Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Information for Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Applicants
- Obtain a Qualifying Master's Degree
Business and Professions Code § 4980.36 specifies minimum degree requirements for the following applicants:
- Applicants who began graduate study on or after August 1, 2012.
- Applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, and who graduated from a degree program that meets the requirements stipulated in Business and Professions Code § 4980.36; OR
- Applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, and did not graduate on or before December 31, 2018.
Business and Professions Code § 4980.37 specifies minimum degree requirements for the following applicants:
- Applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, AND graduated on or before December 31, 2018.
See the “Schools with MFT Programs” drop down for a list of California schools, as well as online schools offering a degree designed to meet California's requirements.
- Register as an AMFT
Applicants cannot accrue postdegree supervised experience in California without registering with the Board, except under the 90–day rule.
- Fingerprint Requirement
- Live Scan available only in California
- Results submitted to DOJ and FBI electronically
- Live Scan Instructions
- Live Scan Request Form
- Additional information including hard cards for applicants outside of California
- Criminal Background Check
- Evaluation of the applicant's criminal history is part of the application process
- See the Criminal Convictions section for more information
- Criminal Conviction FAQ
- Take and Pass the California Law and Ethics Exam
Exam must be TAKEN annually to renew AMFT Registration until passed; Exam must be PASSED to receive a Subsequent AMFT Registration.
- Accrue Supervised Experience
- All postdegree hours in California must be gained while registered as an AMFT, except under the 90–day rule
- 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Hours must be submitted with the Application for Licensure
- For important information that will help ensure your hours will count toward licensure, be sure to read the following publications:
- Take and Pass the LMFT Clinical Exam
Applicants must complete all the above requirements, before clinical exam eligibility will be approved.
- Application for Licensure (IN–STATE) | Out–of–State Applicants – see the Out–of–State Applicants drop down menu below.
- Clinical Exam Candidate Handbook
- Schedule Exam with Pearson Vue
- Obtain LMFT license
Applicants must request license and pay an initial license fee within one year after passing Clinical Exam
- Which Application Should I Submit and What is the Process for Out–of–State and Out–of–Country Applicants?
- Guide to Educational Requirements for Out–of–State and Out–of–Country AMFT Registration Applicants
- NEW! Apply Online for an AMFT Registration
- Instructions for Online AMFT Registration Application
- Mail–in Application for AMFT Registration (Out–of–STATE AND Out–of–COUNTRY DEGREES)
- Mail–in Guide to Requirements for Out–of–State and Out–of–Country Applicants for LMFT Licensure
- Out–of–Country Degree Program Worksheet
- Application for LMFT Licensure (PATH A, Out–of–STATE)
- Application for LMFT Licensure (PATH B, Out–of–STATE)
- Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country
- NEW! Apply Online for an AMFT Registration
- Instructions for Online AMFT Registration Application
- Mail–in AMFT Registration Application Packet (IN–STATE)
- Mail–in AMFT Registration Application Packet (Out–of–STATE OR Out–of–COUNTRY DEGREE)
- 90–day rule/fingerprinting
- Top Tips for a Smooth Associate Application Process
- 6–year Life Span
- Registrations issued by the Board are valid for a 6–year period (five renewals)
- Registrants who have not completed all hours of supervised experience within the 6–year life span must apply for a subsequent registration number to continue the path toward licensure
- Many registrants apply for a second (or third, etc.) registration number to gain additional supervised work experience or for employment purposes
- Private Practice and Professional Corporation Settings
- Registrants with a subsequent registration number cannot work in a private practice or a professional corporation setting. There are no exceptions.
- Examination Requirements
- Applicants must PASS the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam before a subsequent registration can be issued.
- NEW! Apply Online for a Subsequent AMFT Registration
- Instructions for Online Subsequent AMFT Registration Application
- Mail–in AMFT Subsequent Registration Application
- Forms
Expedite Requests
- Active-Duty Military Expedite Request
- Military Veteran Expedite Request
- Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Expedite Request (Exam applications, and Testing Accommodation requests ONLY)
- Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee Waiver and Expedite Request (Associate applications, Licensure applications and Initial License Issuance applications ONLY)
- Refugee/Asylee/Special Immigrant Visa Holders Expedite Request
AMFT Registration Applications
- NEW! Apply Online for an AMFT Registration
- Instructions for Online AMFT Registration Application
- Mail–in AMFT Registration Application Packet (IN–STATE)
- Mail–in AMFT Registration Application Packet (Out–of–STATE OR Out–of–COUNTRY DEGREE)
- Degree Program Certification (IN–STATE, Form A)
- Degree Program Certification (IN–STATE, Form B)
- Degree Program Certification (Out–of–STATE)
- NEW! Apply Online for a Subsequent AMFT Registration
- Instructions for Online Subsequent AMFT Registration Application
- Mail–in AMFT Subsequent Registration Application
Supervision Forms
- In–State Experience Verification
- Out–of–State Experience Verification
- Weekly log of Experience Hours
- Supervision Agreement (for supervisory relationships that began ON OR AFTER January 1, 2022)
- Supervision Agreement – Index of Legal Citations
- Supervisor Responsibility Statement (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022)
- Supervisory Plan for LMFT Supervisees (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022 AND continued PAST January 1, 2022)
- Sample Written Oversight Agreement
Licensure Applications
- Application for Licensure (IN–STATE)
- Application for LMFT Licensure (PATH A, Out–of–STATE)
- Application for LMFT Licensure (PATH B, Out–of–STATE)
- Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country
- Sample Verification of Employment as a Volunteer (In-State and Out–of–State)
Exam Requests and Info
- Application for INITIAL Law and Ethics Exam (First–time Applicants ONLY)
- Application for INITIAL Clinical Exam (First–time Applicants ONLY)
- Application for Re–Examination
- Schedule Exam with Pearson Vue
Initial License Request
- Publications
- Top Tips for a Smooth Associate Application Process
- 10 Tips for a Smoother Licensing Process
- Handbook for Future LMFTs
- 90–day Rule FAQ
- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions Relating to MFT Trainees and AMFTs
- Supervisor Qualifications
- Guide to Supervision for Associates
- Registrant Continuing Education Information and FAQ
- Electronic Transcripts and Degree Program Certifications
- Fingerprint FAQs
- Practicum Course Requirements
Exams
- Law and Ethics Examination Candidate Handbook
- Clinical Exam Candidate Handbook
- Law and Ethics Examination FAQs
Out–of–State Applicants