MFT Clinical Exam Study System Key Features:
- An organized, step-by-step study program DEVELOPED BY MFTs
- On-line audio workshops with downloadable HANDOUTS
- Complete review of essential content areas for the MFT California Clinical Exam
- Effective study tools designed by California Marriage and Family Therapists who have passed the MFT California Clinical Exam by 90% or higher: Top 50 Topics Tested, Law & Ethics Quiz, DSM 5 & Theory Review
- Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy examples that help you learn instead of memorize
- Essential test-taking strategies you can use on exam day
- 850+ ON-LINE MFT practice exam questions with audio rationales
- Test anxiety management tools
- Experience MFT test prep coaches available for questions and support
This study program is designed to maximize learning and minimize stress. The course takes approximately 65 hours to complete once and can be repeated as needed. Access is set for 6 months, but extensions are FREE. We are with you until you pass the LMFT exam!
MFT Clinical Exam Prep FAQs
What is the Average Pass Rate for the California Clinical MFT Exam?
The BBS publishes the pass rates for all licensing exams in their quarterly Board Meeting materials. The most recent data available shows the pass rate for first time test takers of the California Clinical MFT Exam in the first half of 2018 was over 70%. Since the new MFT Clinical Exam was launched in 2016, Therapist Development Center pass rate has remained above 90% for individuals who used our comprehensive program!
What is the structure of the MFT Clinical Exam?
The MFT Clinical Exam is a standardized 170 question multiple-choice question test. 150 of the test questions are scored, and 20 are experimental and do not count toward your final score. Test takers are granted 4 hours to complete the exam questions. Accommodations for additional time can be requested through the BBS for English as a Second Language (ESL) test takers and those with physical or mental health issues who qualify through the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What is the passing score on the MFT Clinical Exam?
The BBS no longer publishes the passing score for any of their exams, including the MFT Clinical Exam. However, based on the published scores that were shared in prior years, the passing score was typically in the range of 97-103 out of 150 scored questions (mid-60%). The passing score will fluctuate up or down based on the level of difficulty; the passing score will be lower if the exam is considered harder and higher if it is considered easier. In addition to the 150 scored questions, the MFT Clinical Exam will always include 20 questions that are considered experimental and will not count toward your final score.
What is the application processing time for the California Clinical MFT Exam?
The application processing time for the California Clinical MFT Exam can vary based on volume of applications and staffing levels at the BBS. In recent months, the BBS has kept processing time for the MFT California Clinical Exam down to 1-2 months. If you are applying for accommodations (see below), processing times can vary and it is important to begin this process as soon as you submit your application for the MFT Clinical Exam.
How do I apply for accommodations with the BBS?
The BBS provides accommodations for the California Clinical MFT Exam. If you have a physical or mental health disability you may request accommodations such as additional time, a private room, or a written version of the exam. The BBS will determine which accommodations you qualify for based on the information provided in your request for testing accommodations application. The BBS also provides additional time (time and a half, 6 hours) for the MFT Clinical Exam for English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants who meet the requirements enumerated on the ESL accommodations application.
What information is tested on the California Clinical MFT Exam?
The MFT Clinical Exam covers a broad range of subjects including treatment, treatment planning, law and ethics, clinical evaluation, and crisis management. Not only do you need to know the subject matters, the BBS wants to ensure you know how to apply this knowledge in different clinical situations. The majority of questions on the MFT Clinical Exam are considered reasoning-based questions. Therapist Development Center’s program provides a streamlined approach, teaching you the all of the information you need to learn and how to apply this knowledge to the questions that are likely to appear on the exam.
When will I be eligible to take the California MFT Clinical Exam?
The MFT Clinical Exam is the final step on the path to licensure. The following requirements must be satisfied to be eligible to sit for the California MFT Clinical Exam:
- Obtain qualifying master’s degree and complete additional coursework
- Completion of 3,000 hours of experience over the course of 104 weeks or more
- Take and pass the CA Law and Ethics Exam (once you pass, you do not need to take the exam again)
- Submit application for licensure and examination to the BBS: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/mft/mftapp.pdf
- You must take the exam within one year from the date you receive initial approval. If you do not complete the exam in this timeframe, your application will be considered abandoned. If an application is abandoned, you would need to re-apply and would lose any hours of experience that are more than six (6) years old (with exception of 500 hours accrued as trainee)
What do I do once I successfully PASS the California MFT Clinical Exam?
- Celebrate this awesome achievement!
- Submit application for your initial license.
- Continue receiving supervision until your license is issued.
Course Reviews
Both Robin and Asya were so patient with me. I struggled with test anxiety and constantly badgered them and they were understanding, patient, and they along with Amanda's program helped me get through this and pass!
Let me tell you this has been quite the journey for me. I returned to school to obtain my BA as a birthday gift to myself when I turned 40 in 2014. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA in Oct 2016. I started my Masters program November of 2016 and graduated with a 3.94 in August 2018. During this time, I found my birth family (I am adopted) and dealt with substance abuse issues with my brother. I managed to complete my 3000 hours within 2 years of graduation and am now a LMFT as of June 2020. This has been a wild ride for sure. TDC was so helpful in preparing me and assisting with reducing my test anxiety for both my Law & Ethics exam and Clinical exam. I cannot thank you enough for all the quick responses to my questions and extensions. I have recommended this program to several of my friends and will continue to do so. Thank you again!!
Great program overall. Easy to follow and the tips that were provided were realistic and helpful to pass the test. Worth every penny. Thank you.
Studying with TDC was a game changer for me. I had taken the test once prior using different study materials, and went in completely unprepared. TDC's materials from the audio lectures, quick studies, audio rationales and practices tests were all so helpful. While taking the test, I did not feel intimidated by the questions or answers. I felt prepared. Not only did this program help me pass the clinical exam, it has made me a better clinician.
Thank you for the help Asya! Your feedback played a big part in calming anxiety. I found myself reasoning through the questions like Amanda did on the scenarios, and by practicing the mocks as if they were the real thing, my time management ended up being spot on; I had 10 minutes to spare to review questions I was not sure about.
Just follow their directions and don't avoid scheduling this on your calendar. Their method truly takes a lot of stress out of preparing. You owe it to yourself to enjoy this process and last step to licensure.
I appreciate all the strategies and the critical thinking since I used all of them during the clinical exam.
I initially took my exam back in November 2019 and used a different study material and completely bombed the exam. I went a different route and signed up for TDC and it was the MOST helpful and productive study material. I got so much out of it, especially how to organize my time with study and the strategies truly saved my life. I have challenges with reading comprehension so the study tips and how to read the questions was a nice break down. I also didn't reach out to a coach until the very last minute and the fact that they still make time available to contact me to help was amazing. I definitely recommend this exam prep for anyone studying to get their LMFT.
Yes, I'm happy to share. This program over-prepared me for the test, so that when I went in on test day I felt so confident, my anxiety melted away. It was a great experience!
This program is amazing and helps so much. I felt over prepared which is a great feeling. I also love how this program helps with the mindset that is needed for the test. During the test I kept reminding myself to be okay with the uncertainty. Thanks to this program I felt confident on the material going into the exam.
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!!
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.
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.