The California MFT Law and Ethics exam is comprised of 40% Law and 60% Ethics. Within the Law portion, 14% is dedicated to Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent, 16% to Limits of Confidentiality / Mandated Reporting, and 10% to Legal Standards for Professional Practice. Within Ethics, 18% is dedicated to Professional Competence and Preventing Harm, 27% to Therapeutic Relationships, and 15% to Business Practices and Policies.
Passing this Law and Ethics exam on the first attempt is very important, as the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) will require you to wait 90 days after failing the exam before you can retest, and you will need to pay a $100 processing fee. That is time and money wasted; TDC can help give you the tools and skills you need to get that passing score on the first try.
The Therapist Development Center supports California’s Marriage and Family Therapists in preparing for their CA MFT Law and Ethics exams, and is proud to say that 95% of our users PASS!
MFT Law and Ethics Exam Prep Study System
Includes INSTANT online access to:
- An organized, step-by-step study plan
- 15 on-line audio workshops with downloadable handouts
- A complete review of essential MFT Law and Ethics Exam content areas
- Effective study tools
- Clinical examples that help you learn rather than memorize
- Clear test-taking strategies you will use on exam day
- 5 Full-length MFT Law & Ethics Practice Exams
- Test anxiety management
- Coaches available for ongoing questions and support
Our program not only addresses each of these content areas, but mimics how the BBS weighs the content to ensure you’re focusing on the right content for the right amount of time. TDC’s California MFT L&E Exam Prep is designed to maximize learning and minimize stress. It can be completed in approximately 35 hours and can be repeated as needed. Access is set for 4 months, but extensions are FREE. We are with you until you pass! Please note: this program is for SINGLE users only. Want to SAVE $50 on your California exam prep materials? Buy the CA COMBO!
Scroll down to read real, amazing testimonials from our users about how TDC worked for them to PASS their MFT Law and Ethics exams.
MFT Law and Ethics Exam Prep FAQs
What is the structure of the California Law and Ethics exam?
The California Law and Ethics exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. 50 questions are scored, and 25 questions are considered experimental and will not count toward your final score. The experimental questions can appear anywhere on the exam; the BBS does not indicate which questions will count and which are experimental.
How much time do I have to complete the exam?
Test takers are granted 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the exam. Accommodations for extra time can be requested through the BBS for test-takers with mental or physical health conditions that qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act or for English as a Second Language (ESL) test-takers. Here are the forms for each accommodation: ESL accommodations form and disability accommodations form. Additional accommodations can be requested based on individual needs (i.e. separate room, reader, paper exam).
What is the current passing score for the CA MFT Law and Ethics exam?
In 2018, the BBS discontinued publishing the passing score for all of their licensing exams. However, during the first two years the exam was administered the scores were published. Between 2016 and 2018, the passing score was typically in the range of 33-36 out of the 50 scored questions (upper 60s% to lower 70s%). The 25 experimental questions do not count in the final score.
When will I be eligible to take the California Law and Ethics Exam?
Once you receive your associate registration number you are eligible to apply for the exam. The good news is this application for the California MFT Law and Ethics exam is the easiest application you will find on the BBS’s website! All you need to do is complete the one-page application and submit it along with your check to the BBS. Here is the Law and Ethics Exam Application. You can expect the processing time for the application to take 4-6 weeks. If you are applying for accommodations, submit that application at least 90 days prior to your anticipated exam date.
How much time should I give myself to study with the Law and Ethics Exam prep program?
TDC’s California MFT Law and Ethics exam prep program includes approximately 37 hours of content, including 5 full-length mock exams. We are strong advocates of maintaining a healthy balance of studying alongside all of the other responsibilities and joys in your life. If you are able to devote 8-10 hours each week to your studying, you can complete the California MFT Law and Ethics exam prep program in 5 weeks. Some people prefer to move through the program more quickly, while others feel they need more time. Our program is adaptable to meet your needs.
What happens once I pass the California Law and Ethics Exam?
You only need to pass the California Law & Ethics Exam one time. Once you pass the exam, you have fulfilled this requirement and will not be required to take it again. The next exam you will be required to take is your California MFT Clinical Exam.
Can I take one Law and Ethics exam if I am working toward my LPCC and LMFT?
The answer to this question is no. The BBS requires you to take the Law and Ethics exam specific to your license. If you are working toward dual licensure, you will need to complete the California MFT Law and Ethics exam and the California LPCC Law and Ethics Exam. Many people have successfully passed both of these exams using our California MFT Law and Ethics exam prep program. If you fall into this category, please reach out to a TDC coach for additional guidance.
