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California licenses Marriage and Family Therapists through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Licensure generally requires a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a closely related field with MFT coursework), a period of post-degree supervised clinical experience, and a passing score on the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination. Verify current licensing, MFT Licensure Compact, supervised-experience, renewal, and continuing-education requirements directly with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Reportedly requires a qualifying master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or equivalent) meeting California's specific coursework and practicum content requirements. Verify current education requirements with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
California uses its own examinations rather than the AMFTRB national exam: applicants must pass the California Law and Ethics Examination and the LMFT Clinical Examination. Verify current examination requirements with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Reportedly requires registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and completion of approximately 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (including at least approximately 1,750 hours of direct clinical counseling, of which at least approximately 500 hours involve couples, families, or children), plus required practicum hours during the degree. Verify exact experience and supervision requirements with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
The state has not enacted the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Compact. Marriage and family therapists must hold a license issued by this state to practice here, and any compact privilege held elsewhere does not authorize practice in this state.
There is no enacted Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Compact confirmed for California; the profession has pursued state-by-state portability ("Access MFT") rather than a national compact as of mid-2026, and California was reportedly considered unlikely to join such a compact. Verify current compact and portability status with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
License portability may be available by endorsement and, where the state participates, through the MFT Licensure Compact. Verify endorsement eligibility and compact participation with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Telehealth marriage and family therapy practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Marriage and family therapist licensing laws, board rules, education and examination requirements, MFT Licensure Compact participation, supervised-experience rules, and renewal/continuing-education requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state licensing board.