For years, AAMFT staff navigated calls from frustrated members with years of experience who were struggling to obtain secondary licensure in Virginia. A complex and often times laborious process meant many LMFTs ended up abandoning the effort rather than tracking down old syllabi or supervisors that had long since retired. And this challenge to the LMFT pipeline in the state meant marriage and family therapists were often being left out of important state efforts and programs.
Because of this, when the Board of Directors approved the Access MFTs effort, Virginia quickly became a primary target state for the first phase. In partnership with the Virginia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, AAMFT successfully advocated for the Access MFTs legislation in the 2024 session.
Enacted on July 1, the law has already made a huge impact. In the three months since it went into effect, the number of LMFTs approved through licensure by endorsement increased by 125% compared to the three months prior.
“Living in the DC metro area and licensed in Maryland, it made so much sense for me to get licensed in Virginia. But the process was next to impossible – even with my decades of experience. Once the new law went into effect, I applied on a Thursday and received my approval the following Monday,” remarked Viviana Azar, MS.
Interested in learning more about Access MFTs and what states we are targeting for 2025? Visit our website or email portability@aamft.org to get involved.