The California Law and Ethics Exam: An Overview
The California Law and Ethics Exam is designed to evaluate a standardized understanding of the current laws and regulations applicable to the scope of practice of licensees. This exam must be taken and passed simultaneously, as governed by statute, with the California Clinical Exam, for Marriage and Family Therapist Interns (now called AMFTs) in order for applicants to be licensed. As such, California law specifies a passing raw score of at least a 37 on the Law and Ethics sub-test. Unlike other States that may have separate Law and Ethics exams, in California this exam is free. California, unlike 16 states and several other countries, does not charge a fee for this fundamental licensing component. As a result, this sub-test is subject to an extended 90-day wait period if the candidate fails to pass on the first try. Furthermore, as it is a major part of the comprehensive licensing exam, there are statutes governing special circumstances of applicants’ taking the law and ethics exam if there are issues that make that applicant ill-prepared to sit for the exam.
In particular, this basic component corresponds with the State of California BBS Board policy that an applicant must not have any violations in his or her background which can be demonstrated to show impairment in her or his ability to practice the profession in a competent manner. Hence, a bottom line approach is that there can be no drug or alcohol felony, assault with a deadly weapon or murder charge for an applicant for a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) License stature. In addition, an applicant may not have any exculpatory circumstances that would show that impingement on professional ethics and practice has not occurred and in addition that it will not occur in the future. In other words "rehabilitation", must be shown as to any substance abuse issue or any potential criminal charge record that may impact the eventual licensing applicant’s ability to practice freudian psychotherapy and its modern corollaries . This is not as difficult as it sounds. To clarify by not having any exculpatory circumstances to show a lack of fitness to practice, the basic criterion is being able to apply without further material context and disclosure the following two questions.
If the answer, for example, is "yes" to these two questions, the applicant’s behavior or actions amount to "moral turpitude" or "unprofessional conduct" based on improper behavior in relation to drugs, alcohol or violence and counseling and psychotherapy, the applicant is not fit to practice and there is no basis for further consideration of her or his licensure, much less a consideration of his or her passing an exam. In this instant case, it does not matter if the exam or licensing standards change over time according to litigation in agreeing to use "clinical" standards in law and ethics licensure or other measures. If the applicant fails to pass the exam based upon impaired reasoning, judgment or action over a period of time, then the candidacy to be licensed cannot continue.
Equally however, conversely, if the applicant does pass this basic entry exam and can have no red flags in the practice records that promote concern about fitness to practice, based on fitness standards for certification, the applicant may then go forward and practice. In this case, again, it does not matter what the law changes to be in the future. The issue is did the applicant demonstrate when she or he took this exam sufficient command of the basic body of knowledge of clinical psychotherapy and its ethical boundaries to go forward with specific supervised or unsupervised psychotherapy and professional misconduct rules or not.
If so, then the applicant can continue to practice as an AMFT (former MFT Intern) or candidate to sit for further clinical advanced training required for professional therapy licensure.
Exam Structure and Content Areas
The structure of the exam is fairly simple: examinees are presented with 150 multiple choice questions and are alloted five hours to complete the test. Of the 150 questions, only 125 are used to score the exam. The additional 25 questions are included in order to test whether they are appropriate for future exams and can be safely retired, or whether more information should be collected before a definitive decision can be made.
There are six key content areas on the California law and ethics exam, the biggest of which covers licensing requirements of the California Board of Psychology. This content area comprises nearly 20 percent of the total exam, and these licensing questions can be especially tricky because they have a tendency to cover the BOP’s more obscure rules.
Confidentiality is also a significant topic that requires special attention during exam preparation. Examinees will face multiple questions on the subject, and these can be particularly difficult because they involve the application of both ethical duties concerning confidentiality and legal requirements of the law.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended that examinees study both the ethical and legal duties regarding confidentiality, and familiarize themselves with how each set of standards intersects and which applies in various situations. In some instances, the relevant clinical standard will set a higher bar for confidentiality, while in other cases, the law will be the stricter guide in matters of confidentiality.
