What Education and Experience is required to get the MFT license?
In California, Marriage and Family therapists may be trained in many different styles or orientations for practicing psychotherapy. During and after their Master’s level graduate level study, they must practice working with clients under master supervision, a minimum of 3,000 hours, fulfilling specific training and experience requirements in several different areas. After passing a written exam, and the California Board of Behavioral Examiners Oral Examination, MFT interns receive the Marriage and Family Therapy License. The license is meant to protect consumers from untrained or incompetent psychotherapists who might do them harm. While there is no guarantee that a particular therapist will be able to help you with your particular problem, the California State MFT license does guarantee that this therapist has taken certain classes and passed qualifying examinations, and that they maintain their knowledge base by taking continuing education programs before they can renew their license
