OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Texas Marriage & Family Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-TX · License preparation

475 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Supervised marriage and family therapy license with a nonrenewable 60-month term.

Licensing authority: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council / Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Restoration after a child support suspension is vacated or stayed
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Ordinary status
An overlapping renewal remains subject to normal renewal rules; this order-based restoration itself identifies no examination.
Qualification
The individual must otherwise qualify for the existing license and pay a reinstatement fee equal to the renewal fee.
Suspension order
A court or Title IV-D agency vacated or stayed the order suspending the license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Election of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current license
Hold an unrestricted active or delinquent license with no pending complaint; elect inactive status online and satisfy the applicable fee rules.
Fee conflict
Section 502.260(c)(1) says an inactive holder is not required to pay a renewal fee; Council §882.21(b) nevertheless specifies inactive application and renewal fees. The Board's operational fee demand is disclosed.
Practice
No practice is permitted while inactive; CE is not required during inactive status.
Term
Inactive status does not erase the associate's 60-month expiration

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial LMFT Associate licensure by examination
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Implementation conflict
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervision
Submit a Supervisory Agreement Form and practice only under Council-approved supervision by a Texas LMFT Supervisor.
Term
The license expires 60 months from issuance and is nonrenewable.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Military alternative licensure for LMFT Associate
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
Military credit
Verified military education, training, and experience receive credit under §801.204(b), except against an examination requirement.
Military status
Document service-member, veteran, or spouse status; a spouse must supply marriage evidence under §882.60(c).
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Hold a current, similar-scope license in good standing in another jurisdiction, or have held the sought Texas license within the preceding five years.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervised experience
Practice only under an approved Texas LMFT supervisor.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Waivers
The Executive Director may waive eligible prerequisites under §882.60(d), but not military-route eligibility, jurisprudence, or fingerprint checks; a restricted license or disqualifying criminal history limits relief.
LMFT Associate licensure after prior non Texas licensure
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Implementation conflict
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Provide verification of all non-Texas licenses; applicants whose independent LMFT requirements are not established may receive associate licensure when its requirements and supervisor approval are established.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervision
Submit an approved Texas supervisory agreement; maintain records of prior supervised experience for a later upgrade.
Term
A 60-month nonrenewable associate term applies.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Reactivation after four or more years inactive
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Application
Apply online, pay applicable fees, and provide the required CE evidence.
Associate term
If this is an associate license, the original 60-month term and reapplication requirement still apply.
Inactive period
License has been inactive for at least four years.
Jurisprudence waiver
Pass JP unless another license within the same profession is currently active; this exemption is an applicant condition.
Reactivation after less than four years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply for active status online and pay the applicable renewal fee.
Education
Prove compliance with CE requirements for the particular license before reactivation.
Inactive period
License has been inactive for less than four years.
Renewal
A reactivation within 60 days of its renewal date is treated as meeting renewal requirements and renews for the next period under §882.21(b)(6). For the nonrenewable associate, its 60-month term still controls.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after the associate term expires
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Experience credit
Previously completed supervised hours carry forward when appropriately documented.
Implementation conflict
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Previous license
An associate license expired before the supervised-experience requirement was completed; meet current application requirements.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervision
Submit the required approved supervisory agreement.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Election of retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit an online retirement application; retirement in good standing is recorded.
Current license
Hold an active, inactive, or delinquent license, with no pending complaint and no restricted license.
Practice
No practice is permitted under a retired license.
Return
A former full LMFT applies for reinstatement; a former associate must reapply for associate licensure and is not eligible for full-license reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration when temporary suspension hearing deadlines lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Hearing deadlines
Restoration occurs if no probable-cause hearing is held within 14 days, or no final hearing within 61 days, and the licensee neither requested a continuance nor waived the respective hearing.
Ordinary status
Restoration of this suspension does not erase otherwise applicable license status, term, or renewal requirements.
Suspended license
An existing license was temporarily suspended under §884.40.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

emergency temporary license

Emergency temporary marriage and family therapy license available when the disaster and Council activation conditions are met.

Licensing authority: texas behavioral health executive council · Application information

Disaster activated emergency temporary MFT licensure
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Activation
The Governor must declare a disaster and suspend obstructing licensing statutes/rules; the Executive Director must determine these emergency provisions are necessary in the designated area.
Duration
Valid only in the disaster area; expires upon termination of the suspension or disaster, whichever comes first.
Fee
No application or issuance fee under §882.70(g).
Jurisprudence
The general §882.5 JP requirement is retained; §882.70's special eligibility list does not request it and a Governor's suspension may excuse it. The actual suspension and activation determine the applicant's obligation.
Practice conditions
Display or disclose the emergency license, provide complaint information, and comply with applicable Council rules under §882.70(f).
Prior license
Provide a current MFT license, certification, or registration in good standing in another jurisdiction and the prescribed application.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Independent marriage and family therapy license; supervisor status is a designation of this license.