Other key content areas include questions on Standards of Care (the smallest section of the law and ethics exam), Psychotesting/Evaluation, Professional Competence, and Professional Responsibility.
Interesting to note, in the cases of Standards of Care and Professional Competence, it is possible for examinees to get some help from the educational requirements needed to qualify for the licensing exam. These two content areas overlap so much, that if you have studied the education requirement and know the relevant standards of care and professional competence, then you will have a good idea of what to look for in the test. That said, there are some tricky questions on the law and ethics exam, as we’ve discussed.
Top Study Tips
When preparing for the California Law and Ethics Exam, an organized and strategic study schedule is essential. With a considerable amount of material to cover, breaking it down into manageable, incremental study periods is key. Aim for short, focused study sessions, ensuring to consistently review previous topics throughout your preparation period to help retention.
Many helpful resources are available for the exam, offering both practice tests and explanations of correct answers and legal principles. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences recommends the 1990 California Laws and Regulations Relating to the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (the "Bluebook" or the "Blue Book"). First published in 1990, the Blue Book was last updated in October 2015. Be wary of any study guide claiming to include the most current law or regulations that pre-dates 2015. The exam tests the law in effect under this version of the Blue Book. This is not to be confused with the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1815, et seq. Unfortunately, many online materials are not written by experts in the field. Paying heed to the version of the law required in the test is imperative. The Board of Behavioral Sciences frequently updates the test pool. In addition, the Board’s website provides pilot test material. Taking various practice tests is a good way to prepare for the exam as well as familiarize yourself with the type of questions that will be on the exam. However, you should not emphasize one resource over another. Create a variety of different materials, including resource guides, practice tests and key points lists that can help you along the way.
The law and ethics exam will test your understanding of how to apply essential law, state regulations, and ethical standards in the workplace. It is acceptable to make either APA or MLA citations. Writing is a critical part of both the exam and your license, so prepare for both carefully.
Using Practice Tests to Your Advantage
Once you have studied and reviewed the content, the best way to integrate the knowledge you have learned is to take practice tests. The purpose of these tests is to identify your strengths and weaknesses and make sure you are ready to pass the exam. Some people are lucky and pick up the content easily, others struggle. But studying is not enough, learning is a process. We know from education psychology that long term retention comes from spaced repetition; repeating the information over a period of time. This allows the brain to form neural connections and build a scaffolding for the short term memory to support the long term memory. Taking practice tests is one way to space out your study.
Plus, as we know, when you take your California Law and Ethics Exam, you will take 100 questions and will receive a score based on the questions you answered correctly. The exam itself is relatively random, so the best thing you can do is to practice with questions you haven’t answered. Practice questions can help you identify where you may have gaps in your knowledge base. Areas you struggle with in practice testing should be the areas you focus on improving during your test prep period.
Taking practice tests is one of the most important aspects of preparing for a licensure exam. So, dedicate several study sessions to practice exams, and it will pay off when you sit for the California Law and Ethics Exam.
Best Online Sources for Practice Tests
One of the best ways to prepare for the California Law and Ethics Exam is by taking online practice tests and quizzes. These resources can help you gauge your understanding of the material and identify areas for improvement. Here are some of the top online resources available for practice tests:
- Cal-LawTest.com – They offer over 16,000 law and ethics practice test questions with explanations for free. They have questions on virtually every exam topic. Cal-LawTest.com is a great place to practice in the confines of the actual midterm examination.
- Freemydoc.com – They have a computerized exam prep software that includes more than 1500 California and Federal law and ethics questions. In addition to law and ethics, it comes with diagnostic tools and short-answer questions. This software is very economical and well worth the price.
- LB Novels – They have a subscription-based service that provides multiple-choice quizzes . You can purchase from a large selection of California law & ethics test quizzes. A test bank of 42 quizzes includes 1125 total questions! You can purchase individual quizzes for $5.00 apiece, or get unlimited access to all of their quizzes for only $29.95. For more information, check out their website at www.lbnovels.com
- NoRies4MyExam.com – They offer a free mini-test that contains some California law and ethics exam questions. NoRies4MyExam.com also has a free PDF SCPE retail law & ethics practice test that covers the most important topics. Visit their website at NoRies4MyExam.com.
