The path to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) goes through the associate stage first. An LMFT-A (or AMFT) is a pre-licensed therapist who has completed a master’s degree but is still accumulating supervised clinical hours. An LMFT has completed those requirements and can practice independently without a supervisor. They are two points on the same career path, not two different careers.
Below is a comparison of the scope of practice, supervision requirements, salary expectations, and what the transition from associate to fully licensed typically looks like.
Quick Facts: LMFT vs LMFT-A (AMFT)
| LMFT | LMFT-A / AMFT | |
|---|---|---|
| License Level | Full independent licensure | Pre-licensure (associate/provisional) |
| Can Practice Independently? | Yes | No — requires clinical supervisor |
| Education Required | Master’s in MFT + all post-degree requirements met | Master’s in MFT (completed or in progress) |
| Supervised Hours | Already completed (2,000–4,000) | Currently accumulating (2,000–4,000 required) |
| Licensing Exam | Passed | Not yet taken (some states allow during associate period) |
| Can Own Private Practice? | Yes | Generally no (varies by state) |
| Can Supervise Others? | Yes (with additional requirements in some states) | No |
| Median Salary (BLS, May 2024) | $63,780 (BLS does not separate LMFT from AMFT) | |
| Title Varies By State | LMFT in all states | AMFT, LMFT-A, MFT Intern, MFT Candidate, etc. |
2026 Updates
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics updated its salary data in May 2024. The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists (both LMFT and AMFT) is $63,780, with 13% projected job growth from 2024 to 2034.
- The MFT Interstate Compact applies to fully licensed LMFTs, not associates. This is one more reason to complete your supervised hours and obtain full licensure as quickly as possible.
- More state boards now accept telehealth-based supervision hours for AMFTs, which makes it easier to find qualified supervisors even in rural or underserved areas.
What is an LMFT?
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) is a masters-level licensure you would obtain upon successful completion of the requirements as an LMFT-A. Your scope of practice, including areas of treatment, populations of focus, work environments, and job duties, typically remains the same. The major difference between an LMFT-A and an LMFT is that an LMFT is an upgraded license where you would be able to independently practice without the need for state-required clinical supervision.
What Is an LMFT-A or Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT)?
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associates (LMFT-A) is the initial licensure you would apply for as an MFT upon graduation from an accredited graduate MFT program. This is a probationary license obtained upon graduation that enables clinicians to work in the field as a therapist under supervision, to accrue the needed hours to then become fully licensed as an LMFT which requires no supervision in practice. LMFT-As are trained in psychological approaches in assessing, diagnosis, treatment planning, and interventions within a variety of therapeutic settings, mainly focusing on couples, individuals, and families, from a family systems approach. LMFT-A’s can practice in settings including private practice, hospitals, in-patient and outpatient treatment centers, schools, and rehabilitation centers, given that they are receiving supervised clinical experience.
MFT Programs That Can Lead to Licensure
Differences and Similarities Between LMFTs and LMFT-As
What does an LMFT do?
LMFTs and LMFT-As maintain a therapeutic focus on the individual’s and family units’ functioning and means of improving their level of adaptive functioning. The following are common work environments of MFTs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Individual and family services (29%)
- Offices of other health practitioners (24%)
- Self-employed workers/private practice (13%)
- Outpatient care centers (11%)
- State government (excluding education and hospitals) (7%)
Education
Job Outlook and Salary
The field of mental health is constantly growing in its versatility within specializations and the improvement in awareness amongst the general public. MFTs in general have also seen steady growth over the last few years which is projected to increase by 14% over the next decade according to BLS, much higher than other occupations in the United States. LMFTs specifically has seen steady growth over the last few years according to the Department of Labor Statistics, where there is a projected growth of 13% in the next decade with median annual pay for MFTs nationally is $63,780, with hourly rates at an average of $24.00, with salaries ranging from $37,050 – $96,520. Typically, pay rates increase with experience and level of licensure from an LMFT-A to an LMFT.
How to Become an MFT
The first step in pursuing a career in MFT is figuring out the best educational institution that fits you. It is important to choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Most programs ensure their program requirement structure meets the guidelines and requirements set by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). This governing body sets the guidelines for accreditation bodies which prepares students with meeting the education and training requirements for licensure.
