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
The program is fantastic. I felt way over prepared for both portions of the exam and passed each time with ease. Many thanks!!!
This program is very comprehensive and will give you a great sense of how you will be tested. It also offers practical tips on how to memorize things that need to be memorized and strategies for figuring out what the best answer is. I can't recommend this more highly!
TDC really prepared me for this exam! All of the topics covered on the exam were familiar thanks to this study program, and completing the final two mock exams/ studying the rationales, helped me to complete the exam with a sense of hope and comfort.
I passed my test on the first time thanks to Therapist Development Center. Thank you for making this process less difficult. The entire program went smoothly and easy enough to prepare for the exam. I only used this program and I am completely satisfied.
I only have great things to say about TDC- it was all clearly explained and I am so glad I used it. I found some questions on the licensing exam that were just like the ones on some of these mock exams. Thank you for the ongoing support including in the room on test day. I heard Amanda's voice all the way through!
TDC gave me the confidence to keep studying and not give up! This was my second time taking the CA LMFT exam and I was extremely nervous, feeling defeated the first time. TDC helped solidify the knowledge I already had and gave me the skills to better understand how to tackle the exam. Robin coached me 2 days before the exam and gave me the boost I needed. I was overly prepared: kept swimming, took a break and finished reviewing 'marked' questions with 10 minutes to spare. I highly recommend keeping to your regular schedule: eat, sleep, exercise and meditation. I did not self care properly before taking the exam the first time and this time around, I kept my regular schedule and found this was the key to maintaining the stamina for a 4 hour exam!
I found TDC extremely helpful. The organization of the material and the step by step checking off system was especially convenient for someone easily distracted like me. I passed the exam on the first try although I found myself questioning whether or not I was passing (a common feeling per Amanda's reminder) when taking the test. I brought Amanda in with me whenever I felt stuck and "leaned in" to the exam, as recommended. I took a quick 5 minute break which I found helpful also! The coaches were also great and prompt in answering my questions throughout my studying! Thank you TDC! I am soooo unbelievably relieved!
I liked how everything was broken up in sections. The law and ethics, diversity, theories, etc. It made it easier to navigate when trying to answer my own questions after mocks. This was a definitely a journey that I would had not been able to do without TDC. Thank you!
A great program that I would recommend to anyone preparing for the LMFT exam. I not only passed the exam on my first attempt; I also enhanced my clinical skills and knowledge. Special thank you to coach Robin, who came through for me on short notice when I was debating postponing my exam. Her encouragement and reassurance led me to take it as scheduled and it's such a relief to have it completed. Thank you!!
I am pleased to say that I passed my LMFT. I originally pushed my test date back one week due to uncertainty. It was at that point that I reached out to my coach, Robin Gluck. Robin calmed my anxiety by breaking down the answer sets, taught me how to 'read' the vignette(s) without adding or omitting things, but most of all Robin's calm presence and genuineness is what made my overall experience with TDC a great one. I highly recommend this program.
The materials covered all components of the exam, and gave real life examples of what you would see in your office. The audios continuously reminded you to "picture yourself with the client in the room". This was very helpful in determining how you would realistically handle a situation, and put steps in order, etc. I also found all the pep talks very empowering as well as hearing that you might feel unsure of your answers on the mock exams as well as the actual exam. Knowing this is a common experience and "leaning in" to the test was very helpful!
I just want to say that my experience was long and difficult. I am grateful to TDC for their support and their program. This course taught me so much and definitely assisted me in preparing to answer questions for the real exam.
TDC helped me feel confident that I would pass. I waited for the very last minute to study, and only had 1 week to do so. TDC made it easy, and I didn't even feel like I was cramming. The material was accessible and easy to engage with.
TDC really stuck by me for years of struggling, failing and starting over. The coaches offered me a lot of support around study strategies and test anxiety. The study materials are so comprehensive, the tone in which they're delivered is so gentle and thoughtful, and I credit the practice tests most with helping me pass. I passed Law and Ethics a few months ago, and finally passed the Clinical Exam this week. I'm so relieved, and grateful to TDC. Now that I'm licensed I will continue to use them for my CE's!
This has been a LONG journey! I am so grateful for this program! A few days before the exam, I experienced tremendous anxiety and doubt, which was such an anomaly because throughout the studying I remained GODfident and continued believing that I was passing. My anxiety went through the roof when I got a 50% on one of the four hour Final Mocks. I tried taking the 2nd Final Mock and was unable to finish it (so, yes I completely bombed it!). All of that... BUT GOD! I sensed that I needed to put down my study materials, do some self care, which for me involves praying and exercising. I exercised the day of the test, mediated on the love of my good good Father. I felt God's presence in such a tangible way I knew I was going to pass! During the test, I took my 5 minute break at question 91, drank my juice and trail mix. I actually finished the test in 3 hours! God is good! Honestly, the test was easier than the actual tests provided by TDC. TDC helped to overprepare me for this test and I am so grateful. I passed this test on the first time! Praise the Lord! Thank you Lord for such an amazing company like TDC who is committed to preparing and helping license eligible people navigate such a difficult and even stressful process!!
I believe the TDC program was thorough and spot on, from the topics that were covered to the sense of uncertainty mentioned that one experiences when taking the exam. Having knowledge of this was instrumental in providing a greater sense of calm during the exam! I was also able to better rationalize through the series of questions as I utilized Amanda's strategies to eliminate wrong answers and differentiate between the stronger ones. I would highly recommend this program to future clinicians and I'm grateful that this program exists and has provided additional information that has made me a better clinician. Thank You!!!
I believe the TDC program was thorough and spot on, from the topics that were covered to the sense of uncertainty mentioned that one experiences when taking the exam. Having knowledge of this was instrumental in providing a greater sense of calm during the exam! I was also able to better rationalize through the series of questions as I utilized Amanda's strategies to eliminate wrong answers and differentiate between the stronger ones. I would highly recommend this program to future clinicians and I'm grateful that this program exists and has provided additional information that has made me a better clinician.
I have been continually impressed by TDC, a study support/resource which aptly prepared me for the Law & Ethics exam, and now, more recently, for the MFT licensing exam. I was prepared for the psychological aspects of the exam, i.e. the external and internal anxieties, to the extent that I did not actually feel anxious as predicted or have the feeling that I was failing. I was inspired by the recommendation that we go into the starting position of the exam with an “aggressive” and positive, present-centered attitude. My acceptance of a potential uncomfortable feeling “that I was failing” turned out to be a sort of Strategic paradoxical intervention. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at question 100 and had more time remaining than I did on any of the mock exams. I felt prepared to eliminate obvious “rule outs” and narrow down the choices so that I was looking closely at the stem of the question and noticing what was a stand out answer. Everything that was recommended and reviewed was pertinent. I believe what I enjoyed most about the study process was the recommended use of imagery, i.e. seeing the client(s) in the office, and my increased awareness that I am a part of a craft where lines are often grey and flexible, less the concrete laws and ethical standards. I feel fortunate to have had such an organized study resource available to me; more so, I felt the support of a coaching crew who inspired the integrity of my discipline and study habits.
This program was amazing. The questions on the L&E exam were incredibly similar to the questions in this program. Beyond just learning this material for the test, I feel that this program actually helped me understand and learn the laws and ethics of being an MFT. So, I not only passed the exam, but I feel like I'm a better clinician because of this program. Learning this material helps us protect not only ourselves, but more importantly, our clients and the public.
I loved that there was access to different ways to learn the material (audio, worksheets, quizzes) as well as test taking strategies. I passed on my first try and I believe it was due to this amazing study program. I have already recommended it to all of my colleagues.