Licensing authority: texas state board of examiners of marriage and family therapists · Application information

Restoration after a child support suspension is vacated or stayed
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Ordinary status
An overlapping renewal remains subject to normal renewal rules; this order-based restoration itself identifies no examination.
Qualification
The individual must otherwise qualify for the existing license and pay a reinstatement fee equal to the renewal fee.
Suspension order
A court or Title IV-D agency vacated or stayed the order suspending the license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure with a non Texas license under standard qualifications
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Hold or have held a non-Texas MFT license and have no active Texas LMFT Associate license; this route applies when §801.115 equivalency is not established. Provide verification for every license held.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Reciprocity
The Board states Texas has no MFT reciprocity agreement; applicants must meet Texas requirements.
Supervised experience
Complete at least two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,500 direct clinical hours with at least 500 for couples/families, and 200 supervision hours including 100 individual hours under §801.142. No more than 750 required direct clinical hours may use technology-assisted services. Internship and doctoral credit follow §801.142(3), (4), and (9).
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Endorsement with two years of independent LMFT licensure
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Equivalency
Section 801.115 requires evidence of 3,000 work hours with 1,500 direct clinical hours, 200 supervision hours with 100 individual hours, and a master's or doctoral degree with graduate internship; meeting these establishes academic and experience equivalency.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Hold an independent, active LMFT license in good standing in another jurisdiction for at least the two years immediately preceding application.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Expired Texas LMFT restoration after practice in another jurisdiction
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Additional exam slot
Section 882.22(f)(4) permits the member Board to require further examinations without identifying them; this open slot is a condition, not an invented examination leaf.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Background
Provide fingerprint criminal-history check, NPDB self-query, and the required explanation of circumstances.
Board process
Council §882.22(a) directs former full licensees to use reinstatement; its checklist demands the reinstatement fee. Statutory relief and the operational fee/process demand are both disclosed.
Checklist scope conflict
The checklist says reinstatement is for expired licenses only, but §882.22(a) also covers retired, revoked, and resigned full licenses; the higher-ranked rule controls the retained routes.
Continuing education
Provide 30 MFT CE hours under the Board's reinstatement checklist.
Council review
Appear before the Council or Board if requested; reinstatement may be denied or conditioned on reasonable terms. Supply all evidence and pass any examinations within the Council-specified application period.
Jurisprudence timing
Provide JP completion dated no more than six months before reinstatement application.
Previous license
Previously hold a full LMFT license; associate licenses are not eligible for reinstatement.
Prior license
Previously licensed in Texas, moved to another jurisdiction, and currently licensed and practicing there for the two years immediately preceding application.
Waiver
Section 507.256 permits renewal without reexamination and specifies twice the renewal fee; it authorizes Council relief rather than automatically exercising it. The Board's reinstatement checklist still requires JP.
Election of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current license
Hold an unrestricted active or delinquent license with no pending complaint; elect inactive status online and satisfy the applicable fee rules.
Fee conflict
Section 502.260(c)(1) says an inactive holder is not required to pay a renewal fee; Council §882.21(b) nevertheless specifies inactive application and renewal fees. The Board's operational fee demand is disclosed.
Practice
No practice is permitted while inactive; CE is not required during inactive status.
Term
Inactive status coincides with the renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of inactive LMFT status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current license
Hold an inactive LMFT and renew inactive status online during each renewal period.
Fee conflict
Section 502.260(c)(1) exempts an inactive holder from a renewal fee; the Council's §882.21(b)(4) instructs payment of an inactive-status fee, which is disclosed as its operational demand.
Practice
No practice or CE requirement while inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal without supervisor status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Delinquency
A delinquent full LMFT may be renewed within the permitted late-renewal period; no practice is permitted while delinquent. At 90 days or less the base fee is 1.5 times; after 90 days and before one year it is twice the base fee, plus applicable additional fees.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Supervisor status
No supervisor status is held.
Year boundary
Section 882.21(c) describes expiration after more than 12 consecutive months; the fee rule §885.1(c)(3) says a license one year or more overdue cannot be renewed and may be reinstated. Applicants should note that exact boundary wording.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military alternative licensure for independent LMFT
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
Military credit
Verified military education, training, and experience receive credit under §801.204(b), except against an examination requirement.
Military status
Document service-member, veteran, or spouse status; a spouse must supply marriage evidence under §882.60(c).
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Hold a current, similar-scope license in good standing in another jurisdiction, or have held the sought Texas license within the preceding five years.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervised experience
Complete at least two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,500 direct clinical hours with at least 500 for couples/families, and 200 supervision hours including 100 individual hours under §801.142. No more than 750 required direct clinical hours may use technology-assisted services. Internship and doctoral credit follow §801.142(3), (4), and (9).
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Waivers
The Executive Director may waive eligible prerequisites under §882.60(d), but not military-route eligibility, jurisprudence, or fingerprint checks; a restricted license or disqualifying criminal history limits relief.
