Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
October and December 2025

October 13, 2025

Another big step toward the national exam!

On October 13, Governor Newsom signed SB 775, giving the BBS the green light to move forward with regulations for adopting the national MFT exam.

We’ll share more updates after the BBS meeting later this month!

#MFTExam #SB775 #TherapyLegislation #MFTCommunity #BBSUpdates #CaliforniaTherapists #NationalExam #TherapistLife #Advocacy #CaliforniaMFT

December 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed major changes to federal student loans -- including phasing out Grad PLUS loans and redefining who qualifies as a “professional student.”

This new definition could significantly limit borrowing options for current and future Marriage and Family Therapists and other master’s-level health providers.

CAMFT is actively working with national partners to push back against these changes through coordinated advocacy and grassroots action.

Stay tuned for ways you can raise your voice and help protect financial pathways for health care providers, and help ensure timely access to care.

#professionalstudent #departmentofeducation #federalstudentloans

December 12, 2025

We've got more news for our LMFT community! The BBS recently approved proposed regulations that would shift California to the AMFTRB National Exam for LMFT licensure, modernizing the process and aligning us with most U.S. jurisdictions.

This change is not final yet and won’t take effect before January 1, 2027, but planning is already underway.

We know pre-licensees, supervisors, and educators will have questions, and we’re working closely with BBS and AMFTRB to ensure a smooth, well-communicated transition.

Stay tuned for more updates!

#MFTExam #SB775 #TherapyLegislation #MFTCommunity #BBSUpdates #CaliforniaTherapists #NationalExam #TherapistLife #Advocacy #CaliforniaMFT

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT maintains a full-time private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, adults and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ArielCohenLMFT@gmail.com .