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
Great study program, I used it to pass both the LPCC and LMFT Law and Ethics Exams!
"I found TDC very helpful, especially the audios."
TDC helped me feel confident to pass and prepped me for one the most challenging exams I've taken. it was with me from start to finish! including being in the exam with me,
I definitely would not have passed law and ethics without taking this course. The audio and written rationales after each practice test were extremally helpful.
By far, the easiest study program I have ever used. Once I completed this course, I felt confident in my ability to pass my law and ethics exam and I did!
The program helped with the critical thinking process. It is not like the program gave you the answer; however the program helped you eliminate the wrong answers making it pretty easy to choose. I thank God for this program, and looking forward to using it for my Clinical Exams.
Good luck!
Thank you for helping me pass!
I thought the program was really thorough. I appreciate the tips on how to be organized and how to study. I wouldn't have had a clue how to do it on my own. The mechanics of the mock exams (flagging questions, going back for review, etc.) helped me really prepare for the real exam though the format was a little different in the actual exam. By the time you are done with this program you have answered more than 400 questions and learned the rationale for the answers - which really helps. It was also great having a coach - you could ask questions any time and her help analyzing my pattern of thinking was most valuable in helping me pass the test.
The testing material was very thorough and creating a timeline for studying was very helpful. Listening to the rationales were the most helpful and they allowed me to break down the question into parts to find the most appropriate answer. I plan on using this program for the Licensing exam as well. Thanks so much!
I LOVED the program! it is great to have audio and reading options. I loved the structure and followed it easily.
I have got all the support I needed from the personal coach!
It was a good prep for the exam and I passed even with poor English skills .
I would recommend it to everyone for quick and easy study.
Yes, thank you for the Mutiple resets to finally pass my exam, it was a rough journal thus so far, but you allowed me two extension and because of that i was able to refresh. I will defiantly be back to purchase the clinical part when I finish my hours. Thanks again
I really struggle with standardized testing and felt very nervous for this exam, but TDC helped me tremendously! This course is definitely worth the time & investment.
This has been a long journey for me. I was suppose to take the exam a while ago but have been dragging my heels because I didn't think I would pass. When I was studying on my own and taking practice tests, I was doing poorly. It felt like there was so much material to know and I became overwhelmed. I was anxious and thought, "Maybe I'm just not smart enough or competent enough to be a therapist." But TDC really boosted my confidence and eased my anxiety. It trained me to think differently and understand the why behind the laws and ethical practices rather than try to memorize everything. When you understand why 2+2=4, you don't have to memorize the formula or the answers because you have a framework on how to arrive at the best answer. I started to perform better on the practice exams and felt that I had a better chance of passing. I still had my doubts while taking the actual exam because the questions they presented were sometimes no win situations but I trusted my gut and relied on my training. I ended up passing both the AMFT and APCC law and ethics exams and exceeded my expectations. Passing really showed me that I'm a lot more capable than I realized. Thanks for all the help TDC!
I absolutely loved this program. It took me longer than planned to get through it because I was working full-time and wedding planning at the same time. I took thorough notes of the audios and I wasn't doing super well on the practice/mock exams (scored between 71-84% on all of them), so I was nervous about taking the exam, but I passed on the first try. I also took the PCC and didn't study anything outside of the program (except I do know that the rule for sexual relationships with former clients is 5 years instead of 2), and I passed it on the first try. Basically, I was super anxious for both exams because of my low scores on the practice/mock exams from the program, but DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. The MFT L&E exam questions are written just like the practice ones from the program, so I felt like I was taking another mock exam when it was the real thing! The PCC exam felt a little different than the MFT when I took it, but I just applied everything I learned from the program and I passed. So hopefully that encourages you. I studied ONLY with this program and nothing else, and I passed the MFT and PCC exams on first my try. Hope this helps someone!
Passed on the first go at it! The study guides are very organized and easy to follow. I felt like I was being tutored by Amanda while I studied. This program helps you to think in a way that prepares you for the questions which was so valuable.
TDC provided helpful audio rationales & handouts that were helpful in my study process. I would definitely recommend the program to a friend!
I turned to this course after buying a less expensive course and realizing that I wasn't prepared enough after finishing it. I'm so glad I paid the extra for this course! We all have worked so hard to get our degrees and our clinical hours, that I think its worth paying extra for a program is so comprehensive! I passed on the first take and it was worth deeply diving into this course.
TDC is absolutely the best study material on the market. I brought AMANDA to the exam with me and ACED this thing real quick~
I'm very happy with your program and would like to use it for the LMFT license.
I used this course to study for both my mft and PCC ethics exam. I studied about 20 days before my exam. It was well explained and worth it. Passed it on the first try.
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