Marriage And Family Therapist Licensing Information

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Continuing education information | Counselor client privilege FAQs | General FAQs | License renewals

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.

For further information please see:

Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.

You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff at 360-236-4700.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on Paper

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Apply Online

For further information please see:

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:

Credential Verification (PDF)

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff at 360-236-4700.

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

See the online application video.

Online application instruction are on our website. Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you will need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on Paper

Fee Schedule

Marriage and family therapist

WAC 246-840-990 – Fees

Marriage and family therapist

Non-Refundable Fee Type	Fee Amount
Application and initial license	$306*
Renewal	$196*
Renewal retired active	$86
Late renewal penalty	$90
Late renewal retired active	$35
Expired reissue	$85
Duplicate license	$10
Verification of credential	$25

* Includes the $16 fee to access the University of Washington HEAL-WA health resources website.

WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal, and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are non-refundable.

Marriage and family therapist associate

Non-Refundable Fee Type	Fee Amount
Application	$81*
Renewal	$66*
Late renewal	$50
Expired reissue	$40
Duplicate certificate	$10
Certification letter	$25

* Includes the $16 fee to access the University of Washington HEAL-WA health resources website.

WAC 246-12-340 – Refund of fees

Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal, and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are non-refundable.

Exam Information

See exam information below

License applicants must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam. Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) and the AMFTRB establish the passing score for the exam. PTC administers the exam.

The Department of Health application process may take six to eight weeks. Please factor in this time if you plan to test in a specific testing window.

You may register for the exam any time after applying for the licensed marriage and family therapist or the licensed marriage and family therapy associate credential.

You'll need to submit your request using the request for examination form (PDF) to the department to request to sit for examination at least 60 days before the administration of the exam you wish to take.

Based on your contact information in our credentialing system, we'll email or mail you an exam approval letter with instructions on how to register for exam once we've processed your request.

Candidate Registration and Exam Administration

Once the department approves a candidate to sit for the exam, we'll mail or email an approval letter to the candidate with links to PTC's online application system and testing personal identification number.

Candidates must request special accommodations directly through PTC, and must submit all requests and documentation online at the time of test registration.

Within four weeks before the testing period starts, candidates will receive an eligibility notice from PTC (via email) with information on how to set up an exam location, date and time through PSI Exams Online.

Find a testing center near you online or call 1-800-733-9267.

Licensing requirements

Marriage and Family Therapist

Chapter 18.225 RCW | Chapter 246-809 WAC

Education

Applicants must have a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or behavioral science master's or doctoral degree with equivalent course work from an approved school. Applicants must meet the program equivalency requirements listed in WAC 246-809-121. The applicant's program must supply an official transcript with degree and date posted. If the course title does not clearly relate to courses listed in rule, you will be asked to show a course syllabus. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. A total of 45 semester hours or 60 quarter credits are required in all nine areas of study. At least 27 semester credits or 36 quarter credits are required in the first five areas of study:

Marital and family systems
Marital and family therapy
Individual development
Psychopathology
Human sexuality
Research
Professional ethics and law
Electives (one course)

Supervised Clinical Practice

Applicants must complete the coursework form and it must be verified by the official graduate school transcripts, which specify number of quarter or semester hours.

Applicants who have obtained the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) clinical membership status are considered to have met the educational requirements for licensure. If applying through the AAMFT clinical status, verification must be from the AAMFT directly to the department.

Continuing Education

Applicants must complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE). At least six of the CE must be in professional law and ethics. Applicants must attest on the application that they have met this requirement.

Supervised Postgraduate Experience

Applicants must complete a minimum of two calendar years of full-time marriage and family therapy, and at least 3,000 hours of experience, 1,000 hours of which must be direct client contact. At least 500 hours must be gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families; and At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor. At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision, and the remaining hours may be in one-on-one or group supervision.

Of the total supervision, 100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who has at least five years of clinical experience. The other 100 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. Applicants who have completed a master's program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) will be credited with 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of formal meetings with an approved supervisor. Verification of post-graduate supervised experience must be verified by an approved supervisor, on forms the department provides.

If you have been licensed in good standing and without a disqualifying criminal history in another state for over five years the department does not require you to obtain proof of supervision hours. If you have been licensed for less than five years or if you have disciplinary or criminal history then you would be required to have your previous supervisor(s) sign our forms to verify your supervised experience. If you're a marriage and family therapist associate you must submit your supervised hours to obtain full licensure.

Experience Credit for Practice as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Licensee

If an applicant for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist has practiced as a substance use disorder professional for three years within the past 10 years, the department will reduce the total number of supervised experience hours required under RCW 18.225.090 by 10 percent. Since an MFT is required to obtain 3,000 hours of experience you would now be required to obtain 2,700 hours of supervised experience for full licensure if you can claim this credit.

