Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in New Mexico

Marriage family therapists attempt to help individuals overcome emotional and mental disorders that may be the cause of problems with their relationships and families. The marriage family therapist will listen to their client and come up with a strategy to help them improve their lives. There are many situations where a client may need the help of a marriage family therapist including if they are going through a divorce or separation or if they have just lost their job.

In the state of New Mexico a person must be licensed in order to practice marriage family therapy. There are certain requirements that have been set in order for a person to become licensed to practice in the state. These requirements have been outlined below.

Educational Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in New Mexico

In the state of New Mexico a person must hold a master’s degree or doctorate degree in marriage family therapy in order to be considered for licensing.

If a person holds a graduate degree in another field and wishes to apply for marriage family licensing they must submit proof that they have completed the following courses:

• Marriage and Family Studies: minimum of three courses equal to nine credit hours or twelve quarter hours.
• Marriage and Family Therapy: minimum of three courses equal to nine credit hours or twelve quarter hours
• Human Development: minimum of three course equal to nine credit hours or twelve quarter hours
• Multicultural Studies: minimum of one course equal to three credit hours or five quarter hours.
• Professional Studies: minimum of one course equal to three credit hours or five quarter hours
• Research: minimum of one course equal to three credit hours or five quarter hours.
• Supervised Practicum: minimum of two courses equal to six credit hours or eight quarter hours.

Those that do not have a graduate degree in marriage family therapy must have the above listed course requirements as well as additional courses to equal 45 semester credit hours in a graduate degree program.

Read more about New Mexico MFT degrees.

Experience Requirements for Family Therapy License in New Mexico

In order to apply for your marriage family therapist license in New Mexico you must complete two years of post-graduate experience in a marriage family therapy setting. At least 1000 hours must be documented showing that the applicant has had direct contact within a family clinical setting. At least 200 hours must be in appropriate post-graduate marriage family supervision with at least 100 hours of individual supervision. The supervisor must have supervisory experience within the field of marriage family therapy.

Examination Requirements

In order to become licensed in New Mexico an applicant must successfully complete the National Examination for Marriage Family Therapy as provided by the PES. This test is given four times each year and applications for the examination must be received at least three months in advance.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In New Mexico

An increase in the population and insurance companies offering coverage for therapy services are two of the reasons that there is expected to be a large job growth rate in the field of marriage family therapy. From 2021 through 2031 there is expected to be a 14% increase in the number of available careers within this field. In the state of New Mexico in 2022 there were 220 licensed marriage family therapists.

The average wage for licensed marriage family therapists in the state of New Mexico was $59,850 in May of 2022. This makes the average a bit lower than the national average of $63,300 during the same time frame.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by New Mexico:

• New Mexico Psychologist Licensing
• New Mexico Counselor Licensing
• New Mexico Social Work Licensing
• Learn More About The Career of an LMFT

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for marriage and family therapists 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 New Mexico