Military return of a delinquent full LMFT to active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditions
Document military service and any granted waiver, and meet the remaining normal renewal conditions; supervisor renewal follows the separately retained supervisor route.
Deadline
Request relief within two years after delinquency began.
Previous license
A delinquent full LMFT without supervisor status would have qualified for an active-duty fee/CE waiver before delinquency.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military relief for an expired full LMFT
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Deadline
Request relief within two years after delinquency began.
Previous license
An expired full LMFT would have qualified for the active-duty fee/CE waiver before expiration.
Process
Apply for reinstatement under §882.22 and provide the JP certificate required by the Board checklist; document military eligibility and any granted CE or fee relief.
Active duty renewal with military relief and no supervisor status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Military status
Serve on active duty and submit the written request and official active-duty verification before the renewal date each renewal period for CE and renewal-fee waiver.
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Supervisor status
No supervisor designation is held; the separately stated supervisor JP obligation remains applicable when that designation is held.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Active duty supervisor renewal with military relief
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Jurisprudence
The relief provision waives CE and renewal fees, while §801.261(b)(2) separately requires supervisors to pass JP; retain JP unless the Council grants applicable relief.
Military status
Submit the active-duty request and verification before the renewal date to receive fee and CE relief.
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Conversion of provisional LMFT to full LMFT
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Current license
Hold a provisional LMFT; document academic and supervised-experience qualifications, with the Council processing conversion within 180 days subject to extension for pending examination results.
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Examination waiver
Section 502.2545(a)(1) permits a Council waiver based on sufficient education and professional experience; eligibility does not itself grant a waiver.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Reactivation after four or more years inactive
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Application
Apply online, pay applicable fees, and provide the required CE evidence.
Associate term
If this is an associate license, the original 60-month term and reapplication requirement still apply.
Inactive period
License has been inactive for at least four years.
Jurisprudence waiver
Pass JP unless another license within the same profession is currently active; this exemption is an applicant condition.
Reactivation after less than four years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply for active status online and pay the applicable renewal fee.
Education
Prove compliance with CE requirements for the particular license before reactivation.
Inactive period
License has been inactive for less than four years.
Renewal
Reactivation within 60 days of the renewal date satisfies renewal requirements and renews for the next period under §882.21(b)(6).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of an expired or retired full LMFT
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Additional exam slot
Section 882.22(f)(4) permits the member Board to require further examinations without identifying them; this open slot is a condition, not an invented examination leaf.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Background
Provide fingerprint criminal-history check, NPDB self-query, and the required explanation of circumstances.
Checklist scope conflict
The checklist says reinstatement is for expired licenses only, but §882.22(a) also covers retired, revoked, and resigned full licenses; the higher-ranked rule controls the retained routes.
Continuing education
Provide 30 MFT CE hours under the Board's reinstatement checklist.
Council review
Appear before the Council or Board if requested; reinstatement may be denied or conditioned on reasonable terms. Supply all evidence and pass any examinations within the Council-specified application period.
Jurisprudence timing
Provide JP completion dated no more than six months before reinstatement application.
Previous license
Previously hold a full LMFT license; associate licenses are not eligible for reinstatement.
Reinstatement after revocation or resignation
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Additional exam slot
Section 882.22(f)(4) permits the member Board to require further examinations without identifying them; this open slot is a condition, not an invented examination leaf.
Application
Submit the prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Background
Provide fingerprint criminal-history check, NPDB self-query, and the required explanation of circumstances.
Checklist scope conflict
The checklist says reinstatement is for expired licenses only, but §882.22(a) also covers retired, revoked, and resigned full licenses; the higher-ranked rule controls the retained routes.
Continuing education
Provide 30 MFT CE hours under the Board's reinstatement checklist.
Council review
Appear before the Council or Board if requested; reinstatement may be denied or conditioned on reasonable terms. Supply all evidence and pass any examinations within the Council-specified application period.
Jurisprudence timing
Provide JP completion dated no more than six months before reinstatement application.
Previous license
Former full LMFT was revoked or resigned.
Waiting period
Wait at least one year after revocation or resignation, or the period specified by the governing order, before applying; satisfy its terms.
Licensure with a related profession examination waiver determination
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Examination waiver
The Council may waive the licensing examination under §502.2545(a)(2) after determining sufficient education and professional experience; the discretion is an applicant condition and does not remove the current examinations from this route.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Prior license
Hold a license in a profession related to marriage and family therapy issued by another licensing agency.
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervised experience
Complete at least two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,500 direct clinical hours with at least 500 for couples/families, and 200 supervision hours including 100 individual hours under §801.142. No more than 750 required direct clinical hours may use technology-assisted services. Internship and doctoral credit follow §801.142(3), (4), and (9).
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).
