California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5751.1

Regulations pertaining to the position of director of local mental health services, where the local director is other than the local health officer or medical administrator of the county hospitals, shall require that the director meet the standards of education and experience established by the Director of Health Care Services and that the appointment be open on the basis of competence to all eligible disciplines pursuant to Section 5751. Regulations pertaining to the qualifications of directors of local mental health services shall be administered in accordance with Section 5607.

Where the director of local mental health services is not a psychiatrist, the program shall have a psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this state and who shall provide to patients medical care and services as authorized by Section 2137 of the Business and Professions Code.