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
Prior to using TDC, I used AATBS. TDC was much more concise and not as overwhelming as other material. I was able to study all of the necessary topics in bite-sized pieces and Amanda's rationales were SO helpful. Overall, I felt (and was) much more prepared this time around. Thank you, TDC staff!
Thank you so much.
I am so happy I used TDC to study for the MFT Clinical Exam. Reviewing the Final Mock exams was super helpful and I felt prepared for the actual exam! Definitely recommend it!
TDC helped me prepare for the test. All the questions on the exam had been covered and studied. No surprises. I am pleased with the way this program equipped me not to memorize the materials but make sense of it. Thank you so very much! I passed it on my very first try! :)
This test has definnitley been a journey. Because of life circumstances I was only taking this test once a year during the summer time. I did not want to go another summer without passing. As I was taking the test I truly felt like I was failing it the whole way through. I had to wait for a while to get my results as the testing centers printer was on the frtiz, so as I waited which seemed like forever- I was thinking "now I have to sit here and wait to be told I failed yet again". My thought process was like "well I'll just come back in November". I should point out that as I was taking the test, I was thinking I'd be back in November. Then she handed me the paper that said CONGRATULATIONS.. I had no emotion and said I can't believe it says this. I studied before as I did this time but what changed is that I did not have any anxiety about the test. I took my break (had a banana and water at question 90), I was mindful my time, and if I didn't know the answer I marked the best one and moved on quickly. This program was a Godsend, it truly packs everything together concretely with the knowledge that it needed to pass. I want to say that some of practice questions looked almost identical so some of the questions on the exam.
Thank You TDC, and Thank You Jesus... I passed- Amen!
Thank you so much for helping to bring focus/order to the study process. I felt prepared and it was such a valuable tool for me.
Third time was the charm!! This time what I did differently was took the mock multiple times and listened to the rationales. I feel that listening to the rationale made all the difference because I was able to fully understand how the test was asking questions.
Practice, practice, practice. Don't be discouraged if you take the mocks and run out of time, take more time when you're practicing to break down a question, you eventually get faster at breaking down questions and you will feel more confident in your answer.
TDC stuck with me until I passed. The Strategies audio and Final Pep Talk delivered me to the finish line and helped me conquer my test anxiety. I listened to those two topics more than once with the final time being 24 hours before my exam. I took Amanda and her team into the room with me. Thanks for joining me and sticking with me until I crossed the PASS finish line.
Soooo happy to be done!! I took the BBS exam and passed this morning. I felt like the BBS exam was so much like the TDC mock exams in every way. I felt well prepared and the audio's really helped. I think key was also the test taking tips and the pre-test tips about remaining calm, bringing snacks, etc. I felt very calm throughout the test. THANK YOU!!
TDC has been a huge help! I was able to pass my exam on my first try and TDC was so friendly and helpful when I have needed to ask for an extension twice due to issues with locking in a date. What really helped me more was the audio and the fact that I could take full mocks for studying purposes!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I passed the 2nd go-round thanks in no small part to your program, especially the newly added final mock. That new beast of a final mock covered it all and led me down a road of full engagement in all the areas covered in the questions. It made the actual exam "easy" as I forged on, hearing your voice, and recalling all the information garnered throughout your program. So one more time---thank you thank you thank you, for multiple extensions and psychological support throughout this process of becoming a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.
I wouldn't have pass without this program, thank you so much
This course went above and beyond to adequately prepare me for the test. I also did a coaching session with Robin the day before I took the test, which was incredibly helpful with helping me to conceptualize the vignette and pick the best answer for what the question was specifically asking, as well as move through the questions faster. Thank you so much for creating such an amazing course!!! I don't think I could have passed without it :)
The material is super easy to follow and the coaches Asya and Robin are very helpful and supportive!
I was given materials with my graduate program but they were bulky and overwhelming. After reading several reviews and hearing about TDC on the MFTguide Facebook page, I decided to purchase the program. So glad I did!! Amanda breaks the information into manageable segments and really points out the important things to look for. A lot of the programs have you memorizing everything possible. That is not what the test is like. Amanda really shows you how to think and what to look for when taking the exam. I also took a separate coaching session with a TDC coach, Asya. She was wonderful and reminded me of the strategies I learned during the program. Highly recommend!!
Amanda and her team are top notch! I felt super prepared and calm on test day. The top 50 topics and how they are reviewed in the prep materials are the key for licensing exam success. Thank you!
The thought of "sitting" with a 4 hour exam was daunting. TDC provided a clear and focused process of study; which included emotional, academic and theoretical support!!!
I am totally thrilled and grateful!!!
Thank you for your assistance.
Judy Bensinger Haynes
Great program better then the others I have used.
I used TDC to prepare for both my Law and Ethics and clinical exam. They helped me every step of the way, broke down the studying into manageable chunks of time and thoroughly prepared me to pass. I did both exams the first time. Thank you TDC!!!!
This was my 3rd time taking the CCE. I can honestly say that if you follow the TDC program as it is & follow Amanda instructions in reviewing the information for a second time the scores on the Mock exams improve greatly. Overall, this program is harder than the actual exam. I’m just so grateful that this journey is over. I am so grateful to God for giving the strength not to give up.