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Kansas Marriage & Family Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Community-Based Marriage and Family Therapist License

Supervised interim authorization restricted to qualifying facility employment; ordinary MFT examination is pending.

Licensing authority: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board · Application information

Community based interim licensure
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Duration
Ordinary-license decision or 24 months, absent approved extenuating circumstances; no renewal or repeated issuance at the same level; cannot receive both traditional temporary and community-based licenses.
Eligibility
All ordinary requirements except examination passage; employment by a community mental health center, federally qualified health center, psychiatric residential treatment facility or private treatment facility as statutorily defined.
Practice
Practice only in the qualifying employment scope under BSRB independent-level supervision; LMFT title may be used under this statute.

Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist

Independent clinical marriage and family therapy license, including diagnosis and treatment. Clinical competence may be demonstrated through applicant-specific alternatives on reciprocity and transition routes.

Licensing authority: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board · Application information

Full reinstatement after completing CE during temporary restoration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Completion
Complete CE and notify the Board before temporary-license expiry; pay applicable reinstatement fee.
Prior Authorization
Hold the six-month reinstatement temporary license following expiration longer than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of expired license: one year or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written reinstatement application, current CE documentation for 40 hours in prior 24 months, including 3 ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours, background disclosures.
Expired Period
License expired one year or less.
Fee
Statute controls: renewal fee plus an additional equal renewal fee when expired one year or less; only renewal fee for longer expiration. The Board form lists LMFT $200 and LCMFT $250 without that distinction; verify the amount requested by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of expired license: over one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written reinstatement application, current CE documentation for 40 hours in prior 24 months, including 3 ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours, background disclosures.
Expired Period
License expired longer than one year.
Fee
Statute controls: renewal fee plus an additional equal renewal fee when expired one year or less; only renewal fee for longer expiration. The Board form lists LMFT $200 and LCMFT $250 without that distinction; verify the amount requested by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial or LMFT to clinical licensure by examination
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Application
Completed Board application, $50 application fee unless legally exempt, official transcripts sent directly by the academic institution, applicable academic/practicum review and license verification forms; original license fee payable when approved.
Clinical Education
15 credit hours in diagnosis/treatment, psychopathology, diagnostic assessment, interdisciplinary referral/collaboration, treatment approaches and ethics; clinical practicum with at least 300 direct-client-contact hours or Board-determined supplementation.
Education
Board-approved master's or doctoral MFT degree; or a related degree with equivalent coursework, including 9 semester hours each in human development, marriage/family functioning and marital/family assessment and therapy, 3 in professional studies and 3 in research; qualifying practicum includes 300 direct-client-contact hours or approved postgraduate supplementation.
Examination Timing
The national examination may have been passed before application; the Board FAQ says results may be used indefinitely. Prior passage remains an examination leaf. Board approval is required before registering to sit.
Examination Waiver
The earlier official K.A.R. 102-5-5(c) permits waiver for a standardized written examination the Board deems substantially equivalent, passed at or above its criterion-referenced cutoff. The unspecified alternative is an applicant condition.
Historical Education Exceptions
K.S.A. 65-6404(b)(1)(E) and (F) preserve qualifying education/temporary-permit exceptions for historical applicants. These are applicant conditions, not discontinued examination leaves.
Jurisprudence
The Board FAQ explicitly states: "No. At this time Kansas does not require applicants to pass a Jurisprudence examination."
License Qualification
Already hold an LMFT license or meet all LMFT licensure requirements; existing LMFT applicants submit supervisor attestations and need not resubmit records already held by the Board.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years of age under K.S.A. 65-6404(a)(1); the Board summary says over 21.
Passing Standard
The clinical threshold is the criterion-referenced pass point established by the examination service; a prior LMFT-level score below that threshold does not satisfy it.
Postgraduate Experience
At least two years and 3,000 hours under a Board-approved clinical supervision plan, including 1,500 direct-client-contact hours and 100 supervision hours, at least 50 individual; doctorate applicants may receive the statutory one-half waiver and complete the remaining hours over at least one year.
Public Trust
Satisfy the Board of merit of public trust; three professional references, including the practicum supervisor or permissible replacement; disclose required convictions and other fitness matters.
Alternate recognition based on private certification and work
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Private Certification
Current valid private occupational certification in good standing, at least two years occupational work, and work in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure or government certification; meet subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conversion after alternate recognition probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Conversion
Upon completion of a probationary period no longer than six months, the license becomes non-probationary; no further examination is specified by this conversion provision.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Prior Credential
Hold the corresponding probationary credential.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Clinical reciprocity: Substantially equivalent standards.
