Behavioral Health Careers by State
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for those interested in a job or career in the fields of mental health and substance use. There are many options to start and grow a behavioral health career--all with varying requirements for entry and maintenance, which often varies by state. This guide can help you understand the basic requirements to enter the field in each state. You can also learn more about each role.
California Careers
Addiction Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | ||
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2080 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours (including 2 years direct supervisory experience) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certification Agency
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 10000 hours (including 2 years direct supervisory experience) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 255 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Registered Nursing
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be a licensed RN | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 30 hours |
Clinical Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 18 hours (first renewal); 36 hours (subsequent renewals) |
Marriage and Family Therapist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | ||
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 18 hours (first renewal); 36 hours (subsequent renewals) |
Mental Health Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 18 hours (first renewal); 36 hours (subsequent renewals) |
Peer Recovery Support Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Mental Health Services Authority
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No (but training required) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
Physician Assistant
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Physician Assistant Board
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 50 hours |
Prevention Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Credentialing
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 120 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Psychiatric Aide
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | ||
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 30 hours |
Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Osteopathic Medical Board
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 50 hours |
Psychologist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
California Board of Psychology
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (1500 hours accrued post-degree) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |