Exploring Today’s Best Online MFT Programs in California (CA)

No matter where you work as an LMFT, the first step is to earn an accredited MFT degree from a quality school. The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the programmatic accrediting body for MFT programs. Choosing a COAMFTE-accredited online MFT degree in California ensures you’ll get your masters from a school that meets the highest education standards in the field.

Additionally, you’ll want to choose a program that meets California’s state requirements for licensure. You can find a comprehensive list of these schools on the state’s Board of Behavioral Sciences website.

Once you’ve earned a degree from one of the online MFT programs in California, you’ll need to spend time earning supervised post degree experience in the state. Since that requires working with patients and clients in a medical care setting, you must apply to register as an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT). This is an essential step to ensure that your work hours will be counted toward your on-the-record experience hours. There’s a 90-day grace period for recent graduates, so if you submit your associate application within 90 days of receiving your degree and complete Live Scan fingerprinting, any hours earned before you are issued an association registration number will be valid.

You’ll have to pass a criminal background check before being licensed to practice marriage and family therapy in California, even as an associate. That’s because you’ll potentially be working with children, in government organizations, and with vulnerable populations. You’ll also need to submit a Live Scan fingerprint for the background check. According to the American Psychological Association, a minor hiccup in your background usually won’t cause any problems. The most important thing is that you’re honest and upfront with any potential employers or organizations that you’ll be working with.

The California Law and Ethics Exam is a 75-question, multiple-choice test for AMFTs. The questions are designed to test your knowledge and practical skills application in scenarios that might arise in marriage and family therapy. You’ll need to pass the exam to get your AMFT registration and begin earning experience hours. Fortunately, many resources are out there to help you prepare for the test. You can download the candidate handbook and exam outlines and register to take your exams on the Pearson Vue website.

In California, you must earn all your post degree hours after registering as an AFMT, except those earned during the 90-day postgraduation grace period. All in all, you’ll need to earn 3,000 total supervised hours over 104 weeks. Once you’ve completed the required hours, you’re ready to apply for licensure and submit proof of your experience alongside your application. If you’re unsure which types of work count toward your required hours, there’s a complete breakdown in the Handbook for Future LMFTs provided by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

You’ve come a long way – you’ve earned your MFT, registered as an AMFT, passed the required background checks and exams, and earned 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Now, it’s time to test your knowledge on the LMFT clinical exam. You’ll be given 170 multiple-choice questions to answer in four hours or less during the exam. Passing the exam is the final step before applying for your LMFT license, so you’ll want to be well-prepared. You can download the Clinical Exam Candidate Handbook and register to take the exam on the Pearson Vue website.

After passing the LMFT clinical exam, the last step to officially becoming an LMFT is to apply for and obtain your LMFT license. Within one year of passing the clinical exam, you should request your license and pay the initial license fee of $200. You can fill out your application for LMFT licensure and pay the associated fees online via the Board of Behavioral Sciences website or print the physical application and mail it to the board with a check. You can expect your application to be processed in 30 working days or less. Congratulations on becoming an LMFT!

While you can take classes at a distance while earning an online MFT degree in California, earning your MFT online typically takes some hands-on practice that requires in-person attendance. You’ll also need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience in person before applying to become a licensed LMFT. That doesn’t mean these requirements have to become an obstacle or make your life inconvenient. Many schools work with students to coordinate local practicum experiences; Palo Alto University is one example.

After attending online MFT programs in California and completing the additional LMFT licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to treat individuals, couples, and families in various settings. Some MFTs work in small practices or launch their one-person practice. Others find employment in large healthcare organizations, school systems, or businesses. Wherever you work, you’ll help diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders for your clients and help them make treatment plans.

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) is California’s programmatic accrediting body for online MFT programs and nationwide. A COAMFTE accreditation means you can count on a program that will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for passing your exams and become an outstanding marriage and family therapist. You can find a comprehensive list of COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs on their website.

In short, no. Each state has its own unique requirements for licensure. If you want to offer services in a state other than the one you were initially licensed in, you’ll need to apply individually in the new state. Some states have reciprocity agreements, so filing for a new license may be a simple matter of paperwork. Others have more extensive requirements. You can locate individual state licensing boards to review their requirements by visiting the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards website.