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
TDC was really helpful! Covered all the relevant topics and most importantly, helped with how to think through the questions. Will definitely recommend this study program to my peers who are coming up behind me Thanks!
I used TDC for my LMFT Law & Ethics Exam two years ago and also used it for my LMFT Written Clinical Exam! I passed both exams on the first try and feel as though I was thoroughly prepared. Thank you TDC for providing a service that is much needed to confidently prepare for the licensing exam! Every therapist should know about this amazing study tool!
I passed first time! TDC helped prepare me tremendously for the exam. I would highly recommend taking all the mock and final exams and reviewing answers throughly as there were several very similar questions on the exam. Thank you!!!
Results: Mock 1: 61%, Mock 2: 59%, Mock 3: 71%, Final Mock 1: 55%, Final Mock 2: 68% and PASSED Exam!
The program was a huge help. I took all the Mock exams except the 2nd Final Mock. I was worried because my scores were in the 60s (%) for the Mocks and I scored 57% on the Final Mock 1 (which was really hard). But, I "leaned in" to the exam and just trusted the process and I was very prepared, thanks to TDC. Pay attention to those key words ("further assess," "intervention," "initially"). Also - I read the question first, then looked at the first word of each answer first before reading the stem - saved a lot of time.
I have always recommended TDC when someone I know is studying for either L&E or Clinical exam in a respectable field. I have utilized both L&E and Clinical preparation.
I absolutely recommend this material! I appreciate all the information, study tips, test day tips, even the suggested study schedule was really helpful for getting organized. I tend to struggle with tests, I'm a slow reader and tend to spend more time making sure Im comprehending correctly which can be difficult for a timed test, so I was nervous about getting through the entire thing on time and with ease. However I felt extremely prepared, especially after learning how to spot and eliminate wrong answers quickly, and I passed on my first try!!
TDC is amazing!! There is not a topic they don't cover. I followed their program how they laid it out, had great success, and passed the first time! I also utilized a TDC coach, which was a huge help in preparing and feeling ready. Thank you for what you guys do!
TDC definitely prepared me for this exam. I felt confident, energized, and prepared as I was taking it. I highly recommend this program to everyone taking the California MFT exam. The cost of the program is well worth the knowledge and confidence I gained. I am grateful and relieved!
Definitely feel like TDC over prepares you for the exam so when taking the exam I actually felt like it was easy compared to the mocks in TDC which was a relief.
I had failed twice using Grossman and was fearful I would fail again. However , utilizing TDC helped me to understand the dry content of theoretical information in layman's terms. Very happy with your study program!
This was overall a great course. It caters to different learning styles. It was straightforward. The content was relevant to the concepts on the exam. The rationales really helped me understand the language that would be on the exam and the logic behind the way the questions are asked. I would highly recommend the LMFT study program to other people pursuing their LMFT.
Preparing for the exam during COVID was challenging and uncertain. After my first test date was cancelled, I was concerned that it would happen again. Also, I wasn't doing amazingly on the mock exams (just barely passing each one). So needless to say I was anxious the week of the exam. The testing center had significant internet challenges and I was cut off 5 times throughout the exam. I can't say that these technical difficulties reduced my anxiety in an way. However, I found that Amanda's pep talk and the reminders about pace and the phrase "pay attention to the question stem" were my saving grace during the exam. I am happy to say that I passed the exam! Thanks TDC!
I passed at 37 weeks pregnant in the middle of a global pandemic, thanks to your program!!! I felt prepared and confident going in.
I had some fits and starts for my exam date to due things out my control, and additionally was studying during a highly stressful time. I became worried that I wasn't taking in the exam materials well enough to pass, so I purchased another popular study program. I have to say that the TDC materials, Mock Exams, and coaching through the program were far superior to the competitors I also started to work through. Once I realized this, I stopped doing the other study prep program and just stuck to the TDC materials, timeline, and mocks. I am very, very glad I did as the TDC Mock exams most closely resembled the actual final exam, and I passed my first exam attempt with a few minutes to spare. I am very grateful I do not have to schedule and study for this exam again! Thank you TDC!
I was able to go into my exam super calm because I felt prepared. I would highly recommend this program to anyone studying for the Law and Ethics exam. I plan to use it for my clinical exam when the time comes.
TDC was an amazing program to use! I felt as though it covered all the material needed to pass the test along with very accurate mock exams and overall encouragement along the way. I would highly recommend this program. I also used a TDC coach, Robin, a week before my test and she was amazing at pointing at individual and small details in my test taking to help me boost my confidence and help my scores. Thank you so much TDC!
I am so thrilled to say I passed my CCE! I know that TDC prepared me fully to take the test. I know the test changes, but in my experience the TDC mocks were harder than the actual exam. I felt pretty confident throughout the test. I am so thankful I used TDC and would definitely recommend the program for test prep!
I can't believe I can finally sign LMFT after my name! Thank you so much TDC for your expertise in preparing me for this beast of an exam! This program does not compare to anything else in the market. Hands on, personable, and super easy to follow.! I felt super prepared for the actual exam and completed well before the 4 hour mark. Thank you for helping me build my confidence and attack the exam TDC fam!
Wow TDC prepared me so well for the exam! Not only with the actual content but with the emotional component as well. The mock exams were great and the rationales provided were SO so helpful! It really trains you how to think for the exam. And how to prepare emotionally to not get tripped up on hard questions. I am so so grateful! I passed on the first try!!! Thank you!
I think TDC prepared very well for me to take the test. After reviewing the mocks and final mocks, reviewing the previous material one more time. It helped me to pass the final exam. Robin helped me with some really good strategies like "focus what you know in the vignette", and focus on reviewing the final mocks before you go on to your exam. By going through the course, it trained me how to think (the way exam wants you to think) in the exam. I feel during the exam, after I read the first few sentences, I can guess what they are trying to test. I definitely see a lot of familiar questions on the real exam. The real exam is more easier than what we have been practiced in TDC. It is very easy to rule out answers after TDC training. There is so much to say more to say about how TDC helps me pass the test. It just very get-to-the-point, I feel.