37A-509 (Revised 01/2021)
APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME
Allow 4–6 weeks for processing. Please do not contact the Board to check on the status unless
your application has been on file for 45 or more days. Pearson Vue administers the exam. After the
Board processes your application, you will receive an e-mail notifying you of eligibility from Pearson
Vue. You may contact Pearson Vue to schedule your exam once you receive the email. Do not
attempt to schedule a date with Pearson Vue until you receive notification of eligibility. Pearson Vue
testing centers are located throughout the state as well as some out of state, offering testing 5–6
days a week. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for testing site locations.
EXPEDITED PROCESSING
The Board is required to expedite the licensure process for the following applicants:
• Honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces pursuant to Business and
Professions Code (BPC) section 115.4. Download the request form from the Board’s website
and include it ON TOP OF your application.
• Spouses/Partners of persons on active duty military pursuant to BPC section 115.5.
Download the request form from the Board’s website and include it ON TOP OF your
application.
• Refugees / Asylees / Special Immigrant Status Holders ("SI" or "SQ") pursuant to BPC
section 135.4. Download the request form from the Board’s website and include it ON TOP OF
your application.
TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to candidates who have a qualifying disability or
medical condition. All testing sites are physically accessible to individuals with disabilities. All other
accommodations require pre-approval of a Request for Accommodation. If English is your second
language (ESL), you may apply for an ESL accommodation.
LAW AND ETHICS EXAM – IMPACT ON ASSOCIATE REGISTRATION RENEWAL
Registrants Must Take the California Law and Ethics Exam to Renew
You are required to take the California Law and Ethics Exam for the license type you are pursuing
while a registrant in order to renew (unless you have already passed the California Law and Ethics
Exam). Your registration will not be renewable until you have taken the required exam.
Passing Score Required for Issuance of a Subsequent Registration
Applicants cannot be issued a subsequent ASW, AMFT, or APCC registration (second or third
number, etc.) without first passing the California Law and Ethics Exam. (Note: Applicants who
have already passed the Standard Written exam do not have to pass the Law and Ethics exam
unless it has been more than seven years since they passed the Standard Written.)
QUESTIONS?
Please visit the Contact Us link at www.bbs.ca.gov and select an option under “Message the
Board.”