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 truly believe I would not have passed this test without this thorough program. TDC got me through the Law and Ethics exam as well as the clinical. I am so grateful for the expertise and the well thought out approach of TDC. Thank you.
I would NOT have passed the CA LMFT clinical exam without the help of TDC! This program was thorough, informative, and highly supportive throughout the course of my studying to become a family therapist (special thanks to Amanda and Robin for your guidance and support). The strategies and techniques you are provided really helps you to embody what's necessary to get through the exam and pass with confidence! No surprises during the real test and the practice final mocks were much harder than the real exam, in my opinion. Go through the top 50 topics twice, don't skip out on the audio lectures, and be diligent in your studies - do these things and you will not be disappointed. Thanks a million, TDC! I could not have done it without you. I highly recommend the Therapist Development Center for your studying needs for passing this licensure exam.
I am happy to be joining the MFT community as a LICENSED MFT!!
This program truly made me feel prepared for the exam! It was like Amanda’s voice was in the test room with me!
I would not have passed this exam without TDC. The MFT clinical exam is not just information, it is a tricky test. Even with TDC, I was very anxious during the exam because of how the questions were framed. But knowing what to expect was so helpful when in the exam. I took breaths, remembered the tips from the audios, and trusted that reminder. I walked away thinking I had not passed, but I did! And I really believe this exam prepared me for all of that extra stuff that the test creates, not just the information to know a right answer over a wrong answer. Highly recommend!!!
I used Therapist Development Center's study modules for both the California Law and Ethics exam and the Clinical Exam. No retakes on either of the exams! I am so very grateful for Robin and her team in developing such a superior study module. I absolutely know that I could not have passed either of these exams so easily. While taking both exams, I found that the answers were so obvious because of the depth of topics covered and knowledge provided within the Therapist Development study programs. Highly recommend!!
Loved the program and the support.
Great learning experience!!! This program really prepares you for the real exam. It really helps to have different approaches and a timeline for studying all the material.
TDC helped me get organized and create a study system in order to approach this very difficult exam with positivity, knowledge, essential test-taking strategies, and the confidence I needed to pass. Thanks to all from TDC!
I did as Amanda said and I brought her in with me to the exam. I feel that this prep service really prepared me for the exam
I did it! I passed! On the first attempt I passed the MFT Clinical Exam and due in a huge part to the TDC program and team. In one short year I passed the MFT Law & Ethics Exam (thanks to TDC), battled and won against cancer (major surgery, successful) and survived the 4 grueling hours of a stressful exam. Anyone taking this course has a huge advantage. If I can do it anyone can. I read so slowly and struggled to adhere to the suggested time frame. After question 144 questions I had only 12 min left. I skimmed the last questions looking for key terms (what would an existential therapist do...), then grabbed at the answer that included the word(s): anxiety, choice, responsibility, freedom, etc. OMG it was terrifying not knowing...
When you hear Amanda or Robin say, “be ok with uncertainty” trust and believe they know. The test is hard. This program rocks! I would be glad to share more of my experience or assist in other ways. Thank you all.
I took the California Clinical Exam for LMFT and passed on my first try using TDC. The program did a great job in covering all topics for the exam. More importantly, it helped me strategize for the exam in order to tackle on each question with confidence.
This program truly helped ease my anxiety regarding the clinical exam. The program is extremely thorough and covers mostly everything you will be presented with on the exam. The testing strategies were extremely helpful while I was taking my exam. I truly believe that without this program, I would not have passed on my first attempt. The program over-prepares you, which I feel gives you an advantage when “attacking” the exam. Thank you, TDC, for helping me grow professionally and for giving me tools that I will use throughout my career!
TDC test prep for the LMFT Clinical exam is simply the best!! The material is well structured and organized and is everything you need to pass this exam! I purchased other study materials from the competitor exam prep company and they just send you a big box of books that is so overwhelming to navigate through that you don't know where to start and can easily get lost. With TDC, the content provided is what you need to know for this exam. I loved listening to all the audio lectures from Amanda. It was very helpful to hear her voice while rationalizing through various topics which also made the content very relatable. Thank you TDC for your support all the way through! I am so excited I passed and are now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist!!!
The program is fantastic. I felt way over prepared for both portions of the exam and passed each time with ease. Many thanks!!!
TDC really prepared me for this exam! All of the topics covered on the exam were familiar thanks to this study program, and completing the final two mock exams/ studying the rationales, helped me to complete the exam with a sense of hope and comfort.
I only have great things to say about TDC- it was all clearly explained and I am so glad I used it. I found some questions on the licensing exam that were just like the ones on some of these mock exams. Thank you for the ongoing support including in the room on test day. I heard Amanda's voice all the way through!
TDC gave me the confidence to keep studying and not give up! This was my second time taking the CA LMFT exam and I was extremely nervous, feeling defeated the first time. TDC helped solidify the knowledge I already had and gave me the skills to better understand how to tackle the exam. Robin coached me 2 days before the exam and gave me the boost I needed. I was overly prepared: kept swimming, took a break and finished reviewing 'marked' questions with 10 minutes to spare. I highly recommend keeping to your regular schedule: eat, sleep, exercise and meditation. I did not self care properly before taking the exam the first time and this time around, I kept my regular schedule and found this was the key to maintaining the stamina for a 4 hour exam!
I found TDC extremely helpful. The organization of the material and the step by step checking off system was especially convenient for someone easily distracted like me. I passed the exam on the first try although I found myself questioning whether or not I was passing (a common feeling per Amanda's reminder) when taking the test. I brought Amanda in with me whenever I felt stuck and "leaned in" to the exam, as recommended. I took a quick 5 minute break which I found helpful also! The coaches were also great and prompt in answering my questions throughout my studying! Thank you TDC! I am soooo unbelievably relieved!
I liked how everything was broken up in sections. The law and ethics, diversity, theories, etc. It made it easier to navigate when trying to answer my own questions after mocks. This was a definitely a journey that I would had not been able to do without TDC. Thank you!
A great program that I would recommend to anyone preparing for the LMFT exam. I not only passed the exam on my first attempt; I also enhanced my clinical skills and knowledge. Special thank you to coach Robin, who came through for me on short notice when I was debating postponing my exam. Her encouragement and reassurance led me to take it as scheduled and it's such a relief to have it completed. Thank you!!