Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · New York · regulated by NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Mental Health Practitioners · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Limited permit (Marriage and Family Therapy limited permit) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 1,500 clock hours providing marriage and family therapy |
| Direct client contact | all 1,500 clock hours shall consist of direct contact with clients |
| Time limit | limited permit ≤24 months + up to two 12-month extensions (48 months total) |
| Exams | AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy |
Supervision
- How often: average of one hour per week or two hours every other week of face-to-face individual or group supervision
- Group supervision: individual or group supervision both accepted; no group cap stated
- Who may supervise: NY-licensed LMFT, physician, PA, psychologist, LCSW, RN or NP, competent in MFT; ≤5 permit holders per supervisor
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: counted: may include supervised client contact hours completed as part of the MFT program
- Paperwork: Form 4B (Certification of Supervised Experience); Form 5 limited permit; Form 5CS supervisor certification
Can you be supervised remotely in New York?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Face-to-face individual or group supervision (avg 1 h/week or 2 h every other week) may use technology acceptable to the Department incl. secure video (8 NYCRR 79-10.3(d)(3), eff. 2024-09-25).
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in New York? required for NY experience (NY-licensed and registered LMFT, psychologist, LCSW, physician, PA, RN/NP, or equivalent qualifications as determined by the department)
- Supervisor credential: none beyond the license (no AAMFT-approved-supervisor requirement); supervisor signs Form 5
- Supervisee cap: ≤5 limited-permit holders per supervisor at one time
- Board approval first: Limited permit issued for specific employment setting(s) naming a qualified supervisor before practice.
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
Sept 2024 amendment to 8 NYCRR 79-10.3 allowed secure video supervision (effective 2024-09-25). OP license-requirements page still says 'one hour per week or four hours per month of in-person' supervision.
Where the rules are unclear
New York’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- MFT license-requirements page still says in-person supervision; regulation allows secure video since 2024-09-25.
- Do telehealth client sessions count as 'direct face-to-face sessions with clients'?
In the board’s own words
“all 1,500 clock hours of the supervised experience shall consist of direct contact with clients” — 8 NYCRR §79-10.3✓ matched in the source
“an average of one hour per week or two hours every other week of face-to-face individual or group supervision” — 8 NYCRR §79-10.3✓ matched in the source
“may include supervised client contact clock hours completed as part of the program in marriage and family therapy or after completing such program” — 8 NYCRR §79-10.3✓ matched in the source
“may be extended for no more than two additional 12-month periods” — 8 NYCRR §79-10.4✓ matched in the source
“Face-to-face supervision may utilize technology acceptable to the Department, including secure video conferencing to protect confidentiality.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10 (§79-10.3, §79-10.4)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor shall be licensed and registered in New York State to practice marriage and family therapy” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10 (§79-10.3, §79-10.4)✓ matched in the source
“No supervisor shall supervise more than five permit holders at one time.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10 (§79-10.3, §79-10.4)✓ matched in the source
“the setting shall not be a private practice owned or operated by the applicant.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10 (§79-10.3, §79-10.4)✓ matched in the source
“the limited permit in marriage and family therapy shall be issued for specific employment setting(s), acceptable to the department” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10 (§79-10.3, §79-10.4)✓ matched in the source
“the law and regulations do not specify on-site, direct supervision of the permit holder, your supervisor must have access to your patients” — NYSED OP FAQ: Limited Permits (MHC/MFT/CAT/psychoanalysis)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in New York
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All New York licenses · every state
Sources
- 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-10, §79-10.3 (experience), §79-10.4 (limited permit)
- NYSED OP, Marriage and Family Therapy License Requirements
- NYSED OP, FAQ Limited Permits (Mental Health Practitioners)
- Board of Regents Sept 2024 item BR (CA) 16, amending 8 NYCRR 79-10.3
- NYSED OP FAQ: Limited Permits (MHC/MFT/CAT/psychoanalysis)
Checked against NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Mental Health Practitioners’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.