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
I had failed three times prior - rate hovering between 60 and 65 % - and I was beginning to lose heart. I have never been a great fan of cramming and the two previous "prep" products I used just didnt seem to get the material presented in a way I could recall effectively in the actual test. TDC's approach was innovative and totally targeted to the reality of the BBS test from the very first step. I only wish I had discovered them sooner and not wasted three attempts trying to pass with inferior prep products.
But wait... I have not taken the MFT exam because I’m still collecting hrs for adolescents/couples...
But I met requirements for the PCC hrs and just passed the NCMHCE!
I passed w/ flying colors. Truly TDC is a blessing! Amanda was with me the entire time and the answers just flowed in naturally and popping out.
Because the NCMHCE format was drastically different from the MFT exam, as Robin recommended, I supplemented w/ the NBCC Booklet which explained examination structure and reviewed on my own a little on 1) assessment instruments and 2) career counseling which did the trick and gave me the warm and fuzzy.
I’m extremely grateful, TDC is not just about helping budding therapist pass a licensing exam... I genuinely believe TDC develops competent therapist!
Thank you and I look forward, confidently to the the MFT exam in the near future!
I am in awe of the way you prepared me. I went into the exam nervous and anxious, of course. I sailed through it feeling like it was almost easy. You over prepared me, thank you. I felt like you were with me in the exam room. I could hear your voice in my head reminding me how to rule out etc. Your program is a gift. Thank you for your part in getting me licensed. I cherish you all.
Juliet
I am very thankful for TDC and how well it prepared me for the exam. TDC really helped preparing with the information for the exam, as well as HOW to take the exam.
I passed my law and ethics test on the first try using TDC and then passed my clinical on the first try too! Traditionally I do not do well on multiple choice tests. Even in college I was a straight A student, but scored only a C when I took multiple choice tests.
Using TDC made all the difference in the world. Not only did the course prepare me 100% for the tests, you taught me how to successfully take this multiple choice test and control my anxiety throughout the process. I cannot thank you enough for this course. I work Crisis so I don't use theories very often - my work day is filled with assessing people for 5150 criteria and working with emergency room physicians and psychiatrists, not conducting therapy. As you know I was very concerned about coming up to speed with all the theories to the level of passing the clinical exam. WOW! You covered the theories well, I must have listened to each audio a minimum of 8 times and then your tutoring helped me organize myself to actually learn the theories and not just memorize words. Thank you so much. I highly recommend your program.
I appreciate this study guide so much, although, I have to admit that those final mocks were extremely difficult compared to the real deal. I understand this may be a good technique to study extra hard, but I had so much anxiety around the low scores I got on those mocks I was convinced I wasn't going to pass. Not sure this technique is great for everyone. I must say though it is a very thorough and clear way to study. Thanks!
This program provided an excellent overview of the material needed to pass the examination. The staff was gracious and let you renew as long as you needed to be able to pass the exam. Thank you TDC!
Thank you so much for your kindness and support. You all helped me pass my exam.
Thanks to TDC I received a treat not a trick on Halloween and passed my LMFT licensure test ! I walked in feeling confident and prepared, ready to attack the test , and it worked ! I would highly to recommend it to anyone. The study guides, mocks and rationales Really helped me and I am so grateful and relieved to have successfully passed on my first try !
Robins was great support in my studying. Thank you so much for everything!
I went through the program twice and tallied the subjects of the questions missed on the first round of mock exams 1 and 2. I then concentrated on studying those most missed subjects and re-took the same mocks and saw a huge improvement in my scores. I did not have time to do the final 4-hour mock exam before taking the real exam, but I passed on the first try anyway.
TDC really helped/prepare me for the exam. I had Amanda through out the entire exam just reminding me that i was going to get through it. The exam vignettes are much more shorter than the TDC exams which help to over prepare you. The way the program is set up really broke down the information and prepared me to conquer the exam.
This program was on point! The questions felt exactly the same! Thank you so much for creating this program.
The road has been long for me, I am not a great test taker in general. I failed the Law and Ethics 2 times using another program, which left me with a lot more anxiety getting prepared the next time around. I went with TDC due to recommendations from others in the clinic I was at. I was surprised on the holistic approach of preparing for these exams; coaching on how to think, self-care during the study process and a guarantee to stick with you until you pass!
I really enjoyed the ability to listen to the lectures on the go; as I would just stream the content from my phone sitting in traffic, taking walks, which really helped with balancing other time commitments. The mock exams and rationales were very well put together and prepare you more than enough for the actual exam. Since using the TDC program, I passed both exams, Law and Ethics (3rd attempt, 1st with TDC) and the Clinical on my 1st attempt. Really owe it all to TDC and its true, you really do 'hear' Amanda's voice reading the question stem during the actual exam. Thanks TDC!
It’s worth going through the whole program fully and slowly. Amanda’s voice helped me pass! :)
I am truly thankful for Therapist Development Center, their program helped motivate and prepare me for the Law and Ethics exam and the final Clinical exam. I recommend the TDC program to all my friends preparing for either license exam. Thanks again TDC!
I really liked the that it was guided process with a step by step study guide covering all the pertinent topics the exam would address. I would say my favorite part of TDC was the audio lectures. I learn best this way and hearing the rationales or examples provided was super helpful. The concepts are explained very clearly. I appreciated the study tips, prep tips and most importantly the pep talk. I listened to the pep talk twice. Once the night before the exam and 1 hour prior to the exam. Very inspiring and supportive. I felt so confident taking the exam, however did get those moments of expected uncertainty. I didn’t freak out though and remembered Amanda’s words normalizing this. I cried when I got the results. TDC thank you so much for guiding me through this stressful journey!
Thank you so much for this program! It really helps to build your knowledge base with all your streamlined material, then getting exposure to questions by doing the many mocks provided. What also helps is having all the rationales so that you start to pick up where you are going wrong. During the test I used the skills Amanda reiterated (eliminating, putting things in order, etc.). Passed the first time and couldn't be happier!
Love the structure and the segments in the program! Helps you feel organized when studying and it helps you keep track of your progress. I like how Amanda explains things and gives examples that you can relate to and tips on how to memorize information. I feel like this is the only thing you need to pass!
Thank you so much for this material! I felt very prepared and equipped and it worked!