Click on each link to learn more about the requirements for that application.
A prerequisite for MFT licensure is a passing score on
- the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national licensing exam; OR
- the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure exam. [NOTE: staff may accept California exam for full, independent LMFT license but not California exam for Associate LMFT license.]
A person must apply for Texas’ approval before registering with AMFTRB to sit for the exam. See Application to Request AMFTRB Exam Authorization Code for more details.
- If you took the AMFTRB exam for another state’s licensing authority you will need to contact AMFTRB to have your passing score transferred to Texas (see AMFTRB’s webpage), unless the non-Texas licensing agency verifies that you passed the AMFTRB exam on the document used to verify your non-Texas license.
- If you passed the California exam for full, independent LMFT license, Texas staff must receive license verification with attestation of California exam scores directly from California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CA BBS).
See more information about license and exam verification via the links for the various license types, below.
Texas offers the following marriage and family therapist (MFT) license types.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT Associate) An LMFT Associate may only practice while under the Council-approved supervision provided by a Texas LMFT-Supervisor (LMFT-S).
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Temporary Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Temporary LMFT)
Other types of applications
Texas LMFT Supervisor Status – The holder of a Texas LMFT may be granted Supervisor status (LMFT-S) with authorization to supervise a Texas LMFT Associate’s practice.
Information on reinstating an expired Texas LMFT
Information for Military Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses
Information for applicants with criminal histories
Notes on the application process
See the Council’s application process rules, found in 22 TAC §§882.1, 882.2, and 882.5. See the Council’s Statutes and Rules webpage.
Online Application with Fee Payment and Document Upload
Visit the Council’s Online License System portal to create an account and apply for your license online. See the Council’s How-To User Guide webpage for step-by-step instructions with screen captures of the Online License System interface. Via this system, you may submit an online application, make electronic fee payment, and upload required documents (except documents required to come directly from the official source). Staff will not review an application that lacks the application fee. An application submitted without the application fee will expire after 30 days.
Following submission and payment of your application, you will receive an email confirming your submission and payment. Once you have submitted your application you cannot make any changes to your application and must submit any additional application materials by mail or email.
TIP: When completing the online application, use an email address to which you will have ongoing access. Some students use their school address when applying for licensure; then they have trouble accessing the online application file after they graduate because they no longer have their school-assigned email address.
Do I have a license yet?
Staff reviews applications and related materials in the order received. The Council’s Current Application Processing Timelines webpage displays a chart to help you to determine where your application is in the queue. After submission of application, staff will generally send deficiency notice within a few business days. Sometimes, a person’s email program filters our staff’s email messages (from “.gov”) into the recipient’s junk or spam folders. When expecting an email from our staff, please periodically check your junk and spam folders. Please respond promptly to any deficiency notice.
You may use the Council’s Online Search/Verify a License webpage/portal to confirm license has been issued or renewal of license has been completed. This online portal reflects the public portions of the Council’s database in real-time; so, it is the most-up-to-date information. No login or password is needed; accordingly, this public information is easily accessible by the licensee, the licensee’s supervisor, the licensee’s employer or potential employer, etc.
One day after issuance of a license, a printable PDF of the license certificate will be in the licensee’s online licensing account secure inbox. The licensee may print the certificate as needed for display. Or a licensee may use the drop-down menu under “Manage My License” to print the license certificate.
The same staff who review applications and issue licenses also respond to phone calls and email messages. The more phone calls and emails staff receive, requesting confirmation that an item has been received or status of an application review, the longer it takes staff to process actual applications. Your patience and restraint are appreciated and speeds the application processing for everyone. If needed, the best way to contact staff via the webform on the Council’s Contact Us webpage.
Notes on license renewal
The license renewal due date is set to coincide with the last day of the licensee’s birth month. Thus, the first renewal period may be less than 2 full years. See renewal requirements in 22 TAC §§801.261, 882.50(b), and 883.1(d)(2). Visit the Council’s Statutes and Rules webpage, the Council’s How to Report Your Continuing Education webpage, and the Council’s Human Trafficking Awareness FAQs webpage for link to list of Texas HHSC-approved human trafficking awareness courses.
