Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Clinical Examination

Important Information

The LMFT Clinical Examination is one of two exams required to be passed for LMFT licensure in California.

• The exam is administered by the testing vendor, Pearson Vue.
• To be eligible, your Application for Licensure must be approved, and you must pass the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam.
• Your name on file with the Board must match the name on your current government issued photo ID. A middle name is not required and will not be used for entrance to the exam site. If the first, last, or suffix do not match, you will need to complete a Name Change request.

Resources

• LMFT Clinical Candidate Handbook

Testing Accommodations

• Testing Accommodations Information

INITIAL LMFT Clinical Exam

ASSOCIATE REGISTRANTS: If you had or have an AMFT Registration, your Application for Licensure has been approved, AND you have passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam, you will be notified via email by Pearson Vue when you are eligible to take the LMFT Clinical Exam. You DO NOT need to submit the Initial LMFT Clinical Exam application, as you have already paid the fee with the Application for Licensure.

NON-REGISTRANTS: If your Application for Licensure (OUT-OF-STATE) has been approved, AND you have passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam, you only need to submit the Initial Clinical Exam application below if you did not submit the Clinical Exam fee with your Application for Licensure.

• Initial Clinical Exam – ONLY for out-of-state non-registrant applicants who have NOT paid the Clinical Exam fee.

IMPORTANT—Exam Testing Deadlines:

If you miss the testing deadlines below, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

• If you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam AFTER your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the LMFT Clinical Exam within one year from the date you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam to maintain approval of your licensing file.

• If you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam BEFORE your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the LMFT Clinical Exam within one year from the date your Application for Licensure was approved to maintain approval of your licensing file.

LMFT Clinical RE-EXAM

You may submit your Re-Exam application any time after attempting the exam. Please Note: your eligibility will not be sent to Pearson Vue until the required 90-day waiting period from your last exam attempt has elapsed.

• LMFT Clinical RE-EXAM Application – ONLINE in your BreEZe account (For fastest processing). Associate’s MUST select the application under MANAGE YOUR LICENSE INFORMATION section. 
• Manual LMFT Clinical RE-EXAM Application submitted by mail (4 to 6 week processing time).

IMPORTANT—Re-Exam Testing Deadline:

You MUST retake the exam within one year of a failed attempt to maintain your licensure application eligibility. If you miss the deadline, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

Questions

For exam questions or issues, click here to Message the Board and choose Exam Questions.