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Rhode Island Joins Access MFTs Initiative!

By Portability AAMFT posted 28 days ago
Access MFTs is excited to announce that the portability initiative will be entering Rhode Island next year! AAMFT will be partnering with the Rhode Island Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (RIAMFT) to work towards the goal of streamlining licensure portability in the state. To enhance MFT portability in Rhode Island, Access MFTs will be targeting barriers to licensure that exist in the state for LMFTs , such as the inclusion of substantially equivalent language in the current law . If you have any questions, concerns, or stories that you would like to share with the Access MFTs team regarding ...
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Florida Joins Access MFTs Initiative!

By Portability AAMFT posted 28 days ago
Florida has joined Phase 3 of the Access MFTs’ initiative! While Florida currently offers enhanced portability for telehealth practitioners, the Access MFTs initiative aims to eliminate barriers for MFTs who are seeking licensure to pr ovid e in-person mental health services in the state. If you have any questions, concerns, or stories that you would like to share with the Access MFTs team regarding portability in Florida, please email us at portability@aamft.org .
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Updates on California

By Portability AAMFT posted 08-21-2025
California is continuing to work on switching from the California clinical MFT exam to the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam. The AMFTRB exam is what is currently required in the other 49 states. This change will make it easier for LMFTs who are educated in California to move to or pursue licensure in another state without having to take an additional exam. There have been no recent updates on the progress of this effort but continue to check in for regular updates on this issue!
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North Carolina Breaks Down Portability Barriers

By Portability AAMFT posted 07-02-2025
On July 1 , 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 67 , which will go into effect on October 1 , 2025. House Bill 67 r e moves licensure barriers for L MFT s seeking to obtain a North Carolina license to practice. Th e major barrier that the new North Carolina law removes from previous portability policy is remov ing the experience requirement from 5 years and an existing license in good standing to 2 years of experience and an existing license in good standing. The new law also makes changes to the e xam requirement as now the California licensure exam is an ...
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West Virginia Takes the Next Steps

By Portability AAMFT posted 07-02-2025
On July 1 , 2025, West Virginia’s Senate Bill 458 went into effect. The original bill was signed on April 7, 2025, by Governor Jim Justice. Although not introduced as part of AAMFT’s Access MFTs initiative, this bill is still a huge win for MFT license portability in the state of West Virginia. As a Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act , it means that the new l aw applies to all professions with a board of examination or registration, including Marriage and Family Therapists. As a result of this law, to be granted a license in West Virginia, MFTs must be licensed and have held their license in ...
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End of Session Update for Kentucky & Texas

By Portability AAMFT posted 06-30-2025
During the 2025 legislative session, Access MFTs had ongoing efforts in Kentucky and Texas. In Kentucky, the Access MFTs bill made it out of committee and had great forward momentum throughout the legislative sess ion. Unfortunately, due to other challenges, the bill was unable to complete the legislative process and be signed into law. The other state that Access MFT legislation faced challenges that were unable to be overcome was in Texas. The Texas legislature only meets every other year, so the next opportunity to address portability in Texas will be in 2027. Despite these challenges, ...
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Major Access MFTs Success in Connecticut!

By Portability AAMFT posted 06-25-2025
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed H.B. 7081 into law on June 23, 2025. The law will go into effect on October 1, 2025. In the new update, to obtain a license in the state of Connecticut, an MFT must have a license in good standing in another state with no pending disciplinary actions or unresolved complaints. The new law also removes the previous requirement of MFTs to have practiced in another state for at least four years. This is another big win for Access MFTs as the push for licensure portability continues to grow across the country. This success in Connecticut will help build up mental health professionals and expand the profession for ...
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Access MFT Updates in Nevada

By Portability AAMFT posted 06-07-2025
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 450 on June 5, 2025 . The law will go into effect on October 5 , 2025. Th e effect of this law will make it so that in the state of Nevada, Marriage and Family Therapists can obtain a license in the state unless they are denied for “good cause.” The board must also approve or deny a complete application that does not need any additional information within 45 days of receiving the application. Previously, Nevada restricted access to LMFTs who had been investigated but not found in violation. This new update will allow those individuals who have a previous investigation, ...
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Another Win for Access MFTs!

By Portability AAMFT posted 05-26-2025
On May 20, 2025, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed into law Legislative Bill 257. As a result of this new law, Marriage and Family Therapists with a valid and unrestricted license in another state will be able to obtain a license in Nebraska after filling out an application, paying a licensure fee, and passing the Nebraska jurisprudence exam. This bill will allow for Marriage and Family Therapists to practice in Nebraska with fewer barriers. Prior to the passage of this bill, MFTs who were seeking a license in Nebraska experienced barriers due to a statute that included substantially equivalent requirements which made the out-of-state licensure ...
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AB 450 Unanimously Passes Nevada Assembly, Heads to the Senate Next

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-18-2025
On April 17th, AB 450 passed unanimously on the floor of the Nevada Assembly, marking another major win for the Access MFTs initiative. This unanimous vote underscores strong bipartisan support for making it easier for qualified MFTs to practice across state lines. The Assembly’s endorsement brings AB 450 one step closer to becoming law and reflects an increasing awareness among lawmakers of the urgent need to bolster the mental health workforce. This progress would not have been possible without the dedication and voices of MFTs Ashia McReynolds and Dr. Domonique Rice. We are especially grateful to both for taking the time to testify and share their ...
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Arkansas HB 1187 Unanimously Passes Arkansas Senate: Awaits Governor's Signature

