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Exam Review

Key Facts: CA SW Juris Exam

Pass/fail

No numeric passing score is published

BBS / Pearson VUE candidate handbook

75

Total Questions

50 scored + 25 pilot

90 min

Time Limit

Pearson VUE

36 hrs

CE Required

Biennial renewal

3,000

Clinical Hours

For LCSW licensure

The California BBS LCSW Law and Ethics Examination is a 75-question Pearson VUE exam (50 scored, 25 unscored) taken early in the Associate Clinical Social Worker period; results are pass/fail with no published numeric cut score. Content: Law 44% (confidentiality, privilege and consent 16%; limits to confidentiality and mandated reporting 16%; legal standards for professional practice 12%) and Ethics 56% (professional competence and preventing harm 16%; the therapeutic relationship 24%; business practices and policies 16%).

Sample CA SW Juris Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CA SW Juris exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which California state board administers the LCSW Law and Ethics Examination?
A.California Board of Psychology
B.California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
C.California Department of Consumer Affairs
D.California Health and Human Services Agency
Explanation: The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the regulatory body that administers the LCSW Law and Ethics Examination. The BBS oversees the licensure of LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs in California. While BBS operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, it is BBS specifically that administers the exam.
2How many questions on the California LCSW Law and Ethics Examination are scored?
A.75 scored questions
B.50 scored questions plus 25 unscored pilot questions
C.60 scored questions plus 15 unscored pilot questions
D.100 scored questions
Explanation: The California LCSW Law and Ethics Examination contains 75 total questions, of which 50 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot questions being tested for future exams. Candidates cannot distinguish between scored and unscored questions, so they must treat every question as if it counts toward their score.
3What is the time limit for the California LCSW Law and Ethics Examination?
A.60 minutes
B.120 minutes
C.90 minutes
D.180 minutes
Explanation: Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the California LCSW Law and Ethics Examination. The exam is closed-book and proctored at a Pearson VUE testing center. With 75 questions in 90 minutes, candidates have approximately 1 minute and 12 seconds per question.
4Under California Business and Professions Code (BPC), what is the minimum number of supervised clinical hours required for LCSW licensure?
A.1,500 hours
B.2,000 hours
C.3,000 hours
D.4,000 hours
Explanation: California law requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience, completed over a period of at least 104 weeks (about two years), for LCSW licensure. Within the 3,000 hours, at least 2,000 must be clinical hours (including at least 750 hours of face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy), and no more than 1,000 hours may be nonclinical. This 3,000-hour requirement is a key fact candidates must know for the Law and Ethics exam.
5An LCSW in California discovers that a 10-year-old client has bruises consistent with physical abuse. Under California Penal Code Section 11166, what must the LCSW do?
A.Document the findings and discuss with the child's parents first
B.Make an immediate telephone report to a child protective agency followed by a written report within 36 hours
C.Report to the Board of Behavioral Sciences within 48 hours
D.Consult with a colleague before taking any action
Explanation: Under California Penal Code Section 11166, mandated reporters (including LCSWs) who have knowledge of or observe a child whom they reasonably suspect has been a victim of child abuse must make an immediate telephone report to a child protective agency, followed by a written report within 36 hours. Failure to report is a misdemeanor. The LCSW should not delay by consulting colleagues or discussing with parents first.
6Under California's Tarasoff duty, when is an LCSW legally obligated to breach confidentiality?
A.When a client expresses general anger toward another person
B.When there is a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim
C.Whenever a client discusses violent fantasies during therapy
D.Only when a client has a documented history of violence
Explanation: Under California Civil Code Section 43.92 (codifying the Tarasoff duty), a psychotherapist including an LCSW has a duty to protect when a patient communicates a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim. The duty is discharged by making reasonable efforts to communicate the threat to the victim and to a law enforcement agency. General anger, fantasies without specific threats, or history alone do not trigger this duty.
7What is the psychotherapist-patient privilege under California Evidence Code Section 1014?
A.The therapist's right to refuse to testify about any client
B.The patient's right to prevent their therapist from disclosing confidential communications in legal proceedings
C.The court's right to compel testimony from any therapist
D.A privilege that only applies to psychiatrists and psychologists
Explanation: California Evidence Code Section 1014 establishes the psychotherapist-patient privilege, which belongs to the patient, not the therapist. This privilege allows patients to prevent their psychotherapist from disclosing confidential communications made during the course of treatment in any legal proceeding. The privilege applies to LCSWs as well as other licensed mental health professionals in California.
8Under California law, at what age can a minor consent to outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent?
A.Any age with therapist approval
B.Age 12 or older
C.Age 14 or older
D.Age 16 or older
Explanation: Under California Family Code Section 6924, a minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to mental health treatment or counseling services if the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently and there is a danger of serious physical or mental harm to the minor or others. The LCSW must determine that the minor meets these criteria before providing services without parental consent.
9What does California BPC Section 4996.18 require an ASW (Associate Clinical Social Worker) to do before providing clinical services?
A.Complete at least 1,000 hours of independent practice
B.Register with the BBS and practice under board-approved supervision
C.Obtain malpractice insurance of at least $5 million
D.Pass the ASWB Clinical examination
Explanation: California BPC Section 4996.18 requires individuals to hold an active registration with the BBS as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) before gaining supervised experience or providing clinical social work services post-master's degree. The ASW must practice under the supervision of a BBS-approved supervisor. The ASW registration allows individuals to gain supervised clinical experience toward LCSW licensure while being regulated by the board.
10How often must a California LCSW supervisor meet with their ASW supervisee for individual supervision?
A.At least once per month
B.At least once per week for each setting in which the ASW provides services
C.At least twice per month
D.As needed based on the supervisor's professional judgment
Explanation: Under California BBS regulations, an ASW must receive at least one hour of individual or triadic supervision (or two hours of group supervision) per week in each setting where they provide clinical services. An additional hour of individual/triadic supervision (or two additional hours of group) is required for any week in which the ASW performs more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling in that setting. A maximum of 6 hours of direct supervisor contact may be credited in any single week, and group supervision may supplement but not entirely replace individual supervision.

