Clinical Supervision Guides›Free Supervision Toolkit›Videoconference Assessment
Last updated: November 4, 2026
The videoconference assessment record documents the meeting in which a California supervisor decides whether supervision by two-way, real-time videoconferencing suits a supervisee. The law names the factors the supervisor must weigh and requires the result in writing, and the record below has a line for each of them, followed by a completed example.
The record is part of the Sentio MFT program's free clinical supervision toolkit.
This is an optional aid from the Sentio MFT program's clinical supervision toolkit. This is not a BBS form.
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Supervisee and supervisor | |
| Date supervision began; date videoconference supervision began | |
| Date of the assessment meeting | |
| Supervisee's abilities | Clinical experience; comfort and skill with the platform; any needs that call for in-person contact |
| Preferences | The supervisee's preference; the supervisor's preference |
| Privacy of each location | Supervisee: private room, others present, headphones. Supervisor: the same. |
| Platform and confidentiality | Platform used; whether it meets the employer's privacy requirements; how recordings are shared; no client identifiers in chat |
| Decision | Appropriate / Appropriate with conditions / Not appropriate |
| Conditions | For example, an in-person session each month, or a switch to in person if a stated concern arises |
| Review date | |
| Supervisor signature and date |
What Does California Require Before Supervising by Videoconference?
Direct supervisor contact in California can be in person, by two-way, real-time videoconferencing, or both, in any work setting; telephone supervision does not count. Within 60 days, the supervisor must meet with the supervisee to assess whether videoconferencing is appropriate, considering at least the supervisee's abilities, the preferences of both the supervisee and the supervisor, and the privacy of each person's location; must document the result; and must not use videoconferencing if it is not appropriate. The supervisor is also responsible for keeping videoconference supervision within the law's confidentiality requirements (BPC 4980.43.2).
The deadline changes on January 1, 2027. Through December 31, 2026, the meeting is required for every supervisee, within 60 days of the start of supervision. From January 1, 2027, SB 1445 requires it only when supervision is conducted by videoconference, within 60 days of the start of that supervision. The Board supplies no form for the record. Our guide to remote and telehealth supervision for LMFT hours covers the rules from the associate's side, and our Clinical Supervision Guides cover the other deadlines in the first 60 days.
What Does a Completed Videoconference Assessment Look Like?
| Item | Example entry |
|---|---|
| Supervisee and supervisor | K.L., AMFT; supervisor A.B., LMFT |
| Dates | Supervision began January 12, 2027; videoconference supervision began February 2, 2027; assessment meeting held February 2, 2027, in person |
| Supervisee's abilities | Second-year associate; uses the agency's video platform daily with clients; no needs that call for in-person contact |
| Preferences | Both prefer video for weekly sessions and in person once a month |
| Privacy of each location | Supervisee: closed office at the agency, headphones. Supervisor: private home office, door closed. |
| Platform and confidentiality | Agency-approved platform under its business associate agreement; recordings shared through the agency system only; no client names in chat |
| Decision | Appropriate with conditions |
| Conditions | One in-person session each month; switch to in person if the supervisee's caseload includes a client at high risk |
| Review date | At the yearly assessment |
Keep reading
Remote and Telehealth Supervision for LMFT Hours, what SB 775 means for associates gaining hours by video
BBS Supervision Forms for California Supervisors, the Board forms due in the same 60 days
Clinical Supervision Log Template, the key-dates box that tracks this deadline
Your First Supervisee, what to do before and after a new supervisee starts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is clinical supervision by videoconference allowed in California?
Yes. Direct supervisor contact may be in person, by two-way, real-time videoconferencing, or both, in all work settings. Telephone supervision does not count.
When is the videoconference assessment due?
Through December 31, 2026, within 60 days of the start of supervision, for every supervisee. From January 1, 2027, only when supervision is conducted by videoconference, within 60 days of the start of that supervision.
What must the videoconference assessment consider?
At least the supervisee's abilities, the preferences of the supervisee and the supervisor, and the privacy of each person's location. The supervisor documents the result and does not use videoconferencing if it is not appropriate.
Does the BBS have a form for the videoconference assessment?
No. The Board requires the assessment to be documented but supplies no form, so a record like this one serves.
References
California Business and Professions Code § 4980.43.2. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=4980.43.2
Senate Bill 1445, Chapter 237, Statutes of 2026 (Cal. 2026). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1445
Board of Behavioral Sciences. (2026). Important answers to frequently asked questions for supervisors (new 02/2026). https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/faqs_for_supervisors.pdf
Board of Behavioral Sciences. (n.d.). Supervisor resources. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/supervisor.html
