California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §4999.82: It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any of the following acts: (a) Engage in the practice of professional clinical counseling, as defined in Section 4999.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to practice professional clinical counseling, use restricted titles, or use confusing designations without a valid license, or to refuse to provide information to the licensing board.

Read the full statutory text

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any of the following acts: (a) Engage in the practice of professional clinical counseling, as defined in Section 4999.20, without first having complied with the provisions of this chapter and without holding a valid license as required by this chapter. (b) Represent himself or herself by the title “licensed professional clinical counselor,” “LPCC,” “licensed clinical counselor,” or “professional clinical counselor” without being duly licensed according to the provisions of this chapter. (c) Make any use of any title, words, letters, or abbreviations, that may reasonably be confused with a designation provided by this chapter to denote a standard of professional or occupational competence without being duly licensed. (d) Materially refuse to furnish the board information or records required or requested pursuant to this chapter.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.