Application for Psychiatric Technician Licensure by Examination

DCA BreEZe Online Services

Applications can be submitted online at DCA BreEZe Online Services

Psychiatric Technicians Licensure Application Forms

• PT Applicant Live Scan Fingerprint Forms
• PT Employment Verification
• Record of Experience
• Record of Military Service
• Record of Psychiatric Technician Program (or Equivalent Education)

Notices and Information

• Applicant Important Information
• Expedited Licensure for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Holders of Special Immigrant Visas
• Notice on Collection of Personal Information For Applicants and Licensees

Qualifying Methods

There are four methods to qualify for licensure as a psychiatric technician in the State of California. All applicants for licensure under Section 4511 of the Business and Professions Code must meet the requirements of one of the following methods.

Read the Summary of Requirements for Licensure for each of the following methods and download the application forms for the method by which you qualify.

PLEASE NOTE: The Applicant Live Scan Fingerprint Forms will need to be submitted with each qualifying method.

Method #1 – Graduates of California Approved Schools of Psychiatric Technicians

Instructions are on file with each school. Applications must be submitted by the Director of your Psychiatric Technician Program. Contact your program director for application instructions and forms.

A list of programs that offer courses for licensed psychiatric technicians which are approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians can be found on the DCA License Search under Psychiatric Technician Program License Type.

The individual programs should be contacted for information related to specific courses, course content, dates of courses, location and fees.

Method #2 – Received education equivalent to a California approved Psychiatric Technician program

This method requires completion of a Psychiatric Technician course in a school approved by the Board of Nursing in the State in which it is located.

Section 4545.3 of the Business and Professions Code specifies that a license which is not renewed for 4 years shall expire. An expired license cannot be renewed, re-issued or reinstated. The licensee is required to submit a new application and retake the licensure examination to receive a new license.

Applicants under this method must submit evidence of prior licensure with this Board (i.e., copy of expired license or license number, original issue date and expiration date.)

Method #3 – Received a combination of education and work experience

(Pharmacology Course Information)

Section 255 of the California Code of Regulations specifies that applications for licensure shall be made "on the form prescribed and provided by the Board". The Board has specific forms that employers must complete in order for an applicant to receive credit for paid work experience. This form will be sent directly to the employer by the Board, and the completed form must be returned directly back to the Board from the employer.

All documentation in support of an application for licensure should be provided directly to the Board. Employers should not provide confidential employment information on licensure applicants to individuals other than the Board.

Method #4 – Military

Received education and experience from the armed forces