About the CA SW Juris Exam

The California LCSW Law and Ethics Examination is a closed-book, proctored exam required for all LCSW candidates in California. It tests knowledge of California-specific laws, ethics, and regulations governing clinical social work practice. The exam has 75 questions (50 scored, 25 unscored pilot items) and must be completed in 90 minutes at a Pearson VUE testing center. Candidates must pass this exam before sitting for the ASWB Clinical examination.

Exam sponsor: California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) / 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; neither the BBS nor Pearson VUE publishes a numeric passing score (scaled, criterion-referenced)

Exam / Certification Fees

Examination fee is paid to the BBS with the application (non-refundable, non-transferable); fees are not accepted at the Pearson VUE test center

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: Confidentiality, Privilege, and Consent

Confidentiality rules, privilege and its exceptions, informed consent, and release of information.

16%

Law: Limits to Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

Child, elder, and dependent-adult abuse reporting, duty to protect, and other mandated disclosures.

12%

Law: Legal Standards for Professional Practice

Scope of practice, supervision and registration rules, records, telehealth, and business practices under the BPC and 16 CCR.

16%

Ethics: Professional Competence and Preventing Harm

Competence, impairment, non-discrimination, and preventing harm to clients.

24%

Ethics: Therapeutic Relationship

Boundaries, dual relationships, sexual misconduct, termination, and the therapeutic frame.

16%

Ethics: Business Practices and Policies

Fees, advertising, record-keeping, and professional-relationship ethics.

Preparing for the CA SW Juris Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail; neither the BBS nor Pearson VUE publishes a numeric passing score (scaled, criterion-referenced)
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Examination fee is paid to the BBS with the application (non-refundable, non-transferable); fees are not accepted at the Pearson VUE test center Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA SW Juris: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the Tarasoff duty to warn/protect framework under Civil Code Section 43.92 — know when it is triggered and how it is discharged
2Know all exceptions to the psychotherapist-patient privilege under Evidence Code Sections 1014-1027
3Study mandated reporting timelines: immediate telephone report + written report within 36 hours for child abuse (Penal Code 11166)
4Understand minor consent rules: Family Code Section 6924 (age 12+, outpatient mental health, maturity standard after AB 665) and Family Code Section 6929 (age 12+, substance abuse treatment)
5Review ASW supervision requirements including weekly individual supervision, 6-supervisee maximum, and supervisor qualifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California LCSW Law and Ethics Exam?

The California LCSW Law and Ethics Exam is a state-specific, closed-book, proctored exam required for LCSW licensure. It has 75 questions (50 scored, 25 unscored) in 90 minutes at Pearson VUE. It tests California BPC, confidentiality laws, mandated reporting, Tarasoff duty, and professional ethics specific to clinical social work practice.

What score do I need to pass the CA LCSW Law & Ethics exam?

The BBS reports the Law and Ethics Examination as pass/fail on a scaled, criterion-referenced basis; neither the BBS nor Pearson VUE publishes a numeric passing score or a percentage. Because 25 of the 75 questions are unscored pilot items, your result reflects only the 50 scored questions.

Do I take the Law & Ethics exam before or after the ASWB Clinical exam?

California requires candidates to pass the Law and Ethics Examination first, before they are eligible to take the ASWB Clinical examination. This sequence ensures knowledge of California-specific laws before demonstrating national clinical competence.

What California laws are most heavily tested?

Key statutes include BPC Sections 4996-4996.9 (Social Work Practice Act), Evidence Code Section 1014 (privilege), Civil Code Section 43.92 (Tarasoff), Penal Code Section 11166 (child abuse reporting), WIC Section 15630 (elder abuse), Family Code Section 6924 (minor consent), and BPC Section 2290.5 (telehealth).