CA COMBO: CA MFT Law & Ethics and CA MFT Clinical
Looking to become a California MFT and planning to take both the MFT Law & Ethics Exam and the MFT Clinical Exam with the BBS? By purchasing the combo package now, you’ll receive both of TDC’s California MFT Exam prep programs at a big discounted rate. The MFT Combo Package includes online access to everything you need to PASS WITH CONFIDENCE including, audio workshops, step-by-step study plans, practice exams, coaching and more. Both the MFT Law and Ethics and the Clinical Exam programs are designed to maximize learning and minimize stress.
To learn more about what each individual program entails check them out here:
CA MFT Law & Ethics Exam Prep CA MFT Clinical Exam Prep
California MFT FAQs
How Do I Become a Licensed CA MFT?
Outside of California, MFT licensing is overseen by the Association of Marriage and Family Therapist Regulatory Board (AMFTRB), but the state of CA has its own governing board, the Bureau of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). After graduating from a masters degree program, one must register with the BBS as an Associate MFT and then take and pass the MFT Law & Ethics Exam. Once the L&E examination is passed, each candidate must accrue supervised work experience. California requires 3,000 hours over a minimum of 104 weeks in order to qualify for MFT Clinical licensure. When the hours have been completed, it’s time to take and pass the MFT Clinical Test with the BBS. And that’s it! By completing these steps, you can become an LMFT in the state of California. However, if you do decide to pursue this license, we highly recommend connecting with the Bureau of Behavioral Sciences directly as there may be additional details and steps you will need to know during this process. Here is the link to their website: www.bbs.ca.gov
Do I need both MFT Exam Prep Programs now?
Since you’ll need to take both the MFT Law & Ethics and the MFT Clinical exams with the BBS to become a clinically licensed MFT, you might as well get both programs up front and save money. In fact, you'll save $50 with the combo package! Scroll down to read what others have said who’ve used our CA Law and Ethics and CA MFT Clinical Exam prep programs.
What is the Difference Between the MFT Law and Ethics exam and the MFT Clinical exam?
The first exam that associates are required to take is the MFT law and ethics exam. The exam’s name gives away the content--it solely tests your knowledge on the legal and ethical issues that guide our profession. The BBS requires you attempt this exam prior to renewing your associate registration. The clinical exam also tests your knowledge of law and ethics, but it also covers topics such as crisis management, treatment, treatment planning, and evaluation. Each of our programs are comprehensive and cover all of the content and strategy you will need to PASS both exams!
Is the topic of Law and Ethics tested during the CA MFT Clinical Exam as well?
Yes. In fact, questions pertaining to law and ethics make up more than ¼ of the CA MFT Clinical Exam! The BBS recognizes that a significant amount of time is likely to pass between the time applicants pass the law and ethics exam and when they are able to sit for the CA MFT Clinical exam. Therefore, they want to ensure applicants continue to stay up-to-date with relevant laws and ethical guidelines.
How does the CA MFT Clinical Exam compare to the National AMFTRB Clinical Exam?
While the intent of both exams are designed to produce the same results, and that is to ensure public safety within the practice of therapy, there are some nuanced differences between the two MFT Clinical exams themselves.
- Test Items: The CA MFT Clinical exam consisted of 170 test questions, with 20 of them no being counted towards scoring. Those unscored 20 are put on the exam as experimental questions to be considered as part of the scored items in future exams. On the National AMFTRB Clinical Exam there are 200 test questions, all of which are scored.
- Content: The difference is slight, but the CA MFT Clinical focuses on testing your knowledge around treatment planning, clinical evaluation, treatment, crisis management, law and ethics, and treatment. The National AMFTRB Exam content focuses more on practice of systemic therapy (assessing, hypothesizing, and diagnosing), designing and conducting treatment (including the evaluation of the process and termination), managing crisis, and maintaining ethical, legal and professional standards.
- Testing Windows: In California, the BBS offers the MFT Clinical Exam on an ongoing basis of five (5) times per week, while the the National MFT Exam is only offered one week per month, and you must sign up the first of the month during the month prior to you intended exam date.
Course Reviews
Great program better then the others I have used.
I used TDC to prepare for both my Law and Ethics and clinical exam. They helped me every step of the way, broke down the studying into manageable chunks of time and thoroughly prepared me to pass. I did both exams the first time. Thank you TDC!!!!
TDC was very supportive and wonderful. I was able to talk to Robin to trouble shoot my accommodations that I needed. I believe between trouble shooting and studying I was feeling ready. I passed thank you TDC for being there when I needed someone to figure out rather I should apply for accommodations.
This study material was amazing! The language used in practice exams was very similar to that on the actual test which made the test feel familiar and less anxiety provoking. Thank you!
This was my 3rd time taking the CCE. I can honestly say that if you follow the TDC program as it is & follow Amanda instructions in reviewing the information for a second time the scores on the Mock exams improve greatly. Overall, this program is harder than the actual exam. I’m just so grateful that this journey is over. I am so grateful to God for giving the strength not to give up.
I feel like TDC really prepared me. I struggled with time management going over the time by 20-30 minutes on the practice exams. I also felt like I was not scoring high enough and my anxiety was off the charts. I contacted a TDC coach and Asya was super helpful with time management, anxiety and helping me work through reading comprehension. I'm super grateful for this program and so happy that the exam is behind me.
