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Licensure

PAU has multiple programs that meet the educational requirements for those interested in seeking licensure. Program licensure information can be found below. 

 

Doctoral Level: Licensed Clinical Psychologist

The Palo Alto University PhD in Clinical Psychology program and PAU-Stanford PsyD. Consortium are each designed to meet the curricular requirements needed for graduates to take and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) in order to seek to become licensed professionals in California. Data regarding the number of candidates from different schools and their outcomes on the licensing examinations are available online at both the state level through the state level through the California Board of Psychology, and the national level through the national level through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).  More information about clinical psychology licensure in the state of California can be found at the California Board of Psychology's Licensee and Registrant Information page.

Palo Alto University and its Faculty and Staff cannot offer reliable advice and PAU makes no determination whether the curricular part of the program meets licensing requirements of states and/or territories other than California. 

 

 

Master's Level: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Graduates of the Palo Alto University MA Counseling and MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will have completed the educational requirements to pursue the Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the State of California (Business and Professions Code §4980.36).

Graduates of the Palo Alto University MA Counseling and MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with an emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling may also pursue licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California with a scope of practice that includes counseling couples and families.

The State of California requires graduates to accumulate a total of two years (104 weeks) of supervision and 3,000 hours of post-Master's supervised work experience. To obtain the LPCC license in California, graduates must also pass both the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) exam and the California Law & Ethics exam.  Further information on licensure requirements and exams can be found on the California BBS website, including exam statistics. Information on state counseling boards can be found on the AASCB website

Palo Alto University and its Faculty and Staff cannot offer reliable advice and PAU makes no determination whether the curricular part of the program meets licensing requirements of states and/or territories other than California. 

 

Master's Level: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT)

The Palo Alto University MA Counseling and MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree with an emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling is designed to meet the curricular requirements for graduates to seek the MFT license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the State of California (Section 4980.36 or 4980.37).  During the periods before and after graduation, students will need to accumulate a total of two years (104 weeks) of supervision and 3,000 pre- and post-Master's hours of supervised work experience. To obtain the MFT license in California, graduates must also pass both the LMFT Clinical (LMCE) exam and the California Law & Ethics exam.  Further information on California licensure requirements and exams can be found on the California BBS website, including exam statistics.

Palo Alto University and its Faculty and Staff cannot offer reliable advice and PAU makes no determination whether the curricular part of the program meets licensing requirements of states and/or territories other than California. 

 

Master's Level: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

The Palo Alto University Master of Social Work degree program is designed to meet the curricular requirements for graduates to seek the LCSW license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) in the State of California (see Business and Professions Code 4996). Graduates will need to accumulate a total of 3,000 hours of supervised work experience over a period of at least 2 years (or 104 weeks). To obtain the LCSW license, graduates must also pass the California Law & Ethics Exam and the Association of Social Work Boards' Clinical Exam, in addition to meeting other BBS requirements (see Business and Professions Code 4996.18). Further information on California licensure requirements can be found on the California BBS website, including exam statistics.

Palo Alto University and its Faculty and Staff cannot offer reliable advice and PAU makes no determination whether the curricular part of the program meets licensing requirements of states and/or territories other than California. 

 

All Programs: Out-of-California Licensure

Palo Alto University and its Faculty and Staff cannot offer reliable advice and PAU makes no determination whether the curricular part of the program meets licensing requirements of states and/or territories other than California. 

Students who plan to seek licensure in a state or territory outside of California are required to research their region's specific laws and regulations before enrolling in a program. PAU does not give any assurances that its programs meet the requirements of other states or territories.