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 passed the CA Law and Ethics exam for LPCCs and I bought the LMFT guide. I felt that it was excellent in preparing me. Thank you!
HIGHLY recommend the TDC study materials. It kept me organized with time management when it came to studying as well as organization of the categories of the exam, including the law and ethics, diagnosis, and theoretical orientations. Having the study material online allowed me to have access anywhere without lugging around books/paper/pencils. I really appreciated the highlighting of self care and managing stress/anxiety associated with taking this exam. The psychology behind the test taking truly does have a huge impact on test performance. I completed my exam with 22 minutes to spare. THANK YOU TDC!
Oh! I’m so lucky I came across this program. I had one before, which I used for a few months and it was like chewing rocks. I had just reading material and I have a learning disability so it’s hard for me to just digest material one way. So it was awesome to hear this program, take notes, read notes, listen more, and ironically enough, I had listened to this program for so many hours that I could hear Amanda’s voice in my head during the test and I was like ‘na, she wouldn’t pick that one’. I had enough test technique too to stick with the basics; follow the order, rule out weak answers, and craft what was the question asking. It was awesome and made me feel secure to take the test!!
I was hesitant to purchase this program, but everyone I knew recommended it. It had been awhile since I took the law and ethics course, so I figured I'd go for it. I'm glad I did! I felt much more prepared and calm going into the test. The program is well designed and gives great techniques. If you are someone that needs structure while studying and don't know how or where to start, this program is for you! Thanks to TDC, I passed on my first try!
If you're looking for a one stop shop for test prep, TDC is it. I passed the CA BBS MFT Clinical Exam on my first try because of TDC. The audio recordings were absolutely invaluable, especially for someone like me who has ADD and a difficult time focusing on tedious written material. Thank you, Amanda. The quick studies and the quizzes are also very helpful. The mock exams are BRUTAL but I guess that's the way it should be... as the actual exam is not easy. But I felt as prepared as I could be, because of TDC. The final pep talk was actually pretty key as well. Helped me with time management during the test... not spending too much time on any one question. Just picking the best answer and marking it to review at the end. Thank you again. Much, much appreciated. I would recommend Therapist Development Center to anyone.
I highly recommend this program for anyone getting the license in our field. I went into the exam confident I would pass after doing this program. Thank you!!
I had taken the test twice and failed twice. I used TDC and it was like I was finally being taught the way I needed to learn! Thank you so much! I PASSED!!!
The TDC study system prepared me in EVERY way for the Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist Exam. I had Amanda's voice in my head as I went through the questions on test day. It helped me to reason through each of the answers and choose the best selection (or at least get down to the best two). Beyond the content, TDC emphasizes the mindset you need to have going into the exam. Their mock exams are very close to what I encountered on test day. So there were no surprises whatsoever. I would use them again without hesitation and recommend anyone preparing for the MFT Licensing Exam use TDC. They are simply the BEST!
I passed the first time. Time was my biggest issue and I was able to push through..My biggest helper was taking a break around question 80 when I was starting to feel like I was "under the clock" and "sinking". I chose to grab a quick snack and a sip of water and reset. It was the best decision and it helped me re-load for the second half. I ended with extra time and was able to review all my marked questions. Thanks TDC, I felt prepared!!
Great program, easy to follow and covered everything on the exam. I would definitely recommend to everyone preparing for the MFT clinical exam. I also utilized TDC to prepare for my Law and Ethics exam.
Despite having to wear a mask and include the post-test survey within my span of time for the exam, I was delighted, albeit somewhat surprised that I passed on the first time. And I'm relieved, as I chunked my studying into a 6 week timeframe. Thank you for the thorough and encompassing materials. What I particularly appreciated was the schedule that allowed me to pace my studies. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
A week after recovering from COVID-19 I passed my clinical exam and I’m now LMFT! A cancer survivor and a Covid survivor how about that? I had to cancel my originally scheduled exam as I tested positive for Covid and I must say it was a horrible experience and I suffered psychologically. I tried to do my 1 actual mock and could not finish in time. It took me six hrs. The second and final mock took me 5 hrs but I scored much higher. I spent the next few days reviewing the material and following the recommendations. I leaned into the exam and in those moments when I felt like giving up I kept hearing Amanda (in the healthiest way) telling me to attack the test. I took a break at question 90, ate a banana drank a sugary juice and leaned back into it. It was totally worth it. I walked out and knowing I passed because I knew the material. I took God with me and invited Amanda as well. I could not have done this without TDC. God was my guide and Amada was definitely a major support.
Thank you for your amazing work!!!!!!
With this program, I was able to learn a lot,not just memorize it.
Wonderful study preparation! The hours put in with this program were absolutely worth it and I am so pleased to have passed the MFT exam! I don't know why anyone would spend time and money with any other study materials when The Therapist Development Center is the best out there. Thank you, thank you!
The TDC study program is straight forward and preps you on what the actual exam tests for. There are not volumes of material that may cause for unnecessary time spent away from self-care, family or other priorities. I studied for about 6 weeks and was able to pass on my first attempt. TDC placed the focus onto passing the CA MFT Exam not sell you products that you do not need . Thank you TDC for a well developed program. Thank you also allowing for extensions for those who were affected by the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Amanda was in my head the whole time! And I certainly couldn’t tell I was passing, but I all the strategies from TDC got me through it!
I took the ethics test for the first time last June. However. I did not pass. I was so disappointed and disappointed discouraged. I left feeling so defeated and felt like I could never pass this test. I really felt like I was not competent enough. I asked my colleagues about a recommended program to study and had great recommendations for TDC. Since the first time I went on website I knew that it would help. I feel like it made everything clear and really helped with my positive self talk. I stuck to the program and listened to audios. It really helped me and was the best. I would recommend this to anyone who is planning to take the test and feeling defeated, discouraged, and who has negative self talk. GOOD LUCK!
I felt very well prepared after completing the TDC program. I am so grateful a program like this exists. Thank you!
TDC over prepares you for the exam! I felt confident that I had the tools that I needed for the exam. The breakdown of materials makes it easy to study and learn. The audios are phenomenal and a plus for passing! I feel that I would've done it without the information presented on the audios. I highly recommend it.
Absolutely incredible, couldn't have done it without y'all!!