| To provide direction on Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) requirements regarding professional licenses, registrations, certificates and license waivers.
Contracted agencies shall develop an internal policy and associated procedures that are consistent with their organizational practices and meet the requirements set forth in this policy.
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| As a condition of employment, employees holding any payroll title that has licensure as a requirement, must maintain a valid and active license at all times.
Psychologists or Psychiatric Social Workers I (PSW I) who are not licensed by the relevant time limit set by this policy may not perform any duties requiring a license and may be terminated from DMH employment for lack of meeting licensure requirements within required time frames to perform clinical functions. -
At the discretion of DMH, employees may be allowed to demote voluntarily to lower level, non-treatment positions for which they have satisfactorily demonstrated the required skills and abilities. -
Employees may also be considered for continued employment if they demote voluntarily to a previously held non-treatment position in which they performed at a competent level, provided vacant, budgeted positions are available. It is the responsibility of employees to ensure that State examination requirements are met and licensure is obtained within applicable deadlines.
DMH may forgo the licensure requirement for PSW I, Community Mental Health Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist II positions, in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4996.18 and 5751.2 respectively. This permits individuals employed in these positions to gain qualifying experience for the respective California State licensing examination and/or sufficient time to apply for, take and pass the relevant examination.
Employees are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension, reduction or discharge, if they allow their licensure to expire or their license is revoked, or if they fail to renew the required license in a timely manner. When a license issued by a government agency is required, it must be with the appropriate California government agency or board, pursuant to State law. If a certification or registration with a non-governmental organization is required (e.g., for Occupational Therapist classifications), it must be issued by the organization identified in the relevant class specification.
In addition to Physician and Surgeon licensure, all physicians shall maintain a valid United States Drug Enforcement Agency Controlled Substance Registration Certificate that allows them to prescribe any drug listed on the DMH formulary.
Employees who perform the “out-of-class” duties of a licensed classification must have the appropriate licensure status.
Employees in positions that do not require licensure but who hold licenses are strongly encouraged to maintain them in an active status.
Employees who materially falsify their employment record as it relates to licensure or submit a falsified license may be terminated from employment.
Employees who materially falsify an examination application as it relates to licensure or who submit a falsified license shall have their application rejected and may be terminated from employment.
Employees are responsible for meeting any requirements, such as obtaining Continuing Education Units, to maintain a valid license set by their profession’s licensing board in sufficient time so that their licensed status is continuously in force.
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