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Pennsylvania licenses Marriage and Family Therapists through the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
At least a master's degree in marriage and family therapy (or a related field with equivalent coursework) from an accredited program. Verify exact education requirements with the Board.
Applicants reportedly must pass the examination prescribed by the Board, generally the national AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy Examination. Verify the required examination(s) with the Board.
Post-degree supervised clinical experience is required — reportedly about 3,000 hours for master's-level applicants (fewer for doctoral applicants), with roughly 2 hours of supervision per 40 hours worked and limits on group supervision. Verify exact hour requirements with the Board.
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.
Pennsylvania has not enacted the MFT Licensure Compact; no enacted MFT compact currently exists nationally. Verify current compact status with the Board and mftcompact.org.
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 Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
Telehealth marriage and family therapy practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
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.