California's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. The BBS requires 36 continuing education hours every two-year renewal cycle, including 6 hours of law and ethics each cycle and a one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment course. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
36 hours / 2 years
Thirty-six CE hours each biennial renewal cycle.
6 hours law & ethics
Required every renewal period, within the 36-hour total.
Suicide (one-time)
A one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment and intervention course.
BBS-approved providers
CE must be earned through Board-approved providers.
How many CE hours California LPCCs need
California requires 36 CE hours every two years for LPCC renewal through the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Mandated subject requirements
- Law & ethics: 6 hours each renewal period.
- Suicide risk assessment: a one-time 6-hour course for licensees renewing or reactivating after January 1, 2021.
- HIV/AIDS: an additional 7 hours at first renewal.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
California LPCC licenses renew every two years. Complete and document your 36 hours through BBS-approved providers before your renewal deadline.
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View pricingCalifornia Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) CME at a glance
- Law & Ethics6 hrs
A minimum of 6 hours of law and ethics each renewal period, counted within the 36-hour total.
- Suicide Risk Assessment & Intervention6 hrs · one time
A one-time 6-hour course in suicide risk assessment and intervention is required for licensees who renew or reactivate after January 1, 2021.
Always confirm with your licensing board
California's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. LPCCs renew biennially and must use BBS-approved CE providers.
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.
Licensed in more than one state?
Counseling Compact: active. Operational; participating states issue the counseling privilege to practice across member states.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
California LPCC CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do California LPCCs need?
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36 CE hours every two years.
How many law and ethics hours are required in California?
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6 hours of law and ethics each renewal period.
Is a suicide course required for California LPCCs?
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Yes — a one-time 6-hour suicide risk assessment and intervention course for licensees renewing or reactivating after January 1, 2021.
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