Marriage and Family Therapist / New York
2026 data New York board official source

New York Marriage and Family Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Specializes in treating relationship and family issues.

What the New York data shows for Marriage and Family Therapists

New York sets the entry bar for marriage and family therapists at 3,089 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 New York's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters or Doctoral Degree".

Upfront cost is $208, with renewal running $178 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
21/100
Marriage and Family Therapist · New York

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
3,089 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$208
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$89/yr
$178 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 New York

Education / Training Hours
Masters or Doctoral Degree
3,089 hours
Exam Requirement
MFT National Examination
Required
Initial License Fee
$208
Renewal Fee
$178
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 New York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Marriage and Family Therapist in New York? ▼
In New York, the license path calls for 3089 education/training hours, a passing score on MFT National Examination, and a $208 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Marriage and Family Therapist in New York? ▼
New York licenses marriage and family therapists who complete its requirements (3089 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New York licensing board.
Can I transfer my Marriage and Family Therapist license to New York 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 New York licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New York require a background check for Marriage and Family Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the marriage and family therapist licensing process in New York. 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 New York? ▼
Licensed marriage and family therapists in New York must complete 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $178.

Related Guides

What to do with this marriage and family therapist license

Marriage and Family Therapist in New York, 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 New York 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.