The Private Practice Launch Checklist

~2 hoursDo this first

• Confirm your exact licensure pathway and current requirements

  APCC → LPCC requires 3,000 total supervised hours over a minimum of 104 weeks, with at least 1,750 hours of direct clinical counseling. BBS requirements are set in statute and do change — always verify current rules directly at → bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lpcc.html

  The full LPCC applicant handbook is here: → BBS LPCC Handbook (PDF)

• Track your supervised hours from day one — by category

  You'll need to document hours by category (direct clinical counseling, supervision received, and other experience) for the BBS application. Starting late makes this dramatically harder. Start a spreadsheet today or use a dedicated tracker. The BBS FAQ for APCCs is essential reading: → APCC FAQ (PDF, updated Feb 2025)

• Register your APCC number with BBS before accruing hours

  Hours generally don't count toward licensure until you're registered as an APCC — with a narrow 90-day exception for post-graduation hours. Do not wait on this. Register as soon as you're eligible. → APCC registration info at BBS

• Confirm your supervisor's qualifications — in writing, before you start

  Supervisors must hold a qualifying license and meet BBS supervisor requirements. A verbal confirmation isn't enough — get it documented. Full supervisor qualification requirements: → BBS Supervisor Qualifications Summary (PDF, updated Sep 2024)

• Understand telehealth supervision rules

  California permits telehealth supervision, but the platform must be HIPAA-compliant. Zoom for Healthcare (not standard Zoom) or another BAA-covered platform only. Confirm this with your supervisor before your first remote session. → BBS Supervisor Information for APCC supervisors

• ⚠ If your program is out of state: verify your coursework meets CA BBS requirements before you graduate

  This is the one that catches people by surprise — and the consequences are serious. California has specific required coursework for LPCC licensure that not all out-of-state programs cover. If your program is missing required courses (such as California law and ethics, or specific clinical population hours), you'll need to complete them separately, often within a strict post-graduation window. Miss that window and your degree may not qualify you for California licensure at all.

  Schools don't always flag this proactively. Don't assume your program has it covered — verify it yourself, early. The BBS publishes a guide specifically for out-of-state applicants: → CA BBS Out-of-State Applicant Requirements Guide (PDF, updated Oct 2024)

  If you're currently enrolled in an out-of-state program and planning to practice in California, contact the BBS directly to review your transcript against their requirements before your final semester. → Contact the BBS

~3 hoursBefore your first private-pay client

• Choose your business structure: Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC

  Most new therapists start as sole proprietors — lower overhead, simpler taxes, less administrative burden. An LLC adds liability protection but also complexity and cost. This is not a Google-it decision. Consult a CPA who works with mental health practitioners before you choose. → California FTB: Starting a Business

• Register a DBA if your practice name differs from your legal name

  File a fictitious business name (FBN) with your county clerk's office. In Los Angeles: → LA County FBN Filing. Small fee, typically processed within a few weeks.

• Get your EIN — free, instant, 10 minutes

  Apply online at → IRS.gov EIN Online Application. Your EIN replaces your SSN on every professional form, insurance panel application, and 1099. Do this before you open your business bank account.

• Open a dedicated business bank account

  Separate business and personal finances from the very first dollar. Mixing them creates accounting nightmares at tax time. Most banks offer free business checking for sole proprietors — bring your EIN and your DBA filing if applicable.

• Get your NPI number (Type 1 — Individual Provider)

  Required for insurance billing, many directories, and referral networks. Free. Apply online — electronic applications process in approximately 10 business days. → NPPES — Apply for NPI. Apply earlier than you think you need it.

• Set up bookkeeping from the start — not "later"

  Wave is free and handles the basics well for solo practitioners. QuickBooks Self-Employed (~$15/mo) syncs with your bank and categorizes expenses automatically. Track every business expense from day one. Your future CPA will thank you.

~1 hourNon-negotiable

• Get professional liability (malpractice) insurance

  Common providers for California therapists — compare coverage terms, not just premiums:

  • → CPH & Associates — widely used by CA therapists
  • → HPSO (Healthcare Providers Service Organization)
  • → Berxi — newer, competitive rates
  • → CAMFT member insurance program

  Most solo practitioners start at $1M per occurrence / $3M aggregate. Read what's actually covered — policies vary on supervision liability, telehealth, and complaints.

• Consider general liability if you have a physical office

  Covers slip-and-fall incidents and property damage at your location. Often bundled with professional liability for minimal added cost. If you're subletting office space, your landlord may require it — check your lease.

