How to Become a Child Behavioral Therapist in California

Mental health or learning disorders affected one in five US children before the pandemic. The situation remains challenging in 2024, as the World Health Organization reports mental disorders in 13 percent of 10-to 19-year-olds.

A career as a child behavioral therapist opens up great growth opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19 percent growth in mental health counselor jobs between 2023 and 2033. Your career path depends on understanding the right degree requirements and time investment needed to become a child therapist.

The path to becoming a child and adolescent therapist demands commitment but pays well. Mental health counselors earn $65,100 on average each year. Family therapists can make up to $87,274 annually in related specialties. The road to certification requires about 3,000 supervised clinical hours, which takes two to three years typically.

Children represent much of today’s counseling needs. Your skills as a child behavioral therapist will prove both valuable and essential. This piece guides you through California’s certification process, covering everything from education requirements to licensing exams and career launch strategies.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Education Requirements

A career as a child behavioral therapist requires preparation well before graduate school. Your educational experience starts with simple qualifications that gradually build toward specialized knowledge in child psychology and behavioral therapy.

Start with a high school diploma or GED

Every professional experience starts with a first step. Future child behavioral therapists need a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. California approves two high school equivalency tests: the GED® and HiSET® exams. These tests are accessible to more people who are 18 years and older, though 17-year-olds might qualify under certain circumstances.

High school students should take courses that develop relevant skills for their future career. Classes in social sciences, psychology, English, and child development give a great way to get background knowledge. Students who volunteer with children or work part-time in childcare settings can learn about practical aspects early.

The path after high school takes at least seven years to become a fully qualified child behavioral therapist. This long-term dedication requires planning and patience, but helping children overcome behavioral challenges makes the experience worthwhile.

What degree do you need to be a child therapist?

Licensed child behavioral therapists in California need a master’s degree in a relevant field. The academic path starts with a bachelor’s degree, which takes four years of full-time study.

A bachelor’s degree creates the foundation for specialized knowledge. Many students want to specialize right away, but note that most master’s programs in counseling or therapy need a completed bachelor’s degree.

California’s Family Therapist requirements include a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage, family, and child psychology, counseling with emphasis on marriage, family, and child counseling, or social work with emphasis on clinical social work. This advanced education must come from an accredited institution according to California’s licensing requirements.

Choosing the right undergraduate major

Students have several undergraduate major options that prepare them for a child behavioral therapy career:

• Psychology or Child Psychology: These majors provide foundational knowledge in human behavior and development
• Child Development: Students study growth cycles from birth through adolescence from psychological viewpoints
• Education or Early Childhood Education: These programs offer valuable training in lifecycle development and direct interaction with children
• Social Work: Provides understanding of family dynamics and social systems
• Behavioral Science: Covers essential topics like basic psychology and developmental psychology

Each major has coursework in human behavior, developmental psychology, and statistical methods. Programs often offer upper-division classes in early development, behavioral and emotional childhood issues, adolescent development, play therapy, and cognitive development.

Many universities don’t offer specific undergraduate programs in child therapy, but most have concentrations in counseling or psychology that serve as excellent preparation. The chosen major should be complemented with practical experience working with children. This approach improves learning outcomes and strengthens graduate school applications.

Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree in Counseling or Psychology

Getting a master’s degree in counseling or psychology is a vital step to become a child behavioral therapist in California after completing your bachelor’s degree. This graduate-level education gives you specialized knowledge and clinical skills to work with children who face behavioral and emotional challenges.

How many years to become a child therapist?

The path to becoming a licensed child therapist goes beyond just education. You’ll need 2-3 years to complete a master’s program in counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field after your bachelor’s degree. The next step requires about 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, which usually takes 2-3 years. Your experience from starting undergraduate education to full licensure will take 8-10 years.

Most master’s programs need 60 semester units (approximately 20 courses) to graduate. Full-time students usually complete these requirements in 2-3 years. Students who balance work or family responsibilities can choose part-time options, though this makes the timeline longer.

California requires specific coursework in child abuse assessment and its coverage, human sexuality, substance use disorders, spousal/partner abuse, aging, and long-term care. These requirements prepare you to handle diverse challenges that children and families face.

