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
TDC helped make this study process a lot less stressful and had the structure I needed to help me not become overwhelmed with the material that the exam requires us to know. The study tips and skills that I learned throughout the program were key in passing the exam on my first try!
The TDC program helped me pass!
I have used TDC for both my Law and Ethics test and Clinical test and I passed the first time around in both test. Thank you so much TDC for providing both visual and auditory learning tools. I feel that it definitely helped me.
TDC does a great job of preparing you for the Clinical exam. They give good explanations about the topics, quizzes are very helpful, and I loved having the audio to listen to while driving home or at the gym. I would definitely recommend it! Thanks, TDC!!
TDC stands behind you until you pass. The fact that I had access to the material during the time it took me to pass I think was main reason I passed. I had too many different study materials. Narrowing predominantly to TDC motivated me to really study hard. I echo the statement that TDC more then covers the material throughly and in addition, listening to the lectures added little tidbits of information that helped me connect the pieces. Thank you TDC, I felt very supported by your program.
I don't think I would have passed the exam without this program. I felt prepared going into the exam. I followed the recommended steps- exercise, snacks and all. It got me through the test. I would absolutely recommend this program, and have already recommended it to others I know who are preparing for their clinical exam. I can't say thank you enough to TDC for getting me through that exam!
I passed!!! On my first try!!! I could not have done it without TDC. Everything about this program worked for me. I followed the program and suggestions with a few modifications around the study schedule. Amanda's lectures were so helpful, as were her tips. The program definitely covered everything I needed to know to pass the exam, the content as well as strategies. I used TDC for both my Law and Ethics and my Clinical Exam and passed both! Thank you so much for creating this well thought out study program- it works! I'm soooo happy!
The test was similar to the mock exams at TDC; however when I started reading the questions... Oh my The first twelve questions were extremely confusing and I was planning my next exam as I was reading the questions. Then I heard Amana's voice when she said take me with you and ask what would Amanda say about this... I went through the program 4 times. It wasn't the material, I know the material its just the tricky way the questions were written. Also, I am Christian and had a lot of prayer worriers praying for me :)
Thank you Amanda, Robing and Asia, I greatly appreciate you all! Alice Kevork
TDC is a great program to use. It helps in the preparation of the exam.
I had purchased another program before, but was sent a ton of informational books, study cards, etc. which were all great resources and helped augment some of my learning through TDC. However, I did not need to rely on them much, because this was such a comprehensive program. The other program did not guide me at all in how to study or what to review. So before I purchased TDC, my other books just sat in a corner of my room and I was afraid to look at them. Thank you TDC! Also, I was highly recommended this program from 3 of my friends and colleagues and now I recommend it to everyone I know, too!
I am so thankful that I passed and I feel very appreciative of TDC and the study program for helping me focus in on the important material. It was nice to re-visit material studied in Grad school as in the field I am focusing on client care in the specific population that I serve. Thank you!!!
This program is a lifesaver! It helped me pass my LMFT Clinical Exam on the first try with as much confidence as I could have hoped for. is so well-organized, supportive, and provides the exact type of information needed to pass the test. The test strategies woven throughout the course are by far the biggest game changer here, since the exam really doesn't focus solely on testing knowledge, but instead focuses on reasoning & clinical judgment. I could hear Amanda's voice in my head throughout the test. As a bonus, I actually feel like a better, more confident clinician. I didn't expect that! I am so thankful to TDC for making this study process manageable and supporting me along the way. WAHOO!
Yay I passed on the first try. This was one long journey but TDC exam prep is simply the BEST. There are others but I would only recommend TDC. Most of my circle had use TDC and passed on the first try. I also know others who tried others study prep courses but did not have success, so switched to TDC and passed on their first try after studying with TDC. You truly learn how to rationalize and pay attention to what is being asked which helps to filter out information that is not as important. Thank you TDC for your support. This Chapter is closed!
I passed my exam! The lectures, the quizzes, the rationales and the personal help I received from the coach was extremely helpful and prepared me well for the exam. Highly recommend the TDC study material.
The program was exceptional. I listened and read the material, felt prepared and without the mocks, I wouldn't have known how to strategically manage the questions on the exam day. It was well organized and a great investment. I had to reschedule my exam a few times, the coaches were able to reset my target date with no hesitation. Thank you to all the TDC support. I
I only invested my money and time with TDC. Once I committed to studying, I reaped the reward by passing my exam. TDC proved to be an awesome study guide.
Thanks so much! I really appreciated the extensions when the BBS took FIVE MONTHS to process my application...Your program really worked for me. And I must say, your full-length mock exam was waaay more difficult than the actual exam, so thank you for that, too!
I struggled with anxiety approaching the exam. I worried about my stamina for the 4 hour test. It was of tremendous help to have two four hour mocks to build stamina. I had a coaching session with Robin who gently guided me through strategies that would work for me. It's true when Amanda says "take me with you into the test". I used Robin's strategies and wondered "how would Amanda reason this out" whenever I felt stuck. I had a personal goal of passing the first time taking the test and I DID! I highly recommend this program. Thank you, Therapist Development Center! I wish I could give you 10 stars!
A very thorough study course to ace the marathon exams the BBS requires. It is well worth the price. The team is there for you when the anxiety flares up. Self care and good study habits are championed. You will succeed if you follow the plan!
Hi, I used TDC for both the Law and Ethics and the CCE. I found the materials covered everything I needed to know to pass both exams. Amanda was amazing in discussing rationales and I felt totally prepared to take the exam. I followed everything she said. When I went in to take the exam I had no anxiety. I utilized all the TDC strategies that I learned over the past 6 months of studying. Thanks so much!!!!!