Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Mississippi · regulated by Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT Discipline Specific Committee) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMFTA (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | two (2) years of documented clinical experience following the first qualifying graduate degree, including a minimum of 1,000 direct client contact hours |
| Direct client contact | minimum 1,000 documented face-to-face (in person or secure video) direct client contact hours |
| Supervision | 200 hours total: 100 post-degree (all with a Board Approved Supervisor) + up to 100 from graduate training; ≥50 individual; ≥100 with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor |
| Minimum time | 24 consecutive months (supervision period) |
| Time limit | 36 months (extension possible for unusual circumstances); apply within 2 years of completing experience |
| Exams | AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (must pass before LMFTA licensure) |
Supervision
- How much: 200 hours total: 100 post-degree (all with a Board Approved Supervisor) + up to 100 from graduate training; ≥50 individual; ≥100 with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor
- How often: average of 1 hour per week or 2 hours biweekly, throughout a minimum of 24 consecutive months
- Group supervision: group = 3 to 8 supervisees; individual = no more than 2 supervisees; supervision hour is 50 minutes
- Who may supervise: Board-approved supervisor holding an MFT license: 4 consecutive yrs LMFT practice + 24-hr board-approved supervision course (or AAMFT Approved Supervisor licensed 2 yrs); max 8 supervisees
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: up to 100 graduate supervision hours count toward the 200; up to 1 year of COAMFTE doctoral internship counts toward the 2 years
- Paperwork: Plan of Supervision + Supervisor's Statement; Application to Enter Into Contract for Supervision; supervisee evaluations (first at 10-12 months, final at 24-36); Termination of Supervision form; Documentation of Supervision forms; Verification of Post Degree Experience in MFT
Can you be supervised remotely in Mississippi?
Yes by video, but the supervisor needs a state-specific supervisor credential and the board must approve the arrangement first. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential, prior board approval.
- Video supervision: 'Face-to-face supervision' is defined as in person or through a secure video conferencing platform; the required average 1 hr/week (or 2 hrs biweekly) may be entirely by video. Supervisor must inform supervisees in writing of technology risks (Rule 3.1(D)).
- Phone only: not allowed (inferred: face-to-face supervision defined as in person or secure video only; telephone not listed)
- Supervisor licensed in Mississippi? other: supervisor must be Board-approved and hold an MFT license; rules require a license 'in good standing with the Board' but also contemplate supervisors not licensed in Mississippi (see board_questions)
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved supervisor designation (4 consecutive yrs LMFT practice + 24-hr Board-approved supervision course, or AAMFT Approved Supervisor licensed 2 yrs); 100 of the 200 total hours must be with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor
- Supervisee cap: no plan approved if the supervisor already has more than 8 postgraduate supervisees pursuing MS LMFT; groups 3-8
- Board approval first: Plan of Supervision + Application to Enter Into Contract for Supervision must be Board-approved before supervision begins; max 4 hrs pre-approval credit
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
MFT rules (Pt. 1903) amended January 1, 2022 (board: final approval published 11/17/2022); no newer rule filing on the board's rules page. Statute §73-54-17 amended 2023 and 2024 (now also accepts CACREP marriage, couple and family counseling degrees); the rule's education section still says COAMFTE only.
Where the rules are unclear
Mississippi’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Must a Board-approved supervisor hold a Mississippi LMFT? Rule 2.2(C)(4) requires 'a license to practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist' and good standing 'with the Board', but 2.2(C)(4)(e) adds renewal paperwork 'if licensed in Mississippi', implying non-MS-licensed approved supervisors.
In the board’s own words
“must complete two (2) years of documented clinical experience following the first qualifying graduate degree” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(2)✓ matched in the source
“must include a minimum of 1,000 documented face-to-face, either in-person or through a secure video conferencing platform, direct client contact hours” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(2)✓ matched in the source
“must complete two hundred (200) hours of marriage and family therapy supervision” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(3)(a)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisory process requires an average of one (1) hour per week or two (2) hours of biweekly meetings” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(3)(h)✓ matched in the source
“The period of supervision may not exceed thirty-six (36) months.” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(3)(h)✓ matched in the source
“A person shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter if the person is a marriage and family therapy intern or person preparing for the practice” — Miss. Code Ann. §73-54-9(1)✓ matched in the source
“Following the receipt of the first qualifying degree, has at least two (2) years of supervised experience in marriage and family therapy” — Miss. Code Ann. §73-54-17(1)(a)(ii)✓ matched in the source
“throughout a minimum period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months. The period of supervision may not exceed thirty-six (36) months.” — Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(3)(h)✓ matched in the source
“Face-to-Face Supervision" means supervision conducted by a supervisor, either in-person or through a secure video conferencing platform” — 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1903, Rule 1.2(O)✓ checked by hand
“one (1) hour per week or two (2) hours of biweekly meetings of face-to-face supervision, either in-person or through a secure video conferencing platform” — 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(3)(h)✓ checked by hand
“Technology-Assisted Services – therapy or supervision services provided through electronic means utilizing a secure video platform.” — 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1903, Rule 3.1(D)(1)✓ matched in the source
“was approved by the Board as a qualified supervisor and held a license to practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.” — 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(4)✓ matched in the source
7 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Mississippi
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Mississippi licenses · every state
Sources
- 30 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1903, Rule 2.2(C)(2)-(4) (PDF p.6-11)
- Board MFT Forms and Licensing Information page
- Miss. Code Ann. §73-54-17 (2025), via Justia mirror
- Miss. Code Ann. §73-54-9 (2025), via Justia mirror
- Board-hosted PDF of Miss. Code Ann. Title 73 Ch. 54 (pre-2023 text)
- Board Rules & Regulations page (current rules = 2022 amendments)
Checked against Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT Discipline Specific Committee)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.