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-14-2025
On April 14th, the Arkansas Senate voted unanimously to pass HB 1187 . This marks the final legislative hurdle for the bill, which now heads to the Governor for signature. With this action, Arkansas moves one step closer to becoming the next state to adopt our strategic portability model. The unanimous vote reflects the widespread, bipartisan support for modernizing licensure processes for MFTs. We are proud of the advocacy efforts led by AAMFT and the MFTs who lent their voices throughout the legislative process. Their dedication ensured the bill stayed on track and gained strong momentum in both chambers. We now await the Governor’s signature, officially ...
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Arkansas HB 1187 Clears Senate Committee, Nears Final Vote

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-09-2025
On April 9th, HB 1187 was heard by the Arkansas Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee. Just as they did in the House, AAMFT staff and MFTs Dr. Kelly Roberts and Dr. Becky Whetstone provided expert testimony highlighting the bill’s value to the profession and public health infrastructure. The continued presence of dedicated advocates like Drs. Roberts and Whetstone made a meaningful impact. Following the hearing, HB 1187 successfully passed out of committee. The bill now advances to the full Senate for a floor vote, bringing us closer to seeing licensure portability enacted in Arkansas. We are proud of the collaborative efforts of ...
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West Virginia Enacts SB 458: Boosting Licensure Portability and Access to Services

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-08-2025
On April 7, 2025, Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 458 into law, advancing licensure portability in West Virginia. This legislation allows professionals licensed in other states to practice in West Virginia, supporting the state’s efforts to attract qualified professionals and reduce bureaucratic barriers, which contributes to enhancing residents' access to essential services. While West Virginia was not a part of this year's Access MFTs initiative, its passage aligns with the broader goals of the initiative, which advocates for the expansion of licensure portability for MFTs. SB 458 is a significant step in the right direction, reflecting a growing ...
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LB 257 Advances to Select File: Nebraska Moves Closer to Licensure Portability

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-08-2025
On April 8th, LB 257 reached its next legislative milestone by being placed on the Select File in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature. This is the second stage of floor debate, where senators have an opportunity to discuss, amend, and vote on the bill. The successful placement on the Select File shows continued legislative interest and momentum for our strategic portability model. Following a favorable vote in this stage, the bill will be scheduled for final reading—the last step before heading to the Governor. With each stage passed, we grow more optimistic about the potential for LB 257 to become law. Enacting this bill would make Nebraska a leader ...
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HB 727 Introduced in North Carolina: Legislative Journey Begins

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-03-2025
On April 3rd, House Bill 727 was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly, sponsored by Representatives Reeder, Blackwell, Wheatley, Gable, and Ward. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Health for further consideration. AAMFT will continue to collaborate closely with lawmakers and the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to advance this important legislation. Stay tuned for updates as HB 727 progresses through the legislative process.
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HB 1187 Passes Arkansas House with Overwhelming Support

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-01-2025
We are thrilled to share that HB 1187 passed the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 1st with overwhelming support. The final vote was 94 to 1, signaling strong bipartisan recognition of the value and necessity of licensure portability for MFTs. House members recognized the bill’s importance in addressing workforce shortages and improving access to mental health care in Arkansas. The successful House floor vote moves HB 1187 closer to becoming law. The bill now advances to the Arkansas Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee for further review. We will continue engaging with stakeholders to maintain this strong momentum. We thank all ...
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AB 450 Clears Committee: Nevada Assembly Next

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-31-2025
On March 31st, the Nevada Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor heard AB 450 . AAMFT staff presented testimony explaining the structure and benefits of our strategic portability model. At the same time, MFTs Ashia McReynolds and Dr. Domonique Rice provided moving personal testimony supporting the bill. We appreciate Ashia and Dr. Rice traveling to Las Vegas to testify in person. Their testimony gave the bill both professional weight and personal resonance, demonstrating the real-world impact of portability legislation. Following the hearing, AB 450 received strong committee support and was passed out of the Assembly Committee on April 2nd. We thank ...
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Arkansas HB 1187 Passes State Agencies and Governmental Affairs House Committee

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-31-2025
On March 31st, Arkansas House Bill 1187 was heard by the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. During the hearing, AAMFT staff were joined by MFTs Dr. Kelly Roberts and Dr. Becky Whetstone, who provided strong and persuasive testimony on the urgent need for licensure portability. Their testimonies highlighted the challenges professionals face in moving to Arkansas and how the lack of portability can hinder timely access to care. These real-world examples helped committee members fully understand the impact this bill could have on both MFTs and the public they serve. Thanks to the strength of their testimony and broad support for the measure, ...
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LB 257 Passes General File in Nebraska: Licensure Portability Nears Final Approval

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-18-2025
On March 18th, Nebraska’s LB 257 was placed on the General File, the first stage of legislative debate in the unicameral chamber. We are thrilled to report that the bill was successfully passed through this stage, a critical moment in the legislative journey. Passage from the General File means that the bill has passed its first-floor debate and now enters the final stretch of the legislative process. This success underscores the strong support for licensure portability. We’re grateful to the Nebraska legislators who supported the bill and to the Nebraska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, which has stayed engaged throughout the process. ...
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Access MFTs Bill Filed In Nevada

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-17-2025
On March 17th, Nevada took a significant step toward advancing licensure portability for MFTs with the introduction of Assembly Bill 450 . Sponsored by Assemblymember Elaine Marzola, the bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor for consideration. We are grateful to Assemblymember Marzola for championing this important legislation and for recognizing the value of removing barriers to practice across state lines. AAMFT will continue working with Nevada stakeholders and lawmakers to support the bill as it progresses. Please continue to check back in for updates as AB 450 progresses through the Nevada legislature.
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