Abstract: A process and apparatus for achieving multistage, hot catalyst stripping of spent FCC catalyst in a bubbling bed regenerator having a stripper mounted over the regenerator and a stripped catalyst standpipe within the regenerator. Hot catalyst stripping is achieved by lifting regenerated catalyst into the conventional stripper or to a secondary catalyst stripper under the primary stripper. Spent catalyst is heated by direct contact heat exchange with hot regenerated catalyst. Three different types of lift gas may be used to transport catalyst from the regenerator to the hot stripper, a light reactive hydrocarbon, an inert, or steam.