Navigating the Path: Understanding Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Postgraduate Hour Requirements

Marriage and family therapy (MFT) plays a crucial role in helping individuals, couples, and families understand and manage relationship problems. MFT is typically brief, solution-focused, and designed with an endpoint in mind. This approach is based on the belief that complex interactions between family members often cause problems within a family or relationship. MFT therapists address these complex dynamics and provide targeted strategies to help improve communication and resolve conflicts, taking a systems approach by considering the entire family or relationship system rather than focusing solely on the individual. The need for professionals with specialized marriage and family education continues to increase, with recent federal data projecting a 13 percent growth in MFT positions from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The Role of an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

An associate is a pre-licensure candidate with a graduate degree in a mental health field (RCW 18.225.090). Specifically, an associate is a prelicensure candidate who has a graduate degree in a mental health field and who is gaining the supervision and supervised experience necessary to become a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed advanced social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, or a licensed marriage and family therapist. Associates may not independently provide social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy for a fee, monetary or otherwise.

The role of an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) is intended as a transition between the required degree and the completion of supervised training required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. During these years, Associate therapists participate in weekly clinical supervision with Licensed therapists who have completed supervision training and have been fully Licensed themselves for 2+ years. When you are getting treatment with an associate therapist, you can rest assured you are getting the experience and expertise of their supervisor as well who meet and discuss the clinical information weekly. This is the combination of the latest progress and training of current graduate programs blended with a seasoned therapist with many years of clinical expertise.

Key Skills for Counselors

Counseling requires a specific skillset to effectively assist clients. Key skills include:

Communication: Clear communication between the counselor and their clients is essential.
Critical Thinking: Counselors must be able to analyze complex situations and develop appropriate solutions.
Interpersonal Skills: Counselors work with diverse individuals and families, requiring strong interpersonal skills.
Listening: Active listening is crucial for understanding the concerns and needs of clients.
Organization: Managing client information and scheduling requires strong organizational skills.
Problem-solving: Counselors help clients identify and resolve their problems.
Research: Staying current with the latest research and best practices is important for effective counseling.

Educational Requirements

The first step toward becoming a marriage and family therapist is earning an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Applicants must have a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or behavioral science master's or doctoral degree with equivalent course work from an approved school. Applicants must meet the program equivalency requirements listed in WAC 246-809-121. The applicant's program must supply an official transcript with degree and date posted. If the course title doesn't clearly relate to courses listed in rule, you'll be asked to show a course syllabus. A total of 45 semester hours or 60 quarter credits are required in all nine areas of study. Applicants who have obtained the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) clinical membership status are considered to have met the educational requirements for licensure.

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Accreditation Matters

When choosing a program, it can be useful for prospective MFT students to consider schools approved by the state licensure board in the state they wish to practice. Additionally, they may consider schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) during their application process. These accreditations provide specific quality standards. Some states may require aspiring MFTs to complete a program that is accredited by COAMFTE or CACPEP. The TUW program has COAMFTE accreditation, meaning TUW’s program meets or exceeds established MFT program standards and criteria. Students attending a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program understand they will receive a quality education from a respected school that meets rigorous academic standards. They also know the program will prepare them for licensure as marriage and family therapists and for state and national exams.

Curriculum Components

While working toward an MFT degree, you may learn about the needs of various groups and train how to diagnose mental health disorders. Another track to working in marriage and family therapy is a master’s in mental health counseling degree. Applicants should look for a mental health counseling program that has MFT components added into the curriculum. The program must include six-semester or nine-quarter units of practicum, with a minimum of 150 hours of direct client contact. Applicants must also have a plan established to complete work experience and supervision hours.

Degree Completion Time

News & World Report, most MFT degree programs take full-time students two to three years to complete due to the number of clinical hours and different settings needed to prove competency as a therapist. In that time, you will learn to master the fundamentals of counseling to be prepared for work in your own private practice or setting of choice.

Postgraduate Supervised Experience Requirements

After graduation, passing the appropriate state examinations and, meeting additional state requirements, students may also need to obtain an initial license. This allows the graduate to be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner in post-degree practice and can be thought of as a temporary professional license. The number of hours needed for this varies by state, but the typical amount of required post-master’s counseling is between 2,000 and 4,000 hours before taking the exam. The hours may be divided into certain categories such as direct contact, indirect contact and face-to-face supervision.

To receive licensure, therapists must complete all necessary education courses and clinical hours and pass the individual state board exams, though specific requirements will depend on the state you wish to practice in. Applicants must complete at least 3,000 hours of experience, 1,000 hours of which must be direct client contact. At least 500 hours must be gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families; and At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor. Of the total supervision, 100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who has at least five years of clinical experience. The other 100 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner.

Supervision Details

Supervision includes review of case notes, charts, records, audio or visual tapes in order to evaluate the appropriateness of assessments, treatment plans, and therapeutic skills. A minimum of two years of postgraduate marriage and family therapy experience. Must be completed over at least two years from graduation; there is no upper time limit imposed by New Mexico on completing them. Your ongoing LAMFT ratio (1 hour supervision per 5 hours client contact) will, if followed, cause you to accrue more than enough supervision hours by the time you reach 1,000 client hours.

