How to Become an LMFT in Your State

LMFT is such a commonly used acronym by psychology professionals, which it can be easy for laymen to forget what the term even stands for. But licensed marriage and family therapists are an important branch of the psychology tree and marriage and family therapy is a growing specialty.

Marital and family issues may not seem all that important when compared to serious mental and physical issues, but they are very common, and using a therapist to resolve them can help lead to increased happiness and healthiness in life for the patients. To be capable of helping resolve these issues, you need to have a wide-base of experience and knowledge, both of which are requirements to earn a LMFT license in basically every state in the country. Keeping up with the different licensure requirements in different states can be tricky and we wanted to help, so we compiled detailed LMFT licensure outlines for each state.

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State Summary of License Requirements Education Requirement
Alabama
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years Post-Degree, Full Time
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Alaska
  • Supervised Experience: 2 Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Arizona
  • Supervised Experience: 3,200 Post-Degree Hours
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Arkansas
  • Supervised Experience: 3 Years Post-Degree
  • Examination: National MFT Exam + Oral Exam
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

California
  • Supervised Experience: 2 Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *BPPE / COAMFTE Accredited

Colorado
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 2,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Connecticut
  • Supervised Experience: 1,000 Hours of Direct Client Care
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Delaware
  • Supervised Experience: 1,600 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Florida
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,500 Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Georgia
  • Supervised Experience: Three Years / 2,000 Clinical Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *CHEA Accredited

Hawaii
  • Supervised Experience: 24 Months / 1,000 Hours in MFT
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Idaho
  • Supervised Work Hours: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CACREP Accredited

Illinois
  • Supervised Experience: Two- Five Years / 3,000 Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Indiana
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Iowa
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Kansas
  • Supervised Experience: 4,000 Clinical Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Kentucky
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Louisiana
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Maine
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Maryland
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 2,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: AMFTRB Exam + MD Jurisprudence Exam
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Massachusetts
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,360 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Michigan
  • Supervised Experience: 1,000 Hours of Direct Client Contact
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Minnesota
  • Supervised Experience: 4,000 Post- Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Mississippi
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Clinical Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Missouri
  • Supervised Experience: 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Montana
  • Supervised Experience: 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CACREP Accredited

Nebraska
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Nevada
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

New Hampshire
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or AAMFT Accredited

New Jersey
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

New Mexico
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

New York
  • Supervised Experience: 1,500 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

North Carolina
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,500 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE, SACS, WACS, MSCHE or NCA-HLC Accredited

North Dakota
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 2,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Ohio
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Client Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Oklahoma
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *Regionally Accredited

Oregon
  • Supervised Work Hours: Two Years / 2,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Pennsylvania
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Rhode Island
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 2,000 Direct Client Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *NEASC or Regionally Accredited

South Carolina
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,500 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

South Dakota
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,700 MFT Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CACREP Accredited

Tennessee
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 1,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or SACS Accredited

Texas
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: AMFTRB Exam + TX Jurisprudence
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CHEA Accredited

Utah
  • Supervised Experience: 4,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Vermont
  • Supervised Work Hours: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE Accredited

Virginia
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

Washington
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT

West Virginia
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CHEA Accredited

Wisconsin
  • Supervised Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Post-Degree Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

 M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *Regionally Accredited

Wyoming
  • Supervised Experience: 3,000 Clinical Hours
  • Examination: National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)
 

  M.A. / PhD / Psy.D in MFT* *COAMFTE or CACREP Accredited

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Find a Marriage and Family Therapy Degree in Your State

It's important to choose a school that offers the degree program that checks all the boxes for you, whether that's providing online courses or offering a combined master's and doctoral program. To get even more detail about psychology degree program options in your area, find your state below. You may also consider online MFT degree options available from many accredited colleges & universities.

MFT Licensing Agencies by State

Alabama
Alabama State Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy

Alaska
Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapy

Arizona
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

Arkansas
Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling

California
California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Colorado
Colorado State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners

Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Public Health

Delaware
Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals

Florida
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

Georgia
Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists

Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Professional & Vocational Licensing

Idaho
Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists

Illinois
Illinois Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing and Disciplinary Board

Indiana
Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board

Iowa
Iowa Board of Behavioral Science

Kansas
Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board

Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists

Louisiana
Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

Maine
Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure

Maryland
Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions, Division of Professional Licensure

Michigan
Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Minnesota
Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Mississippi
Mississippi Bd of Examiners Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists

Missouri
Missouri State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists

Montana
Montana Board of Behavioral Health

Nebraska
Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice

Nevada
Nevada State Board of MFT and Clinical Prof Counselors

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice

New Jersey
New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners

New Mexico
New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

New York
New York State Board for Mental Health Practitioners

North Carolina
North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board

North Dakota
North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board

Ohio
Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure

Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers

Oregon
Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Board Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists

South Carolina
South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists

South Dakota
South Dakota Board Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists

Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists

Texas
Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists

Utah
Utah Marriage and Family Therapy Board

Vermont
Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners

Virginia
Virginia Board of Counseling

Washington
Washington State Department of Health

West Virginia
West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Wyoming
Wyoming Mental Health Profession Licensing Board

District of Columbia
District of Columbia Department of Health