{"code":"BPC","codeName":"Business and Professions Code","section":"4996","citation":"Bus. & Prof. Code, § 4996","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500. - 4999.202.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2"},{"name":"CHAPTER 14. Social Workers [4991. - 4998.5.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-14"},{"name":"ARTICLE 4. Licensure [4996. - 4997.1.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-14/article-4"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 20, Sec. 5.   Effective January 1, 2004.","effective":"2004-01-01","html":"<p>(a) Only individuals who have received a license under this article may style themselves as “Licensed Clinical Social Workers.” Every individual who styles himself or herself or who holds himself or herself out to be a licensed clinical social worker, or who uses any words or symbols indicating or tending to indicate that he or she is a licensed clinical social worker, without holding his or her license in good standing under this article, is guilty of a misdemeanor.</p><p>(b) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of clinical social work unless at the time of so doing such person holds a valid, unexpired, and unrevoked license under this article.</p><p>(c) A clinical social worker licensed under this chapter is a licentiate for purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section <a href=\"/bpc/805\">805</a>, and thus is a health care practitioner subject to the provisions of Section <a href=\"/bpc/2290.5\">2290.5</a> pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section.</p>","text":"(a) Only individuals who have received a license under this article may style themselves as “Licensed Clinical Social Workers.” Every individual who styles himself or herself or who holds himself or herself out to be a licensed clinical social worker, or who uses any words or symbols indicating or tending to indicate that he or she is a licensed clinical social worker, without holding his or her license in good standing under this article, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of clinical social work unless at the time of so doing such person holds a valid, unexpired, and unrevoked license under this article. (c) A clinical social worker licensed under this chapter is a licentiate for purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 805, and thus is a health care practitioner subject to the provisions of Section 2290.5 pursuant to subdivision (b) of that section.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/licensure-4996","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}