Maryland, though a small state, is a great place for employment of licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland is the second highest paying state in the U.S. for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT).
Maryland is among the few states in the U.S. that has been making legal strides in recognizing the immense value of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) and the overall importance of mental health services. In 2023, an MFT portability bill was signed into law allowing for LMFT’s from other states to apply for reciprocity in Maryland and therefore be able to practice in the state. Maryland is the second state in the Access MFT’s Initiative to put forth such legislation which is truly unifying and empowering MFT’s worldwide.
Maryland also has its very own state-wide organization called the Mental Health Association of Maryland that focuses on advocating for improved access to behavioral health care, allowing for the population of Maryland to be supported along with professionals like LMFT’s. Overall, states like Maryland that not only acknowledge the profession but also support advocacy efforts for MFT’s are absolutely critical for the career as a whole.
Steps to Becoming an MFT in Maryland
To become a licensed MFT in the state of Maryland, applicants must receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in MFT or a related social science from accredited educational institutions. Then, students who have met the educational requirements must achieve clinical supervision by obtaining a Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapy (LGMFT) license.With this license, applicants can go on to take the two examinations required by Maryland and upon receiving passing scores, can be issued the Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (LCMFT) license.
Step 1. Education
Undergraduate Studies
Pursuing a career as an MFT in Maryland begins with graduating from a 4-year social science bachelor’s program. Psychology programs are among the most ideal areas to study as it teaches you about clinical research, evaluations and assessments, scientific writing and reading as well as general learning of mental health issues.
Graduate programs may accommodate or guide students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different area of study (outside of the social sciences). This process usually involves taking additional coursework at the undergraduate level that can help you meet the requirements of an MFT master’s program. If this part of the licensure journey directly applies to you, it is best to reach out to the appropriate departments at the university or college of interest to gain more direction.
Graduate Studies
Licensure candidates in Maryland must have a Master’s or doctoral degree in MFT or another closely related field. Maryland is home to many higher education institutions including the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, which has a Masters of Science in Couple and Family Therapy.
This particular program is relatively rare as it focuses primarily on relational therapy, which is a mandatory experiential requirement in Maryland. Graduate programs like this one help candidates not only be prepared for full licensure but also open the door to the following alternative career path options;
- Agency administrators
- Substance abuse counselors
- School counselors
- Human service project directors
- Child, couple and family researchers
The University of Maryland’s Couple and Family Therapy Program also provides experiential learning opportunities through their Center for Healthy Families, an onsite training and research facility that provides affordable mental health services to over 400 families each year. Institutions like this within the state of Maryland set students up for success as they learn theory, gain experience from professionals, practice therapy, all while serving communities in need.
All eligible graduate programs must have courses related to the following competencies so that students can work towards licensure after graduation;
- Analysis of Family Systems
- Couple’s Therapy
- MFT Theory and Techniques
- Gender, Sexuality and Ethnicity
- Ethical, Legal and Professional issues in MFT
Maryland’s Department of Health is committed to helping graduates prepare for licensure by accepting pre-application course evaluations. This is an opportunity for LGMFT and/or LCMFT candidates to proactively have their unofficial transcripts, academic coursework, supervision hours (if applicable), reviewed by the board prior to submitting a formal application.
Step 2a. Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT) Requirements
After earning a master’s or doctoral degree in MFT or a closely related field, candidates are able to apply for Maryland’s first type of MFT license, LGMFT, designed specifically for graduates. The requirements in applying for this are as follows:
- Receive a master’s, doctoral or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university within MFT or a related field (provide official, sealed transcripts within the application).
- Complete 60 hours of supervised clinical practice
- Complete 300 hours of direct client contact with couples, families and individuals
- 100 of these hours must be relational (with the clients being couples or families)
- Passing score of AMFTRB examination
- Completion of the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA) exam.
- Undergo a Criminal History Records Check and submit a copy of this along with your application.
The purpose of this particular license, like many permit or associate titles for MFT’s, is to provide candidates with more opportunities to continue learning beyond graduation and begin gaining supervised clinical experience, all of which are necessary in growing as an MFT in Maryland.
Step 2b. Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) Requirements
The other type of professional license for MFTs in Maryland, referred to as LCMFT, focuses on transforming graduates into clinicians. The LCMFT is an independent level license in Maryland that is held by a clinician who specializes in counseling couples and families.
Clinicians can apply for full licensure by completing an application that lets you transfer from a LGMFT to an LCMFT. by providing documents to the Maryland state board that show their fulfillment of the requirements below:
2,000 hours of clinical supervised experience in MFT following a Masters, doctoral or equivalent degree program. These hours must be achieved over a minimum of a two-year period. Of these hours, the following criteria must also be met;
- 1,000 hours must consist of face to face client contact
- 100 hours of face to face clinical supervision
- 50 of these supervisory hours can be completed within a group setting
- Provide the board with an updated criminal background check
- Proof of having completed the MLA exam and passed the AMFTRB test.
Step 3. Examinations
As previously outlined, Maryland requires the passing of two examinations as the final steps in becoming either an LGMFT or an LCMFT. More information about these tests can be found below;
- Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) National Exam
- Maryland Professional Counselors and Therapists Law and Regulations Test, also commonly referred to as the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA)
The AMFTRB exam, which most states require, covers 6 core competency areas that applicants should be prepared to study and become familiar with (it is recommended to study for at least 4-6 weeks prior to taking the exam):
- The Practice of Systemic Therapy
- Assessing, Hypothesizing and Diagnosing
- Designing and Conducting Treatment
- Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment
- Managing Crisis Situations
- Maintaining Ethical, Legal and Professional Standards
Once the board receives your initial licensure application, they will deem you as eligible to take the exam and provide you with written authorization and instructions to do so.
The jurisprudence exam, which is unique to Maryland, specifically measures applicant familiarity with state laws and regulations related to the professional, ethical and safe practice of therapy. It is important to note unlike the AMFTRB exam, the MLA is graded by completion rather than a pass or fail. Applicants will receive an MLA Certificate of Completion once this exam is successfully submitted and reviewed.
You can register for this test through the CCE Academy’s online platform.
Maintaining Licensure:
To hold a clinical MFT license in Maryland, you must complete continuing education, maintain professional liability insurance and submit a renewal fee once every two years. Such commitments help mental health professionals abide by ethical, legal and clinical standards of their license while also staying informed and educated on evolving therapy topics beyond licensure. These also provide therapists in Maryland with opportunities to focus on various specialties within the field.
The continuing education requirement for LCMFTs in Maryland is a total of 40 hours that must be earned every two years. Within this, the state board has specific categories (A and B) that denote different means of obtaining continuing education credits. Category A activities include formal workshops, courses and seminars while Category B consists of less academically formal opportunities like supervision. Of the 40 CEU hour requirement, at least 30 must fall under Category A and the remaining 10 can be within Category B.
Overall, the many educational and experiential institutions, as well as unique paths of licensure, make Maryland a fantastic state for MFT students, professional candidates and practicing clinicians to flourish.
