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Kentucky 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.

Marriage and family therapy associate permit

Kentucky supervised-practice permit issued by the Board under KRS 335.332.

Licensing authority: Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Initial supervised practice associate permit
Board application
Submit the associate application, official transcript, supervision plan, fees, and personal-history disclosures.
Board exam timing
Marriage and family therapist associates are allowed to take the national Marital and Family Therapist exam at their own discretion.  Once an associate license has been issued, their name is submitted to the exam service making them eligible to sit for the exam.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Implementation context
The Board issues the associate permit before examination and qualifying supervised experience; the timing statement above is applicant guidance. The old 201 KAR 32:025 and 32:045 expired December 16, 2022 and are not treated as current regulations.
Statutory cross reference
KRS 335.300(3) and 335.332(1) refer to all KRS 335.330 requirements. This statutory wording retains the national examination in the requirement tree.
Supervision contract
Submit a written contract with an approved supervisor for Board approval before beginning practice; cease practice when the contract terminates unless an approved replacement is in place.
New associate permit after the Board five year limit
Board application
Submit the associate application, official transcript, supervision plan, fees, and personal-history disclosures.
Board exam timing
Marriage and family therapist associates are allowed to take the national Marital and Family Therapist exam at their own discretion.  Once an associate license has been issued, their name is submitted to the exam service making them eligible to sit for the exam.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Experience reset
The Board states supervision and clinical hours must restart and previous-permit hours cannot be used toward licensure.
Implementation context
The Board issues the associate permit before examination and qualifying supervised experience; the timing statement above is applicant guidance. The old 201 KAR 32:025 and 32:045 expired December 16, 2022 and are not treated as current regulations.
New permit
Option 1: Apply for a new associate permit. By doing this, you will start the 5-years again BUT you will have to start the supervision and clinical hours over. You will not be able to use hours from your previous permit toward licensure.
Statutory cross reference
KRS 335.300(3) and 335.332(1) refer to all KRS 335.330 requirements. This statutory wording retains the national examination in the requirement tree.
Supervision contract
Submit a written contract with an approved supervisor for Board approval before beginning practice; cease practice when the contract terminates unless an approved replacement is in place.
Annual associate permit renewal and late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Fifteen approved hours annually for a license, including three in professional marriage and family therapy ethics; ten hours annually for an associate permit, including three in ethics.
Permit term
The Board FAQ states a five-year associate limit and a 30-day late-renewal grace period. Maintain approved supervision and submit supervision documentation. These are current Board implementing statements; the former 201 KAR 32:025 is expired.
Renewal
Renew annually through eServices; submit fees and any required audit documentation.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-08-26.

Licensed marriage and family therapist

Kentucky independent marriage and family therapist license; inactive and retirement are statuses of this license.

Licensing authority: Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Reinstatement of an expired license within three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the license-reactivation or reinstatement application, renewal fee for each lapsed year, and $100 reinstatement fee.
Continuing education
Document 15 hours per inactive year, including applicable ethics and required suicide and domestic violence training.
Eligibility
Apply within three years of license expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-08-26.

Full licensure application after the associate permit limit
Application
Submit the Board application, required fees, personal-history disclosures, and supervisor verifications.
Board instructions
receive a code for the national exam from us. If the exam is passed during those 12 months, then you can inform the Board & your completed full licensure application will go on to Board review. Keep in mind, you are unable to practice until you are approved for full licensure.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Experience
Complete at least two post-master years of acceptable practice, 1,000 direct client-contact hours, and 200 clinical supervision hours. Under 201 KAR 32:035, at least 100 supervision hours are individual and at least 50 use raw data; no more than 100 are group supervision. Document experience, signed supervision logs, and Board-approved supervision.
Expired associate
The Board accepts a full-licensure application and holds it for 12 months for the national exam to be passed. Practice is prohibited until full licensure is approved.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.
Return from inactive to active licensure within three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Notify the Board in writing, pay the current renewal fee, and demonstrate continuing education compliance for every inactive year. Only licenses, not permits, may be reactivated.
Eligibility
Reactivate within three years of inactive-status approval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-02-27.

Annual continuation of inactive license status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Renew inactive status annually and meet continuing education; 201 KAR 32:081(1) relieves the annual renewal fee.
Status
Already hold an inactive LMFT license within its three-year limit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-02-27.

Placement of an existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Annual obligations
Continue annual continuing education and renew inactive status annually; the renewal fee is waived under 201 KAR 32:081(1).
Duration
Inactive status lasts no more than three years before forfeiture.
Eligibility
Hold an existing LMFT license; permits are not eligible for inactive status.
Request
Submit a written request or request through eServices at renewal; the Board decides the request.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-02-27.

