If you hold a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license, the Board of Behavioral Sciences requires 36 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. At least 6 of those hours must be in law and ethics every cycle, and California also layers in one-time requirements for suicide risk assessment and telehealth. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
36 hours / 2 years
Thirty-six CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
Law & ethics (6 hrs)
Six hours of law and ethics required every renewal period.
Suicide risk (one-time)
A one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment and intervention course.
Telehealth (one-time)
A one-time 3-hour telehealth course for recent renewals.
How many CE hours California LMFTs need
California requires 36 hours of continuing education every two years, tied to your biennial license renewal. All 36 hours may be completed through approved self-study or online formats.
Mandated subject requirements
- Law & ethics: 6 hours every renewal period.
- Suicide risk assessment & intervention: a one-time 6-hour course.
- Telehealth: a one-time 3-hour course.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
California LMFT licenses renew every two years. No CE is required for your first renewal; the requirement begins at your second renewal. Complete and document your 36 hours before your expiration date.
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View pricingCalifornia Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) CME at a glance
- Law & Ethics6 hrs · every renewal
A minimum of 6 of the 36 hours must be in law and ethics every two-year renewal period.
- Suicide Risk Assessment & Intervention6 hrs · one time
A one-time 6-hour course in suicide risk assessment and intervention is required for licensees renewing or reactivating after January 1, 2021.
- Telehealth3 hrs · one time
A one-time 3-hour course in telehealth is required for licensees renewing or reactivating after July 1, 2023.
Always confirm with your licensing board
California LMFT licenses renew biennially. Licensees must complete 36 CE hours each two-year renewal period, including 6 hours of law and ethics every cycle. A one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment and intervention course is required for those renewing or reactivating after January 1, 2021, and a one-time 3-hour telehealth course is required for those renewing or reactivating after July 1, 2023.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences before relying on these figures.
Source: California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
California LMFT CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do California LMFTs need?
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36 CE hours every two years, including 6 hours of law and ethics.
Is a law and ethics course required for California LMFTs?
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Yes — 6 hours of law and ethics are required every two-year renewal cycle.
Do California LMFTs need suicide risk and telehealth training?
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Yes — a one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment course and a one-time 3-hour telehealth course are required for recent renewals.
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