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
TDC worked for me. the mock exams and quizzes helped me figure out what I needed to study further. I listened to some lectures multiple times. By exam day, I knew I was ready.
There was a significant amount of new learning regarding safety, clinical assessment, DSM and Theory, that I learned via the TDC study material than my supervision or actual experience.
I am happy to complete this chapter in my life!! I will always be grateful for the support and guidance of TDC staff, for their quick responses to my e-mails, for making me feel like I was the only one …
For Robin and her couching sessions, even on a Sunday Morning. When they advertise "we will be with you till you pass" they really mean it.
Thank you!!
Mrs. Perseverance Queen!!
TDC helped me prepare for the exam in an easy to comprehend manner. Robin answered my question quickly and with support and understanding. I am grateful for TDC in helping me tackle the exam and pass on the first try. Would highly recommend TDC!
No words to express my deep appreciation for your willingness, your support, your encouragement, your amazing lectures, Handouts and Mocks. That makes this program unique.
The couching service is wonderful, they make you feel like you are the only one... Robin always provided me with all I needed, she even couched me on a Sunday am :).
Thank you SO MUCH !!!
Looking forward to keep having CEUs with you
PS: I hope this also gives you a reward feeling of how much and meaningful service you provide to the community you serve!!!
Blessings!!
Angela
I felt prepared after going through the program, at the same time frighten because facing the unknown is scary. I am glad I used TDC to prepare me.
Josie
The program is much harder then the test like a lot! That helped my peace of mind... after the fact though. That might be a best kept secret.
TDC was terrific. Amanda has done an excellent job putting together a program that works! I used TDC for my Law and Ethics, and just now for my Clinical and passed both the same time. Robin and Asya were great coaches. I appreciated the ability to email for clarification. I would recommend this program for anyone who wants to know the material they need and the strategies they need and not the stuff they don't. Thank you TDC!
I started this journey while working 2 jobs, having a daughter enter Residential treatment and an ailing Mother.
I probably rescheduled this exam 10 times in 10 months, just did not seem to be scoring on the Mocks. You were awesome letting me extend dates along the way.
Time was creeping closer to the year deadline, I had to just go for it. I can recite Amanda's dialogue verbatim on many topics.
My Mother passed away on Saturday, I took the beast on Monday. I wrote "MOM" with a heart on my scratch paper. I know I passed because of her because as you state, "you will feel like you are failing". I was up to #45 and could not feel like I had ANY of them correct. I took about a 4 minute break at #85, banana, mineral water, sprint to the restroom. Sat back down, while doing the math for 4 months when I would be back for another attempt. I did not mark any questions. Just moved forward. Finished while the clock ticked down from 1 minute. Walked slowly to the front desk, got my stuff out of the locker with a sigh. The "robotic tech guy" printed out the results........I saw the word PASS then the word CONGRATULATIONS. I gasped, I asked Robot guy, "Is there anyone still in there testing?". He said yes, so I picked up my jacket and screamed into it, a muffled scream of pure relief and joy! I shared that my Mom had passed away and this is all I wanted to see. No response from Mr. Robot. Of course I realize later that they may be coached to be flat-line emotionally so that people who don't pass see any big smiles or high fives from the staff.
It is done.... I passed.
Thank you very much.
TDC materials did a great job of preparing me for the test. The materials are very thorough on the various content areas and in giving insight and understanding on how to assimilate it all. I really appreciated the rationales for the practice exams which further helped to integrate the content and the strategies for taking this difficult exam. Having the coaches available to give clear input, challenge and cheer me on when I was at a confused, stuck place was wonderful and helped me turn the corner in my preparation and confidence to take the exam. All and all, TDC is an excellent resource and I'd recommend it to any one preparing for either the Law & Ethics or MFT Clinical Exams!
I used TDC for both the practical and the law and ethics exams in California. Both times I passed the test on the first try with plenty of extra time at the end of the exam, around 45 minutes for the practical and 30 for the L&E exam. The ability to listen to the lectures on my commute was invaluable. The TDC method of teaching how to think rather then memorization was great and has been helpful in my current job as a Case Manager and primary therapist. I now find my self automatically thinking diagnostically which did not occur before the TDC program. Thank you a thousand times over.
Speechless for now, but just want to really thank you all for really staying with me until I passed. Can't tell how how grateful I am to not have to think about rushing through the program or how much more I had to pay to renew. No added stress/sadness.
I really enjoyed the TDC program and coaches because they stay with you. They are literally an extended family. It took me several attempts before I passed and all I kept hearing from the TDC staff is "we'll be right here with you." No other program that I know of has this type of commitment to it's patrons. This is why TDC and their coaching staff is unique and effective - they literally stay with you until you pass. Thank you TDC!
TDC was such a great support though my whole journey. Their material is broken down easier and I was able to understand better, especially on the theories. Thank so much for TDC. I will recommend you to all my friend associates.
I want to thank TDC for putting this material together. The entire MFT program is concise/efficient and pointed towards passing the exam. I studied, reviewed and mentally processed each and every one of the sections until it all made sense to me. I am just so very grateful for this platform. Thank you Robin!
I bought a different prep before purchasing yours. Midway through the other program I felt defeated because I knew I would not be able to memorize all their material. My cousin told me to get your prep and I remembered a colleague mentioned your program in 2018. So I did buy your program, my confidence change after listening to your audio. Your program I really believe was the difference. I will tell anyone who ask don't bother with the others use yours and give yourself plenty of time to go through at least twice even if you think you got it. I passed on the first try. Thank you
I felt very supported by the TDC support counselors. Great experience. I recommend to everyone. So pleased with the experience.
I passed my exam on the first try! The TDC practice exam materials were very much like the actual exam. The TDC practice exams helped me see what areas I was weakest in and needed to improve upon, especially the written and verbal rationales to the questions.
It was most helpful to learn the patterns of what the questions are getting at. I felt that on the real clinical exam there were a lot of times when none of the answer options seemed appropriate. It was helpful to understand, particularly from the lecture reviews of the practice exams, that the questions needed to be answered in the format of what would I do first with that client still in the room. I feel there was a focus on phases on treatment in the exam, and knowing interventions and red herrings for potential answers was crucial in passing (which was discussed in the lectures and reviews). Thank you for providing this material.
TDC was amazing throughout the entire process. I needed so many extensions which they did not hesitate to give me! Once I took the test, I was very confident and the actual test was easier than the Final Prep Tests. Thank you so much! I would by far recommend this study course over any other option. The materials are easy to understand and the answer justifications and explanations really help you learn what you will need to know to pass the test. THANK YOU TDC!!!!