While completing the necessary coursework which lays the theoretical foundation for practice as a clinician, your clinical training is a vital part of the preparation for licensure. This training is completed through a clinical practicum (internship) requirement where you would have to undergo 12 semester hours of a practical training internship at an external site. This is an opportunity of working in a real-world clinical setting. Upon accruing the required hours by your program and other credentials, you would then be able to take the state or national licensing examination set by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). The licensure you would obtain at this point would be as an LMFT Associate (LMFT-A) which is a probationary license status until you accrue 3000 clinical supervised hours. It is a requirement to have a board-approved supervisor on file when applying for an LMFT-A license and as part of upholding the state and national requirements, you would meet with your clinical supervisor to staff cases and seek guidance on modes of treatment. Most states require at least four hours of clinical supervision per month as a condition of continued licensure as an LMFT-A.
Upon completing the required supervised clinical and supervision hours as an LMFT-A you would then reapply for full licensure as an LMFT. Upon obtaining this upgraded licensure, you would be able to practice as an MFT independently without the board requirement for supervised practice. If you do decide to further your educational career to a doctoral degree, you may have the advantage of being dually licensed as a psychologist and as an LMFT. Within the specialty of MFT, the highest level of licensure is that of being an LMFT, and typically individuals pursue doctoral education in MFT to enter the field of academia where they would teach and conduct academic research on top of clinical practice.
Where can MFTs Practice?
The growing demand for mental health professionals comes with an increased need for MFTs in all mental health clinical environments. MFTs can practice in work settings similar to any mental health clinician to include private practices, in-patient residential facilities, outpatient mental health treatment centers, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, academia, non-profit organizations, and research centers. Pursuing a doctoral degree offers better opportunities, higher wages, and an even wider range of job availability including teaching, academic research, and clinical training supervision.
Is Being an MFT the Right Fit?
A career in marriage and family therapy consists of a demanding and strenuous process that requires passion, discipline, and commitment to the field. Beyond what education and training can provide, an unsaid prerequisite to being an exceptional MFT is your own level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. The uniqueness of MFTs in having to engage several individuals simultaneously and work towards the collaborative improvement of a family unit is uncommon among other mental health professionals. Finding a work environment and area of interest within the field is comparatively abundant with the flexibility and variety this field offers. So, it is not difficult to find the perfect fit for your work style and areas of interest.
A career in MFT consists of rigorous education and training. It requires a willingness to introspect, and a true passion for helping people achieve the best version of themselves. As you move forward in your search for the program and career that is the right fit for you, be assured that an education and career in marriage and family therapy is unparalleled. While the field of mental health is challenging in many ways, it can be one of the most fulfilling jobs in the sense of personal and professional growth.
Accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Programs
Resources
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
https://www.aamft.org/
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards
https://amftrb.org/
Bureau of Labor Statistics
https://www.bls.gov/
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
https://www.coamfte.org/
Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
https://www.cacrep.org/
National Board of Certified Counselors
https://www.nbcc.org/
O*Net
https://www.onetonline.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to go from AMFT to LMFT?
Most therapists spend two to four years as an associate (AMFT/LMFT-A) before obtaining full LMFT licensure. The exact timeline depends on how quickly you accumulate your state’s required supervised clinical hours (typically 2,000 to 4,000 total hours) and pass the national licensing exam. Working full-time in a clinical setting will get you there faster than part-time work.
Can an AMFT see clients without a supervisor present?
Yes, in most states an AMFT can see clients independently during sessions. The supervision requirement means you must meet regularly with an approved clinical supervisor to review your cases, not that the supervisor needs to be in the room. Supervision typically involves one to two hours per week of individual or group consultation with a licensed MFT who reviews your clinical work.
Do AMFTs earn less than LMFTs?
Generally yes, though the BLS doesn’t publish separate salary data for associates versus fully licensed therapists. AMFTs typically earn less because they usually work in agency or group practice settings at entry-level rates. LMFTs, especially those in private practice, have more earning potential. The investment in completing your supervised hours pays off in both earning power and professional autonomy.
Is AMFT and LMFT-A the same thing?
Yes, they refer to the same pre-licensure stage. Different states use different titles: California uses “AMFT” (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist), Texas uses “LMFT-A” (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate), and other states may use “MFT Intern” or “MFT Candidate.” The requirements and scope of practice are essentially the same regardless of what the state calls it.
