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Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist requires a master's degree in MFT or a related field, passing the AMFTRB national examination, and completing thousands of supervised clinical hours. Requirements for associate licensure, supervision duration, and continuing education vary significantly by state.
51
Total States
50
National Exam Required
51
With Associate License
2,556 hrs
Avg Supervised Hours
LMFT licensing involves earning a graduate degree, passing the national exam, and completing supervised clinical experience under an approved supervisor.
Most states require the Marriage and Family Therapy National Examination administered by AMFTRB. The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions covering clinical practice, ethical and legal issues, assessment, and treatment. A scaled passing score is set by each state.
After completing a graduate program, LMFT candidates must accumulate 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. This includes direct client contact hours and regular supervision sessions with a qualified LMFT supervisor over a period of 2-3 years.
LMFTs are trained to provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families using a systemic approach. Scope includes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health issues within relational contexts. Telehealth practice is increasingly permitted across states.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Credential | National Exam | Supervised Hours | CE Hours | Total Fees | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $830 | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 45 | $1,955 | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | LMFT | Yes | 3,200 | 30 | $930 | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 24 | $755 | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | LMFT | No | 3,000 | 36 | $635 | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | LMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $560 | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 15 | $670 | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | LMFT | Yes | 3,200 | 40 | $699 | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | LMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 30 | $695 | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | LMFT | Yes | 1,500 | 30 | $530 | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | LMFT | Yes | 2,500 | 35 | $555 | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 45 | $661 | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $715 | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $555 | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 40 | $455 | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $595 | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $555 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 15 | $580 | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $955 | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 55 | $651 | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | LCMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $856 | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,360 | 30 | $665 | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 0 | $755 | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LMFT | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $705 | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 24 | $655 | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $705 | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 20 | $655 | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 32 | $665 | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $1005 | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $665 | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | LMFT | Yes | 4,500 | 40 | $855 | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | LMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $650 | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | LMFT | Yes | 1,500 | 36 | $726 | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | LMFT | Yes | 1,500 | 20 | $755 | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $655 | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | LMFT | Yes | 1,500 | 30 | $615 | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 20 | $755 | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | LMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $735 | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $545 | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | LMFT | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $455 | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | LMFT | Yes | 1,500 | 40 | $605 | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | LMFT | Yes | 1,700 | 40 | $680 | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | LMFT | Yes | 1,000 | 20 | $555 | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $545 | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | LMFT | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $560 | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $855 | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,400 | 20 | $705 | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 36 | $596 | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 35 | $755 | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $505 | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | LMFT | Yes | 3,000 | 45 | $955 | Mar 2026 |
Marriage and family therapists often work alongside other licensed mental health professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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