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Clinical Competence
Demonstrate at least two of three Board-acceptable areas: (1) required graduate clinical coursework OR passing an approved national clinical examination; (2) three years of clinical practice diagnosing/treating mental disorders; (3) attestation by an independent mental-health practitioner or physician. The national examination is a leaf because it is currently offered and involved as an accepted alternative; coursework, experience and attestations remain applicant conditions.
Clinical Documentation
Coursework alternative: 15 graduate clinical hours, including a discrete 3-hour psychopathology course; clinical-practice attestation covers at least 8 client-contact hours per week during 9 months in each of 3 years, or qualifying independent practice; provide Board forms and score verification when using the exam.
Credential Held
Current valid MFT registration, certification or license in another jurisdiction; send licensing-agency verification directly to BSRB.
Documentation
Completed reciprocity application, degree verification (or official transcript when not verified by licensing agency), required professional-history and conviction disclosures, fees unless exempt.
Eligibility
Substantially equivalent standards.
Expedited Processing
For qualifying military or Kansas-residency applicants meeting the profession's reciprocity requirements, K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(1) requires issuance within 15 days for military applicants/spouses or 45 days for other applicants after a complete application. This changes processing, not examinations.
Older Board FAQ
LMFT FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a marriage and family therapist for the last 4 years"; clinical FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a clinical marriage and family therapist for the last 5 years". These lower-ranked demands do not replace the statute's twelve-month rule.
Statutory Priority
K.S.A. 65-6406 controls. The older regulation and Board FAQ state longer practice histories (four/five years); the statute and current reciprocity application establish the twelve-month alternative.
Clinical reciprocity: Similar scope credential for at least twelve months, approved graduate degree and absence of serious discipline.
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Clinical Competence
Demonstrate at least two of three Board-acceptable areas: (1) required graduate clinical coursework OR passing an approved national clinical examination; (2) three years of clinical practice diagnosing/treating mental disorders; (3) attestation by an independent mental-health practitioner or physician. The national examination is a leaf because it is currently offered and involved as an accepted alternative; coursework, experience and attestations remain applicant conditions.
Clinical Documentation
Coursework alternative: 15 graduate clinical hours, including a discrete 3-hour psychopathology course; clinical-practice attestation covers at least 8 client-contact hours per week during 9 months in each of 3 years, or qualifying independent practice; provide Board forms and score verification when using the exam.
Credential Held
Current valid MFT registration, certification or license in another jurisdiction; send licensing-agency verification directly to BSRB.
Documentation
Completed reciprocity application, degree verification (or official transcript when not verified by licensing agency), required professional-history and conviction disclosures, fees unless exempt.
Eligibility
Similar-scope credential for at least twelve months, approved graduate degree and absence of serious discipline.
Expedited Processing
For qualifying military or Kansas-residency applicants meeting the profession's reciprocity requirements, K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(1) requires issuance within 15 days for military applicants/spouses or 45 days for other applicants after a complete application. This changes processing, not examinations.
Older Board FAQ
LMFT FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a marriage and family therapist for the last 4 years"; clinical FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a clinical marriage and family therapist for the last 5 years". These lower-ranked demands do not replace the statute's twelve-month rule.
Statutory Priority
K.S.A. 65-6406 controls. The older regulation and Board FAQ state longer practice histories (four/five years); the statute and current reciprocity application establish the twelve-month alternative.
Biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renewal application, CE report, disclosures and renewal fee; military-spouse fee exemption as applicable.
Ce Extension
Under K.S.A. 65-6407(c), apply at least 30 days before expiry with extenuating circumstances and completion plan; up to 3 additional months to finish CE while renewing on time; additional hours count only for that cycle and relief cannot be consecutive.
Continuing Education
40 qualifying CE hours in the prior 24 months, including 3 professional-ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours after July 1, 2025; clinical supervisors include 3 supervision hours, at least 1 ethics-in-supervision hour.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Transition for historical Kansas marriage and family therapist licensees
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Competence
Application, fees, applicable CE and competence through at least two areas: graduate clinical coursework OR approved national clinical examination; three years of qualifying clinical practice; independent clinician/physician attestation.
Examination Alternative
The currently offered AMFTRB examination remains a leaf even though the applicant may choose coursework and other competence evidence.
Historical License
Kansas license/registration before the act's effective date and active practice within the preceding five-year period, with last credential neither suspended nor revoked; the Board notice specifies licensure on or before July 1, 2000.
Alternate recognition based on work in an unregulated occupation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Work Experience
Worked at least three of the four immediately preceding years in a jurisdiction that does not use occupational licensure, registration, certification or private certification to regulate the occupation; meet subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Ordinary supervised marriage and family therapy license. Initial issuance, reciprocity, alternate recognition, renewal and reinstatement pathways are distinguished. Clinical supervisor approval is a supplemental Board approval, not a separate license; student and other-profession exemptions in K.S.A. 65-6409 are not therapist credentials.