Supervision Agreements

An associate is required to have an approved supervisor. Applicants who have already submitted a complete application and placed in pending status prior to October 1, 2025, may begin practicing on October 1, 2025, under supervision. Supervisor Agreement: Signed form from an approved supervisor who meets WAC 246-809 requirements.

Supervision Hour Reduction

If an applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist has practiced as a substance use disorder professional for three years within the past 10 years, the department will reduce the total number of supervised experience hours required under RCW 18.225.090 by 10 percent.

Licensure and Examination

In order for a student to sit for the exam, they must first receive approval from the state in which they wish to be licensed. Next, you need to apply for a marriage and family therapy license in your state. This will be considered as an independent practice license. License applicants must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam. Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) and the AMFTRB establish the passing score for the exam. The Department of Health application process may take six to eight weeks. Candidates who need special accommodations must request them directly through PTC and submit all required documentation online at the time of exam registration. Once hours are completed, the Associate will submit their packet to the BBS of CA for approval to take the second exam toward full licensure. Once this exam is passed, we then celebrate turning the "A" for associate into the "L" for licensed as the BBS will then issue a new licensure number in the weeks following the exam.

California Requirements

Once an applicant completes the requirements for the AMFT registration, they must pass the California MFT exam (and have passed the California Law and Ethics exam). Applicants must also complete two years of post-degree work experience as an MFT. One hour of direct supervisor contact is required for every five hours of client contact. There is a requirement to take the CA Law & Ethics test as part of this registration after graduation school. This is the first exam to ensure the practicing therapists is competent in the current laws and ethics that govern our field as they practice and gain hours toward licensure. This exam must be attempted at least once annually until passed.

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New Mexico Requirements

New Mexico’s requirements are defined in statute (Chapter 61, Article 9A NMSA 1978) and in the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), Title 16, Chapter 27. You must meet the marriage and family therapy core curriculum defined by Board rule. Pass the Board‑prescribed examination in your discipline. The Board also charges an application fee of $75 for licensure; its fee schedule lists Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) initial licensure at $75. Passed the Board‑approved marital and family therapy examination (the National MFT Exam). Pay the LMFT initial licensure fee (listed by the Board as $220).

Reciprocity and Out-of-State Applicants

Washington state recognizes substantial equivalency, of marriage and family therapists from other states, based on scope of practice. If the state where you are currently or have held a license in the past 12 months, has been determined by the department as substantially equivalent, you can apply for a temporary probationary license to work as a Washington state marriage and family therapist through the reciprocity program. The department maintains a list of approved states that are eligible to apply for a probationary license. The probationary license is a temporary credential issued to an individual who is licensed in another state and applies for reciprocity in Washington. The license is issued for one year and can be renewed one time for another year. The purpose of the probationary license is to allow the holder to seek and accept employment opportunities while the department assess the gap in licensure requirements.

Per WAC 246-809-130, if you have been fully licensed, in good standing, and without a disqualifying criminal history in another state for over five years, the department does not require you to obtain provide proof of supervision hours. If you have been licensed for less than five years, or if you have disciplinary or criminal history, within the past 5 years, then you would be required to have your previous supervisor(s) sign our forms to verify your supervised experience.

The reciprocity program, for behavioral health professions, established by Washington State as of July 1, 2020, (Senate Bill 5054) uses substantial equivalency to other states' marriage and family therapist licenses based on their scope of practice. If the state where you currently have a license, or have held a license in the past 12 months, is considered by the department to be substantially equivalent on a scope basis, you may apply for a temporary probationary license to work as a Washington state marriage and family therapist (MFT) through this reciprocity program. The applicant must not have a disciplinary history or disqualifying criminal history to apply for a probationary license.

Continuing Education

All licensed associates in Washington state are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) annually to renew their credential. These hours must meet the standards outlined in WAC 246-809-630. Associates must attest to completing their CE requirements during each renewal cycle. To maintain licensing, counselors may be required to complete continuing education (CE) hours. As with licensing, state boards control CE requirements. Online CE courses may also meet these state requirements. The online options also may allow more scheduling flexibility, though states may limit the number of online CE hours you may take.

Continuing Education Resources

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Courses offered by this professional organization help meet the needs of mental health professionals and may be accessed, started, paused and completed at any time.
Aspira Continuing Education: This firm offers online continuing education courses for licensed marriage and family therapists in most states.
Professional Development Resources: This company provides marriage and family therapy continuing education courses.
PSEI: This nonprofit offers CE with live seminars and online training, along with books, CDs and DVDs.
The Gottman Institute: This organization offers training for mental health professionals, including CE for marriage and family therapists.

Career Outlook and Salary

Employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. The MFT career tends to be both flexible and versatile in terms of employment industries. The states with the highest employment levels of MFTs are California, New Jersey, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The mean annual salary for an MFT is $672,720. On average, as of May 2024, positions in the state government pay the highest at an annual median of $89,030 and offices of other health practitioners pay the lowest at around $59,010.

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