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 struggled with anxiety approaching the exam. I worried about my stamina for the 4 hour test. It was of tremendous help to have two four hour mocks to build stamina. I had a coaching session with Robin who gently guided me through strategies that would work for me. It's true when Amanda says "take me with you into the test". I used Robin's strategies and wondered "how would Amanda reason this out" whenever I felt stuck. I had a personal goal of passing the first time taking the test and I DID! I highly recommend this program. Thank you, Therapist Development Center! I wish I could give you 10 stars!
A very thorough study course to ace the marathon exams the BBS requires. It is well worth the price. The team is there for you when the anxiety flares up. Self care and good study habits are championed. You will succeed if you follow the plan!
Hi, I used TDC for both the Law and Ethics and the CCE. I found the materials covered everything I needed to know to pass both exams. Amanda was amazing in discussing rationales and I felt totally prepared to take the exam. I followed everything she said. When I went in to take the exam I had no anxiety. I utilized all the TDC strategies that I learned over the past 6 months of studying. Thanks so much!!!!!
The last final mock exams for TCD were very difficult , more that the actual exam. In some was ways they were more anxiety provoking than the real one, they did however really help Moving into the final exam. I would say difficulty based on vurbadum and level of analysis and contextualizing that applied to each case. Also there is a way in which Tdc should articulate that knowing the martial is the basic ask, but it's the aaplication of the knowledge that we are tested on. I learned all the diagnosis, to which at most 5 questions showed up, in terms of theories I felt like there was no more than 10, most of the exam was very clinical and of course keeping clients mind safety in place, law and ethics.
TDC did an excellent job preparing me for this test. I used TDC for the L&E exam and knew I had to use TDC again for the clinical. Special thanks to Robin for her tips on how to manage test anxiety.
Thank you for the material and the explanations. It became very useful and I succeeded!
TDC was instrumental in helping me prepare for this exam! Each time I reached out to ask a question or request an extension I immediately received a friendly response. I really felt that the team at TDC WANTED me to pass and were incredibly helpful. The material was thorough and detailed, so much so that by the time I took the actual exam I felt almost over-prepared! THANK YOU TDC!
There were so many times when I was taking the test when I really could hear Amanda's voice--so many questions I would have had wrong--if not for this study system. I appreciate all that TDC has done for me, above and beyond. I received a cancer diagnosis three months in and was paralyzed wondering through chemo what I was even doing getting my MFT for a while after getting the news. But I got back on the horse followed the study system to the T and with support from the very kind coach was able to pass yesterday on my first try.
I don't really have a testimonial other than this was an awesome program and I felt well prepared for the test. I struggled during the test with time management and finished the test with just one minute and twenty-three seconds...talk about a burst of adrenaline, but I finished!!! A few times I swear I heard your voice asking me, "What are they asking for?" The mock exams really helped me learn the structure of the test and how to discern between two similar answers. Thank you for creating this program!!!
I am extremely grateful for the TDC program, as it prepared me well for the LMFT Clinical Exam. I'd previously used this program for the Law & Ethics exam, and passed the first time due to how well TDC prepared me, so I knew choosing it again for the Clinical exam was the right choice. The Clinical exam was definitely challenging, but TDC did the best job in not just reviewing important knowledge, but getting me mentally prepared for the difficulty of the exam as well. The test-taking strategies throughout this program are even more valuable than the knowledge review!
TDC offered a perspective of what to expect on the clinical exam. They also provided a system that I could follow to avoid being overwhelmed by the scope of material to review.
I'm still stunned that I passed, after such a long journey. I'd used a different test prep for Law and Ethics, and ended up having a panic attack during the test. Needless to say, I failed it. So going into this exam, I once again had a panic attack after the first full mock exam because I didn't score as well as I'd hoped. This time though, I knew my worst enemy was anxiety, and not my lack of knowledge or experience. Then I took the 2nd one, like Amanda said, just "attack" it. I guess I had to re-experience all the self-doubt and gird myself before the actual exam. It didn't feel like free fall; I was aware that I learned from my mistakes and knew how to reason through the questions. I went in nervous but confident, stuck to her tips about state-dependent learning, and passed still with an hour left on the clock. What a rush!
Passed on my first try! TDC is the way to go!
Thank you TDC!!! I went through a lot of personal/physical difficulties in the past year and had to postpone taking my exam several times and each time, TDC granted me an extension without question. Thank you so much for providing a solid studying program, the test ended up feeling much easier than I thought as a result of the materials you provided.
I would highly recommend this study material to anyone taking the LMFT exam! I passed the first time after using TDC! So relieved!
I was definitely more than prepared! Thank you
Your prep course was incredibly helpful. I also did a coaching session with Robin 2 days before I took the test which helped me hone in on the things I needed to improve my test taking (slow down my reading of the questions). Thank you so much Amanda and team! I was so well prepared using your prep course. I took the exam and had time for a break in the middle and 20 minutes at the end to go over my marked questions. I felt pretty confident throughout the exam because I was so prepared by your prep course. so THANK YOU!
This was a journey, that brought me to my knees at times. I continued to dig deeper after each test, sought out additional test support academically and mentally. Worked on my anxiety with a therapist, through some deep personal therapy, peeled more off that onion ... and much shifted for me... mental freedom... it’s another part of me I can bring to my clients.
I took the test two times using other programs and this program was the best! I knew the questions, how to "attack" the exam and Amanda was with me. I was able to manage anxiety, took the break at question 100, ate a snack and really felt the reset! I am so humble by this process and grateful for the program. Thank you TDC for the variety of study materials, concepts and diversity of training. I will recommend TDC to everyone!!
Amanda Rowan provides an extremely valuable preparatory experience for the MFT clinical exam. The presentation of the material is methodical and thorough and, more importantly, Amanda inspires confidence by helping candidates learn how to think about the test and what to expect before and during the test. There is way too much material to know it all in my opinion. But there are ways to approach the questions that make it MUCH more likely that you will get the right answer even if there is material in the question stem that is unfamiliar. I could hear Amanda’s voice as I was reasoning through the answer possibilities on the test.