Licensing authority: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board · Application information

Full reinstatement after completing CE during temporary restoration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Completion
Complete CE and notify the Board before temporary-license expiry; pay applicable reinstatement fee.
Prior Authorization
Hold the six-month reinstatement temporary license following expiration longer than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of expired license: one year or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written reinstatement application, current CE documentation for 40 hours in prior 24 months, including 3 ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours, background disclosures.
Expired Period
License expired one year or less.
Fee
Statute controls: renewal fee plus an additional equal renewal fee when expired one year or less; only renewal fee for longer expiration. The Board form lists LMFT $200 and LCMFT $250 without that distinction; verify the amount requested by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement of expired license: over one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Written reinstatement application, current CE documentation for 40 hours in prior 24 months, including 3 ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours, background disclosures.
Expired Period
License expired longer than one year.
Fee
Statute controls: renewal fee plus an additional equal renewal fee when expired one year or less; only renewal fee for longer expiration. The Board form lists LMFT $200 and LCMFT $250 without that distinction; verify the amount requested by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Application
Completed Board application, $50 application fee unless legally exempt, official transcripts sent directly by the academic institution, applicable academic/practicum review and license verification forms; original license fee payable when approved.
Education
Board-approved master's or doctoral MFT degree; or a related degree with equivalent coursework, including 9 semester hours each in human development, marriage/family functioning and marital/family assessment and therapy, 3 in professional studies and 3 in research; qualifying practicum includes 300 direct-client-contact hours or approved postgraduate supplementation.
Examination Timing
The national examination may have been passed before application; the Board FAQ says results may be used indefinitely. Prior passage remains an examination leaf. Board approval is required before registering to sit.
Examination Waiver
The earlier official K.A.R. 102-5-5(c) permits waiver for a standardized written examination the Board deems substantially equivalent, passed at or above its criterion-referenced cutoff. The unspecified alternative is an applicant condition.
Jurisprudence
The Board FAQ explicitly states: "No. At this time Kansas does not require applicants to pass a Jurisprudence examination."
Minimum Age
At least 21 years of age under K.S.A. 65-6404(a)(1); the Board summary says over 21.
Passing Standard
The LMFT threshold is 12 points below the criterion-referenced pass point; this is a Kansas licensing threshold for the same national examination, not a separate examination or version.
Public Trust
Satisfy the Board of merit of public trust; three professional references, including the practicum supervisor or permissible replacement; disclose required convictions and other fitness matters.
Alternate recognition based on private certification and work
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Private Certification
Current valid private occupational certification in good standing, at least two years occupational work, and work in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure or government certification; meet subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Conversion after alternate recognition probation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Conversion
Upon completion of a probationary period no longer than six months, the license becomes non-probationary; no further examination is specified by this conversion provision.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Prior Credential
Hold the corresponding probationary credential.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocity based on substantially equivalent licensing standards
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Credential Held
Current valid MFT registration, certification or license in another jurisdiction; send licensing-agency verification directly to BSRB.
Documentation
Completed reciprocity application, degree verification (or official transcript when not verified by licensing agency), required professional-history and conviction disclosures, fees unless exempt.
Eligibility
The Board determines the other jurisdiction's standards substantially equivalent to the Kansas act and rules.
Expedited Processing
