AB 1598 changes behavioral science registration and experience timing
Oct 4, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0063 · Published 2026-10-04 · Version 2 · Final
AB 1598 extends specified behavioral-science associate registrations and experience or examination periods while revising client disclosures. Separate 2030 examination transitions, limited hardship extensions and defined counseling exemptions require a profession and cohort review.
What happened
California enacted AB 1598 on September 27 to revise several Board of Behavioral Sciences practice acts. For associate marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and professional clinical counselors, specified registrations may be renewed six times and cannot extend beyond seven years from the last day of the issue month. The measure also changes relevant experience and examination timing to seven-year periods for the affected licensing paths, with separate California law-and-ethics examination transition provisions around January 1, 2030. Applicants and registrants must use the section applicable to their profession and application type rather than assume a single date governs every cohort. The enactment is the event reported here; the applicable commencement of these provisions must be confirmed separately.
A person with or applying for a subsequent associate registration may request a one-time, two-consecutive-year hardship extension for work or volunteering at one private practice or professional-corporation employer, subject to the detailed board conditions; work cannot begin or continue until board approval. The law also requires the specified unlicensed practitioners to disclose that they are unlicensed and supervised and name the employer or volunteer entity. Separate counseling exemptions cover specified attorneys, physicians and qualifying faith-based religious officials. The latter must meet conditions including service under the faith entity, no separate fee beyond customary compensation, no restricted professional representation, and no diagnosis or treatment of mental health disorders. The exemptions do not remove board jurisdiction over its registrants and licensees.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Registration expiration, experience acceptance and examination currency can affect staffing continuity. Exempt counseling and regulated associate practice remain different pathways, and a hardship request does not establish an automatic entitlement to keep working in private practice.
Recommended action
Confirm the applicable commencement before treating the new provisions as current duties. Prepare the following for implementation at that commencement: Review each profession, registration and application cohort against its final sections. Prepare renewal tracking, supervision and client disclosure updates, and assess hardship eligibility before relying on continued employment. Keep the 2030 examination transition and faith-based or professional exemptions separately documented.
Sources
- AB-1598 Behavioral sciences, bill historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-09-10
- AB-1598 Behavioral sciences, current bill text (08/27/26 - Enrolled)Official · California Legislature · 2026-08-27 · Source review 2026-09-10
- Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026Official · Office of the Governor · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-04
- AB1598 enacted final textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-05
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