- CompetentLawyer.com – They have a subscription-based service that focuses on free test questions, online courses and texts. A recent visitor commented on the site that their service was good for preparing for the California Legal Ethics Exam, but those who take and pass this test should not be lulled into a false sense of security. The answers to their exam are not always clear cut.
Analyzing Your Practice Test Performance
The results of your practice tests are key in the preparation process. If you take the practice tests and analyze the results, then you are well on your way to mastering the law and ethics exam. What you want to do is focus on the areas you scored the lowest so that you can get a full grasp of the material. The goal is to raise your score from below a 70% to above a 70% mastery of the material. Pick apart your results. Focus on the categories you scored the lowest. Review the law accordingly. Study those topics you need more exposure to. Then take another practice test (or two). Review your results. Then study. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can close those gaps. Soon enough you’ll be a master of the California law and ethics examined and your results will show it.
Calming Your Exam Day Nerves
Most test-takers feel some level of anxiety on exam day. Test day jitters are a normal reaction and can actually help you perform better as long as you manage them properly. However, it is important to make sure that your emotions are not controlling your behavior. Here are several tips to help you manage your exam day anxiety.
Mental preparation outside of the exam room is one of the best ways to control stress. Mental preparation includes preparing everything ahead of time, but there are several other steps you can incorporate to help you manage your mental state prior to the test.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also assist in reducing your anxiety on test day. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, proper hydration, and plenty of sleep are the most common factors that affect wellness. Consider your current wellness routine when prepping for your exam day. Here are the 5 simple everyday things you can do to feel better, fight stress, and improve your mental outlook.
Test centers can be stressful venues, particularly for first-time test takers. Much like you have prepped in advance for the exam itself, prepping for the actual experience of appearing at the test center is essential.
Finally, once you arrive at the test center do everything in your power to stay relaxed. You are there to do your best on the exam, not make friends or worry about talking too much with fellow test takers. If you have a hard time maintaining focus or you feel your anxiety getting the best of you, use positive visualization to help you get back on track.
FAQs
Eligibility is not determined by your state of residence, but mainly your education. If you are a qualified applicant for the MFT license in California, you can take the exam regardless of whether you reside in California or not.
Because you do not have to be a California resident to be eligible to take the California Law and Ethics Exam, there has been concern that exam content could be tested on legal aspects of other states. Although not specifically confirmed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), ASPPB encourages candidates interested in licensure in other states to contact their state psychology board to ensure that they understand their state’s specific requirements for registration and licensure. That being said, The California Law and Ethics Exam is California specific.
It’s important to note that new laws passed in California begin effective on January 1 of each year. Your decision to take the exam on or after January 1 may impact the content of the exam, as all exam material is written about one year in advance of its release. Therefore, staying up-to-date with scrolling news updates on the board website, and doing a bit of research about new laws in California may give you an edge.
You will earn 1 retake for every attempt of the California Law and Ethics Exam (including failed, passed, or pended). If you have 5 or less retakes, you can retake the exam 3 times in one year—however , after your sixth retake, your retake window opens each year on the same month you took your first exam (i.e., if your first attempt was in November, your first retake will be available in November of the following year).
There is no minimum passing score on the exam, however you will not know your exact score. Your scaled score will only be categorized into one of two outcomes: Pass or Fail.
It is a bit of a misnomer that the California Law and Ethics Exam is harder than other state examinations. This belief hasn’t been confirmed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), but is believed to be due to issues with poorly worded exam questions. In response to complaints of poor exam questions, the BBS has confirmed that they strive to "train writing experts in creating questions with fewer instructions and at a greater reading level, so that unrelated material or poor word choice does not confuse the reader."
The California Law and Ethics Examination uses scaled scoring, to ensure that scoring is consistent across all examinations. Thus, scores are based on a weighted average, where not all items carry equal weight. The California Law and Ethics Examination consists of 100 scored items, which are weighted and contribute to a candidate’s total scaled score, and 20 samples of newly developed test components, which are unweighted and used to gather data for future exams and do not contribute toward the total scaled score.