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Key Facts: CA LPC Juris Exam

50 + 25

Scored + Pretest Items

BBS candidate handbook

90 min

Time Limit

BBS candidate handbook

$75

Exam Fee to 6/30/2030

BBS fee reduction FAQ

44% / 56%

Law / Ethics Weight

Feb 2024 exam outline

90 days

Retake Waiting Period

BBS candidate handbook

The CA Law & Ethics Exam (LPCC) has 75 multiple-choice questions (50 scored, 25 unscored) in 90 minutes. Results are reported pass/fail with no published cut score. The exam fee is $75 through June 30, 2030 ($150 standard). The February 2024 outline weights Law at 44% and Ethics at 56%. APCCs must take the exam once per registration year until they pass, with a 90-day wait between attempts.

Sample CA LPC Juris Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CA LPC Juris exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 112+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which California agency is responsible for licensing and regulating Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs)?
A.California Department of Consumer Affairs
B.Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
C.California Medical Board
D.California Board of Psychology
Explanation: The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the state agency that licenses and regulates LPCCs, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEPs). The BBS operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs but has direct authority over LPCC licensing, discipline, and regulation.
2How many total questions are on the California Law and Ethics Exam for LPCCs?
A.50 questions, all scored
B.75 questions (50 scored and 25 unscored pretest items)
C.100 questions, all scored
D.150 questions (100 scored and 50 unscored)
Explanation: The California Law and Ethics Exam for LPCCs consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, of which 50 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items being evaluated for potential future use. Candidates cannot distinguish between scored and unscored questions during the exam, so all questions should be answered carefully.
3What prerequisite course must LPCC candidates complete before taking the California Law and Ethics Exam?
A.A 6-hour clinical skills workshop
B.A 12-hour California Law and Ethics course from a BBS-approved provider
C.A 24-hour substance abuse counseling course
D.A 40-hour clinical practicum
Explanation: Before taking the California Law and Ethics Exam, LPCC candidates must complete a 12-hour California Law and Ethics course from a BBS-approved provider. This course covers California-specific laws, regulations, and ethical standards related to the practice of professional clinical counseling. The course must be completed before the exam application is approved.
4Under the Tarasoff ruling, what duty does a California LPCC have when a client makes a credible threat of violence against an identifiable victim?
A.No duty exists; all client communications are permanently confidential
B.A permissive right to warn, but no legal requirement to act
C.A mandatory duty to protect the intended victim, which may include warning the victim and notifying law enforcement
D.A duty only to document the threat in the clinical record
Explanation: Under the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California ruling (1976) and subsequent California Civil Code Section 43.92, therapists in California have a mandatory duty to protect identifiable potential victims when a client communicates a serious threat of physical violence. This duty may be discharged by making reasonable efforts to warn the intended victim and notifying law enforcement.
5Under California Evidence Code Section 1014, who holds the psychotherapist-patient privilege?
A.The psychotherapist
B.The court
C.The patient or the patient's legal representative
D.The Board of Behavioral Sciences
Explanation: Under California Evidence Code Section 1014, the psychotherapist-patient privilege belongs to the patient (or the patient's authorized representative). The patient has the right to prevent the psychotherapist from disclosing confidential communications in legal proceedings. Only the patient can waive this privilege, except in specific circumstances defined by law.
6Under CANRA (Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act), within what timeframe must a California LPCC report suspected child abuse?
A.Immediately by phone and follow up with a written report within 36 hours
B.Within 48 hours by phone only
C.Within 72 hours in writing only
D.Within 5 business days
Explanation: Under CANRA (Penal Code Section 11166), mandated reporters in California, including LPCCs, must make an immediate report by telephone to the local child protective agency or law enforcement, followed by a written report (Form SS 8572) within 36 hours. The immediate phone call triggers the reporting obligation; the written report must follow within the specified timeframe.
7At what age can a minor in California consent to outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent?
A.Age 10
B.Age 12
C.Age 14
D.Age 16
Explanation: Under California Family Code Section 6924, as amended by AB 665 (effective July 1, 2024), a minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to outpatient mental health treatment or counseling, or residential shelter services, if the attending professional person determines the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in those services. The prior requirement that the minor also present a danger to self/others or be a victim of incest or child abuse was eliminated. The therapist must involve the parent or guardian unless, in the therapist's clinical judgment, such involvement would be inappropriate.
8What is the California LPCC scope of practice regarding the assessment and treatment of couples and families?
A.LPCCs may not treat couples or families under any circumstances
B.LPCCs may assess and treat couples and families only after completing additional coursework and supervised experience in these areas
C.LPCCs may treat couples and families without any additional requirements
D.Only LMFTs can treat couples and families in California
Explanation: California law requires LPCCs to complete specific additional coursework and supervised experience in couples and family therapy before treating couples and families. This distinguishes the LPCC scope from that of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), who have couples and family therapy as a core competency. LPCCs must document this additional training with BBS.
9Which of the following is TRUE about the California Law and Ethics Exam format?
A.It is an open-book, online exam taken from home
B.It is a closed-book, proctored exam administered at Pearson VUE test centers
C.It is an oral examination administered by a BBS panel
D.It is a take-home essay exam
Explanation: The California Law and Ethics Exam for LPCCs is a closed-book, proctored examination administered at Pearson VUE test centers. Candidates may not bring reference materials into the testing room. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of approximately 2 hours.
10Under California law, what is a '5150 hold'?
A.A 30-day involuntary commitment to a psychiatric facility
B.A 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold for individuals who are a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or gravely disabled
C.A court-ordered outpatient treatment plan
D.A mandatory 24-hour observation period at a general hospital
Explanation: A 5150 hold, named after Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150, allows for the involuntary psychiatric detention of an individual for up to 72 hours when a qualified professional determines the person is a danger to self, a danger to others, or is gravely disabled due to a mental disorder. LPCCs should understand this provision as it relates to their duty when clients present with acute safety concerns.

