Rule 4757-25-02 | Marriage and family therapist examination policy.
(A) The examination required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist or an independent marriage and family therapist is the "Examination In Marital and Family Therapy" offered by the "Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards" (AMFTRB).
(B) The examination shall be offered at least twice each year.
(C) Only applicants who are approved by the board may sit for the examination. Approval to sit for the examination shall be granted if a review of the applicant's educational records establishes that the educational requirements for licensure are met.
(1) Applicants who have a master or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited educational institution may provide a student copy of their transcript(s) for the board to make an examination approval or disapproval decision.
(2) Applicants in the last term prior to receiving their master or doctoral degree from a program that is accredited by COAMFTE may provide correspondence from a professor or registrar that states the student is on track to graduate at the end of that term in order for the board to make an examination approval or disapproval decision.
(3) Applicants in the last term prior to receiving their master or doctoral degree from a program that is not accredited by COAMFTE, and who wish to apply to take the examination before graduation, shall:
(a) Detail their educational history on a form provided by the board;
(b) Submit an unofficial transcript that demonstrates that all courses on the course worksheet either have been taken or are scheduled to be taken in that term.
(c) Provide correspondence from a professor or registrar that states the student is on track to graduate at the end of that term.
(d) Have the practicum/internship supervisor(s) complete supervision documentation forms provided by the board, showing the number of client contact, relational, and supervisory hours completed up to that point, and the remaining number of client contact, relational, and supervisory hours expected to be completed prior to the end of that term.
(4) Following graduation, provided the applicant from a non-COAMFTE program has been approved to test, the applicant shall:
(a) Provide official transcripts as required for licensure;
(b) Provide additional supervision documentation forms showing completion of the previously anticipated coursework and client contact, relational, and supervisory hours.
If a discrepancy exists, such that the applicant did not in actuality complete the required coursework or practicum/internship hours required in rule 4747-25-01 of the Administrative Code, then the applicant's marriage and family therapy license shall not be issued at that time, and the exam score will remain valid for seven years until such a time as the required coursework and/or practicum/internship hours have been completed.
(D) An applicant who is approved for the examination shall be sent an approval letter/e-mail from the board.
(1) The e-mail/letter is effective only for the next examination given after the date of issuance.
(2) An applicant who fails to take the examination during the effectiveness of the letter shall request another approval letter.
(3) An applicant who neglects to take the examination within twelve months after being deemed eligible by the board shall re-apply for approval to sit for the examination. The applicant shall meet the requirements in effect at the time of the new request for approval.
(E) The minimum score for passage of the examination for marriage and family therapists is determined by the "Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Regulatory Boards" (AMFTRB) and the marriage and family therapist professional standards committee.
(F) A marriage and family therapist or independent marriage and family therapist who has an expired license and requests to apply for a new license will be reviewed by the professional standards committee, and may be required to complete one of the following:
(1) Re-take and achieve a passing score on the national "Examination In Marital and Family Therapy" offered by the "Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards" (AMFTRB) if the applicant is not actively licensed in Ohio or another jurisdiction and passed the exam seven or more years from the date of applications.
(2) Complete thirty clock hours, or another amount determined by the professional standards committee of approved continuing professional education; three of the thirty hours must be taken in the area of professional ethics for marriage and family therapists.
(G) Applicants that hold a current marriage and family therapist license in another state may be approved by the board to sit for the national examination.
Supplemental Information