Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Marriage and Family Therapists Licensure Requirements

As a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania, you would provide counseling services to individuals, couples and families. You would be trained to diagnose and treat people with mental and emotional disorders. However, before you can obtain a licensure to practice in this field you must first show proof of specific requirements both on a personal and professional level.

General Qualifications for Licensure

• Evidence of good moral character
• No felony convictions within the last 10 years
• Evidence of personal rehabilitation if there is a criminal history, and there can be no evidence that harm would come to clients if the applicant was granted licensure
• Two certificates of Recommendation
• Official transcripts showing proof that Educational Requirements were met
• Documentation that practicum experience requirement met
• Record of supervised work experience
• Pass State Licensing Examination
• Paying all applicable fees

Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensing in Pennsylvania

Applicants must show proof that they have completed marriage and family therapy education at a master's or doctorate level from an accredited school. Other master level programs closely related may also qualify.

Course of study (60 semester hours) must include:

• Marriage and Family Studies (3 semester hours)
• Marriage and Family Therapy (3 semester hours)
• Human Development (3 semester hours)
• Professional ethics, legal and identity issues (3 semester hours minimum)
• Professional research ( 3 semester hours)
• Supervised clinical practice (practicum) (300 hours and a minimum of 12 months)

Learn more about Pennsylvania MFT degrees.

Supervised Postgraduate Work Experience Requirement

In Pennsylvania, applicants must work for 3600 hours or at least three years under the supervision of an approved marriage and family therapist. During this time, at least half the time must be spent doing assessment, couples therapy, of clinical experience in marriage and family therapy is accrued, which includes direct client, contact. For every 40 hours accrued there must also be two hours of direct supervision by an LMFT.

Marriage and Family Therapists Examination Requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents considering a career in marriage and family therapy must also pass the AMFTRB National examination. All educational requirements and postgraduate work requirements must be completed before sitting for the state exam. Information about the AMFTRB Practice Test can be found by following the link.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Pennsylvania

It would please anyone considering a career in marriage and family therapy to know that it is a field that is growing faster than similar counseling fields and employment is expected to rise 14% by 2031. In 2022, reportedly there were 2,890 marriage and family therapists in Pennsylvania. According to wage information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average income in 2022 for marriage and family therapists in Pennsylvania was $57,570, which equates to $27.68 per hour.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania Psychologist Licensing
• Pennsylvania Counselor Licensing
• Pennsylvania 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 Degree Programs Accepting Students from Pennsylvania