AB 1598
AB 1598: What's Changing for California Associates
California Assembly Bill 1598, sponsored by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) with Assemblymember Quirk-Silva as author, gives associates (AMFTs, APCCs, and ASWs) more time to reach licensure. It drops the yearly Law & Ethics exam attempt requirement, extends supervised-hours validity to seven years, and adds a one-time, two-year hardship extension for private practice. Most changes start January 1, 2027.
SparkHours Team
Published · 2 min read
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced on September 27, 2026 that he had signed AB 1598. If you're an associate, this post covers what changes, what stays the same, and what to do before the new year.
What does AB 1598 change?
The bill loosens several timing rules while also adding a time limit on exam results. Here's the before-and-after:
Rule | Before | After AB 1598 | Starts |
Law & Ethics exam | Take it in year one, then every year until you pass | No annual attempt required to renew | Jan 1, 2027 |
Supervised hours | Valid for 6 years | Valid for 7 years | Jan 1, 2027 |
Registration renewals | Up to 5 | Up to 6 | Jan 1, 2027 |
Exam result expiration | No expiration | Passed no more than 7 years before you apply for licensure | For licensure applications or a subsequent registration number received in 2030 and later |
Hardship extension (private practice) | None | One-time, two-year extension | Jan 1, 2027 |
Do I still have to take the Law & Ethics exam in my first year?
No. Starting January 1, 2027, you no longer have to attempt it every year to renew, but you still need to pass it before you get licensed.
For applications received starting in 2030, your passing result must be no more than seven years old when you apply for licensure or a subsequent registration number.
Associates must still complete three hours of law and ethics continuing education each renewal period. That requirement isn't part of the change.
What is the new seven-year rule?
AB 1598 sets three seven-year windows that work together. Two extend existing six-year limits, and one adds a new limit to exam results.
- Supervised hours: They stay valid for seven years. When you apply, the BBS counts backward to decide which hours qualify. (Starts January 1, 2027.)
- Registration: You can renew up to six times, for seven total years before you need a new registration number. (Starts January 1, 2027.)
- Exam results: Your Law & Ethics results must be no more than seven years old when you apply for licensure or for a subsequent registration number. (Applies to applications received starting in 2030.)
What is the one-time hardship extension?
Associates on a subsequent registration number generally can't work in a private practice. The hardship extension is a one-time, two-year exception to that rule. It lets you gain hours at one private practice or professional corporation while you finish your licensure requirements.
To get it, you must apply to the BBS and show good cause, such as extended medical leave, family caregiving, or difficulty finding employment. The application is signed under penalty of perjury by you, your supervisor, and in some cases your employer. You can't start or continue work at the practice until the BBS approves it. Each associate can receive only one extension, and it is valid only for the employer named in the application.
What should associates do now?
- Check your dates. Note your registration expiration and when your oldest counting hours were earned.
- Keep current rules until January 1, 2027.
- Log hours carefully. A longer window only helps if your records are clean.
- Watch the BBS site for updated forms and FAQs.
About the author
SparkHours Team
The SparkHours team writes practical guidance for California pre-licensed therapists tracking hours toward licensure.
Sources
This post is for information only and isn't legal advice.