Thank you so very much TDC!!! This is my 2nd attempt at the California Clinical Exam. I used a different review course and walked out of the 1st attempt thinking, "that was not the exam I studied for." I knew there was a missing piece to my exam preparation. When I found TDC by accident I knew it was what I needed to prepare. Thank Goodness I found TDC!!! I read the testimonials and knew it was important to follow the course outline step by step. I took the first final mock and scored a 54. I ran past the 4 hours and rushed to finish in the allotted time. I reached out to Asya and she gave me some fantastic coaching!!!
My quiz scores were 68/83. My mock scores were 71/62/71. I did not take mock test II. I reviewed the rationals after mock I, feeling quite defeated. I meditated and realized I needed to "commit." I kept my original test date and passed!!! I have been out of school for 20 years and am coming from Texas with an LPC license. This was the hardest exam I have ever had including getting my MBA. Thank you Amanda and Asya!!! Bring your juice and piece of fruit/fruit roll up for a break! It worked Thank you so much TDC!!!
If you feel anxious about taking the exam or if you have taken it before and failed (like I did), then please sign up for Therapist Development Center's courses. Unfortunately, I did not study the first time and I failed. TDC relieved me of most of my anxiety about failing the test and prepared me to pass it the second time. And I did!
This program is excellent, and I highly recommend it for anyone preparing to study for their exam. The audio recordings, exams, and handouts were all very helpful, in helping me to pass my clinical exam. Thank you to Amanda, and the coaches for putting this program together, and for always being so quick to respond.
This was an incredibly helpful study aid. I was beyond nervous about this test (I am not a test taker and get major test anxiety) and this program helped to give me confidence in knowing that I had covered the foundation of things that I needed to help me feel prepared.
I am so grateful to TDC !!! I feel that the reason I was able to pass both my Law & Ethics exam and my Clinician MFT exam is solely due to the use of this program. Not only was I given tools for the exams, but I also learned information that I did not know in both programs (Law/Ethics & Clinical Exam) which can only serve to make me a better clinician. I would & will recommend this program to all!!!!! I have major test anxiety, and with Amanda in my head, I was able to stay positive and confident.
Thank you, TDC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I passed the BBS Clinical Exam on July 5th. Thank you TDC for the program and the information imparted. The BBS exam was tough. It's true that you have to surrender to the uncertainty of how you are doing on the exam and take each question one by one and leave the previous question behind. I went through the TDC program twice plus listened to the audios over and over. The top 50 topics are invaluable. Especially, in relationship to the initial, middle and end phases of treatment planning and how to eliminate wrong answers. I followed the program and strategies in regards to eating, working out, breaks and bringing snack to the exam. After the Final Mock 1 (its a tough one) I reached out to the coach for some feedback and the response was immediate and helpful. TDC condenses your grad school into manageable pieces and you will learn. Thank you TDC.
Fantastic program! The structure was invaluable to maintaining balance in my life, helping me to consistently run through the program reviewing everything we learned becoming therapists, after long days of being a therapist. I ran through it one time, 7 weeks, and took a 3-week break due to personal needs; even with the break, I was able to peruse Quick studies and review parts I felt less strong on (based on self-evaluation from the Mock exams) in just the week prior to my test, and I still passed!
The way it was organized helped me move through the concepts easily, and as a result of studying and taking a day off and then studying again, I started to see things play out at work that I was studying, helping integrate the concepts I needed to know and making the studying feel concrete. It also alleviated much of the anxiety about "being a good clinician;" we all know that's not what this exam is testing, but the anxiety is real anyway. Thank you to Amanda and the TDC team for such a comprehensive, easy to use, and thorough study experience. Yay!
This was a great program that helped me! I passed on the first try for the L&E test. I will be using TDC for my next for the clinical test!
Thanks TDC for the amazing and complete study program and support!
Thanks Robin for always getting back to me so quickly! It was very helpful to take two final mocks at the end to pinpoint the strategies I needed to pay attention and when: anxiety management (before and during the exam); pace during the exam (especially in the beginning); tools to use to re-focus during the exam (star fish; long exhale; look away for a second, 5 min break at question 100, etc).
In addition, I did hypnotherapy to assist with the anxiety related to taking the exam. It was very helpful too!
TDC was my go-to study guide for the MFT Legal & Ethical exam. I passed that exam and knew that TDC would be the best for helping me pass my MFT Clinical Exam. I felt supported the whole way during my studying. More than anything, I felt prepared. I even had a few moments during the exam when I knew I was getting the answer right because I followed the encouraging words of Amanda and TDC to help me get through all of the exam questions.
I took my Clinical Exam last week for the first time and PASSED!!! I feel as though TDC prepared me SO well to pass the actual exam! The Mock exams REALLY helped, and checking in with the coaches was invaluable. I was uncertain whether my scores were up to par, but then was assured that I was scoring within normal limits in order to feel confident about the actual exam. I really struggled with my timing on the Mock exams. I took 4.5 hours for Mock Exam I and then 4 HRS and 10 minutes for Mock II. I wrote to Asya, who provided me a timeline to follow in order to remain on track. I also REALLY appreciated the tips around remaining calm, marking answers no matter what, and taking a break. This test is too important, and I would spend the money again in order to gain my licensure!
It is with great honor and appreciation to the TDC team, for providing me with the tools that is necessary to pass the LMFT-L&E exam. I couldn't have done it without you. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your help! I was worried I might not pass, but when I actually sat down for the exam I felt over prepared, and ended with lots of time to spare.
It was so amazing to recall information from the lectures! Not only that but I was able to follow what the teacher had taught live in the exam. I leaned into the test and remained calm all the way and I thank this in part to this study guide! I would recommend it 100% to anyone taking the exam. I am looking forward to utilizing the study guide for the licensing exam! Thank you!