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
Thank you! TDC is an outstanding program that more than prepares you for the actual exam.
For me, the differential diagnosis charts were so helpful (and not overwhelming). Equally, the comprehensive breakdown surrounding looking for initial phase vs. middle phase wording (i.e. explore, invite, assess, instruct,) was so helpful throughout the exam.
Your handouts are terrific and allowed me to make a binder of study material that was organized and easy to use while following your audio portion.
Great program. It covers exactly the information needed, gives good strategies, and great tips for managing anxiety to help tackle the test.
I want to thank TDC for persevering with me through this journey. I have taken this test 4 times, and I have finally passed. Many people have prayed for me and my family has been a tremendous support. Thank you Lord, Jesus for helping me pass. I also thank Amanda for all her guidance and instruction. Thank you for providing me with the necessary tools to pass this test.
You're in good hands with TDC! The course takes the guesswork out of the study process. I highly recommend it!
I was completely prepared and actually felt confident throughout the test. The vignettes were shorter and more digestible than I had expected, I was ready for the answers that were interventions instead of goals, or legal instead of ethical, etc. I found the theories and diagnoses sections of the study program invaluable. The pep talk advice to mark and move on was very helpful too - I remembered to tolerate the ongoing, relentless uncertainty. The mock exams were the most helpful of all, because they prepared me so well for the format of the vignettes/questions/answers and the particular language they use; and Robin's kind availability in answering my many questions. Thank you! There's no way I would have passed without TDC.
Everyone I know who has passed, including myself, used TDC. The only person I know who used something else did not pass and switched to TDC and then passed!
I wanted to thank you for this amazing tool!
I could have not done it without this program and your amazing customers support! I passed first time my ethic and law with TDC and now my clinical exam! BIG BIG THANKS !
Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you to TDC. I had quite a few life challenges over the last couple years that have kept me from taking the Clinical exam, but mainly breast cancer. Once I started to feel better, and my brain started working again, I started studying. I am still in shock that I passed, as it has been hanging over my head as a stressor for so long. TDC stood by me and kept extending my studying due to my health. When I passed, I wept. It was the best thing that had happened in quite a while. TDC prepared me to KICK BUTT!!! I am so grateful! Thank you, TDC!!!
I loved this program! Due to a brain injury I had a lot of complications passing this exam previously. This program has helped me so much and feel really prepared. I passed on the first try after using this program.I highly recommend this to anyone! Thank you so much for this program, what a life saver!
I only used the material included in TDC and passed on my first attempt. The last practice test was very difficult as was reported by you and it made the actual test seem easy. I had 15 minutes left when I completed the exam and felt I did not need to review any of the questions. Thank you.
The mock and final exams on TDC were harder than the actual Law and Ethics Test. This means that it was thorough practice and excellent training material for the test.
Take suggestions to heart; such as; 'Read the stem slowly the first time. Attack the test. Rule out wrong answers.' I'm grateful for Amanda's ability to organize & share her expertise in a valuable way.
TDC prepared me really well for this exam. And it's true, you feel like you're failing the entire time!
I would like to thank Amanda for putting together an AWESOME study program. I'm so excited to announce I PASSED the LMFT exam the first time!!!. If you're looking at other study programs STOP!, Therapist Development Center will get you to your next step PASSED. I was having some challenges with Theories and Coach Robin was able to explain the process I needed to learn instead of memorizing.
Pamela Burney
TDC and Prayer help me pass the clinical exam.
TDC and Jesus had my back all the way through the exam!
The test materials reviewed were very helpful in understanding actual test questions. Thank you T.D.C.
The study system fully prepared me for the exam. I found it to be very comprehensive. I did not use other study materials. The most helpful part I found is the way it prepared me to look clearly at what the question is actually asking.
I truly appreciated your knowledge of the test details! The test I was given felt primarily ethics! Lol .... I did hear your voice reminding me that I would feel like I was failing.. so very true. Your voice gave me confidence that this feeling is normal and not to panic...... and just as you predicted, I passed. Thank you for this wonderful study program!
Lisa
I have used Gerry Grossman and Kathy Wexler's study materials with no success in passing the MFT board exam. It took me 20 years to pass! Since I started using TDC materials, I finally understood how to the overall concept and how to study better. Especially, I love the highlights, keywords, and the summary of different theories and the phases of therapy. I like the way TDC study material that were condensed with specifics for the exam, in which it had helped to make memorization easier.
I would not have passed without the help of this course! I felt very confident as I took the exam after having the opportunity to take so many practice tests and going over all the rationales. It helped me analyze the questions and look for the *best possible* answers. I passed the first time and I'm feeling a lot better about taking the clinical exam next year!