Updated! 2025

California Law and Ethics for Social Workers, MFTS, & Counselors

Course content available in articles and audio.

This course fulfills BBS requirements for all California MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, & LEPs, & Ethics

CEs are NOT available for psychologists for this course.

This course is designed to provide a broad understanding of the laws and ethics associated with clinical practice in California for MFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs. Tips and interactive engagement enable optimal learning, application and retention of the information.

This foundational course offers six articles that cover fundamental areas of legal and ethical issues associated with professional practice. Included is information on confidentiality, consent, record keeping, and engaging in telemental health. Additionally, legal standards for professional practice are covered, including sexual conduct and unprofessional conduct. Several articles contain self-test questions in order to clarify and further articulate principles reviewed and discussed. An additional resource for the clinician is provided at the end of the course.

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Summarize the elements of informed consent
Discuss ethical and legal considerations when engaging in telehealth
Review the ethical and legal mandates related to sexual conduct
Summarize the actions that constitute unprofessional conduct

Syllabus

Confidentiality and Consent
- Confidentiality
  - Protecting client’s right to privacy
  - Maintaining confidentiality when disseminating information
- Consent
  - Providing service in person or via telemental health
- Maintaining clinical records
  - Documentation
  - Storage of records
  - Disposal of records
  - Maintaining confidentiality of records
  - Managing requests for records

Engaging in telemental health
- Informed consent
- Practicing across state lines
- Ethical considerations

Legal standards for professional practice
- Compliance with laws and regulations associated with professional conduct
- Regulations associated with sexual contact/conduct between therapist and client

CLAE103_3N

December 11, 2025

Syllabus

Confidentiality and Consent
- Confidentiality
  - Protecting client’s right to privacy
  - Maintaining confidentiality when disseminating information
- Consent
  - Providing service in person or via telemental health
- Maintaining clinical records
  - Documentation
  - Storage of records
  - Disposal of records
  - Maintaining confidentiality of records
  - Managing requests for records

Engaging in telemental health
- Informed consent
- Practicing across state lines
- Ethical considerations

Legal standards for professional practice
- Compliance with laws and regulations associated with professional conduct
- Regulations associated with sexual contact/conduct between therapist and client