For qualifying military or Kansas-residency applicants meeting the profession's reciprocity requirements, K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(1) requires issuance within 15 days for military applicants/spouses or 45 days for other applicants after a complete application. This changes processing, not examinations.
Older Board FAQ
LMFT FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a marriage and family therapist for the last 4 years"; clinical FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a clinical marriage and family therapist for the last 5 years". These lower-ranked demands do not replace the statute's twelve-month rule.
Prior Examination
AMFTRB passage may precede application; equivalent examination or waiver accepted by the Board is a condition, and no new sitting is asserted.
Statutory Priority
K.S.A. 65-6406 controls. The older regulation and Board FAQ state longer practice histories (four/five years); the statute and current reciprocity application establish the twelve-month alternative.
Reciprocity based on similar scope licensure and twelve month history
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Credential Held
Current valid MFT registration, certification or license in another jurisdiction; send licensing-agency verification directly to BSRB.
Documentation
Completed reciprocity application, degree verification (or official transcript when not verified by licensing agency), required professional-history and conviction disclosures, fees unless exempt.
Eligibility
Similar-scope MFT credential for at least twelve months immediately before application; no serious disciplinary actions; approved master's MFT or related degree from a regionally accredited university.
Expedited Processing
For qualifying military or Kansas-residency applicants meeting the profession's reciprocity requirements, K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(1) requires issuance within 15 days for military applicants/spouses or 45 days for other applicants after a complete application. This changes processing, not examinations.
Older Board FAQ
LMFT FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a marriage and family therapist for the last 4 years"; clinical FAQ states: "Continuous licensure and practice as a clinical marriage and family therapist for the last 5 years". These lower-ranked demands do not replace the statute's twelve-month rule.
Statutory Priority
K.S.A. 65-6406 controls. The older regulation and Board FAQ state longer practice histories (four/five years); the statute and current reciprocity application establish the twelve-month alternative.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renewal application, CE report, disclosures and renewal fee; military-spouse fee exemption as applicable.
Ce Extension
Under K.S.A. 65-6407(c), apply at least 30 days before expiry with extenuating circumstances and completion plan; up to 3 additional months to finish CE while renewing on time; additional hours count only for that cycle and relief cannot be consecutive.
Continuing Education
40 qualifying CE hours in the prior 24 months, including 3 professional-ethics and 3 diagnosis/treatment hours after July 1, 2025; clinical supervisors include 3 supervision hours, at least 1 ethics-in-supervision hour.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Alternate recognition based on work in an unregulated occupation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicability
These are conditional statutory pathways. No claim is made that a particular applicant or another state satisfies them.
Applicant Status
Military servicemember/spouse residing or planning to reside due to assigned military station, or other applicant established/intending Kansas residency; under subsection (k), the Board may also grant these authorizations to a qualifying applicant separated under less than honorable conditions or with a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Fees
Parallel K.S.A. 48-3406a(u) exempts military spouses of military servicemembers from credential and renewal fees; K.S.A. 48-3406(u) states active servicemembers. This broader parallel provision is retained as an applicant condition; the statutes agree on examination scope.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying misconduct, disciplinary action, unresolved proceeding or disqualifying criminal record; financial/bond/insurance proof only if similarly required; required fees and signed truthfulness affidavit.
Practice Scope
Kansas law continues to define the authorized practice scope; the Board may deny a grant that would jeopardize public health or safety.
Work Experience
Worked at least three of the four immediately preceding years in a jurisdiction that does not use occupational licensure, registration, certification or private certification to regulate the occupation; meet subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Marriage and Family Therapy License

Interim supervised MFT authorization while awaiting the national examination. The statute names the temporary marriage and family therapy license; a clinical application mentioning a temporary license does not create a separate independent clinical temporary-license identity.