Licensure Reciprocity Program/Probationary Licensure

The reciprocity program, for behavioral health professions, established by Washington State as of July 1, 2020, (Senate Bill 5054) uses substantial equivalency to other states' marriage and family therapist licenses based on their scope of practice. If the state where you currently have a license, or have held a license in the past 12 months, is considered by the department to be substantially equivalent on a scope basis, you may apply for a temporary probationary license to work as a Washington state marriage and family therapist (MFT) through this reciprocity program. The applicant must not have a disciplinary history or disqualifying criminal history to apply for a probationary license. The department maintains a list of approved states, where applicants from are eligible to apply for a probationary license under the reciprocity program. For MFTs, the list can be found below:

Senate Bill 5054 Scope of Practice Analysis for Marriage and Family Therapy (PDF)

The probationary license is a temporary license that can be issued to an individual who is licensed in another state and applies for Washington's reciprocity program. The probationary license is issued for one year and can be renewed one time for another year. The purpose of the probationary license is to see if there are differences in education, experience, or examination between the other state's license requirements and Washington's requirements, and allows applicants to practice while working to make up those differences. Applicants will need to meet the full licensure requirements for a marriage and family therapist in Washington.

Please note that the reciprocity program is a new option which doesn't eliminate other options for out of state applicants, including those options where an applicant can easily qualify for full licensure based on substantial equivalency of licensure standards (if the state is substantially equivalent on that basis).

For some out of state applicants, an associate licensure path working toward full licensure may be the best option. Ultimately, each applicant makes the decision which pathway represents the best fit for their situation.

Washington State Medical Professional Telemedicine Training

Beginning January 1, 2021, health care professionals (excluding physicians) who are offering telemedicine services to patients, are required to complete telemedicine training. See the Department of Health policy statement with additional information related to this requirement (PDF) for more information.

To learn more about the different training options available and access additional resources, view the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative Training page. To complete the free and publicly available telemedicine training, please select enroll and create a Canvas account to access the Washington State Medical Professional Telemedicine Training.

State License Verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department (PDF).

Personal Data Questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If the case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Additional Information/Documents Required

If an applicant has already taken the AMFTRB examination, verification must be directly sent to the department from Professional Examination Services.

Process for Approving/Denying Applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.225 RCW and chapter 246-809 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

Marriage and family therapists must renew their license every year on or before their birthday. Thirty-six hours of continuing education (six hours must be in law and ethics) is due every two years. Marriage and family therapists are required to submit the appropriate fee, renewal card and affidavit of compliance with the continuing education (CE) requirement. Beginning with the first full CE period after January 1, 2014, marriage and family therapists must complete six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment and management. The training must be repeated once every six years.

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Chapter 18.25 RCW | Chapter 246-809 WAC

Education

Applicants must have a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or behavioral science master's or doctoral degree with equivalent course work from an approved school. Applicants must meet the program equivalency requirements listed in WAC 246-809-121. The applicant's program must supply an official transcript with degree and date posted. If the course title doesn't clearly relate to courses listed in rule, you'll be asked to show a course syllabus. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.

A total of 45 semester hours or 60 quarter credits are required in all nine areas of study. At least 27 semester credits or 36 quarter credits are required in the first five areas of study:

Marital and family systems
Marital and family therapy
Individual development
Psychopathology
Human sexuality
Research
Professional ethics and law
Electives (one course)
Supervised clinical practice

Applicants must complete the coursework form and it must be verified by the official graduate school transcripts, which specify number of quarter or semester hours.

State License Verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal Data Questions

Additional Information/Documents Required

NOTE: An associate is a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate degree in a mental health field under RCW 18.225.090, and who is gaining the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed advanced social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, or a licensed marriage and family therapist. Associates many not independently provide social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy for a fee, monetary or otherwise. Associates must work under the supervision of an approved supervisor.

Independent social work, mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy is the practice of these disciplines without being under the supervision of an approved supervisor.

Process for Approving/Denying Applications

Credentialing staff members review the application and supporting documents to make an initial determination on eligibility. The recommendation is based upon the requirements outlined in RCW 18.225 and WAC 246-809. Credentialing supervisors approve applications that don't have positive answers to personal data questions, have questionable verifying documents, or are otherwise "red flag" applications. "Red flag" applications are forwarded to the exception application process for determination by the appropriate disciplining authority. An applicant will be formally notified of a denial and has the opportunity for a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal Requirements

Marriage and family therapy associates must renew their license every year on the date of issuance. The associate credential can be renewed only six times.