Marriage and Family Therapist / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota 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 North Dakota data shows for Marriage and Family Therapists

Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in North Dakota means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,608 training hours, a passing score on MFT National Examination, and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. North Dakota regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Upfront cost is $99, with renewal running $94 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
34/100
Marriage and Family Therapist · North Dakota

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
2,608 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$99
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$47/yr
$94 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
2,608 hours
Exam Requirement
MFT National Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$99
Renewal Fee
$94
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Marriage and Family Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
In North Dakota, the license path calls for 2608 education/training hours, a passing score on MFT National Examination, and a $99 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota licenses marriage and family therapists who complete its requirements (2608 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Dakota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Marriage and Family Therapist license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
For marriage and family therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: MFT Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the North Dakota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does North Dakota require a background check for Marriage and Family Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, North Dakota 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 North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota ties continued marriage and family therapist licensure to 36 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $94 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this marriage and family therapist license

Marriage and Family Therapist in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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.