Marriage & Family Therapy – Texas

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Texas requires that applicants for this licensure have one of the following.

(Option 1) A COAMFTE master’s degree.

(Option 2) A master’s or doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy from an institution or program accredited by accrediting bodies that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), but which are not accredited by COAMFTE, provided that the practicum is at least 9 credit hours or 12 months. If the practicum is not at least 9 credit hours or 12 months an applicant may be approved to take the licensing examination and may be issued an associate license upon successfully passing the examination. Prior to receiving a license as a marriage and family therapist, the applicant should complete the pre-graduation practicum deficit in addition to the post-graduate supervised experience requirements consistent with the requirements in §801.142.

(Option 3) A master’s degree or doctorate degree in a related mental health field with a planned course of study in marriage and family therapy as described in 801.113(d) and (e) with minimum course content as described in §801.114.

Additional Requirements

Liberty meets requirements for Option 2, if applicants ensure their practicum is at least 9 credit hours or 12 months.

For more information:

https://bhec.texas.gov/statues-and-rules/

https://bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-March-MFT-Rulebook.pdf