Associate Registration Renewal
How do you renew your associate registration in California?
You renew an AMFT, APCC or ASW registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) every year, online in BreEZe or by mail on Form 37M-408, for $75 ($150 after June 30, 2030). Each renewal needs 3 hours of continuing education in California law and ethics, and an attempt of the California Law and Ethics Exam (exam required through December 31, 2026). A registration can be renewed five times, for six years in total; from January 1, 2027, under AB 1598, it can be renewed six times, for seven years. Hours gained while a registration is expired do not count.
Clark Gudas
Published · 6 min read
Reviewed By Evalin Sosa, AMFT
How often do you renew an associate registration?
An AMFT, APCC or ASW registration is renewed every year, before its expiration date. If the renewal is not postmarked by the expiration date, the registration expires. The yearly rule applies to all three associate tracks.
For initial registration steps, see the AMFT registration, APCC registration and ASW registration guides. Licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs renew on a different schedule in the BBS license renewal guide.
SparkHours can email you license renewal reminders before your registration expires.
How much does it cost to renew an associate registration?
Renewing an AMFT, APCC or ASW registration costs $75 from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030, half the earlier $150 fee. The temporary reduction applies to annual renewal for all three associate tracks. For a mailed renewal, attach a $75 check or money order payable to the Behavioral Sciences Fund. The Board uses the application postmark date to decide which fee applies.
What do you need before you renew?
Every associate registration renewal needs 3 hours of continuing education (CE) in California law and ethics. Through December 31, 2026, you must attempt the California Law and Ethics Exam once per renewal Take the course from a Board-accepted provider during the renewal period, as early as the first day after your expiration date, or any time between your issue date through the day you sign the renewal form.
Don't send CE proof with the application. Keep your certificates for at least 2 years because the Board performs random audits.
Through December 31, 2026, you must have taken the California Law and Ethics Exam before you renew, unless you have already passed it. From January 1, 2027, under AB 1598, taking the exam is no longer a condition of renewal. Taking the exam is not the same as passing it. Passing is needed for a subsequent registration number and for licensure. Find more info about exam content, fees, scheduling and retakes in the California Law and Ethics Exam guide.
Condition | Through December 31, 2026 | From Janauary 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
3 hours of California law and ethics CE | Required | Required |
California Law and Ethics Exam taken before renewal | Required unless passed | Not required |
How do you renew online or by mail?
You can renew an associate registration online in BreEZe or by mailing Form 37M-408 with the $75 fee no more than 90 days before your registration expires. The Board encourages online renewal. Until your status shows it in BreEZe, don't assume your registration is renewed.
Online in BrEZe | By Mail | |
|---|---|---|
Where | Mail the completed application to the Board | |
Form | No paper form | |
Fee | $75 | $75 |
Payment | Through BreEZe | Check or money order to the Behavioral Sciences Fund |
When | Before the expiration date | No more than 90 days before the expiration date |
Processing | Instant | Allow 30 days, according to Form 37M-408 |
How many times can you renew an associate registration?
An associate registration can be renewed five times, for six years in total; starting on January 1, 2027, under AB 1598, it can be renewed six times, for seven years total.
Rule | Through December 31, 2026 | From January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
Renewals Allowed | Five | Six |
Total Length | Six years | Seven years from the last day of the month of issue |
What happens if your associate registration expires?
Hours of experience gained while an associate registration is expired do not count toward licensure. If your renewal is not postmarked by the expiration date, the registration expires. While it is expired, you may not work in a private practice or professional corporation. Experience in any setting during that time does not count.
What is a subsequent registration number?
A subsequent registration number is a new AMFT, APCC or ASW registration you apply for when the current one can no longer be renewed. It requires a passed California Law and Ethics Exam. When your registration reaches its limit, you apply for a subsequent number under the rules in effect when the Board receives your application.
From January 1, 2027, a subsequent registrant may not be employed or volunteer in a private practice (AB 1598). The Board also prohibits work in a professional corporation on a subsequent registration. AB 1598 permits a one-time hardship extension for one private practice or professional-corporation employer after Board approval, starting on January 1, 2027.
Track | Subsequent Registration Form |
|---|---|
AMFT | |
APCC | |
ASW |
What is the AB 1598 hardship extension?
Starting on January 1, 2027, an associate applying for or holding a subsequent registration number can ask the Board for a one-time, two-consecutive-year hardship extension to work at one private practice or professional corporation employer. The extension is valid only for that one employer. Don't start or continue work for that employer until the Board approves the extension.
The application must include:
- Work date. The date you need the extension to start or continue work for that employer.
- Employer. The employer's name.
- Employer attestation. An attestation that the employer is a private practice or professional corporation.
- Supervisor. Your current supervisor's name, license type and license number.
- Good cause. Why you could not finish licensure within 7 years, such as extended medical leave, family caregiving responsibilities, difficulty finding work or circumstances outside your control.
- Plan. How you will gain the needed hours during the 2-year extension.
You, your supervisor and sometimes an employer representative sign the application under penalty of perjury. An employer representative signs when the supervisor is not employed by the employer or volunteers there.
Questions associates ask about registration renewal
How fast does your online renewal process?
The Board says online renewals in BreEZe are processed instantly.
How early can you mail your renewal?
You may mail your renewal no more than 90 days before the expiration date.
Do you still need CE if you passed the exam?
Yes. You need 3 hours of California law and ethics continuing education for every yearly renewal.
Do you have to pass the exam to renew?
No. Through December 31, 2026, you must take the exam, while passing is needed for a subsequent registration and licensure.
Do you pay the same renewal fee for AMFT, APCC and ASW registration?
Yes. The fee is $75 for all three from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030.
Do you pay the $20 fund fee?
No. The Board applies that fee to LMFT, LCSW and LPCC license renewal-related applications.
Can you work in a private practice while your registration is expired?
No. You may not work in a private practice or professional corporation while the registration is expired.
How long should you keep your CE certificates?
Keep CE certificates for at least 2 years from the renewal date because the Board may audit you at random.
Can you renew after your registration reaches its limit?
No. When no further renewals are possible, you may apply for a subsequent registration number if you meet its requirements.
How many hardship extensions can you get?
You can receive one hardship extension for 2 consecutive years.
How do you keep your renewal date in view?
SparkHours records the date your associate registration was issued and applies the associate rules to the weeks you log from then on. You log each week in SparkHours and your supervisor signs it from an emailed link.
Renew before your expiration date, complete your CE and, through December 31, 2026, take the exam with SparkHours, BBS hours tracker, keeping your weekly record in one place. Start a 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
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