Licensing authority: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board · Application information

Temporary licensure with approved postgraduate practicum supplementation
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Duration
Expires when the Board issues or denies the ordinary license or after 24 months, absent Board-approved extenuating circumstances; no renewal or repeat issuance for the same level; no successive community-based/temporary license.
Earlier Rule Demand
The official 2022 edition of K.A.R. 102-5-4a(e) states a twelve-month term and a six-month examination-attempt requirement, subject to extenuating-circumstances relief. Its wording includes "months if the applicant has not taken the exam-". The current K.S.A. 65-6405 sets the twenty-four-month expiration rule, and current Board instructions also state twenty-four months; the statute controls. The older rule demand is retained here as an applicant condition because the current rule endpoint could not be obtained.
Exam Timing
The national examination is involved although not passed before interim issuance; the eventual ordinary license requires the applicable passing standard.
Practice
Supervision by a BSRB independent-level licensee; title must identify temporary licensure.
Practicum
The 300-hour graduate practicum is incomplete and the Board approves 300 hours of other postgraduate experience; all other statutory requirements apply.
Prerequisites
Meet statutory age, education, public-trust and application-fee requirements; Board-approved application and temporary fee, official degree-posted transcript; examination passage remains pending.
Temporary licensure while awaiting examination
AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination
Duration
Expires when the Board issues or denies the ordinary license or after 24 months, absent Board-approved extenuating circumstances; no renewal or repeat issuance for the same level; no successive community-based/temporary license.
Earlier Rule Demand
The official 2022 edition of K.A.R. 102-5-4a(e) states a twelve-month term and a six-month examination-attempt requirement, subject to extenuating-circumstances relief. Its wording includes "months if the applicant has not taken the exam-". The current K.S.A. 65-6405 sets the twenty-four-month expiration rule, and current Board instructions also state twenty-four months; the statute controls. The older rule demand is retained here as an applicant condition because the current rule endpoint could not be obtained.
Exam Timing
The national examination is involved although not passed before interim issuance; the eventual ordinary license requires the applicable passing standard.
Practice
Supervision by a BSRB independent-level licensee; title must identify temporary licensure.
Prerequisites
Meet statutory age, education, public-trust and application-fee requirements; Board-approved application and temporary fee, official degree-posted transcript; examination passage remains pending.

AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination

Provider
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB); administered for AMFTRB by Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) at Prometric computer-based testing centers
Format
Computer-based examination of objective multiple-choice questions, each with four alternative answers of which only one is correct; given during a one-week testing window every month; scores on the six domains and the total examination are reported after the window closes
Exam questions
180 multiple-choice items
Time limit
4 hours total testing time
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing score set on an anchor examination by a modified Angoff method and adjusted across forms by equating; the reported score equals the total number of correct responses
Exam fee
US $370.00 examination fee (includes testing center fees)
Examination outline
  • Domain 01 — The Practice of Systemic Therapy — Tasks related to incorporating systemic theory and perspectives into practice activities, and establishing and maintaining ongoing therapeutic relationships with the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 01.01 Conceptualize therapy consistent with the philosophical perspectives of systemic theory.
    • 01.02 Maintain consistency between systemic theory and clinical practice.
    • 01.03 Integrate individual treatment approaches with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.04 Integrate multiple dimensions of diversity and social justice theories with systemic treatment approaches.
    • 01.05 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space.
    • 01.06 Use a systemic perspective to co-create a therapeutic relationship with the client system.
    • 01.07 Use a systemic perspective to understand the complexities inherent in therapeutic interactions (e.g., family homeostasis, self of the therapist).
  • Domain 02 — Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing — Tasks related to assessing and conceptualizing the various dimensions of the client system inclusive of diverse cultural contexts, including forming and reformulating systemic hypotheses and diagnosing the client system to guide therapeutic activities and interventions, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 02.01 Assess the client system’s verbal and non-verbal communication styles to develop hypotheses about relationship patterns, perceptions, and responses to the reciprocal influence of relational patterns and the presenting issues.
    • 02.02 Assess the mental status of clients.
    • 02.03 Assess historic and current self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation and intent, and/or homicidal ideation and intent.
    • 02.04 Identify and assess behavioral dynamics, processes, and interactional patterns (e.g., boundaries, roles, rules, alliances, coalitions, and hierarchies) within the client system to determine systemic functioning.
    • 02.05 Formulate and continually assess hypotheses regarding the client system that consider and incorporate diverse contexts.
    • 02.06 Assess appropriateness of potential treatment and therapeutic delivery modalities for the client system.
    • 02.07 Assess environmental factors (e.g., discrimination, gang violence, migration) affecting the client system.
    • 02.08 Assess the client system’s levels of economic, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive functioning.
    • 02.09 Assess historic and current effects of substance use disorders on the functioning of the client system.
    • 02.10 Assess historic and current effects of violence or trauma, including vicarious trauma, on the client system.
    • 02.11 Assess historic and current effects of childhood experiences and traumas on the client system.
    • 02.12 Assess historic and current effects of impact of process use disorders (e.g., gambling, internet use, technology use, shopping) on functioning of the client system.
    • 02.13 Assess historic and current effects of sexual functioning on the client system.
    • 02.14 Assess how the developmental and family life cycle stages of the client system impact problem formation, maintenance, and resolution.
    • 02.15 Assess strengths, resources, coping skills, and resilience within and available to the client system.
    • 02.16 Select, administer, review, and/or interpret results of standardized instruments within the therapist’s training, competence, and scope of practice.
    • 02.17 Assess and diagnose clients in accordance with current DSM and ICD diagnostic criteria while maintaining a systems perspective.
    • 02.18 Formulate treatment hypotheses that integrate systemic perspectives, assessment inventories, and diagnostic impressions.
    • 02.19 Assess effects of occupational issues on the client system (e.g., military personnel, workers in geographically dispersed locations, first responders).
    • 02.20 Collaborate with the client system to determine need for evaluation by other professional and community systems.
    • 02.21 Collaborate with professional and community systems as appropriate in making diagnoses and establishing treatment priorities.
    • 02.22 Collaborate with the client system to refer as appropriate based on diagnoses and treatment priorities.
  • Domain 03 — Designing and Conducting Treatment — Tasks related to developing and implementing a course of culturally responsive treatment with the client system, including identifying possible therapeutic models, implementing associated interventions, and treatment planning, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (17%; 30 items) (17%)
    • 03.01 Evaluate and maintain a quality therapeutic alliance with the client system.
    • 03.02 Establish therapeutic contracts.
    • 03.03 Utilize assessment information to develop a treatment plan that reflects a contextual understanding of the presenting issue.
    • 03.04 Determine relevant short-term goals, long-term goals and objectives for treatment, as well as criteria for successful completion of treatment.
    • 03.05 Identify the client system’s previous and current attempts to resolve the presenting issues.
    • 03.06 Identify members of client and collateral systems involved in resolving issues.
    • 03.07 Develop and monitor ongoing safety plan to address identified safety risks for the client in all therapeutic delivery contexts.
    • 03.08 Engage in therapeutic interventions based on theory and current research and a shared contextual understanding of the client system and presenting issues.
    • 03.09 Clarify with the client system the rationale for selecting therapeutic interventions as appropriate.