Finding CACREP-accredited programs

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) sets the gold standard for counseling education. CACREP-accredited programs offer several benefits:

• Curriculum quality: These programs follow rigorous standards that ensure complete coverage of essential counseling concepts
• Licensure preparation: Many states, including California, look favorably at CACREP accreditation during licensing
• Employer recognition: Many employers prefer graduates from accredited programs
• Doctoral program preparation: CACREP accreditation can make your transition easier if you decide to pursue a doctoral degree

You should look at their clinical training components carefully. Quality programs give substantial supervised practicum experiences with children and adolescents. Faculty expertise in child psychology and behavioral therapy can improve your education through mentorship.

Child and adolescent therapy specializations

Your master’s program will let you focus on areas that matter most for child behavioral therapy:

Play therapy shows you techniques to understand children through their natural language of play. This approach works best with younger children who don’t deal very well with verbalizing complex emotions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps young clients identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier alternatives. This evidence-based approach tackles issues from anxiety to disruptive behaviors.

Family systems therapy looks at how family dynamics shape child behavior. This enables you to create positive change by working with the entire family unit.

Trauma-informed care teaches you to spot and address adverse childhood experiences’ effects. This skill matters because childhood trauma is common.

Your master’s education should focus on child development, pediatric psychopathology, and family dynamics coursework. Clinical experiences in schools, community mental health centers, or pediatric hospitals will give you direct experience with your target population.

The master’s degree marks your shift from general psychological knowledge to specialized expertise in helping children overcome behavioral challenges. Your program choice will shape your professional identity as a child behavioral therapist.

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

Supervised clinical experience connects academic knowledge with professional practice as you work toward becoming a child behavioral therapist. This hands-on training phase puts your theoretical understanding to test in ground settings while experienced professionals guide you.

Understanding practicum vs. internship

Practicums and internships provide distinct experiences despite serving similar purposes. A practicum requires fewer hours—like a regular college class—with extensive supervision. Internships require more substantial time commitments that can last an entire year.

The supervision approach differs significantly between the two. Practicum students work closely with professors who provide detailed guidance. Interns cooperate with practicing professionals who allow more independence. This progression reflects your growing capabilities on your path to becoming a child behavioral therapist.

Practicums remain unpaid due to their educational focus and limited hours. Some internships offer payment depending on the organization. Competition becomes more intense for paid positions.

How many hours are required in California?

California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences mandates 3,000 total supervised hours over a minimum of 104 weeks (two calendar years). You must gain this experience while registered as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), with limited exceptions under the 90-day rule.

The hours follow a specific distribution: direct counseling with individuals, groups, couples, or families must account for at least 1,750 hours. Non-clinical activities can fill the remaining 1,250 hours. These include administering psychological tests, writing reports, client advocacy, and attending approved training sessions.

Most professionals take 3-5 years after earning their master’s degree to accumulate these hours. This practical training period requires substantial commitment but helps you develop specialized skills to work effectively with children facing behavioral challenges.

Tips for working with children during training

Safety requirements play a vital role in clinical training with children. Programs require professional liability insurance during clinical experience courses. You must also complete background checks, get fingerprinting clearance, and pass TB testing before working with young clients.

Digital tracking tools help you record hours across different categories and meet California’s specific requirements. Qualified supervisors who meet state criteria must verify all supervised hours.

Note that supervised experience combines practicum hours from your graduate program (typically 300+ hours) with post-graduation clinical hours needed for licensure. Weekly supervision meetings let you discuss cases, receive feedback, and refine your approach to child behavioral therapy.

Step 4: Pass the Required Licensing Exams in California

Getting your professional license as a child behavioral therapist in California starts with passing the required exams. Your education and supervised hours must be complete before you can take these tests to prove your knowledge.

Overview of NCE and NCMHCE exams

California requires all prospective counselors to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). This detailed assessment includes 11 clinical case studies with each case having 9-15 multiple-choice questions. The exam gives you 225 minutes to answer 130-150 questions.

The NCMHCE tests your skills in five key areas:

• Professional Practice and Ethics (15%)
• Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis (25%)
• Treatment Planning (15%)
• Counseling Skills and Interventions (30%)
• Core Counseling Attributes (15%)

Some states use the National Counselor Examination (NCE) instead. The NCE has 200 multiple-choice questions based on CACREP content areas. The difference between these exams matters because licensing requirements change across states.

