MFT Associate License Requirements

 IC 25-23.6-8-1.5 — Application for Marriage and Family Therapist Associate License & Temporary Permit

Requirements for Associate License (Sec. 1.5(a)):

  • Must provide evidence of:

Degree: Master’s or Doctoral in marriage and family therapy (or related area approved by the board) from one of the following institutions:

U.S. Institutions

      • Must be accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation at the time of graduation.

Canadian Institutions

      • Must be a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada at the time of graduation.

Other Foreign Institutions (outside Canada)

      • Must be recognized by the government of the country as a program for marriage and family therapy or psychotherapy.
      • Must maintain training standards substantially equivalent to U.S. institutions accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

Special Case: Degrees Not Emphasizing Marriage & Family Therapy (Sec. 2.1(b))

      • If the applicant’s master’s or doctoral program did not emphasize marriage and family therapy, they may complete additional coursework at an institution that is:
        • Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
        • Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Completion of educational requirements:

1. Graduate Coursework (Sec. 2.5(a)(1))

      • Must complete 27 semester hours or 41 quarter hours of graduate coursework.
      • Coursework must cover the following content areas (may be combined into one course if proven to cover all areas):
        • Theoretical foundations of marriage and family therapy
        • Major models of marriage and family therapy
        • Individual development
        • Family development and family relationships
        • Clinical problems
        • Collaboration with other disciplines
        • Sexuality
        • Gender and sexual orientation
        • Issues of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, and culture
        • Therapy techniques
        • Behavioral research (interpretation and application of data to clinical practice)

2. Required Graduate-Level Courses (Sec. 2.5(a)(2))

      • At least one graduate-level course (minimum 2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours) in each of the following:
        • Legal, ethical, and professional standards in marriage and family therapy (or equivalent approved by the board).
        • Appraisal and assessment for individual or interpersonal disorder/dysfunction.

3. Supervised Clinical Practicum / Internship / Field Experience (Sec. 2.5(a)(3))

      • Must include:
        • 500 hours of marriage and family therapy services.
          • At least 400 hours face-to-face client contact.
          • At least 200 hours relational contact (couples/families).
        • 100 hours of supervision by a licensed MFT with ≥5 years of experience or board-approved supervisor.
      • May be completed outside a higher education institution if certified as equivalent to a graduate-level practicum/internship by an eligible accredited institution (U.S. Dept. of Ed., AUCC, or COAMFTE).

4. Restrictions (Sec. 2.5(b))

The following cannot be used to satisfy content area requirements:

        • Thesis or dissertation work.
        • Practicums, internships, or fieldwork (these count only toward clinical experience, not coursework content areas).

  • No conviction for crimes directly affecting ability to practice competently.
  • No disciplinary action in another state/jurisdiction for unsafe practice.
  • Payment of board-established fee.
  • Passing the board-provided examination.

Temporary Associate Permit (Sec. 1.5(b)):

  • Issued if applicant:
    • Meets educational requirements for licensure.
    • Is actively pursuing required clinical supervisory hours.
    • Pays the temporary permit fee.
  • Validity: Expires 1 year after issuance, regardless of exam attempts.
  • Non-renewable: Cannot be extended or renewed.

IC 25-23.6-8-1.7 — Doctoral Program & Clinical Experience

  • An individual with a Master’s degree who enters a doctoral program may:
    1. Apply for an associate license under Sec. 1.5 by meeting all requirements.
    2. Elect not to apply for an associate license, instead:
      • Accrue the clinical experience required under Sec. 2.7(b) during doctoral studies.
      • Apply directly for full marriage and family therapist license after completing the doctoral program.

Reference:

See Indiana Code