The short answer: Use California's free DCA License Search. Match the person's name, credential, license number, status, and any public records. Do this before your first paid session.
Pick the right license
| What the person calls themself | License or registration to find | State board |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and family therapist | LMFT or AMFT | Board of Behavioral Sciences |
| Clinical social worker | LCSW or ASW | Board of Behavioral Sciences |
| Professional clinical counselor | LPCC or APCC | Board of Behavioral Sciences |
| Educational psychologist | LEP | Board of Behavioral Sciences |
| Psychologist | Psychologist | Board of Psychology |
| Psychological associate | Psychological Associate (registration) | Board of Psychology |
| Psychiatrist (MD) | Physician and Surgeon | Medical Board of California |
| Psychiatrist (DO) | Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon | Osteopathic Medical Board of California |
An associate is registered and still completing supervised hours. That is a real California registration, but it is not an independent license. The associate should name their supervisor.
The two-minute check
- Open search.dca.ca.gov.
- Choose the board and license type from the table above.
- Search the license number first. If you do not have it, search the person's first and last name.
- Open the record. Match the full name, credential, and license number to the therapist's profile or paperwork.
- Read the license status, the expiration date, and any secondary status shown.
- Open every public-record or disciplinary-action document shown. The icon means a record exists; it does not tell you the outcome by itself.
Decide what the result means
| Search result | What you know | Your next move |
|---|---|---|
| Current, with no secondary restriction shown | The state record says the credential is current | Confirm the number matches, then continue your fit and cost checks |
| Current, with probation or another restriction | The person may be allowed to practice under stated terms | Read the public order before deciding |
| Associate registration | The person is registered, not independently licensed | Ask for the supervisor's name and license number; verify both |
| Expired, delinquent, canceled, suspended, revoked, or surrendered | Do not assume the person may currently practice under that credential | Pause and contact the named board if the record is unclear |
| Public record or disciplinary action | A document exists | Read the document; an accusation is not the same as a final decision |
| No matching result | The search has not verified the claim | Check spelling, former names, license type, and number; then ask the board |
The database says whether a credential is current, expired, suspended, revoked, or connected to public discipline. A current status is a starting point, not a quality score.
Copy this message if something does not match
I searched the California DCA database and could not match the credential on your profile. Please send me your license or registration type, number, current status, and—if you are an associate—your supervisor's name and license number.
If the answer still does not match the state record, do not send payment or private health details. Use the board's contact information in the record. If care has already gone wrong, use our California therapist complaint checklist.
Every TherapyCalifornia profile displays the credential and number used for this check. Availability confirmation is a separate monthly check; neither one is a recommendation.
Sources
- California Department of Consumer Affairs, License Search and search FAQ.
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences, licensees and registrants.
- California Board of Psychology, licensee and registrant information.
- Medical Board of California, license verification.
Sources checked 23 August 2026.
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