Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Requirements by State

Marriage and Family Therapist is regulated across 51 states, with 51 of 51 (100%) requiring a passing exam score and 51 (100%) requiring a criminal background check before issuing a license. The training burden varies dramatically: California mandates 3,486 education hours, while New Hampshire requires just 2,500 — a 1× spread across the same profession.

Initial licensing fees range from $75 in New Hampshire to $297 in California — a $222 spread for the same credential. The average first-time fee is $178. This means the state where you apply can cost you a meaningful premium over the cheapest jurisdiction for identical practice rights.

Continuing education is the ongoing burden most applicants overlook: 51 of 51 states require CE, averaging 36 hours per renewal cycle. Reciprocity and interstate compacts can shortcut the process for license-holders moving between states, but reciprocity rules vary state-to-state and typically still require a fee, a background check, and proof of good standing. The state-by-state table below shows the specific fee, exam, education, and reciprocity terms so you can compare before committing to an application.