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.
- Apply (In–State Degree)
- Apply (Out–of–State or Out–of–Country Degree)
- Subsequent AMFT Registration (For existing registrants, after the 5th renewal)
- 90–Day Rule FAQ
- Electronic Transcripts
- 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
- Application for AMFT Registration (OUT–OF–STATE AND OUT–OF–COUNTRY DEGREES)
- Guide to Requirements for OUT–OF–State and OUT–OF–Country Applicants for LMFT Licensure
- 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
- 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.
- AMFT Subsequent Registration Application
The following schools offer LMFT programs that include California-specific content and have been determined, at the time of review, to meet licensure requirements under Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 4980.36.
Please note that programs may change over time. Therefore, we strongly recommend contacting each school directly to verify current eligibility and program details.
Ultimately, applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all licensure requirements, including confirming the accreditation status of their chosen school.
- California State Universities (CSU)
- California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Psychology and Child Development Dept.
- CSU, Bakersfield, Counseling Psychology Program
- CSU, Chico
- CSU, Dominguez Hills, M.S. in Marital Family Therapy
- CSU, East Bay
- CSU, Fresno, Deptartment of Counseling and Special Education
- CSU, Fullerton, Department of Counseling, Department of Psychology
- CSU, Long Beach
- CSU, Los Angeles, Charter College of Education
- CSU, Northridge
- CSU, Sacramento, MS in Counseling (Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling)
- CSU, San Bernardino, Department of Psychology
- CSU, Stanislaus
- San Diego State University
- San Francisco State University,
- San Jose State University
- Sonoma State University
- Alliant International University
- America Evangelical University
- Antioch University
- Azusa Pacific University
- Biola University
- California Baptist University
- California Institute of Integral Studies
- California Lutheran University
- California Southern University
- Cambridge College
- Campbellsville University – Los Angeles Education Center
- Chapman University
- Chicago School, The
- Concordia University Irvine
- Daybreak University
- Dominican University of California
- Fresno Pacific University – MB Biblical Seminary
- Fuller Theological Seminary
- Golden Gate University
- HIS University
- Hope International University
- Jessup University
- Kaiser Permante School of Allied Health Sciences
- La Sierra University
- Loma Linda University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Meridian University
- Mount Saint Mary's University
- National University
- Notre Dame de Namur University
- Pacific Oaks College
- Pacifica Graduate Institute
- Palo Alto University
- Pepperdine University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- Rhombus University
- Saint Mary's College of California
- Santa Clara University
- Sentio University
- Simpson University
- Sofia University
- Southern California Seminary
- Touro University Worldwide
- University of LaVerne
- University of Massachusetts Global
- University of the Pacific
- University of Phoenix
- M.S. in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy (degrees with CA content only)
- University of Redlands
- University of San Diego
- University of San Francisco
- University of Southern California
- University of the West
- Vanguard University of Southern California
- Weimar University
- Western Institute for Social Research
- Western Seminary
- Wright Institute, The
- 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
- AMFT Registration Application Packet (IN–STATE)
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- A Guide to Supervision for AMFTs and Trainees( Text Only Version)
- Registrant Continuing Education Information
- Electronic Transcripts and Degree Program Certifications
- Fingerprint FAQs
Exams
- Law and Ethics Examination Candidate Handbook
- Clinical Exam Candidate Handbook
- Law and Ethics Examination FAQs
OUT–OF–State Applicants