2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Marriage and Family Therapist License Requirements

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

Specializes in treating relationship and family issues.

What the Minnesota data shows for Marriage and Family Therapists

Minnesota sets the entry bar for marriage and family therapists at 2,851 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 Minnesota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Budget $154 to get started, plus $136 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 36 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, marriage and family therapists should know: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Marriage and Family Therapist · Minnesota

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
2,851 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$154
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$68/yr
$136 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
2,851 hours
Exam Requirement
MFT National Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$154
Renewal Fee
$136
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
36 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the license path calls for 2851 education/training hours, a passing score on MFT National Examination, and a $154 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses marriage and family therapists who complete its requirements (2851 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Marriage and Family Therapist license to Minnesota 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 Minnesota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Marriage and Family Therapist licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for marriage and family therapist licensing in Minnesota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota?
Minnesota ties continued marriage and family therapist licensure to 36 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $136 renewal fee.

What to do with this marriage and family therapist license

Marriage and Family Therapist in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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.