What Is the Difference Between the MFT National Exam and California MFT Exams? (2025 Guide)

When I first started researching licensure, I came across a confusing question: “Do I take the National MFT exam or the California MFT exams?” The answer depends on where you plan to practice. Most states use the National MFT exam (AMFTRB), but California has its own exams through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Here’s a breakdown of the key differences in 2025.

The National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)

• Provider: Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Used By: Most U.S. states (except California).
• Format:
  • 180 multiple-choice questions.
  • 150 scored + 30 pre-test (unscored).
  • 4-hour time limit.
• Domains Covered: Systemic therapy, assessment, treatment planning, ethics, crisis management, and termination.
• Passing Score: Around 70% (scaled to ~102–106 correct).
• Fee (2025): $365.

The California MFT Exams (BBS)

Instead of the AMFTRB exam, California requires two separate state-specific exams:

1. California MFT Law & Ethics Exam

• When Taken: Often required early in your intern/associate registration process.
• Focus:
  • California-specific laws, ethics, and professional practice.
  • Informed consent, confidentiality, mandated reporting, telehealth rules.
• Format: 75 multiple-choice questions; 90 minutes.
• Passing Score: Typically around 70%.

2. California MFT Clinical Exam

• When Taken: After completion of required supervised hours.
• Focus:
  • Clinical reasoning, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention.
  • Case-based vignettes with systemic and cultural considerations.
• Format: 170 multiple-choice questions; 4 hours.
• Passing Score: Varies by exam form (scaled, like the national exam).

👉 Together, these two exams serve the same purpose as the National MFT exam but are tailored specifically to California law and clinical practice standards.

Key Differences Between National and California Exams

Feature	National MFT Exam (AMFTRB)	California MFT Exams (BBS)
Number of Exams	1 exam	2 exams (Law & Ethics + Clinical)
Focus	Broad systemic therapy knowledge	California-specific law/ethics + clinical application
Format	180 multiple-choice questions	Law & Ethics: 75 Qs; Clinical: 170 Qs
Time Limit	4 hours	Law & Ethics: 90 min; Clinical: 4 hours
Passing Score	~70% (scaled)	~70% (varies by form)
Fee	$365	$100–$150 per exam (varies by BBS)
Used In	Most states	California only

 

Which Exam Should You Take?

• If you plan to practice in California, you must take the California MFT Law & Ethics Exam and later the California MFT Clinical Exam.
• If you plan to practice in any other state, you’ll take the National MFT Exam (AMFTRB).
• If you may move in the future, be aware: California does not accept the National MFT exam for licensure, and other states don’t accept California’s exams.

Pro Study Tip 📘

Choose study materials that match your state’s exam requirement. Preparing for the wrong exam format or content focus can set you back months.

👉 Check out our MFT Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with exam-style practice for the National MFT exam, plus California-specific add-ons for law, ethics, and clinical vignettes.

✅ Final Thought: The National MFT exam is used in most states, while California requires two separate exams: the Law & Ethics exam and the Clinical exam. Which one you take depends entirely on where you plan to practice — so check your state board’s requirements before registering.