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Podcast episode 2: Kim Madsen, California BBS, on license exams

January 29, 2018 by Ben Caldwell

Psychotherapy Notes podcastFor the opening episode of our podcast, we talked about why license exams don’t work, but we should keep them anyway. In this follow-up, we talk with Kim Madsen, the Executive Officer of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The BBS licenses marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers (LCSWs), and professional clinical counselors (LPCCs). You may be surprised at what she has to say about the license exam process.

Rather than defending the process, Madsen acknowledges that there is no research that actually connects license exam results with safety for independent practice. She also offers her own guidance to those approaching the exam process.

It’s worth noting that Jeff Liebert and I did this interview before problems emerged with California’s MFT Clinical Exam, an issue we’re still working on. This interview was also before California’s new regulations allowing additional time for those who speak English as a second language took effect. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to hear frank discussion of exams from the woman in charge of the licensing process for more than 100,000 mental health professionals.

We welcome your feedback. You can always email us with comments and suggestions for topics you’d like to see us cover on the podcast in the future. Thanks for listening.

(You can find additional episodes on iTunes.)

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  • Exam Prep
    • California LMFT Clinical Exam Prep
    • California LMFT Law & Ethics Exam Prep
    • California LPCC Law & Ethics Exam Prep
    • California LCSW Law & Ethics Exam Prep
  • CE Courses
    • California Law and Ethics 6-Hour for LMFTs, LPCCs, & LCSWs
    • California Law and Ethics for BBS Associates (AMFTs, APCCs, & ASWs) – 2025
    • Telehealth for California LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs
    • Supervision of California BBS Associates
    • Supervision for Clinical Effectiveness
  • Books
    • Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs (11th ed)
    • Preparing for the 2025 California MFT Law & Ethics Exam
    • Preparing for the 2025 California Clinical Social Work Law & Ethics Exam
    • Saving Psychotherapy
  • Resources
    • Think Like the Test™ Podcast
    • Exam Prep Articles
  • Blog
    • Blog home
    • Psychology
    • Professional Counseling
    • Family therapy
    • Clinical social work
    • Law and ethics
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Licensure
    • Public policy