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
Sticking to the program and using the tips will get you prepared to pass!
I used TDC for the law and ethics and the clinical Mft exam. The strategies - like eating the same snack before studying and before the actually exam - were really helpful. For this exam I ate green grapes. The extensions were really helpful too because I ended up delaying my exam 3 different times. I passed on the first try for this clinical exam, and I'm so excited to be done!
Thank you TDC!!! My goal was to pass the clinical exam before I was 60. I made it by 5 days. Listening to your pep talk on the way to the testing center helped me stay focused and keep moving throughout the exam, even though I had no idea if I was passing or not.
Thanks TDC! Really did a great job preparing me for this exam. Will see you again when it is time for the next exam!
I couldn't recommend this study material more. I felt completely prepared for the exam after completing this program only once in its entirety over 3.5 months.
I graduated in 2012. got all by hours by 2015. took off. TDC helped spark the knowledge. The organization helped tremendously. Great Product. Not cheap but, worth not having to take the test over and over.
I loved this program! Thank you TDC!
Terrific program. I felt supported in ways I had no idea I would need support: not only with the content but with my testing anxiety, test taking skills and especially how to take my clinical skills and apply them to an exam. I learned how to think in a way that enabled me to apply my skills to pass the test. I am so grateful!
I truly believe I would not have passed this test without this thorough program. TDC got me through the Law and Ethics exam as well as the clinical. I am so grateful for the expertise and the well thought out approach of TDC. Thank you.
I would NOT have passed the CA LMFT clinical exam without the help of TDC! This program was thorough, informative, and highly supportive throughout the course of my studying to become a family therapist (special thanks to Amanda and Robin for your guidance and support). The strategies and techniques you are provided really helps you to embody what's necessary to get through the exam and pass with confidence! No surprises during the real test and the practice final mocks were much harder than the real exam, in my opinion. Go through the top 50 topics twice, don't skip out on the audio lectures, and be diligent in your studies - do these things and you will not be disappointed. Thanks a million, TDC! I could not have done it without you. I highly recommend the Therapist Development Center for your studying needs for passing this licensure exam.
I am happy to be joining the MFT community as a LICENSED MFT!!
This program truly made me feel prepared for the exam! It was like Amanda’s voice was in the test room with me!
I would not have passed this exam without TDC. The MFT clinical exam is not just information, it is a tricky test. Even with TDC, I was very anxious during the exam because of how the questions were framed. But knowing what to expect was so helpful when in the exam. I took breaths, remembered the tips from the audios, and trusted that reminder. I walked away thinking I had not passed, but I did! And I really believe this exam prepared me for all of that extra stuff that the test creates, not just the information to know a right answer over a wrong answer. Highly recommend!!!
I used Therapist Development Center's study modules for both the California Law and Ethics exam and the Clinical Exam. No retakes on either of the exams! I am so very grateful for Robin and her team in developing such a superior study module. I absolutely know that I could not have passed either of these exams so easily. While taking both exams, I found that the answers were so obvious because of the depth of topics covered and knowledge provided within the Therapist Development study programs. Highly recommend!!
Loved the program and the support.
Great learning experience!!! This program really prepares you for the real exam. It really helps to have different approaches and a timeline for studying all the material.
TDC helped me get organized and create a study system in order to approach this very difficult exam with positivity, knowledge, essential test-taking strategies, and the confidence I needed to pass. Thanks to all from TDC!
I did as Amanda said and I brought her in with me to the exam. I feel that this prep service really prepared me for the exam
I did it! I passed! On the first attempt I passed the MFT Clinical Exam and due in a huge part to the TDC program and team. In one short year I passed the MFT Law & Ethics Exam (thanks to TDC), battled and won against cancer (major surgery, successful) and survived the 4 grueling hours of a stressful exam. Anyone taking this course has a huge advantage. If I can do it anyone can. I read so slowly and struggled to adhere to the suggested time frame. After question 144 questions I had only 12 min left. I skimmed the last questions looking for key terms (what would an existential therapist do...), then grabbed at the answer that included the word(s): anxiety, choice, responsibility, freedom, etc. OMG it was terrifying not knowing...
When you hear Amanda or Robin say, “be ok with uncertainty” trust and believe they know. The test is hard. This program rocks! I would be glad to share more of my experience or assist in other ways. Thank you all.
I took the California Clinical Exam for LMFT and passed on my first try using TDC. The program did a great job in covering all topics for the exam. More importantly, it helped me strategize for the exam in order to tackle on each question with confidence.
This program truly helped ease my anxiety regarding the clinical exam. The program is extremely thorough and covers mostly everything you will be presented with on the exam. The testing strategies were extremely helpful while I was taking my exam. I truly believe that without this program, I would not have passed on my first attempt. The program over-prepares you, which I feel gives you an advantage when “attacking” the exam. Thank you, TDC, for helping me grow professionally and for giving me tools that I will use throughout my career!