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
The last final mock exams for TCD were very difficult , more that the actual exam. In some was ways they were more anxiety provoking than the real one, they did however really help Moving into the final exam. I would say difficulty based on vurbadum and level of analysis and contextualizing that applied to each case. Also there is a way in which Tdc should articulate that knowing the martial is the basic ask, but it's the aaplication of the knowledge that we are tested on. I learned all the diagnosis, to which at most 5 questions showed up, in terms of theories I felt like there was no more than 10, most of the exam was very clinical and of course keeping clients mind safety in place, law and ethics.
TDC did an excellent job preparing me for this test. I used TDC for the L&E exam and knew I had to use TDC again for the clinical. Special thanks to Robin for her tips on how to manage test anxiety.
Thank you for the material and the explanations. It became very useful and I succeeded!
TDC was instrumental in helping me prepare for this exam! Each time I reached out to ask a question or request an extension I immediately received a friendly response. I really felt that the team at TDC WANTED me to pass and were incredibly helpful. The material was thorough and detailed, so much so that by the time I took the actual exam I felt almost over-prepared! THANK YOU TDC!
There were so many times when I was taking the test when I really could hear Amanda's voice--so many questions I would have had wrong--if not for this study system. I appreciate all that TDC has done for me, above and beyond. I received a cancer diagnosis three months in and was paralyzed wondering through chemo what I was even doing getting my MFT for a while after getting the news. But I got back on the horse followed the study system to the T and with support from the very kind coach was able to pass yesterday on my first try.
I don't really have a testimonial other than this was an awesome program and I felt well prepared for the test. I struggled during the test with time management and finished the test with just one minute and twenty-three seconds...talk about a burst of adrenaline, but I finished!!! A few times I swear I heard your voice asking me, "What are they asking for?" The mock exams really helped me learn the structure of the test and how to discern between two similar answers. Thank you for creating this program!!!
I am extremely grateful for the TDC program, as it prepared me well for the LMFT Clinical Exam. I'd previously used this program for the Law & Ethics exam, and passed the first time due to how well TDC prepared me, so I knew choosing it again for the Clinical exam was the right choice. The Clinical exam was definitely challenging, but TDC did the best job in not just reviewing important knowledge, but getting me mentally prepared for the difficulty of the exam as well. The test-taking strategies throughout this program are even more valuable than the knowledge review!
TDC offered a perspective of what to expect on the clinical exam. They also provided a system that I could follow to avoid being overwhelmed by the scope of material to review.
I'm still stunned that I passed, after such a long journey. I'd used a different test prep for Law and Ethics, and ended up having a panic attack during the test. Needless to say, I failed it. So going into this exam, I once again had a panic attack after the first full mock exam because I didn't score as well as I'd hoped. This time though, I knew my worst enemy was anxiety, and not my lack of knowledge or experience. Then I took the 2nd one, like Amanda said, just "attack" it. I guess I had to re-experience all the self-doubt and gird myself before the actual exam. It didn't feel like free fall; I was aware that I learned from my mistakes and knew how to reason through the questions. I went in nervous but confident, stuck to her tips about state-dependent learning, and passed still with an hour left on the clock. What a rush!
Passed on my first try! TDC is the way to go!
Thank you TDC!!! I went through a lot of personal/physical difficulties in the past year and had to postpone taking my exam several times and each time, TDC granted me an extension without question. Thank you so much for providing a solid studying program, the test ended up feeling much easier than I thought as a result of the materials you provided.
I would highly recommend this study material to anyone taking the LMFT exam! I passed the first time after using TDC! So relieved!
I was definitely more than prepared! Thank you
Your prep course was incredibly helpful. I also did a coaching session with Robin 2 days before I took the test which helped me hone in on the things I needed to improve my test taking (slow down my reading of the questions). Thank you so much Amanda and team! I was so well prepared using your prep course. I took the exam and had time for a break in the middle and 20 minutes at the end to go over my marked questions. I felt pretty confident throughout the exam because I was so prepared by your prep course. so THANK YOU!
This was a journey, that brought me to my knees at times. I continued to dig deeper after each test, sought out additional test support academically and mentally. Worked on my anxiety with a therapist, through some deep personal therapy, peeled more off that onion ... and much shifted for me... mental freedom... it’s another part of me I can bring to my clients.
I took the test two times using other programs and this program was the best! I knew the questions, how to "attack" the exam and Amanda was with me. I was able to manage anxiety, took the break at question 100, ate a snack and really felt the reset! I am so humble by this process and grateful for the program. Thank you TDC for the variety of study materials, concepts and diversity of training. I will recommend TDC to everyone!!
Amanda Rowan provides an extremely valuable preparatory experience for the MFT clinical exam. The presentation of the material is methodical and thorough and, more importantly, Amanda inspires confidence by helping candidates learn how to think about the test and what to expect before and during the test. There is way too much material to know it all in my opinion. But there are ways to approach the questions that make it MUCH more likely that you will get the right answer even if there is material in the question stem that is unfamiliar. I could hear Amanda’s voice as I was reasoning through the answer possibilities on the test.
This course truly helped me in studying and how to study for the LMFT clinical exam. I was very nervous about this test and was also going through an injury and a death in my family but the team here at the TDC helped me with all my questions and put all my anxieties to bed. If you truly follow this step by step you will go into the exam and feel adequately ready. I passed first time, and literally took the entire four hours, and also took a break when Amanda had said to do so. Taking the break was ESSENTIAL! After coming back from the break with a snack I felt I had answered almost every question correctly and had a rejuvenated focus on the test. No other program prepares you well enough like the TDC does.
So glad I took this course. I passed on the first try and felt extremely prepared! Thank you TDC!!!
I will forever be greatlful for your support and guidance. This has been a difficult journey and with your help I was able to pass!