Biennial renewal without supervisor status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Supervisor status
This route applies to an LMFT without supervisor status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Election of retired status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit an online retirement application; retirement in good standing is recorded.
Current license
Hold an active, inactive, or delinquent license, with no pending complaint and no restricted license.
Practice
No practice is permitted under a retired license.
Return
A former full LMFT applies for reinstatement; a former associate must reapply for associate licensure and is not eligible for full-license reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Grant of LMFT Supervisor status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit designation application and fee with the required practice and education documentation.
Current license
Hold an LMFT in good standing; document at least 3,000 hours of LMFT practice over at least three years.
Identity
This adds supervisor status to the existing LMFT license; it does not issue a separate license.
Supervision education
Complete one of the three qualifications in §801.143(a)(3): a three-semester-hour graduate MFT supervision course, a compliant 40-hour supervision CE course, or AAMFT-approved Fundamentals of Supervision.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal with supervisor status
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Delinquency
A delinquent full LMFT may be renewed within the permitted late-renewal period; no practice is permitted while delinquent. At 90 days or less the base fee is 1.5 times; after 90 days and before one year it is twice the base fee, plus applicable additional fees.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Supervisor status
Supervisor status is retained on the license
Year boundary
Section 882.21(c) describes expiration after more than 12 consecutive months; the fee rule §885.1(c)(3) says a license one year or more overdue cannot be renewed and may be reinstated. Applicants should note that exact boundary wording.
Biennial renewal with supervisor status
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Continuing education
Complete 30 CE hours, including six ethics and three distinct-population hours; supervisor status additionally requires six supervision hours, and telehealth practice requires two technology-assisted-services hours. Carryover is limited to ten eligible hours under §801.261.
Current license
Renew an existing full LMFT license biennially online by the last day of the birth month; renewal may be completed up to 60 days early.
Exam credit
One ethics CE hour may be claimed for passing JP.
Fees
Pay applicable renewal and late fees; fees and CE may be relieved for active-duty military applicants under §883.10.
Human trafficking
Complete the required approved human-trafficking prevention course under §116.002 and §883.1(d)(2).
Optional jurisprudence credit
A nonsupervisor may voluntarily complete JP and claim one ethics CE hour under §801.261(g)(1); elective CE credit is not a mandatory examination slot for ordinary renewal.
Practice information
Provide or update standardized practice and training information; provide NPDB self-query if selected for CE audit; fingerprint checks may be required under §882.40(c).
Supervisor status
Hold supervisor status; complete six supervision CE hours and pass JP in the renewal period.
Restoration when temporary suspension hearing deadlines lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Hearing deadlines
Restoration occurs if no probable-cause hearing is held within 14 days, or no final hearing within 61 days, and the licensee neither requested a continuance nor waived the respective hearing.
Ordinary status
Restoration of this suspension does not erase otherwise applicable license status, term, or renewal requirements.
Suspended license
An existing license was temporarily suspended under §884.40.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial LMFT licensure by examination through Texas Associate upgrade
Age
At least 18 years old under Texas Occupations Code §502.252(b)(1).
Application
Submit the Council application, fee, and required supporting documents; incomplete applications expire after 180 days under §882.1.
Background check
Provide fingerprint-based DPS/FBI criminal-history check under §882.2(a)(3), subject to §882.40(d) for an existing Council license with a previous fingerprint check.
Citizenship
Submit citizenship or immigration documentation; SAVE verification applies to the applicants described in §882.2(a)(5).
Current license
Hold an active Texas LMFT Associate license and continue required supervision until the independent LMFT is issued.
Documents already submitted
The upgrade page says education, passing licensing score, supervisory agreement, and fingerprints need not be resubmitted unless staff expressly requests them.
Education
Provide a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, official transcripts, and graduate internship evidence under §§801.112–801.114; foreign degrees require evaluation under §882.11.
Examination approval
Obtain Texas approval before registering for AMFTRB; after three failed attempts, an approved study plan is required by §882.6.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT jurisprudence exam no more than six months before applying and submit its completion certificate.
National alternative
Texas §801.174(a) accepts the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as an alternative. It is another jurisdiction's examination and is retained solely as an applicant condition, with no Texas route leaf for it. The pinned application page says staff accept it for independent LMFT but not LMFT Associate; the current associate application page also mentions it, so applicants should note those conflicting implementation statements.
National score
A passing AMFTRB score may have been earned before applying; the Board FAQ states national exam scores do not expire.
Npdb
Provide a certified or sealed National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report under §882.2(a)(4).
Professional eligibility
Section 502.252(b)(5)–(8) requires no felony or moral-turpitude conviction, no drug/alcohol use affecting professional competency, no license/certification revocation, and no fraud or deceit in applying; Council rules separately govern criminal-history determinations.
Supervised experience
Complete at least two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,500 direct clinical hours with at least 500 for couples/families, and 200 supervision hours including 100 individual hours under §801.142. No more than 750 required direct clinical hours may use technology-assisted services. Internship and doctoral credit follow §801.142(3), (4), and (9).
Waiver petitions
Council §882.14 permits petitions for waiver or remediation of eligible nonstatutory prerequisites; MFT §801.205 does not permit waiver petitions for the required degree or requisite examinations and requires a declared-disaster basis for its other modifications. Part 41 prevails in a rule conflict under §881.10(b).

Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Statutory provisional LMFT license; the Board FAQ's contrary operational statement is preserved in route conditions.

Licensing authority: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council / Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Provisional LMFT issuance for an independently licensed therapist
Board faq
The Board FAQ states: "Does Texas offer a provisional LMFT license while I finish meeting licensure requirements?" — "No. Applicants must meet all licensure requirements to be eligible for Texas licensure." The retained route follows §502.259 and §801.203; this operational statement is disclosed rather than treated as repeal.
Experience
Document supervised clinical experience under §§801.142 and 801.143 and the remaining Act requirements.
Jurisprudence timing
Complete the Texas MFT JP exam within six months before the application under §882.5.
Previous examination
Have passed a national or Council-approved MFT examination. AMFTRB is the current named national examination under §801.174(a); any other Council-approved examination is an applicant condition.
Prior license
Hold an MFT license or registration in good standing from another jurisdiction with requirements substantially equivalent when it was obtained.
Sponsorship
A Texas LMFT must sponsor the applicant; the Council may waive sponsorship for undue hardship on written request.
Term
The provisional license lasts until approval or denial of full licensure; processing is due within 180 days, extendable for pending exam results.
Interim military provisional LMFT issuance
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Jurisprudence timing
Jurisprudence must be completed within six months before the application; §882.60(d) excludes it from the military prerequisite waiver.
Military credit
Verified military education, training, and experience receive credit under §801.204(b), except against an examination requirement.
Military status
Document service-member, veteran, or spouse status; a spouse must supply marriage evidence under §882.60(c).
Pending application
Section 55.004(b-1) directs prompt provisional issuance while processing the corresponding license application, or issuance of the requested license itself.
Prior license
Hold a current, similar-scope license in good standing in another jurisdiction, or have held the sought Texas license within the preceding five years.
Remaining qualifications
Education, experience, and any national-examination qualification belong to the pending full or associate application and any authorized waiver; the interim issuance provision does not identify a separate national-examination requirement.
Term
The provisional license expires when the application is approved or denied, or on the 180th day after issuance, whichever is earlier, under §55.004(b-1).
Waivers
The Executive Director may waive eligible prerequisites under §882.60(d), but not military-route eligibility, jurisprudence, or fingerprint checks; a restricted license or disqualifying criminal history limits relief.

Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Provisional associate form named in the MFT definitions; military interim issuance follows Chapter 55.

Licensing authority: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council / Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Interim military provisional LMFT Associate issuance
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Jurisprudence timing
Jurisprudence must be completed within six months before the application; §882.60(d) excludes it from the military prerequisite waiver.
Military credit
Verified military education, training, and experience receive credit under §801.204(b), except against an examination requirement.
Military status
Document service-member, veteran, or spouse status; a spouse must supply marriage evidence under §882.60(c).
Pending application
Section 55.004(b-1) directs prompt provisional issuance while processing the corresponding license application, or issuance of the requested license itself.
Prior license
Hold a current, similar-scope license in good standing in another jurisdiction, or have held the sought Texas license within the preceding five years.
Remaining qualifications
Education, experience, and any national-examination qualification belong to the pending full or associate application and any authorized waiver; the interim issuance provision does not identify a separate national-examination requirement.
Term
The provisional license expires when the application is approved or denied, or on the 180th day after issuance, whichever is earlier, under §55.004(b-1).
Waivers
The Executive Director may waive eligible prerequisites under §882.60(d), but not military-route eligibility, jurisprudence, or fingerprint checks; a restricted license or disqualifying criminal history limits relief.

temporary marriage and family therapist license

Temporary authorization for independently licensed therapists from another jurisdiction, for up to 30 days within one year.

Licensing authority: texas behavioral health executive council · Application information

Temporary 30 day LMFT issuance
Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam
Application
Submit the temporary application and fee, subject to military fee relief.
Background instruction
The temporary checklist quoted in this route also says the confirmation email's fingerprint instructions may be ignored.
Duration
Practice at most 30 nonconsecutive days within one year, then report dates used; expiration occurs after all 30 days are used or one year elapses.
Jurisprudence
Section 882.5 applies to applicants for licensure and §801.174(f) applies to all applicants. The July 31, 2026 temporary checklist lists only verification and application/payment and does not request JP; the rule requirement is retained and the checklist omission is disclosed.
National exam
The temporary checklist expressly says the AMFTRB authorization information in the confirmation email may be ignored; there is no national-examination leaf for this route.
Permanent application
A permanent-license applicant is ineligible for temporary licensure; submitting a permanent application ends an existing temporary license.
Prior license
Hold active independent MFT licensure in good standing in another jurisdiction and submit direct verification for all licenses held.
Repeat license
No new temporary license until one year from the prior temporary issuance.

Tx State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Exam

Examination outline
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 502 — Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 507 — Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
  • 22 TAC Chapter 801 — Licensure and Regulation of Marriage and Family Therapists
  • 22 TAC Chapter 881 — General Provisions
  • 22 TAC Chapter 882 — Applications and Licensing
  • 22 TAC Chapter 883 — Renewals
  • 22 TAC Chapter 884 — Complaints and Enforcement
  • Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611 — Mental Health Records
  • Texas Family Code Chapter 32 — Consent to Medical, Dental, Psychological, and Surgical Treatment
  • Texas Family Code Chapter 153 — Conservatorship, Possession, and Access
  • Texas Family Code Chapter 107 — Special Appointments, Child Custody Evaluations, and Adoption Evaluations
  • Texas Family Code Chapter 261 — Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect
  • Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 48 — Investigations and Protective Services for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities
  • Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 81 — Sexual Exploitation by Mental Health Services Provider
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 116 — Training Course on Human Trafficking Prevention
  • Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161 — Public Health Provisions
  • Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 181 — Medical Records Privacy
  • Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 154 — Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 102 — Solicitation of Patients
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 104 — Healing Art Practitioners
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 105 — Unprofessional Conduct
  • Texas Occupations Code Chapter 113 — Mental Health Telemedicine and Telehealth Services
  • Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 46B — Incompetency to Stand Trial
  • Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 46C — Insanity Defense
  • Texas Education Code Chapter 51 — Provisions Generally Applicable to Higher Education
Examination sources

AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination

Provider
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB); administered for AMFTRB by Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) at Prometric computer-based testing centers
Format
Computer-based examination of objective multiple-choice questions, each with four alternative answers of which only one is correct; given during a one-week testing window every month; scores on the six domains and the total examination are reported after the window closes
Exam questions
180 multiple-choice items
Time limit
4 hours total testing time
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing score set on an anchor examination by a modified Angoff method and adjusted across forms by equating; the reported score equals the total number of correct responses
Exam fee
US $370.00 examination fee (includes testing center fees)
Examination outline
  • Domain 01 — The Practice of Systemic Therapy — Tasks related to incorporating systemic theory and perspectives into practice activities, and establishing and maintaining ongoing therapeutic relationships with the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 01.01 Conceptualize therapy consistent with the philosophical perspectives of systemic theory.
    • 01.02 Maintain consistency between systemic theory and clinical practice.
    • 01.03 Integrate individual treatment approaches with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.04 Integrate multiple dimensions of diversity and social justice theories with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.05 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space.
    • 01.06 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a therapeutic relationship with the client system.
    • 01.07 Use a systemic perspective to understand the complexities inherent in therapeutic interactions (e.g., family homeostasis, self of the therapist).
  • Domain 02 — Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing — Tasks related to assessing and conceptualizing the various dimensions of the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts, including forming and reformulating systemic hypotheses and diagnosing the client system to guide therapeutic activities and interventions, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 02.01 Assess the client system’s verbal and non-verbal communication styles to develop hypotheses about relationship patterns, perceptions, and responses to the reciprocal influence of relational patterns and the presenting issues.
    • 02.02 Assess the mental status of clients.
    • 02.03 Assess historic and current self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation and intent, and/or homicidal ideation and intent.
    • 02.04 Identify and assess behavioral dynamics, processes, and interactional patterns (e.g., boundaries, roles, rules, alliances, coalitions, and hierarchies) within the client system to determine systemic functioning.
    • 02.05 Formulate and continually assess hypotheses regarding the client system that consider and incorporate diverse contexts.
    • 02.06 Assess appropriateness of potential treatment and therapeutic delivery modalities for the client system.
    • 02.07 Assess environmental factors (e.g., discrimination, gang violence, migration) affecting the client system.
    • 02.08 Assess the client system’s levels of economic, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive functioning.
    • 02.09 Assess historic and current effects of substance use disorders on the functioning of the client system.
    • 02.10 Assess historic and current effects of violence or trauma, including vicarious trauma, on the client system.
    • 02.11 Assess historic and current effects of childhood experiences and traumas on the client system.
    • 02.12 Assess historic and current effects of impact of process use disorders (e.g., gambling, internet use, technology use, shopping) on functioning of the client system.
    • 02.13 Assess historic and current effects of sexual functioning on the client system.
    • 02.14 Assess how the developmental and family life cycle stages of the client system impact problem formation, maintenance, and resolution.
    • 02.15 Assess strengths, resources, coping skills, and resilience within and available to the client system.
    • 02.16 Select, administer, review, and/or interpret results of standardized instruments within the therapist’s training, competence, and scope of practice.
    • 02.17 Assess and diagnose clients in accordance with current DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria while maintaining a systems perspective.
    • 02.18 Formulate treatment hypotheses that integrate systemic perspectives, assessment inventories, and diagnostic impressions.
    • 02.19 Assess effects of occupational issues on the client system (e.g., military personnel, workers in geographically dispersed locations, first responders).
    • 02.20 Collaborate with the client system to determine need for evaluation by other professional and community systems.
    • 02.21 Collaborate with professional and community systems as appropriate in making diagnoses and establishing treatment priorities.
    • 02.22 Collaborate with the client system to refer as appropriate based on diagnoses and treatment priorities.
  • Domain 03 — Designing and Conducting Treatment — Tasks related to developing and implementing a course of culturally responsive treatment with the client system, including identifying possible therapeutic models, implementing associated interventions, and treatment planning, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (17%; 30 items) (17%)
    • 03.01 Evaluate and maintain a quality therapeutic alliance with the client system.
    • 03.02 Establish therapeutic contracts.
    • 03.03 Utilize assessment information to develop a treatment plan that reflects a contextual understanding of the presenting issue.
    • 03.04 Determine relevant short-term goals, long-term goals and objectives for treatment, as well as criteria for successful completion of treatment.
    • 03.05 Identify the client system’s previous and current attempts to resolve the presenting issues.
    • 03.06 Identify members of client and collateral systems involved in resolving issues.
    • 03.07 Develop and monitor ongoing safety plan to address identified safety risks for the client in all therapeutic delivery contexts.
    • 03.08 Engage in therapeutic interventions based on theory and current research and a shared contextual understanding of the client system and presenting issues.
    • 03.09 Clarify with the client system the rationale for selecting therapeutic interventions as appropriate.