California-specific jurisprudence exam

The California Law and Ethics Exam is another requirement in California. This computer-based test gives you 90 minutes to answer 75 multiple-choice questions, though only 50 count toward your score. The test covers Law (40%) and Ethics (60%) topics including:

• Confidentiality, privilege, and consent
• Mandated reporting
• Professional competence
• Therapeutic relationships
• Business practices

You’ll need to take this exam at least once during each renewal period until you pass. After a failed attempt, you must wait 90 days before trying again, with up to four attempts allowed each year.

Preparing for the test and study resources

Good preparation is vital for passing these exams. The testing organizations provide content outlines that break down all subject areas and show how questions are distributed.

Helpful resources include:

• Official practice tests (USD 35 for some exams)
• Test-taking strategy resources
• Study guides from professional organizations
• Specialized exam prep companies that offer workshops and practice tests

Most people spend 3-6 months studying before their exam date. You can ask for accommodations if needed – options include extra time, private testing rooms, or breaks.

Passing these exams is your final step toward becoming a licensed child behavioral therapist in California.

Step 5: Apply for Licensure and Start Your Career

You’ve completed all educational requirements and passed your exams. The next step to become a licensed child behavioral therapist in California involves submitting your application and starting your career. This final phase turns your years of preparation into real-world practice.

Submitting your application to the California BBS

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requires you to request your license and pay the original license fee within one year after passing both the Clinical Exam and California Law and Ethics Exam. The BBS provides different application paths for in-state and out-of-state applicants. Most candidates must submit official transcripts, supervised experience verification, exam scores, and complete a background check.

The Board’s registrations stay valid for 6 years (five renewals). You can apply for another registration number if you need more time to complete supervised hours. However, this comes with limitations on working in private practice settings.

Where child behavioral therapists work

Child behavioral therapists in California work in settings of all types. Many choose private clinics, government agencies, social services, hospitals, and outpatient or residential facilities. Some therapists run their own private practices and provide therapy in offices or visit children’s schools and homes. The field also offers opportunities in schools, social service offices, children’s homes, and juvenile detention centers.

Job responsibilities typically include:

• Conducting one-on-one sessions with young clients
• Evaluating mental health and providing diagnoses
• Developing customized treatment plans
• Educating families and teachers about clients’ conditions
• Maintaining records and handling insurance matters

Learning about job roles and salary expectations

California offers competitive pay for child behavioral therapists. Mental health counselors earn $65,100 on average each year. The salary range spans from $39,090 (10th percentile) to $98,210 (90th percentile). Family therapists, who work in a similar field, earn about $87,274 yearly.

The average hourly rate for behavioral therapists in California stands at $23.45. Rates vary by location. San Diego leads with $27.54 per hour, while Fremont follows at $25.58. Experience makes a big difference in earnings. Practitioners with master’s degrees and several years of experience typically earn between $54,000 and $70,000 yearly. This is a big deal as it means that private practice or leadership roles can bring in more than $100,000.

Start Your Career as a Child Behavioral Therapist Today

A career as a child behavioral therapist in California takes steadfast dedication, education, and practical experience. This piece outlines five simple steps: completing your education, earning a master’s degree, gaining supervised clinical experience, passing licensing exams, and getting your license to start your professional practice.

Of course, this career path needs commitment—about 8-10 years from undergraduate studies to full licensure. All the same, the professional rewards match this investment. Your career prospects look strong with expected job growth of 19% through 2033. Annual salaries range from $65,100 to $87,274.

Money aside, your work will create meaningful change in children’s lives. Before the pandemic, one in five children faced mental health issues. This statistic highlights our need for qualified professionals like you. Each child you help represents a future that changes through your expertise and care.

Note that each step of this experience shapes your professional identity. Your undergraduate studies are the foundations, graduate education gives you specialized knowledge, supervised experience builds practical skills, and licensing exams confirm your expertise. These steps prepare you to serve children and families in settings of all types throughout California.

The path takes time, but each milestone moves you closer to a career that helps children overcome behavioral challenges. Your dedication mirrors the patience and persistence you’ll teach your young clients—qualities that without doubt make you perfect for this rewarding profession.