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
You can't go wrong using the Therapist Development Center courses! Amanda gets you prepared not only for the actual material, but also gets you into the mindset you are going to need when taking these exams. I used her courses for the MFT Law and Ethics as well as the MFT Clinical Exam. Passed both on the first try. Not to say the course makes the exams easy, but at least you will get through it successfully. I can't imagine a better way to prepare for the BBS exams!
This time, when I went to the exam site, I was not nervous or apprehensive about the exam at all. The pointers in the audio lectures were more succinct and much easier to remember. I also enjoyed that everything was available online. TDC ALL THE WAY!
Tortoise and the Hare Remix
I would love to say I was the "hare" in this tale. However, I was a "tortoise". Unlike the popular tale, I saw a lot of "hares" quickly passing their exams; taking it only once. That was not the case of me. Test anxiety, life stressors, and self-doubt were the main "evil villains " in my tale preventing me from success. The good news is this testing program (TDC) came to the rescue and a true "hero". EXERSICING 2 days before and the day of the test also helped me greatly! Third times the charm! This "tortoise" has finally won the race! To anyone who has failed and not a "hare" in this testing journey DONT GIVE UP!!!!. TDC will be here, they will extend your time, and update your program with any additional testing tools to help you prepare. Use your failing experience to increase your endurance! Thank You So Much TCD Team for your support and understanding. I am finally Licensed!
There is no way I could have passed without TDC! Amanda was with me in the room, and I followed all of her pep talk tips which helped with my nerves. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
I know for a fact I would have not passed without the TDC and how it is laid out in the study plan. I was completely nervous about the test (content & time) and TDC helped remind me about keeping as steady pass. This test is a woozie but TDC made me feel normal when they say your not going to feel like your passing. But keep going. Loved the motivation, the information, and assistance! Absolutely recommend this program. Also messages were promptly answered and felt heard when having a question.
Thanks TDC for the time taken to create an in-depth and well laid out study program. I took the exam today and passed with plenty of time to spare. In fact, your program prepared me so well that I felt like the exam questions were much easier. I was able to use the strategies from your study material to rule out answers and move through the exam quickly. I had the confidence, from your study material that I didn't have the first time around using another study program. I have and will continue to recommend your study program to others. Lisa R.
I recommend TDC to all my therapist friends. It is well laid out, teaches you how to think, and is really interesting and engaging. While it was always hard to sit down and study/listen to lectures, once I was doing it I found it engaging and dare I say, almost fun! Thank you TDC family! Passed both the law and ethics and clincial exam my first try using TDC.
I am happy to report I finally passed. Unfortunately, this was my third attempt. I realized this time, I wasn't as prepared before the first 2 attempts. The program is excellent, I just need to focus more, work on my test anxiety and attack the exam as Amanda recommended in the pep talk. Time management was a major issue for me, but I was able to resolve that problem when I became more confident in the material.
Thank you, TDC, for helping me pass both the CA Clinical MFT and National MFT Exams. Amanda's audio presentations were very helpful and catered well towards my learning style. All of the exam tips were a lifesaver. Good luck to all of you future LMFTs! You've got this! TDC will help.
I used TDC first for Law and Ethics, and Robin was amazing at answering my questions. When it came time to study for the clinical exam, I didn't even look at other programs. Throughout my time preparing to take the exam, I emailed Robin several times, and she was always quick to respond. Before taking the exam, I wanted to do a coaching session, and discovered Robin and Asya had switched places, so Asya was now my coach. Although I hadn't had any experiences with her, I set up the coaching session with her, and I have no doubt it made all the difference in me passing the clinical exam. Amanda truly does go in to the test with you. I could hear her voice throughout the exam, and between that and Asya's tips, I am happy to say I passed the exam the first time I took it. Thank you Amanda, Robin and Asya! TDC is the best!