When considering counseling careers that require licensure, you might be interested to learn more about the general act of licensure and why it is required in different states.
Fields that provide services directly to the public or involve tasks that require extensive practice may require professionals to hold a license in order to prove that they have met all of the requirements set forth by the state. In fields related to counseling, LMFT credentials may be required prior to working with individual clients in the field.
Licensure Overview
Having a license can open up many career opportunities. The path to licensure may involve completing master’s- or doctoral-level degree programs, taking part in supervised practice requirements in a real-world setting, and finishing a state board examination in your field.
Once you have met all of these requirements, you can typically apply for a professional license through your state’s licensing department.
The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) oversees the licensing examination. This examination may include topics related to practice, ethics, and quality in your field and is required for you to become an LMFT. Before sitting for the examination, it is necessary to have a set number of classroom hours as well as field experience. Specific requirements can vary by state.
Once you have completed all of these steps, your state can issue you a license to practice as an LMFT in your state.
Accredited educational programs, face-to-face experience in the field, and a test of your knowledge are the most significant factors for licensure in this field. Your hard work and attention to detail can help to ensure that you have made the right decisions to become licensed in the future.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
| Walden University
MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Learn how to support the well-being of your students as they cope with complex personal and family challenges. Explore human sexual development as well as the relationships and family dynamics impacting young people’s lives today. Build the cross-cultural competencies and skills required to understand family structures, life-cycle dynamics, intergenerational influences, and healthy family functioning. The optional accelerated track is designed for students who are interested in taking three courses per quarter and potentially finishing their program in a shorter time frame. The accelerated track has the same curriculum, residencies, and field experience requirements as the general track, but requires a strong time commitment and is best suited for students who can dedicate themselves full time to their studies. Learn More |
| Walden University
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
HLC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
In the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, you’ll look at human sexuality and empirically supported treatments and techniques for promoting the well-being of couples. Build competencies for working effectively with children and adolescents. You’ll also learn how to assess procedures for evaluating research in this area—and how to apply these findings to your practice. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MA: Marriage and Family Therapy
SACSCOC |
✔ Online
Online with required intensives |
A Liberty University marriage and family therapy master’s program online can prepare you to help individuals, couples, and families find healing through counseling. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. Learn More |
| National University
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Earn your masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University. COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited. Learn More |
| National University
Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Earn your Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University. COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited. Learn More |
| Lamar University
Master of Education in Counseling & Development - Marriage Couple & Family Counseling
AAQEP Accredited |
✔ Online
Minimum 3.0 Undergrad GPA |
Learn how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders and resolve marriage and family conflicts related to divorce, mediation, child rearing, family violence and more. Learn More |
| University of West Alabama
Online MS in Family Counseling
|
✔ Online
Flexible online environment |
Programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Guidance and Counseling Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Counseling Degree Programs for LMFT Licensure
Students who are confident in their decision to pursue a career in marriage and family counseling should choose degree programs that can meet the minimum standards for licensure. In all states, LMFTs must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling and meet all of the requirements for certification within this field. Online degree programs can be a great way for you to complete the educational requirements without committing a portion of your time to travel and in-person attendance. Online degree programs can also consist of the correct type of accreditation, making them excellent choices for your licensure.
Types of Degree Programs
In the list below, you can take a look at a few different degree options that can lead you on the right track to obtain your license. Each of these degree paths may have varying steps that need to be completed prior to being approved for your license.
Counseling Careers
Options for Certification
If you choose to pursue your certification through an online master’s in counseling program, you may be required to complete a post-master’s certification program that focuses on MFT. If your LMFT designation is included as part of your degree program, you could seek out additional certification programs to help create a well-rounded portfolio for use in the field.
Some of the most common marriage and family issues may involve traumatic events, substance abuse, or even simple personality differences. Choosing certification programs that can extend your understanding of these different issues can help you to become a more helpful interventionist for families and couples in need. To show you more options to consider during your pursuits, our team has provided some helpful certification titles and specializations that you could consider along the way.
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Relationship Counseling
- Family Therapy
- Child and Adolescent Counseling
- Geriatric Counseling
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Grief and Trauma Counseling
LMFT Career Options
Once you have completed all of the necessary educational requirements, you may be expected to take part in a supervised field experience prior to testing and licensure. All of these components can assist you in preparing for a fruitful career. The influence of professional marriage and family counselors can be useful when seeking ways to cope with individual differences and provide a voice to family members in need of guidance.
As an LMFT, you can choose to work with a variety of individuals with very different needs. Some specific titles of professionals in this field can vary depending on the group they choose to work with or could be all inclusive if you choose to provide services to all people within your licensed range. Our team has provided you with some information on each of the roles for you to consider before you make the decision to become licensed in this field. Read more below to learn more about this fascinating career field.
- Family Therapist: In family therapy, professionals can help family members work through issues that may be causing strain in the household. Arguments, conflicting personality styles, and trauma are some of the issues that can be common when working with families in the field, making the influence of the family therapist important for positive growth. Family therapists can also teach different coping strategies and communication techniques that can be useful when trying to repair relationships and live happier family lives.
- Couples Therapist: Couples therapists can specialize in the relationship and communication between people in romantic relationships. This can include components relating to growth after infidelity, health-related coping, and sexual health. Couples therapists can work with couples seeking prevention strategies for divorce or even couples currently going through a divorce. Professionals choosing to work in this field can work for mental health organizations or even in private practice.
- Relationship Therapist: Closely related to couples therapists, relationship therapists can also use some of the same communication and consideration techniques to help people struggling in their private relationships. Therapists in this field can work with groups of friends, companions, or even business associates to develop healthy ways of communicating needs and compassion for others. Relationship therapists can also work to develop self-help guides and intervention programs for public use in the field.
Resources for Learning more about Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
- Top MFT Master’s Degree Programs
- How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist
- LMFT vs LPCC
- LMFT vs LMHC
- LMFT vs LPC
- Affordable Online MFT Degree Programs
Source List:
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards, State Licensure Comparison
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, COAMFTE Accreditation
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Counseling Specialties
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Understanding Accreditation
List of Programs
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online 🗗 Doctorate
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
National University 🗹 Online Courses Start Weekly
National University 🗹 Online Courses Start Weekly
Lamar University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Campbellsville University 🗹 Online Masters
