your LPCC application is approved and you have passed the Law and Ethics Exam you will be eligible to sit for the NCMHCE* Submit the LPCC Out-of-State/Out-ofCountry Application ( Path A or Path B ) Click Here for Path A Application Click Here for Path B Application Path A Once approved you will be eligible to sit for the CA Law and Ethics Exam Path B Once approved you will be eligible to sit for the CA Law and Ethics Exam *NCMHCE = National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam Revised 06/2023 Guide to Educational Requirements Associate Professional Clinical Counselor OUT-OF-STATE AND OUT-OF-COUNTRY APPLICANTS This guide is for Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) applicants with an out-of-state or out-of-country degree.“Out-of-State”means a degree from a school located outside of California, or from an online program that is not designed to meet California’s requirements.“Outof-Country” means a degree earned from a school located outside of the United States or its territories. APCC applicants with an out-of-state or out-of-country degree must meet the educational requirements specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections 4999.61 and 4999.62. This document provides a summary of those requirements. TABLE OF CONTENTS How will I know if my degree qualifies for registration as an APCC? ................................1 What are the minimum degree requirements for APCC registration? ...............................2 What additional coursework must I take prior to issuance of my APCC registration? ....3 What additional units and coursework must I complete prior to approval of my Application for LPCC Licensure? .......................................................................................... 3 Who is an acceptable course provider? ................................

FAQs

What does the “out-of-state” and “out-of-country” definition mean for APCC applicants?

“Out-of-State” refers to degrees from schools outside California or online programs not designed to meet California requirements. “Out-of-Country” refers to degrees from schools outside the United States or its territories.

How does the 90-day graduation rule affect counting experience hours in California?

Applicants must apply within 90 days of graduation to count experience hours gained in California immediately after graduating, with details provided via the Board’s 90-day Rule FAQ.

What happens if my out-of-state or out-of-country degree does not contain all minimum requirements?

If the degree does not fully contain all minimum requirements for APCC registration, it will not qualify in California and a new degree would be required to qualify.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper