Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Missouri

Educational Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Missouri

If you happen to currently hold a master’s degree or higher in another related field like psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, or ministry, you may also meet the educational requirements for licensure through a non-standard process by completing a post-graduate training program in marriage and family therapy.

An increasing number of colleges and universities now offer MFT graduate programs in a hybrid/blended or online format, which can make earning the degree you need to become an LMFT more convenient than ever.

Additional Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Missouri

Once you’ve completed the required education, you’ll need to complete two years (3,000 hours) of supervised experience under the guidance of a licensed MFT, clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist who has been registered and approved by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. You’ll need to complete at least half of the required hours in a setting that involves direct client contact.

Once you’ve completed the required experiential hours, you’ll apply for eligibility through the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation to take the national exam developed by the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

AMFTRB exams are given at Prometric testing centers throughout the U.S. You’ll need to pass the AMFTRB and pay the examination fee of $365 to apply for your Missouri marriage & family therapist license through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Missouri

As of May 2022, marriage and family therapists in Missouri earned a median salary of $58,680, which reflects seasoned pros with a handful of years of experience. Those new to the field usually earn a salary that places them in the 25^th percentile, which was $47,550 that year. Those with significant experience generally earn salaries that reflect what the profession’s top earners in the 75^th – 90^th percentile make, which was $80,030 - $95,230 during this time.

Between 2020 and 2030, the number of marriage and family therapists in Missouri is projected to increase by 11%, which is slightly lower than the national projected growth rate of 14% for this profession. During this time, the state expects about 20 annual job openings among marriage and family therapists due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and normal turnover in the field.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Missouri

You already know you’re cut out for a career that involves working with people to help them resolve relationship challenges and interpersonal issues. Early in your career planning, it’s great to be aware of the different paths you can take into this type of work.

You can’t go wrong gathering information about exactly how to become an LMFT here in Missouri, but you may also be interested in finding out more about the licensing requirements and earning potential in other similar areas of practice:

• Learn how to become a psychologist in Missouri – Requires a PhD or PsyD – Clinical and counseling psychologists in Missouri earned a median salary of $70,530 as of May 2022, while the top earners in this profession (75^th – 90^th percentile) earned salaries in the range of $104,240 to $127,510 during this time.
• Learn how to become a licensed counselor in Missouri – Requires a master’s degree with a focus in the specialty - Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Missouri earned a median salary of $44,980 as of May 2022. Pros at the top of the pay scale (75^th – 90^th percentile) earned in the range of $58,160 to $70,910 during this time.
• Learn how to become a social worker in Missouri here – Requires a Master’s in Social Work - Missouri’s child, family and school social workers earned a median salary of $38,750 as of May 2022, while the most experienced pros in this field (75^th - 90^th percentile) earned about $54,430 during this time. Mental health and substance abuse social workers earned a median salary of $41,540 in Missouri as of May 2022, while the top earners in this profession (75^th – 90^th percentile) earned salaries in the range of $50,830 to $63,110 during this time.

May 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET (a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor) salary and job market trends for marriage and family therapists, clinical and counseling psychologists, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors, child, family, and school social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2023.

Schools with MFT Degree Programs Accepting Students from Missouri