Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Clinical Examination

Important Information

The LMFT Clinical Examination is one of two exams required to be passed for LMFT licensure in California.

  • The exam is administered by the testing vendor, Pearson Vue.
  • To be eligible, your Application for Licensure must be approved, and you must pass the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam.
  • Your name on file with the Board must match the name on your current government issued photo ID. A middle name is not required and will not be used for entrance to the exam site. If the first, last, or suffix do not match, you will need to complete a Name Change request.

Resources

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations will be provided to qualifying candidates who have a disability, a medical condition, or when English is their second language (ESL). Accommodations will NOT be provided unless prior approval is obtained.

You may apply for accommodation prior to gaining eligibility to take an examination; however, the approved accommodation may not be valid for the entire exam eligibility period. It is recommended to apply when submitting your Initial Law and Ethics Exam Application or your Application for Licensure. If the accommodation expires prior to your approved exam eligibility end date, you will need to reapply for the accommodation.

Pearson Vue will provide an accommodation approval letter by e-mail with specific direction on how to schedule your exam with the approved accommodation. Do not schedule your exam until you receive notification of an approved accommodation.

To request ESL accommodations, you must submit the application and required documentation as indicated in the application below. Allow 90 days for processing.

All testing sites are physically accessible to individuals with disabilities, and certain types of comfort aids are allowed as listed on Pearson Vue’s website. All other accommodations for disabilities or medical conditions require pre-approval by Pearson Vue. For full details visit:

INITIAL LMFT Clinical Exam

ASSOCIATE REGISTRANTS: If you had or have an AMFT Registration, your Application for Licensure has been approved, AND you have passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam, you will be notified via email by Pearson Vue when you are eligible to take the LMFT Clinical Exam. You DO NOT need to submit the Initial LMFT Clinical Exam application, as you have already paid the fee with the Application for Licensure.

NON-REGISTRANTS: If your Application for Licensure (OUT-OF-STATE) has been approved, AND you have passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam, you only need to submit the Initial Clinical Exam application below if you did not submit the Clinical Exam fee with your Application for Licensure.

  • Initial Clinical Exam – ONLY for out-of-state non-registrant applicants who have NOT paid the Clinical Exam fee.

IMPORTANT—Exam Testing Deadlines:

If you miss the testing deadlines below, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

  • If you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam AFTER your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the LMFT Clinical Exam within one year from the date you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam to maintain approval of your licensing file.
  • If you passed the LMFT California Law and Ethics Exam BEFORE your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the LMFT Clinical Exam within one year from the date your Application for Licensure was approved to maintain approval of your licensing file.

LMFT Clinical RE-EXAM

You may submit your Re-Exam application any time after attempting the exam. Please Note: your eligibility will not be sent to Pearson Vue until the required 120-day waiting period from your last exam attempt has elapsed.

IMPORTANT—Re-Exam Testing Deadline:

You MUST retake the exam within one year of a failed attempt to maintain your licensure application eligibility. If you miss the deadline, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

Questions

For exam questions or issues, click here to Message the Board and choose Exam Questions.