Course Reviews
I was strapped for time for this exam. Some delays with the BBS and had a little under 3 weeks to study. The study material is set up so well that by the 3rd Mock exam I was passing easily. Unfortunately I wasn't able to even take the final final Mock Exam and I still passed my test. I also appreciated the more practical study information like live your life and exercise.
I passed the state exam on my first try, but that isn't saying it was easy. The exam itself is really tough, and there is no way I could have passed my first time without it (and some prayers!). That said, I felt no need to do any memorization since the course prepared me with HOW to think, which made all the difference! I walked in without a bunch of information crammed into my head, and that allowed me to just concentrate on processing the stems and choosing the best answer. I would definitely recommend this course to everyone, and already have to the rest of my graduating cohort!
I was nervous to take this exam but the practice tests built my confidence and showed me which topics I was weak on. I really appreciated this study program and am thankful it helped me pass on my first try.
I loved how TDC organized their material. I appreciated the mock exam rationales that really helped me at the real exam. Thank you for this great program. I will definitely use TDC for studying for my license exam.
I am not an excellent test taker and this program really prepared me and eased my anxiety about the test. It broke down exactly what to expect. A lot of the questions that were on the exam, where very similar to the practice tests, which helped me navigate how to answer each question. I would definitely recommend this program to a friend.
Amazing program that thoroughly prepared me for the exam! I will definitely be using this program for the clinical exam too!!
I would highly recommend the TDC study program for the LMFT Law and Ethics Exam. I did my very best to follow the study guidelines and test day preparations. I did my regular exercises, did a final review, and even ate an apple right before I entered the facility. I was able to manage my test anxiety and relax more largely because I had test preparation confidence. I thank you Ms. Amanda Rowen and team for the great work you all did in helping us test takers be successful as much as possible. I even listened to the voice of Amanda as I was eliminating wrong answers and focusing on the reasons why I chose the right responses. Blessings to you all! :)
I would absolutely recommend this program! This set me up for greatness. I was able to follow along and make adjustment to the schedule when needed. The audio provided clear explanations and tools to think about during the exam. The audio said something in the nature of "I want you to hear me in your head during the exam" that was exactly happened. I was able to break down the questions and selects answers in the same way from this program. I reach out to the coach (Maria) - she was phenomenal ! I have to take PCC law & ethics exam, so I hope it will be similar to this program!
LOVE TDC! Recommending to all my colleagues. Everything was on point. Thank you!
TDC really prepared me for the MFT law and ethics exam and I passed first take! The course content, the planning, and the support that TDC provided during the course is unmatched.
I was looking for something to support my re-entry into the profession of psychotherapy and this program supported this process. Felt refreshed with my understanding and knowledge. I definitely used the tools/thinking strategies while in the test.. I took you with me and it worked!! I am looking forward to more courses with this program!!!
It is such as great program. It truly prepares you for the exam.
I was so happy that I signed up with TDC! I started with a different study program and did not feel confident about taking the exam and my practice test scores reflected it. So I decided to invest in TDC's program and I immediately felt reassured with the amount of material provided, including worksheets and audio portions! Being guided by Amanda was really nice and having that type of support was awesome. I definitely felt more prepared and confident walking into the testing center! I'm now proud to say that I passed and will absolutely sign up with TDC again for my clinical license exam!!!! :)
This is my second time using TDC- once for the national MFT exam, and now for the California LMFT Law and Ethics exam. Both times I have felt that as I have followed the program, I have given myself the best chance of success! The program left me feeling prepared and confident!
TDC really helped me understand and prep for my L&E exam. I'm certain that it helped me pass first try!
Passed my MFT law and ethics exam on the first try. I found TDC better and more helpful compared to another prep course I’ve tried. Every single element of the prep course helped me be mentally prepared for the exam. It’s worth the money and I’m eager to use TDC for my clinical exam prep too!
Excellent course! Test questions were very simlilar to ones on the actual test! I felt well prepared.
This course prepared me to take the test and pass it on my first try! It was really easy to use.
Loved this course, I studied for this using textbooks and similar test questions but the TDC study material helped me grasp just exactly why I was studying this material, it's importance, and made me feel prepared to take the test by having a similar practice test taking format. When I took the test, I felt as if I had already been doing it for weeks which decreased by anxiety and increase my feelings of being prepared. Lastly, the tips to follow were phenomenal, I used most of them and they made all the difference in my experience. I will definitely be using TDC again.
Even though I wasn't able to complete all aspects of the course due to being a busy working mom, I passed the test the first time. The rationale provided for all of the answers on practice quizzes provide so much insight and improved my ability to think about what the question was really asking.
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