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
I've never been a great test-taker so my anxiety was running high as I prepared for these tests. I used TDC to prepare for both exams. I took both exams 3 times and finally passed. What I would've done differently, I definitely would have scheduled more coaching sessions! It is worth the money and time. When I took the Clinical Exam for the third time, I scheduled a coaching session the day before my test with Asya, she really helped me to think through the question stem and reviewed my testing strategies. I am very happy and now can go on with my life as a LMFT!
TDC ROCKS! As someone who abhors online courses, this was an exceptional experience!! I passed both L&E and CCE the first time. I followed the suggested study schedules and followed all the recommendations Amanda gave. It should be noted that the mock exams are much more challenging than the actual exam. The level of difficulty (which brought me to tears of frustration on two occasions) accurately prepared me for the level of difficulty on the big day. It also prepared me to manage my expectations of myself, and my time, during the 4 hours. I HIGHLY recommend investing in TDC if you're trying to prepare for these exams.
-Kaitlin R
I am so happy I chose TDC to help study for the clinician exam. TDC really did cover everything that was on the test! I listened to the Strategies Review on my way to the testing site and that was really helpful for me because I carried those strategies with me into the test especially when I was feeling anxious during the test! I was really grateful for the amount of detailed advice Asya gave me when I emailed her with my questions and I instantly felt less anxious. I am also thankful that the final 2 mock exams were very hard because going into the clinical exam, it felt easier than the TDC final 2 mocks! Thanks again!!
I definitely recommend TDC and I have been recommending to everyone I know. As a sleep deprived parent of a toddler it was really hard for me to study. I am also NOT a good studier in general. TDC organizes all the info and makes it really manageable. I listened to audio lectures while driving to work. I listened to theories and DSM lectures a second time while taking notes which made the info stick more. ULTIMATELY the practice quizzes and final mocks are so so helpful! listen to the rationals lectures for those! they are very close to the real exam. I also found the lecture on how to think the way the test thinks super helpful, and definitely bring the snacks schedule they recommend. For me TDC was all I needed!
I just want to say a big THANK YOU! Y'all actually made it fun (and I can't believe I'm saying that) for me to study for this exam. I can tell you care about us passing and feeling as confident and relaxed about it as possible. I really appreciated all the help with handling and easing anxiety. And it was a great review of everything! Thank you for making extensions of the course so easy, too. I had some life issues come up while I was studying, and it was comforting to be able to just ask and receive.
I took the exam several time but,it was until I learn to truly read the question and connect the rational to the answers that I felt full capable to take it aging this last time. Highly recommend to listen to the first talk before taking the first exam where it reminds you to read the question and to look for the supporting wording in the answers. I think that for me that was the key to my success. Not to mention the fact that i worked hard to mange my anxiety. for those of you that have exam anxiety. Take a look at your final transcript , and it will tell you story of your intellect and your capacity to success. Wish you all the best.
I really enjoyed the audios, I also enjoyed the ability to do practice tests and listen to rationales.
Loved the organzation of the program! Study strategies and audio mock rationals were really helpful.
TDC’s teaching methods worked well for me! Listening to Amanda's lessons, I felt like I was back in school (I loved being in school, school was my Haven) got to take notes freely and in my words so that I can recall what I've learned and felt confident despite nerves!
Thank you TDC for putting this program together. The program was well organized and the information was not overwhelming. The step by step approach helped me to conceptualize the information differently and apply it to the questions on the test. Your test tips also helped me to look out and pick out the information in the answer sets. I also really appreciated how the program laid out the theories. I learned so much more about them this way. Thank you again for your program and approach, I know I would not have passed the test without you!!!
I was so anxious about taking the clinical exam. However, as I was taking the exam, I felt the questions were manageable utilizing the test strategies that were provided with this program. Additionally, the TDC test prep covered all categories in detail which helped me feel more prepared while taking the exam. Thank you!!!!!
I felt over-prepared when I arrived at the exam! I was very grateful to have had training with TDC and felt confident as I moved through the exam questions. I passed on the first try! Thank you so much for this program. I can see why my friends and colleagues recommended it.
I utilized TDC for my Law and Ethics and my CCE. I felt that it was well organized, the content and material covered all the major topics and I felt well prepared with my knowledge going into the exam. I listened to the lectures during my drives and felt that I could channel key things I remembered hearing while taking the CCE. The mock exams were great (minus the new final Mock, not sure what is going on with that one). I actually felt they did a great job at preparing me for the actual exam. The vignettes on the mocks were lengthy and it taught me to keep going, hoe to regroup and refocus, and allowed me to see what I struggled with most. The rationales were very helpful, and I have to say that the TDC staff are always friendly, helpful and were there every step of the way. I would HIGHLY recommend this program and feel it is what prepared me to conquer the CCE. I am thankful that I had the ability to take mocks, and have an organized content area. I am very happy with this program and hope to see many more people utilize this and pass!
I can not say enough about this wonderful comprehensive test prep program! I have used several other packages and attended several other 2 day seminars all in an effort to pass my exam only to unsuccessfully fail my exam. :( I switched my study program turned to TDC and within day one of listening to Amanda's voice my anxiety decreased and I began actually enjoying the prep study process. Each week gaining confidence in myself and my ability to learn and finally pass this exam. Thank you so much for preparing me for my mft exam! Trust the process, read and listen to all of the study program, spend time with the rationals of right verses wrong answers, use the online help from the staff at TDC, stay on pace with the study program it pays off in the end! Thank you TDC!!
Awesome program! Thank you for creating this product. I felt the test was very difficult, but I was well prepared to understand how to think because of TDC. I am so grateful to have had you on this journey! Now I can finally call myself an LMFT!!!
When I walked into the testing site to take the LMFT clinical exam, I felt confident. However, once I began the exam I knew I was going to pass, and its because of the TDC study program. The course structure had a natural flow that built upon itself, allowing me to internalize rather than memorize the material. I would recommend TDC to anyone studying for an LMFT exam.
5 Star Rating! This study program is worth every penny. I went into my test with confidence, which carried me through my waves of anxiety. I would recommend this program to anyone.
Thank you for your comprehensive and truly accessible study system. I just passed the MFT test and while it was incredibly hard I felt TDC truly helped me feel prepared :)
This was my first time using TDC & I passed my exam today! The study program is very thorough and detailed. I like how Amanda explains the questions and answers. I get test anxiety so this program helped eased that and pass!! I took the exam 2 other times using other testing materials and did not pass. Thank you TDC.
AMFT
Pretty good and thorough. I felt I passed pretty easily. I liked the study summary guides as a good syllabus.