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

Michigan Marriage and Family Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Specializes in treating relationship and family issues.

What the Michigan data shows for Marriage and Family Therapists

Michigan's path to marriage and family therapist licensure runs through 2,973 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on MFT National Examination, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Michigan folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Budget $181 to get started, plus $158 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 36 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
23/100
Marriage and Family Therapist · Michigan

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
2,973 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$181
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$79/yr
$158 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 Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
2,973 hours
Exam Requirement
MFT National Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$181
Renewal Fee
$158
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 Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Marriage and Family Therapist in Michigan? ▼
Michigan requires 2973 education/training hours, passing an exam (MFT National Examination), and an initial fee of $181. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Michigan? ▼
To become a licensed marriage and family therapist in Michigan, you must meet the state's requirements including 2973 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Michigan licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Marriage and Family Therapist license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for marriage and family therapists: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Michigan licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Michigan require a background check for Marriage and Family Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the marriage and family therapist licensing process in Michigan. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist in Michigan? ▼
Licensed marriage and family therapists in Michigan must complete 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $158.

Related Guides

What to do with this marriage and family therapist license

Marriage and Family Therapist in Michigan, 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 Michigan 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.