    • 03.10 Collaborate with the client system to determine sequence of treatment and identify which members will be involved.
    • 03.11 Develop and monitor recovery-oriented systemic care for treatment of substance use disorders.
    • 03.12 Use genograms and/or family mapping as therapeutic interventions as indicated.
    • 03.13 Facilitate client system change through restructuring and reorganization.
    • 03.14 Collaborate with the client system to identify and explore competing priorities of client issues to be addressed in treatment.
    • 03.15 Assist the client system in developing decision-making, coping, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in their relational contexts.
    • 03.16 Attend to the homeostatic process and its impact on the client system’s ability to attain therapeutic goals.
    • 03.17 Assist the client system in developing alternative perspectives of the presenting issues to facilitate solutions.
    • 03.18 Influence client behavior and perceptions through use of metaphor, rewriting narratives, mindfulness, etc.
    • 03.19 Integrate cultural, spiritual, social, intellectual, and biological characteristics and strengths of the client system when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.20 Recognize and support client autonomy when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.21 Maintain awareness of common side effects of medications, monitor client system for these within the boundaries of professional competence, and coordinate care with any relevant prescribers.
    • 03.22 Adapt therapeutic stance and interventions to accommodate the process and structure of all therapeutic delivery modalities.
  • Domain 04 — Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment — Tasks related to continuously evaluating the therapeutic process, incorporating feedback into the course of treatment, and planning for termination, inclusive of different cultural contexts and use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 04.01 Use theory and current research in the ongoing evaluation of process, outcomes, and termination.
    • 04.02 Evaluate the progress of therapy in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.03 Modify treatment plan in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.04 Continually evaluate client system appropriateness for all therapeutic delivery modalities.
    • 04.05 Develop a termination plan in collaboration with the client and collateral systems to maintain therapeutic gains after treatment has ended.
    • 04.06 Terminate therapeutic relationship in a professional and culturally responsive manner.
  • Domain 05 — Managing Crisis Situations — Tasks related to assessing and managing emergency situations, inclusive of different cultural contexts, and intervening when clinically indicated and/or legally mandated. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 05.01 Assess impairment in the client system during crisis situations to determine if and what immediate interventions may be needed.
    • 05.02 Assess for presence of suicidal ideation and determine the level of intervention.
    • 05.03 Assess for risk of violence toward the client from others to determine the need for intervention.
    • 05.04 Assess the client’s potential for self-injurious behavior to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.05 Assess the client’s potential for violence or harm toward others, including the therapist, to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.06 Assess risk of violence toward therapist from sources outside of the client system and develop a safety plan.
    • 05.07 Assess impact of community-level crisis on client system and develop interventions as they pertain to that crisis.
    • 05.08 Assess the impact of client system’s trauma history and other relevant contextual factors on current crisis.
    • 05.09 Collaborate with other relevant stakeholders in managing client system’s crisis.
    • 05.10 Respond to emerging crisis as appropriate to the therapeutic delivery modality and use relevant crisis resources.
  • Domain 06 — Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards — Tasks related to ongoing adherence to legal and ethical codes and treatment agreements, maintaining culturally responsive competency, upholding professional standards, and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice. (19%; 34 items) (19%)
    • 06.01 Demonstrate professional responsibility and competence regarding legal issues and regulations across therapeutic delivery modalities, including use of artificial intelligence (AI).
    • 06.02 Compare agency and employment policies with relevant ethics code, statutes, case law, and regulations and privilege the higher standard.
    • 06.03 Integrate current ethical codes of licensing boards, relevant professional organizations, and associations into appropriate professional practice.
    • 06.04 Adhere to relevant business laws related to clinical practice (e.g., Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, etc.)
    • 06.05 Practice within therapist’s scope of competence.
    • 06.06 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the therapist’s personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma impact the therapeutic process.
    • 06.07 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the supervisors’ personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma influence the supervisory process
    • 06.08 Adhere to treatment agreements with client systems and respect the rights of clients.
    • 06.09 Provide the client system with written professional disclosures regarding fees, credentials, reporting complaints, confidentiality, privileged communication, and providing technologically assisted services, including use of artificial intelligence (AI), etc.
    • 06.10 Confirm the client system’s identities, locations, and safety levels at the beginning of each teletherapy session.
    • 06.11 Monitor and mitigate risk for potential exploitation of the client system by the therapist.
    • 06.12 Consult with colleagues and other professionals as necessary regarding ethical and legal issues, and document these consultations.
    • 06.13 Respect the roles and responsibilities of other professionals involved in the client system’s treatment process as they relate to ethical and legal issues.
    • 06.14 Maintain accurate and timely records including long-term safe and confidential storage and plan record transfer and/or disposal within timeframes specified by current statutes.
    • 06.15 Adhere to ethical and regulatory guidelines for engaging in the supervisor-supervisee relationship across modalities.
Examination sources