What Are the Content Domains Covered on the MFT Exam? (2025 Guide)

When I first started preparing for the National Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) exam, one of my biggest questions was: “What exactly is covered on the exam?” The AMFTRB exam blueprint organizes test questions into specific content domains, each designed to measure your readiness for independent practice as an MFT. Knowing these domains helps you focus your study plan and avoid surprises on test day.

Overview of the MFT Exam (2025)

• Exam Length: 180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 30 unscored).
• Time Limit: 4 hours.
• Purpose: Assess competence in applying family therapy theories, clinical skills, and professional standards.
• Scoring: Scaled score equivalent to ~70% correct (about 102–106 correct out of 150 scored).

Content Domains on the National MFT Exam

According to the AMFTRB exam blueprint, questions are divided into six domains:

1. The Practice of Systemic Therapy (≈23% of exam)

• Applying systemic thinking to individuals, couples, and families.
• Understanding family dynamics and interactional patterns.
• Using therapy models (Structural, Strategic, Bowenian, Narrative, Solution-Focused, CBT, etc.).

2. Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing (≈16% of exam)

• Conducting biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments.
• Gathering presenting problem histories.
• Using the DSM-5 for diagnosis when appropriate.
• Developing systemic hypotheses about relational patterns.

3. Designing and Conducting Treatment (≈26% of exam)

• Creating collaborative treatment goals.
• Developing and adjusting treatment plans.
• Selecting interventions consistent with systemic models.
• Evaluating client progress and adjusting therapy as needed.

4. Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment (≈6% of exam)

• Monitoring therapeutic progress.
• Recognizing when goals are met.
• Planning for termination and follow-up.

5. Managing Crisis Situations (≈12% of exam)

• Identifying risk (suicidality, domestic violence, child abuse).
• Crisis intervention techniques.
• Safety planning and mandatory reporting obligations.

6. Maintaining Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards (≈17% of exam)

• Applying AAMFT Code of Ethics.
• Handling confidentiality, informed consent, and dual relationships.
• Maintaining cultural competence.
• Understanding legal requirements for MFTs.

Why Knowing the Domains Matters

Each domain carries a different weight on the exam. For example:

• Designing and Conducting Treatment (26%) is the largest domain.
• Evaluating & Terminating Treatment (6%) is the smallest but still critical.

👉 This means you should spend more study time on high-weighted domains but not neglect the smaller ones, especially ethics and crisis management, which are often heavily tested in applied scenarios.

Pro Study Tip 📘

Build your study plan around the six exam domains, focusing on both theory and application. Practice with domain-specific questions to identify your weak areas.

👉 Check out our MFT Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with detailed coverage of all six exam domains, case-based practice questions, and rationales.

MFT Exam Domains (2025)

Domain	% of Exam	Focus Areas
Practice of Systemic Therapy	~23%	Models & family systems application
Assessing, Hypothesizing, Diagnosing	~16%	DSM-5, assessments, systemic hypotheses
Designing & Conducting Treatment	~26%	Treatment planning & interventions
Evaluating & Terminating Treatment	~6%	Progress monitoring & closure
Managing Crisis Situations	~12%	Risk assessment & crisis intervention
Ethical, Legal, Professional Standards	~17%	Ethics, law, professional conduct

✅ Final Thought: The MFT exam covers six domains, with the heaviest emphasis on systemic therapy practice and treatment planning. By structuring your prep around these domains, you’ll ensure balanced readiness for the exam and maximize your chances of success.