    • 03.10 Collaborate with the client system to determine sequence of treatment and identify which members will be involved.
    • 03.11 Develop and monitor recovery-oriented systemic care for treatment of substance use disorders.
    • 03.12 Use genograms and/or family mapping as therapeutic interventions as indicated.
    • 03.13 Facilitate client system change through restructuring and reorganization.
    • 03.14 Collaborate with the client system to identify and explore competing priorities of client issues to be addressed in treatment.
    • 03.15 Assist the client system in developing decision-making, coping, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in their relational contexts.
    • 03.16 Attend to the homeostatic process and its impact on the client system’s ability to attain therapeutic goals.
    • 03.17 Assist the client system in developing alternative perspectives of the presenting issues to facilitate solutions.
    • 03.18 Influence client behavior and perceptions through use of metaphor, rewriting narratives, mindfulness, etc.
    • 03.19 Integrate cultural, spiritual, social, intellectual, and biological characteristics and strengths of the client system when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.20 Recognize and support client autonomy when devising effective treatment strategies.
    • 03.21 Maintain awareness of common side effects of medications, monitor client system for these within the boundaries of professional competence, and coordinate care with any relevant prescribers.
    • 03.22 Adapt therapeutic stance and interventions to accommodate the process and structure of all therapeutic delivery modalities.
  • Domain 04 — Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment — Tasks related to continuously evaluating the therapeutic process, incorporating feedback into the course of treatment, and planning for termination, inclusive of different cultural contexts and use of artificial intelligence (AI) as appropriate. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 04.01 Use theory and current research in the ongoing evaluation of process, outcomes, and termination.
    • 04.02 Evaluate the progress of therapy in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.03 Modify treatment plan in collaboration with client and collateral systems as indicated.
    • 04.04 Continually evaluate client system appropriateness for all therapeutic delivery modalities.
    • 04.05 Develop a termination plan in collaboration with the client and collateral systems to maintain therapeutic gains after treatment has ended.
    • 04.06 Terminate therapeutic relationship in a professional and culturally responsive manner.
  • Domain 05 — Managing Crisis Situations — Tasks related to assessing and managing emergency situations, inclusive of different cultural contexts, and intervening when clinically indicated and/or legally mandated. (16%; 29 items) (16%)
    • 05.01 Assess impairment in the client system during crisis situations to determine if and what immediate interventions may be needed.
    • 05.02 Assess for presence of suicidal ideation and determine the level of intervention.
    • 05.03 Assess for risk of violence toward the client from others to determine the need for intervention.
    • 05.04 Assess the client’s potential for self-injurious behavior to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.05 Assess the client’s potential for violence or harm toward others, including the therapist, to determine level of intervention.
    • 05.06 Assess risk of violence toward therapist from sources outside of the client system and develop a safety plan.
    • 05.07 Assess impact of community-level crisis on client system and develop interventions as they pertain to that crisis.
    • 05.08 Assess the impact of client system’s trauma history and other relevant contextual factors on current crisis.
    • 05.09 Collaborate with other relevant stakeholders in managing client system’s crisis.
    • 05.10 Respond to emerging crisis as appropriate to the therapeutic delivery modality and use relevant crisis resources.
  • Domain 06 — Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards — Tasks related to ongoing adherence to legal and ethical codes and treatment agreements, maintaining culturally responsive competency, upholding professional standards, and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice. (19%; 34 items) (19%)
    • 06.01 Demonstrate professional responsibility and competence regarding legal issues and regulations across therapeutic delivery modalities, including use of artificial intelligence (AI).
    • 06.02 Compare agency and employment policies with relevant ethics code, statutes, case law, and regulations and privilege the higher standard.
    • 06.03 Integrate current ethical codes of licensing boards, relevant professional organizations, and associations into appropriate professional practice.
    • 06.04 Adhere to relevant business laws related to clinical practice (e.g., Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, etc.)
    • 06.05 Practice within therapist’s scope of competence.
    • 06.06 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the therapist’s personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma impact the therapeutic process.
    • 06.07 Maintain awareness of and effectively manage how the supervisors’ personal issues, life experiences, values and morals, and previous trauma influence the supervisory process
    • 06.08 Adhere to treatment agreements with client systems and respect the rights of clients.
    • 06.09 Provide the client system with written professional disclosures regarding fees, credentials, reporting complaints, confidentiality, privileged communication, and providing technologically assisted services, including use of artificial intelligence (AI), etc.
    • 06.10 Confirm the client system’s identities, locations, and safety levels at the beginning of each teletherapy session.
    • 06.11 Monitor and mitigate risk for potential exploitation of the client system by the therapist.
    • 06.12 Consult with colleagues and other professionals as necessary regarding ethical and legal issues, and document these consultations.
    • 06.13 Respect the roles and responsibilities of other professionals involved in the client system’s treatment process as they relate to ethical and legal issues.
    • 06.14 Maintain accurate and timely records including long-term safe and confidential storage and plan record transfer and/or disposal within timeframes specified by current statutes.
    • 06.15 Adhere to ethical and regulatory guidelines for engaging in the supervisor-supervisee relationship across modalities.
Examination sources