• Join CAMFT or AAMFT — insurance savings often cover the cost of membership

  Both associations offer member discounts on liability insurance. If you're already paying for coverage without a membership discount, run the numbers. → CAMFT.org · → AAMFT.org

  CAMFT also publishes clinical and ethical guidance specific to California practice — a resource worth having.

~2 hours setupYou'll use this every single day

• Choose your EHR and commit to it — switching later is painful

  The top options for solo therapists in 2026 (all HIPAA-compliant, all offer free trials):

  • → SimplePractice — $49–$99/mo. Best overall UX. Built-in telehealth, billing, scheduling, and notes. Most therapists I know use this. Start here if you're not sure.
  • → TherapyNotes — $59/mo solo. Excellent clinical documentation structure. Steeper learning curve but strong note templates.
  • → Jane App — $79/mo. Well-designed. Better suited for group practices but works well solo too.

  Try the free trials before you commit. Your EHR is where you'll spend significant time every week — it matters that you actually like using it.

• Build your intake forms before you see anyone

  At minimum: informed consent, HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, practice policies, emergency contact, and credit card authorization. Your EHR has templates — customize them to sound like you, not a legal form. Send everything before the first session, not during it.

• Set your cancellation policy and embed it in your consent form

  24-hour or 48-hour cancellation fees protect your income and set clear expectations from day one. Therapists without a policy absorb the full cost of late cancellations. You don't have to do that. → CAMFT Ethics resources for guidance on fee and cancellation policy ethics in California.

• Set up HIPAA-compliant telehealth before you need it

  Most EHRs include telehealth — use it. If you want to use Zoom separately, you need Zoom for Healthcare with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Standard Zoom consumer accounts are not HIPAA-compliant for clinical sessions. This is not a technicality.

~1 hourBefore you quote anyone a fee

• Calculate your minimum viable fee — before you set anything

  Add up all monthly business expenses: office rent (or a portion of your home office), EHR subscription, malpractice insurance, phone, professional development, consultation fees. Divide by your realistic number of billable sessions per month. That number is your floor — your fee is higher than that.

• Research actual market rates in your specific area

  California LPCC rates vary significantly by location. In Los Angeles and the Bay Area, $150–$250/session is typical for private-pay solo practice. Check → Psychology Today therapist profiles in your zip code — many therapists list their rates. Don't underprice yourself based on fear.

• Set a full fee and a deliberate sliding scale policy

  Recommended approach: set your standard fee at market rate, reserve 2–3 sliding scale spots with specific criteria you define. Sliding scale is a clinical and ethical decision — not a default for everyone who asks. → CAMFT guidance on fee practices

• Decide on insurance panels with your eyes open

  Insurance panels offer referral volume but significantly reduce per-session income and add substantial administrative burden. Many therapists in California start private-pay only and add panels selectively later. Neither path is wrong — make it an intentional choice. Research reimbursement rates at → PanelFinder before you decide.

OngoingThe part that actually feels like practice

• Create your Psychology Today profile

  $29.95/month. Still the most-used therapist directory in the country — most clients find therapists here first. Fill out every field. Use a real, professional photo. Write your bio in first person. → Join Psychology Today

  Note: National Certified Counselors (NCCs) may qualify for 6 months free — worth checking through → NBCC.org.

• Also consider: Therapy Den, Inclusive Therapists, Open Path

  → Therapy Den — values-aligned, good UX, free basic listing. → Inclusive Therapists — excellent for BIPOC-affirming and LGBTQ+-affirming practices. → Open Path Collective — reduced-fee network for sliding scale slots specifically.

• Design your free consultation process before you need it

  Offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Have 3–4 questions ready. Be prepared to explain your approach, your fees, and your availability clearly. This is a mutual fit conversation — not an interview you can fail.

• Have every intake document ready before the first session — not during it

  Informed consent, HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, practice policies, emergency contact. Send via your EHR before the appointment. Starting sessions with paperwork erodes the therapeutic frame from minute one.

• Build your documentation workflow before it becomes a backlog

  Progress notes within 24 hours. Initial assessment within the first 1–2 sessions. Know your supervisor's format and frequency requirements. Documentation debt compounds faster than you think — stay current from week one.

• Set up a dedicated business phone number

  → Google Voice is free and works well for most therapists starting out. For a more professional HIPAA-compliant option, look into services like → Phone.com (offers HIPAA BAA) or your EHR's built-in messaging. Never use your personal number with clients.

• Start building a referral network now — not after you're full

  Connect with 3–5 therapists in your area who hold different specialties. Referrals are reciprocal. The psychiatrist who can't take your overflow becomes the person who sends you their therapy referrals. Relationships in this field compound over years. Start early.