MFT

The MFT National Examination is a computer-based, multiple-choice test developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). Registration is handled by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), and the exam is delivered at Prometric testing centers. Its content comes from a practice analysis of licensed marriage and family therapists and is organized into six domains of task and knowledge statements.

Exam Pattern

The exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions: 155 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. The pretest questions are mixed in with the scored questions and cannot be identified, so treat every question as if it counts. You have four hours, an average of about 80 seconds per question. Each question has four answer choices and one best answer, and most present a clinical situation and ask what the therapist should do, which concept applies, or which hypothesis or diagnosis fits best.

Domain	ScoredQuestions	Weight	WhatItCovers
1 ThePracticeofSystemicTherapy .	25	16%	Systemictheory integratingindividual ,
			models diversity thetherapeutic , ,
			relationship
2 Assessing Hypothesizing andDiagnosing . , ,	25	16%	Mentalstatus risk substanceuse trauma , , , ,
			lifecycle instruments DSMandICD , ,
			diagnosis referral ,
3 DesigningandConductingTreatment .	26	17%	Alliance contracts treatmentplans safety , , ,
			plans systemicinterventions medications , ,
4 EvaluatingOngoingProcessandTerminating .	25	16%	Research -informed evaluation modifying ,
Treatment			treatment modalityfit termination , ,
5 ManagingCrisisSituations .	25	16%	Suicide and violence risk self -injury , ,
			communitycrises trauma collaboration , ,
6 MaintainingEthical Legal andProfessional . , ,	29	19%	Lawsandcodes competence disclosures , , ,
Standards			teletherapy records supervision , ,

2. Assessment & Diagnosis 25 · 16% 3. Treatment 26 · 17% 4. Evaluation & Termination 25 · 16% 5. Crisis 25 · 16% 6. Ethics & Law

29 · 19%

Scoring and Passing

The exam is criterion-referenced. The passing point is set by a panel of licensed MFT subject-matter experts using the modified Angoff method, and statistical equating adjusts it across exam forms so that every candidate meets the same standard regardless of which form they receive. There is no fixed percentage to aim for, and you are not compared with other candidates. Only the 155 scored questions count, and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.

Results are finalized after the testing window closes. Your score report shows pass or fail, your total score, and your score in each domain, a useful study map if a retake is needed; results also go to your licensing board.

Eligibility and Registration

Meet your jurisdiction's requirements

Each state or provincial licensing board, not AMFTRB, decides when you may sit for the exam. Many allow it once the qualifying graduate degree is complete; others require some or all supervised clinical experience first. Confirm your board's rules before registering.

Obtain an approval code

Apply to your licensing board. Once approved, the board issues an approval code, which can be used for one exam registration only. A retake requires a new code (New York and Texas candidates follow their boards' own procedures).

Register with PTC for a testing window

Apply online with PTC by the deadline, about one month before the window opens, and pay the examination fee. Request any accommodations well in advance.

Schedule with Prometric and test

After PTC confirms your registration, schedule a date and center within the window. Arrive early with the required identification.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Registrationanddelivery	Professional Testing Corporation (PTC); computer-based testing at Prometric centers
Questions	180 multiple-choice (155 scored 25 unscored pretest); four options each ,
Testingwindows	Offeredeverymonth;eachwindowrunsMondaythroughSaturdayatPrometriccenters
Fee	$389 whichincludesa$75administrativefee;nonrefundable;reschedulingandwindowtransfers , .
	costextra
Otherrequirements	Manyjurisdictionsalsorequirealaw ethics orjurisprudenceexam;Californiausesitsown , ,
	licensingexaminationsinplaceofthenationalexam