Initial licensure by examination
Application
Submit the Board application, required fees, personal-history disclosures, and supervisor verifications.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Experience
Complete at least two post-master years of acceptable practice, 1,000 direct client-contact hours, and 200 clinical supervision hours. Under 201 KAR 32:035, at least 100 supervision hours are individual and at least 50 use raw data; no more than 100 are group supervision. Document experience, signed supervision logs, and Board-approved supervision.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.
Annual renewal and late renewal within the statutory grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Fifteen approved hours annually for a license, including three in professional marriage and family therapy ethics; ten hours annually for an associate permit, including three in ethics.
Grace period
A license has a 90-day late-renewal grace period, with the renewal and late fees.
Renewal
Renew annually through eServices; submit fees and any required audit documentation.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-08-26.

New licensure after inactive license forfeiture
Application
Submit the Board application, required fees, personal-history disclosures, and supervisor verifications.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Experience
Complete at least two post-master years of acceptable practice, 1,000 direct client-contact hours, and 200 clinical supervision hours. Under 201 KAR 32:035, at least 100 supervision hours are individual and at least 50 use raw data; no more than 100 are group supervision. Document experience, signed supervision logs, and Board-approved supervision.
Prior status
An inactive license not reactivated before the third anniversary is forfeited; file a new application, pay initial fees, and meet current initial-licensure requirements.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.
New licensure after termination beyond three years
Application
Submit the Board application, required fees, personal-history disclosures, and supervisor verifications.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Experience
Complete at least two post-master years of acceptable practice, 1,000 direct client-contact hours, and 200 clinical supervision hours. Under 201 KAR 32:035, at least 100 supervision hours are individual and at least 50 use raw data; no more than 100 are group supervision. Document experience, signed supervision logs, and Board-approved supervision.
Prior license
A former license not reinstated within three years cannot be renewed, restored, reissued or reinstated; apply anew under current initial-licensure requirements.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.
Licensure under a Board reciprocal agreement
Application
Submit the Board application, required fees, personal-history disclosures, and supervisor verifications.
Education
Complete the education prescribed by KRS 335.330(1): a qualifying marriage and family therapy graduate program or Board-defined equivalent, including psychopathology and DSM coursework. Equivalent-study core areas and permissible academic substitutions are in 201 KAR 32:020.
Examination timing
A previously passed currently offered AMFTRB examination remains a requirement leaf; the reciprocal-agreement authority does not itself waive KRS 335.330(3).
Existing license
Hold an out-of-state marriage and family therapy license; eligibility depends on a Board reciprocal agreement under KRS 335.325(7), with qualifications and requirements meeting or exceeding Kentucky law. The authorization does not establish that an agreement exists with a particular jurisdiction.
Experience
Complete at least two post-master years of acceptable practice, 1,000 direct client-contact hours, and 200 clinical supervision hours. Under 201 KAR 32:035, at least 100 supervision hours are individual and at least 50 use raw data; no more than 100 are group supervision. Document experience, signed supervision logs, and Board-approved supervision.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.
Retirement of an existing license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Effect
The Board FAQ states retirement takes effect immediately regardless of the license expiration date. This is a status of the existing license.
Eligibility
Hold an existing LMFT license and request retirement through eServices during renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2010-07-15.

Reinstatement of a license revoked by disciplinary action
Application
Submit the reinstatement application and initial licensure and examination fees.
Board discretion
A hearing determines whether reinstatement threatens public safety, health or welfare; the Board may grant or refuse reinstatement.
Board faq statement
E. What is the procedure to reinstate my expired license due to the result of a disciplinary action? Reinstatement may be requested by completing the “License Reinstatement Application”, the reinstatement fee of $100 plus the annual renewal fee of $150 for each year since the date your license expired, and evidence that you have completed the CEU requirements. 201 KAR 32:101 Section 2
Continuing education
Provide 15 hours of continuing education for every year since revocation.
Examination
Take and pass the licensure examination under 201 KAR 32:101 Section 2(1)(d).
Waiting period
Apply no earlier than five years after revocation under KRS 335.360.
Reinstatement of a license voluntarily surrendered as if revoked
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reinstatement form, initial licensure fee, and $50 reinstatement fee; notify the Board in writing that agreed-order requirements are fulfilled and request a hearing.
Board discretion
Request a hearing to determine whether issuance would no longer threaten public safety and welfare. The governing rule sets these conditions without the examination demanded for a license revoked by disciplinary action.
Continuing education
Comply with annual continuing education during the surrendered period.
Eligibility
A license voluntarily surrendered in settlement of a Board disciplinary action.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2000-09-11.

Renewal of a suspended license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Fifteen approved hours annually for a license, including three in professional marriage and family therapy ethics; ten hours annually for an associate permit, including three in ethics.
Practice
Renewal does not restore practice rights. Suspension must end or be removed and practice rights restored by the Board.
Renewal
Renew annually through eServices; submit fees and any required audit documentation.
Training
Complete six hours of suicide assessment, treatment and management training every six years, and three hours of domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation training within three years of initial licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2021-08-26.

Restoration of practice after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board action
Practice resumes only after the Board restores the right to practice, subject to applicable disciplinary-order conditions.
Eligibility
Maintain the license through renewal; suspension has ended or is otherwise removed by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 1999-01-01.

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