Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)-Applicants

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is a therapist who, by education and experience, is a person trained in the appraisal and treatment of cognitive, affective, or behavioral mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage and family systems through the application of therapeutic and family systems theories and techniques. Supervised post-graduate degree experience is a prerequisite for licensure. You can apply to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by Examination or by Endorsement.

It is strongly recommended that you review the Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy and the LMFT Licensure Process Handbook before submitting an application.

Which Application Should I Choose?

Professional Status >>>	Education >>>	Supervised Experience Hours >>>	Examination >>>	Action >>>	Application(s) to Submit:
Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy Application Types (Prerequisite to LMFT licensure)
I have never held a LMFT license in any jurisdiction.	I have a graduate degree from a program that prepares individuals to practice marriage and family therapy.	I have NOT completed: 2,000 face-to-face hours of client contact in the provision of marriage and family therapy services. 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact with couples, families, or both. 200 hours of in-person supervision	I have NOT passed the National MFT Examination.	I want to complete post-graduate degree supervised experience towards LMFT licensure.	Application for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy
My Virginia Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy license has expired for one year or longer.	N/A	N/A	N/A	I wish to resume practicing as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy in Virginia and have completed the required continuing education.	Application for Reinstatement
Pre-Review of Education Application (Informational Purposes only)
N/A	I have a graduate degree but am uncertain if my degree or coursework meet the requirements.	N/A	N/A	I want the Board to provide education guidance on my degree and coursework. I understand this application is NOT	Application for Pre-Review of Education toward LMFT Licensure
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Application Types
I hold a Virginia Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy Temporary License.	I have a graduate degree from a program that prepares individuals to practice marriage and family therapy.	I have completed: 2,000 face-to-face hours of client contact in the provision of marriage and family therapy services 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact with couples, families, or both. 200 hours of in-person supervision	I have passed the National MFT Examination.	I want to provide clinical marriage and family therapy services in Virginia.	Application for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist by Examination
I hold, or have held, an active, independent, equivalent marriage and family therapy license in another jurisdiction	I met my initial licensing jurisdiction’s education, supervised experience, and examination requirements for licensure.			I want to provide clinical marriage and family therapy services in Virginia.	Application for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist by Endorsement
My Virginia LMFT license has expired for one year or longer.	N/A			I wish to resume practicing as a LMFT in Virginia and have completed the required continuing education.	Application for Reinstatement

Important Reminders for All Applicants

Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.2 addresses of licensees are made available to the public. Normally, the Address of Record is the publicly disclosed address. If you do not want your Address of Record to be made public, you may provide a second publicly disclosable address (e.g. work or practice address). If you would like your Address of Record to be publicly available, please complete both sections with the same address on the application.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-116 (A), you are required to submit your social security number, or your control number issued by the Virigina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the processing of your application will be suspended, and fees will not be refunded. This number will be used by the Department of Health Professions for identification and will not be disclosed for other purposes except as provided for by law. Federal and state law requires that this number be shared with other agencies for child support enforcement activities. No license will be issued to any individual who has failed to disclose one of these numbers.