What Should I Look for in an Online California MFT and/or LCSW Law and Ethics Online CEU Course?

Every license renewal period, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires that both Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) complete a course in Law and Ethics. This course may now be completed through "interactive online" means. It is no surprise that this course and related imperative information continues to be crucial and required for license renewal. Every year, many clinicians are sued and/or investigated due to California code alleged violations. This is why it is especially important to choose the best Law and Ethics Continuing Education Course possible. Make sure that the continuing education provider you select has a provider number issued by the BBS and is in good standing. In order to check a CEU Providers status, you may visit the BBS website at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/
The following are helpful topics to look for when searching for an online Law and Ethics CEU Course:
• SCOPE OF PRACTICE
• MFT SCOPE OF PRACTICE
• LCSW SCOPE OF PRACTICE

• UNPROFFESIONAL CONDUCT, NEGLIGENCE, LAW, ETHICS, AND STANDARD OF CARE
• UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND NEGLIGENCE
• LAW
• ETHICS
• STANDARD OF CARE

• LEGAL ISSUES
• PRIVILEGE
• CONFIDENTIALITY
• EXCEPTIONS TO CONFIDENTIALITY: CHILD ABUSE, DEPENDENT ADULT & ELDER ABUSE , TARASOFF, DANGER TO SELF
• TREATMENT OF MINORS
• SEX WITH CLIENTS
• RECORD RETENTION AND STORAGE
• TERMINATION
• INFORMED CONSENT
• MALPRACTICE

• HIPAA AND THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

• CONTINUING EDUCATION

• PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
• CAMFT ETHICAL STANDARDS PT II SECTION D
• REVISED CAMFT ETHICAL STANDARDS
• NASW ETHICAL STANDARDS

• REFERENCES


Of course, the above referenced topics should be evaluated for quality. For example, it goes without saying that any Confidentiality Section of an Online Law and Ethics Course should minimally include valuable content in Tarasoff, Danger to Self or Others (5150), and HIPAA. Also keep in mind that professional organizations such as the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) often update their Ethics publication for clinicians. Be sure that the CEU Provider that you chose updates their courses regularly with this valuable and necessary information.
For more information on Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Law and Ethics courses, visit MFT Continuing EducationAlso visit Social Worker Continuing Education to obtain an online ceu course listing including Law and Ethics