About the CA LPC Juris Exam

The California Law and Ethics Examination is required for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure in California. It is a closed-book, proctored, 75-question multiple-choice exam (50 scored, 25 unscored pretest items) with a 90-minute limit, administered for the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) by Pearson VUE. The current outline, effective February 2024, splits the exam into Law (44%) and Ethics (56%).

Exam sponsor: BBS (exam developed by DCA/OPES; delivered by Pearson VUE). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

75 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

Pass/fail; no passing percentage is published

Exam / Certification Fees

$75 (reduced rate through June 30, 2030; $150 standard)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly reported. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

16%

Law 1.1: Consent, Confidentiality, and Privilege

Required disclosures, informed consent, treating minors, confidentiality, holder of privilege, records requests, telehealth law, HIPAA

16%

Law 1.2: Limits to Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

CANRA child abuse reporting, dependent adult and older adult abuse, danger to self or others, grave disability, involuntary hospitalization, privilege exceptions

12%

Law 1.3: Legal Standards for Professional Practice

Scope of practice, professional conduct, sexual contact laws and the required booklet, records, advertising, fees, referral consideration, third-party payors

16%

Ethics 2.1: Professional Competence and Integrity

Scope of competence, cultural competence, conflicts of interest, boundaries and dual relationships, sexual ethics, personal values, impairment

24%

Ethics 2.2: Responsibility to Clients and Counseling Relationships

Ethical consent, transfers, assessment, necessary care, autonomy, ethical confidentiality, safety, advocacy, collaboration, referral, continuity, termination

16%

Ethics 2.3: Practice Policies and Professional Responsibilities

Technology, financial policies and bartering, gifts, advertising ethics, records ethics, multiple roles and testimony, research, colleague misconduct, supervision

Preparing for the CA LPC Juris Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail; no passing percentage is published
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $75 (reduced rate through June 30, 2030; $150 standard) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 112 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA LPC Juris: Suggested Study Strategy

1Weight your studying to the official outline: Ethics is 56 percent of the exam and Responsibility to Clients alone is 24 percent, so do not over-study California statutes at the expense of ethical decision-making
2Master Civil Code Section 43.92: California's duty is a duty to protect, discharged by warning the identifiable victim and notifying law enforcement
3Know the psychotherapist-patient privilege (Evidence Code Section 1014), who holds it (Section 1013), the therapist's duty to assert it (Section 1015), and every statutory exception
4Study minor consent under Health and Safety Code Section 124260 and Family Code Section 6924 as amended by AB 665: minors 12 and older may consent when mature enough to participate intelligently
5Learn CANRA timing cold: an immediate telephone report plus a written report within 36 hours, versus two working days for elder and dependent adult abuse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California Law and Ethics Examination for LPCCs?

It is a state-specific, closed-book, proctored exam required for LPCC licensure in California. Pearson VUE delivers it for the Board of Behavioral Sciences. The exam has 75 multiple-choice questions, of which 50 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items, and candidates have 90 minutes. The current outline took effect in February 2024.

What score do I need to pass the CA LPCC Law and Ethics Exam?

Neither the BBS nor Pearson VUE publishes a passing percentage. Scores are equated across exam forms and reported only as pass or fail at the test center. Candidates who fail receive a numeric raw score and diagnostic feedback; candidates who pass do not receive a numeric score.

Does California have a mandatory duty to warn?

California imposes a duty to protect. Under Civil Code Section 43.92, when a patient communicates a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim, the therapist discharges the duty by making reasonable efforts to communicate the threat to the victim and to a law enforcement agency. Ewing v. Goldstein (2004) extended the trigger to a threat relayed by a patient's immediate family member.

When is the 12-hour California law and ethics course required?

It is not a prerequisite for a first attempt. An APCC who did not pass the exam before their registration expiration date must complete a 12-hour BBS-recognized California law and ethics course before being permitted to take the exam again in the next renewal cycle.

What does the exam cost and how soon can I retake it?

The California Law and Ethics Examination fee is $75 for payments made from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 under the BBS temporary 50 percent fee reduction; the standard fee is $150. If you fail, a 90-day waiting period applies before a reexamination application can be approved.