How many hours do I need for an LMFT in Rhode Island?

two (2) years of relevant postgraduate experience, including at least two thousand (2,000) hours of direct client contact ... with emphasis in marriage and family therapy

How much supervision does an LMFT in Rhode Island require?

100 hours of post-degree supervised case work over two years

Can I be supervised by video in Rhode Island?

Mostly, with some limits. Statute and 216-RICR-40-05-11 set no supervision modality for post-degree hours (100 h over 2 years with a board-recognised approved supervisor). The rule defines "Individual (face-to-face) supervision" (a term used for student trainees), so video eligibility is not stated either way.

Rhode Island requirements

LMFT requirements in Rhode Island

What it takes to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Rhode Island: 2,000 hours of direct client contact over at least 2 years, plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to RI Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists (RI Department of Health)Checked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Rhode Island · regulated by RI Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists (RI Department of Health) · high confidence

Pre-license credential	Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Supervised experience	two (2) years of relevant postgraduate experience, including at least two thousand (2,000) hours of direct client contact ... with emphasis in marriage and family therapy
Direct client contact	2,000 hours of direct client contact with emphasis in MFT
Supervision	100 hours of post-degree supervised case work over two years
Minimum time	2 years
Exams	AMFTRB national MFT exam

Supervision

How much: 100 hours of post-degree supervised case work over two years
Who may supervise: AAMFT Approved Supervisor, or LMFT licensed ≥5 yrs with graduate MFT supervision course or AAMFT/RIAMFT course

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: Not counted: the 2,000 direct hours must follow the master's or doctorate; MFT application asks for post-graduate hours
Paperwork: RIDOH MFT application with supervised work experience section (min 2,000 post-graduate hours; 100 hours supervised casework) and supervisor details

Can you be supervised remotely in Rhode Island?

Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: video status not stated.

Video supervision: Statute and 216-RICR-40-05-11 set no supervision modality for post-degree hours (100 h over 2 years with a board-recognised approved supervisor). The rule defines "Individual (face-to-face) supervision" (a term used for student trainees), so video eligibility is not stated either way.
Supervisor licensed in Rhode Island? not required (application checklist provides for verification of the supervisor's out-of-state license); supervisor must meet RI "approved supervisor" criteria
Supervisor credential: "Approved supervisor" criteria: AAMFT Approved Supervisor, or LMFT licensed ≥5 yrs with a graduate MFT supervision course or AAMFT/RIAMFT course; no separate supervisor application found — the supervisor attests on the Statement of Supervised 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

Part 216-RICR-40-05-11 last amended eff 05/15/2023

Where the rules are unclear

Rhode Island’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:

Does post-degree supervision by live video count toward the 100 supervised case-work hours?
Is the "Individual (face-to-face) supervision" definition intended to govern post-degree supervision?

In the board’s own words

“at least two thousand (2,000) hours of direct client contact offering clinical or counseling or therapy services with emphasis in marriage and family therapy” — 216-RICR-40-05-11 §11.3.6(A)(1)✓ matched in the source

“minimum of one hundred (100) hours of post-degree supervised case work spread over two years (2)” — 216-RICR-40-05-11 §11.3.6(A)(2)✓ matched in the source

“or is a graduate accumulating the experience required for any licensure under this chapter; provided, that the graduate or student is designated by a title” — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-12(b)(2)✓ matched in the source

“with emphasis in marriage and family therapy subsequent to being awarded a master’s degree or doctorate” — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-10(a)(2)(i)✓ matched in the source

““Individual (face-to-face) supervision” means a tutorial relationship between a member of the mental health counseling profession and a student trainee.” — 216-RICR-40-05-11 § 11.1 definitions✓ matched in the source

“Verification of Supervisor’s OOS Lic.” — RIDOH application, office checklist✓ matched in the source

“was recognized by the board as an approved supervisor” — 216-RICR-40-05-11 § 11.3.6(A)(2)✓ matched in the source

Other licenses in Rhode Island

Sources

Checked against RI Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists (RI Department of Health)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

Start free with Practice Harbor All requirements

General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.