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
I didn't finish the exam the first time. After this program, I finished with 10 minutes left, and passed!
This exam prep provided everything I needed to know, and helped me tremendously regarding what to expect! The combination of printouts, audio, mini quizzes, and mock exams was PERFECT and exactly what I needed to engage all aspects of learning. I was able to make sure what I was being asked, how to answer, and what they were looking for. Also learning WHY I got mock questions wrong and how it applies was golden. I recommend this to EVERYONE, in the same enthusiastic way that it was recommended to me! I passed my law and ethics FIRST TIME and my clinical FIRST TIME! I have TDC to thank--- even down to personally prepping for the exam with snacks and a positive attitude! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The coursework presented by TDC was instrumental in helping me pass! I did my best to follow the directions to the letter, and lo and behold, it worked! I passed on my first try! If you didn’t do well on the sample tests, fear not— they will help you identify ways to process the actual exam questions!
TDC was a great program and the exams really helped me to practice how to think on the test
I passed!!! It's hard to describe the feeling of relief when they hand you that paper and you frantically search it to finally find the small words that say "Congratulations!" and "Pass". This was my first time taking the MFT Clinical Exam and TDC was the best preparation I could imagine. The lectures were thorough, the quick studies were helpful, the anxiety calming strategies worked, and twice I emailed them and got impressively prompt replies. I actually emailed in a panic one week out from my test after I had taken the first final mock and bombed it; Asya replied within hours (on a weekend no less!) with the most encouraging, calming words, reminding me of strategies and helping me figure out where I was struggling the most. During the test, I felt like I could hear Amanda's voice while I was reading each question which was helpful in eliminating possible answers. I came down with a horrible head and chest cold a few days prior to the test (of course that would happen) and had to run out of the testing room to drink water to stop coughing like 3 times, but because I was thoroughly prepared from this TDC program, I still made it!! I had friends show me their study materials from a different company, and I can definitely say TDC is the most like the actual exam and prepared me so well. Do the whole program as they suggest and follow their guidelines and suggestions - it's worth the time and effort for sure. Well worth the cost as well - I budgeted and saved for it while I was waiting for my hours to clear so I didn't dip into other funds; so SO worth it.
One thing I loved which I would've never thought to do on my own, was to encourage myself in the 3rd person, like Amanda suggests. I wrote really big at the top of my scratch paper "Rachel, you've GOT this!" and when I would get overwhelmed, which happened a lot, I would pause for 2 seconds with my eyes closed and then look down at those words and attack it with a new fervor. I cannot express my thanks enough for the amazing program of TDC, the kind encouragement of Asya via email, and just the thought and effort that has been put into not only creating this program, but also keeping it up to date and perfectly relevant to the current exam! Now today I took the day off and am heading up to Sacramento to personally hand in my Application for Initial License Issuance! yay!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I LOVE THE PROGRAM AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT MY EMAILS AND QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED THE SAME DAY. I VERY HAPPY TO START THIS NEW CHAPTER OF MY LIFE.
I passed thanks to TDC. TDC is the best program out there to prepare you for your exam, hands down. I love how structured and thorough the program is. The coaches are all very authentic and helpful. This exam was not easy; i don't think I could've passed on my first try without this program!
I feel that the therapist development center not only adequately prepared me for the test but I also learned a lot about the clinical application of the material. I would highly suggest this course to any MFT.
TDC was thorough but also so engaging and helpful. I've never been more motivated to actually study for an exam (I'm usually super avoidant). Amanda is clear, concise, and actually human. She gives relevant, specific examples and rationales. I did the coaching with Asya and she was amazing - she was supportive and super knowledgeable. She was able to provide me with really specific feedback about where I needed to make adjustments, and I felt much calmer and more solid about the test after speaking with her. Thank you!!
So glad I listened to fellow colleagues and went with TDC for my test prep program, I felt very prepared and was able to learn all the information I needed to pass!
I am very grateful for the TDC program. It prepared me very well for the test. I have a pretty demanding job and the program was very flexible to work within my schedule. The content was excellent and very much identical to what was on the test. While I was nervous as heck I felt very prepared. The TDC was also very supportive and flexible when I had to extend my subscription after some life altering events occurred in my life. And for that I am very grateful.
I failed the test twice and came home the day of the second fail and purchased TDC. Love how it is layer out. Love how it walks you all the way through step by step. Passed clinical on my third try but was the first with TDC.
I love how Amanda makes everything so relevant and personal. I love her style and audio personality!
Thank you so much TDC. I went into the test feeling really prepared and confident and passed on my first attempt. The techniques taught on how to take the test were invaluable. Having the audio and visual study aids made it that much more effective. I can honestly say that I learned more in this study program than I did during school. LOL
For me, the clinical exam needed to be more than a standard review. I finished grad school 30+ years ago but decided to put my therapy career on hold until i was older (and perhaps wiser). As such, i counted on the TDC methodology to provide me with everything i would need to know to pass the exam, and it did. In particular, Aysa was available to answer the many questions i had after taking the practice exams. I cant thank you enough for getting me through the ordeal (Strategic therapy). :)
Andy Lavick
1) Although I felt like I was tested on 30% of what I studied, I felt very sure that I had studied the full spectrum of material that could be on the exam. 2) The other portion of taking this exam is the skill of reading the question stem carefully and answering the question asked, which TDC does a great job of preparing you for. 3) It is an endurance exam. Get your brain and body used to concentrating at 4 hours stretches. 4) Lastly, I followed TDC's advice and kept swimming, marked answers that seemed too long to devote 4 mins deciphering, moved on, kept track of my clock and had 17 minutes to spare to remove marked answers. I did not leave my chair, but took many breaks in chair stretching, rolling eyes and neck, then went back on task. Good luck.
Exactly what I needed to contain my anxiety with the structure and test strategies. My coaching session with Asya was extremely helpful! I learned a ton and feel like I will be a better therapist as a result of having done this program.
Excellent program! I definitely learned a lot maybe even more than my entire grad program. The lectures were very clear and easy to follow. The final mock exam was significantly harder than the actual exam so I felt very prepared during the test. I spent 5 weeks with the program before sitting for my exam.
TDC really helped me get organized and study in the most efficient manner over the span of one month. The materials provide a good balance in that the topics broadly covered all the essentials while being specific enough without overwhelming me with too much extraneous information. With TDC's testing strategies, I understood what the exam was testing for, and I began to think like "test-writers" in terms of what they were looking for in a correct answer. It felt really nice and mentally reassuring to have the support of TDC throughout the preparation process as well as on exam day. I would definitely recommend this program to all my colleagues.
If you’re a procrastinator like me, don’t worry because TDC will extend your program availability until you get life together enough to actually sit down and study. Don’t skip any sections, there are bits of helpful information scattered throughout the all lectures. I highly recommend this study site!!!