Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Hawaii · regulated by Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Marriage and Family Therapists Program · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (provisional license, since July 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | one thousand hours of direct marriage and family therapy |
| Direct client contact | 1,000 hours direct marriage and family therapy |
| Supervision | 200 hours clinical supervision |
| Minimum time | 24 months |
| Exams | National MFT Exam (AMFTRB) |
Supervision
- How much: 200 hours clinical supervision
- Group supervision: clinical supervision = supervising no more than six persons at the same time
- Who may supervise: LMFT in good standing in any state ≥2 yrs before and during supervision, or licensed MH professional who has been an AAMFT clinical member ≥2 yrs
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; experience is post-master's (practicum is a separate 1-year, 300-client-contact-hour requirement)
- Paperwork: Post-Master's Experience Verification Form (MFT-05) and Practicum Verification Form (MFT-04); associates use provisional forms incl. training outline
Can you be supervised remotely in Hawaii?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval, video status not stated.
- Video supervision: HRS ch. 451J defines clinical supervision without any mode requirement or video provision (unlike the MHC and LCSW statutes).
- Supervisor licensed in Hawaii? required for provisional associates (DCCA FAQ: currently Hawaii-licensed); the statutory definition accepts a license in good standing in any state
- Supervisor credential: None beyond license: LMFT ≥2 yrs in good standing, or licensed MH professional who has been an AAMFT clinical member ≥2 yrs.
- Supervisee cap: ≤6 persons supervised at the same time
- Board approval first: Provisional license names the supervisor (form MFTP-05); supervisor changes need a new form.
- If you live outside Hawaii: Post-master's experience outside Hawaii is acceptable and needs no provisional license. License is title-based, so an unlicensed graduate may accrue hours without the associate title.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Act 93 (SLH 2024), effective July 1, 2026, created the associate MFT provisional license and deleted the 'marriage and family therapy intern' definition and exemption.
Where the rules are unclear
Hawaii’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Statute (§451J-1) accepts a supervisor licensed 'in any state' while the FAQ requires a current Hawaii license for provisional associates: which governs for a Hawaii associate?
- Is video supervision acceptable for MFT hours (no statutory provision either way)?
In the board’s own words
“Completes one thousand hours of direct marriage and family therapy, and two hundred hours clinical supervision in not less than twenty-four months” — HRS § 451J-7(3)✓ matched in the source
“The licensure requirement is tied to use of these titles, not to the underlying work performed.” — DCCA Associate MFT Provisional License FAQ (v5, 2026-07), Q2✓ matched in the source
“means the supervision of no more than six persons at the same time” — HRS §451J-1 ('Clinical supervision', version eff. July 1, 2026)✓ matched in the source
“by a licensed marriage and family therapist whose license has been in good standing in any state for two years preceding commencement” — HRS §451J-1 ('Clinical supervision', version eff. July 1, 2026)✓ matched in the source
“Your post-master’s supervisor must be currently licensed in Hawaii and in good standing with the Department during your supervision.” — DCCA PVL, Associate MFT Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07), Q1-2, Q9, Q21✓ matched in the source
“Each provisional license issued pursuant to this section shall include the name and title of the licensed marriage and family therapist” — HRS §451J-7.2(a)(3), (b) (eff. July 1, 2026)✓ matched in the source
“Post-masters obtaining experience outside of Hawaii are not required to obtain provisional licensure.” — DCCA PVL, Associate MFT Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07), Q1-2, Q9, Q21✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Hawaii
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Hawaii licenses · every state
Sources
- HRS § 451J-7 (Application for licensure)
- HRS § 451J-1 (definition of clinical supervision)
- HRS § 451J-7.2 (Provisional license for associate MFTs, eff. July 1, 2026)
- HRS § 451J-6 (exemptions)
- DCCA PVL, Associate MFT Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07)
- DCCA PVL, MFT Application (10.25)
Checked against Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Marriage and Family Therapists Program’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.