In 1945, California became the first state to register social workers with the formation of the Board of Social Work Examiners.
Jump ahead 18 years to 1963, and this young regulatory agency received a new responsibility: administration of the Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor Act (later renamed the Social Worker and Marriage Counselor Act). New responsibilities meant a new name too. Appropriately, the Board was renamed the Social Worker and Marriage Counselor Qualification Board.
The 1960s proved to be a busy decade with the establishment of the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Program in 1967. Then in 1970, a licensing program for Educational Psychologists was added to the Board, inspiring a new name: the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners.
The Board took its current name, the Board of Behavioral Sciences, on January 1, 1997. This name better represents the true mission and duties of the Board. On July 1, 1999, the license type of Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor underwent a name change. All references in statute or regulation to “licensed marriage, family, and child counselor” or “marriage, family, and child counselor” were changed to “licensed marriage and family therapist” or “marriage and family therapist.”
The Board of Behavioral Sciences looks to continue its commitment to protect the consumers of California through effective enforcement, ensure credibility and high professional standards through examinations and licensing requirements, and provide excellent customer service to all its constituents.
Mission:
Protect and serve Californians by setting, communicating, and enforcing standards for safe and competent mental health practices.
Vision:
All Californians are able to access the highest quality mental health services.
Values:
- Accountability
- Customer service
- Integrity
- Quality
- Respect
Visit the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website at: http://www.bbs.ca.gov/ or connect on Twitter and Facebook.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- Therapy Never Includes Sexual Behavior
- Self-Empowerment – Choosing a Mental Health Professional in California
- Online Complaint Form
