Marriage and Family Therapist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Marriage and Family Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Specializes in treating relationship and family issues.

What the Illinois data shows for Marriage and Family Therapists

Illinois sets the entry bar for marriage and family therapists at 3,419 training hours and a passing score on MFT National Examination, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Budget $282 to get started, plus $236 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 36-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For marriage and family therapists, the reciprocity picture is: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
17/100
Marriage and Family Therapist · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,419 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$282
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$118/yr
$236 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
18.0 hrs/yr
36 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,419 hours
Exam Requirement
MFT National Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$282
Renewal Fee
$236
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Marriage and Family Therapist All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover 3419 hours of education or training, the MFT National Examination exam, and an initial fee of $282. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed marriage and family therapist in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements including 3419 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Marriage and Family Therapist license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for marriage and family therapists nationally works like this: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Illinois. Verify the specifics with the Illinois licensing board.
Does Illinois require a background check for Marriage and Family Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Illinois requires a criminal background check as part of the marriage and family therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued marriage and family therapist licensure to 36 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $236 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this marriage and family therapist license

Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a marriage and family therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.