MFT Clinical Exam Study System Key Features:
- An organized, step-by-step study plan to help prepare to pass the MFT Clinical Exam
- 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
Loved the organzation of the program! Study strategies and audio mock rationals were really helpful.
TDC’s teaching methods worked well for me! Listening to Amanda's lessons, I felt like I was back in school (I loved being in school, school was my Haven) got to take notes freely and in my words so that I can recall what I've learned and felt confident despite nerves!
Thank you TDC for putting this program together. The program was well organized and the information was not overwhelming. The step by step approach helped me to conceptualize the information differently and apply it to the questions on the test. Your test tips also helped me to look out and pick out the information in the answer sets. I also really appreciated how the program laid out the theories. I learned so much more about them this way. Thank you again for your program and approach, I know I would not have passed the test without you!!!
I was so anxious about taking the clinical exam. However, as I was taking the exam, I felt the questions were manageable utilizing the test strategies that were provided with this program. Additionally, the TDC test prep covered all categories in detail which helped me feel more prepared while taking the exam. Thank you!!!!!
I felt over-prepared when I arrived at the exam! I was very grateful to have had training with TDC and felt confident as I moved through the exam questions. I passed on the first try! Thank you so much for this program. I can see why my friends and colleagues recommended it.
I utilized TDC for my Law and Ethics and my CCE. I felt that it was well organized, the content and material covered all the major topics and I felt well prepared with my knowledge going into the exam. I listened to the lectures during my drives and felt that I could channel key things I remembered hearing while taking the CCE. The mock exams were great (minus the new final Mock, not sure what is going on with that one). I actually felt they did a great job at preparing me for the actual exam. The vignettes on the mocks were lengthy and it taught me to keep going, hoe to regroup and refocus, and allowed me to see what I struggled with most. The rationales were very helpful, and I have to say that the TDC staff are always friendly, helpful and were there every step of the way. I would HIGHLY recommend this program and feel it is what prepared me to conquer the CCE. I am thankful that I had the ability to take mocks, and have an organized content area. I am very happy with this program and hope to see many more people utilize this and pass!
I can not say enough about this wonderful comprehensive test prep program! I have used several other packages and attended several other 2 day seminars all in an effort to pass my exam only to unsuccessfully fail my exam. :( I switched my study program turned to TDC and within day one of listening to Amanda's voice my anxiety decreased and I began actually enjoying the prep study process. Each week gaining confidence in myself and my ability to learn and finally pass this exam. Thank you so much for preparing me for my mft exam! Trust the process, read and listen to all of the study program, spend time with the rationals of right verses wrong answers, use the online help from the staff at TDC, stay on pace with the study program it pays off in the end! Thank you TDC!!
Awesome program! Thank you for creating this product. I felt the test was very difficult, but I was well prepared to understand how to think because of TDC. I am so grateful to have had you on this journey! Now I can finally call myself an LMFT!!!
When I walked into the testing site to take the LMFT clinical exam, I felt confident. However, once I began the exam I knew I was going to pass, and its because of the TDC study program. The course structure had a natural flow that built upon itself, allowing me to internalize rather than memorize the material. I would recommend TDC to anyone studying for an LMFT exam.
Thank you for your comprehensive and truly accessible study system. I just passed the MFT test and while it was incredibly hard I felt TDC truly helped me feel prepared :)
I followed the study timeline and “how to study” instructions and had a coaching session for extra help before the exam. I think it made a huge difference in me passing the exam the first time. It really teaches you how to take the exam and answer the questions.
Loved TDC! Thank you for teaching me everything so thoroughly and having the coaches there for support! Great program :)
I am a LCPC in the state of Montana currently and took the NCE for that license. This program adequately prepared me for the LMF Clinical Vignette. The mock exams were so helpful and the rationales helped me understand the process of elimination and understanding what the question was asking for. I highly recommend this program for LMFT CE. I also want to add that the program also decreased my anxiety immensely by the pep talk and the strategies initially in the beginning. I will say I felt confident going into the exam and when I would feel like I was failing I would reframe my thoughts and ground myself. I passed first time!!!
A BIG Thank you!!! This program gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to pass the clinical MFT exam. The staff were supportive and helpful when reaching out with questions and managing my test taking anxiety.
TDC does an amazing job at preparing you for the exam! The mock exams give you a great idea of what to expect on exam day. The best part was the information and audio recordings to really help conceptualize how items will be tested! Highly recommend TDC!! I passed on my first attempt—thank you!
This is an excellent thorough course. Amanda's voice guides you through with personal warmth, humor and "unconditional positive regard"! Asya, the coach I spoke with was kind, patient, non judgmental (even when I asked the same questions multiple times) and encouraging. I leaned on both Amanda and Asya's voices while taking the actual test, and they got me through it. Thank you!
This is the only program you need. Very thorough and structured. I just took the LMFT Clinical Exam and was able to pass on my first attempt. Thank you TDC!!!
I felt well prepared for the exam after using TDC to study!
I passed my exam and I'm beyond thrilled! TDC OVER prepared me for this exam and i'm truly grateful. I began studying in Nov 2018 for a month or so and did okay the first round but once Dec hit and holiday festivities began I decided to take a break and start again at the top of the new yr! After going over the curriculum a second time my scores increased dramatically! (Good sign right!) anyways took my 1st final mock exam and FAILED miserably and it took me FIVE hrs to complete (I'm a slow reader)! I panicked since my exam was 5 days away and decided to reach out to one of the coaches available Asya M. She emailed me within 24hrs and provided me with some great advice on how to look at the questions and some additional words of encouragement!. That helped big time! I took the SECOND final mock exam 48hrs before my exam and scored significantly high thanks to Asya recommendations and I felt confident going into exam day. EXAM DAY! I was nervous but confident at the same time. Questions throughout the exam were similar to the TDC material which was a little scary lol. I left feeling like TDC exam were WAY harder than the ACTUAL CLINICAL EXAM!!! That should tell you something! TDC teaches you how to answer the questions and think through challenging scenarios! I am forever grateful for this experience! Thank you TDC!
Highly recommend the program because it prepared me for the exam. It also was a grounding experience knowing that I can still continue living my life while i was studying for the exam. The strategies were really helpful and the rationales for the questions were really helpful in seeing the bigger picture.
Thank you!