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 have taken the CA MFT Clinical Exam twice and failed before using Therapist Development Center MFT Exam prep study system. I used another study prep program the first two times, attended their weekend workshops, took all the practice mock exams multiple times and it was devastating to fail each time since I felt I knew the material, yet just cannot seem to adjust my brain to how to take the exam. The exam felt like it was reading a foreign language. Additionally, the practice exams did not look like the real exam, I felt the test questions were much easier compared to the real exam.
However, with TDC study guide, I finally passed. It is an extremely organized system and I would definitely recommend it to all MFT Associates. The practice exams were very much like the real exam and even though the practice questions felt like they were harder, which was depressing when I got my practice scores back, I preferred for it to be harder since when I took the real exam, I felt extremely prepared. I do not believe I would have passed the exam without TDC. Thank you Amanda!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I was so nervous about taking my exam. Using TDC really helped me feel prepared. It also made me feel like a better therapist. Reviewing all the theories made me more confident in session with my clients. During the test, I felt knowledgeable. I got really anxious on test day, but I was actually able to hear Amanda's voice in my head telling me how to think. The most valuable part of the experience was the mock exams. The mocks took away the surprise factor and I knew what to expect when I sat down. I definitely recommend this to a friend.
I was grateful to have a study program to prepare me for my law and ethics exam. I had more confidence and was not as nervous on my test date. I will be using the TDC program for my clinical and anticipate it to prepare me just as well as it did for my law and ethics exam.
Amanda... I really appreciate this course... I have tried other ones and couldn't pass.... English is my second language and I tend to have problems with time but because the questions were so familiar to the ones you presented on your program, I was able to pass. Interestingly that I haven't heard no one that took this course to prepare for exam and didn't pass. Of course, I can rely on God for passing honestlly... but your program made it easier... And you are very informative of all the topics... very clever and direct. I really appreciate that you put together this course so we can be successful. Thank you so much!!!!!
I appreciated the thoroughness of this course. I also appreciated the fact that it was not simply rote memorization. The course taught me a lot while concurrently preparing me for the exam. Although I could have organized my study time better, the course still got me through and I passed first time, so thank you TDC!
Still cannot believe I passed! Thank you Amanda! Excellent preparation. Highly recommend. Thank you.
I studied for the Law and Ethics and the Clinical MFT exams with TDC and my experience has been great. I was able to pass both exams the first time. TDC prepares you not only for the exam, but it really helps you learn and understand important information that is essential for your practice. Thank you TDC! I have also used the coach services and emailed questions on topics that were not very clear to me. Asya replied in less than 24 hours with clear explanations. Thank you TDC staff for your help and support during this stressful journey!
TDC helped me tremendously to chunk down the mass amount of study content into relevant manageable sections. This helped cut down my study time big time! It also offered excellent strategies and insight into common pitfalls to avoid. Very happy I chose this program!
The combination of ways of learning was so helpful. Access to auditory and visual learning is great for those who study in varying ways. Including guidance on self care during the study period, before and during the test were great additions!!
I found myself getting asked what type of learner I am and I really couldn’t say one or the other of visual or auditory. However, with this program being both I was able to go back and forth as needed. Really enjoyed the lectures and I passed on the first try! Thank you TDC!
I passed the LMCE today. The study material and the mock exams that are provided by TDC ensured my success. For those who are preparing to take the exam it is very important to be mindful of your time, use the exam tips for managing time that TDC provides. This helped to keep my anxiety in check while taking the test. Thank you TDC!
The strategies audio was a game changer for me it transfomed the way that I approached the exam and made a huge difference. Thank you!!!!
I couldn't have done it with out TDC, this time I followed the program exactly as Amanda says to and I passed.
TDC is a blessing for anyone attempting to prepare for this exam while keeping a balanced life. As a mother of a toddler, currently expecting a second child, the thought of preparing for this test felt daunting. Taking time off from private practice and/or non-profit work also impossible. However, Amanda took care of the parts that overwhelmed me. She provided the structure, information and rationales in such a way that it felt good to take some time each week to study. Yes, you heard me, it felt exciting! All I had to do was grab my iPad and everything was there. I can honestly say TDC held my hand and made this mountain fun to conquer. Don’t suffer, buy the program, trust and enjoy the process. Many thanks to both Amanda and her staff!
I really enjoyed doing the program. I love the fact it was fairly unedited and raw. I was able to study while taking the kids to the park, listening at home during my RARE free time, and on my phone at work which was especially convenient. I really appreciate the thought re-framing that was coached up, specifically on using practice test failures as building blocks to being successful on the actual exam as opposed to seeing it as lack of program progress. I did get the sense I wasn't passing during the actual test (as stated throughout the audio rationales) which inevitably turned out well for me. I was able to pass on my first try, no re-take whatsoever. I am so thankful I made the purchase as I didn't want to spend the money initially. Trust me when I say IT'S WORTH IT. Nothing is more important than investing in yourself. It's a smarter and more strategic plan than risking just books alone. You will avoid having to potentially re-test multiple times, as that would probably end up being more expensive anyway. Obviously I put in the work to pass so do the same, purchase, work the program to the tee to your best ability, and its going to provide you the best opportunity to pass first try!!!
My test coach was wonderful! She was very responsive in a timely and helpful manner. Also, I loved that it was possible to play the answer portion of the materials at variable play back speed. It saved me a ton of time!
This study plan actually works! I can't wait to purchase the clinical study packet, pass and become part of the license Marriage & Family Therapist family with TDC's help... I recommend purchasing Law & Ethics/Clinical study programs if you wanna pass! Thanks again...
TDC was extremely thorough and really helped me feel prepared and confident for the the test. I don't think I would have passed had I used any other method. Thank you TDC!
All my colleagues have had successfull results with TDC as Social Workers and Therapists. Many have passed their clinical exams through TDC.
Thank you for your excellent program.
I love how approachable the information was through the lecture series and the quick studies. I have printed out all the quick studies and plan to have them bound as an "MFT Manual," which I keep at my desk. They will make a handy reference quide.