Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Utah · regulated by Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) with the Behavioral Health Board · medium confidence
| Pre-license credential | AMFT (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | Statute: ≥1,200 direct client care hours, plus 3,000 hours or two years of clinical supervision if required for Medicare eligibility; DOPL: supervisor forms 'must total 3,000' |
| Direct client contact | 1,200 direct client care hours; ≥500 with couples, families, or groups |
| Supervision | 100 direct clinical supervision hours; ≥25 direct observation |
| Exams | AMFTRB national MFT exam or California BBS LMFT Clinical Exam (or alternate exam pathway) |
Supervision
- How much: 100 direct clinical supervision hours; ≥25 direct observation
- How often: meet at least weekly if full time, otherwise at least twice monthly; ≥50 minutes; max 10 supervision hours counted per 30 days
- Group supervision: no more than 25 group supervision hours; groups up to six supervised individuals
- Who may supervise: MFT, CMHC, LCSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, psych APRN or MAC licensed ≥2 years, master's+, 8-hour supervisor course (or graduate course), Division-approved
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; hours must follow the degree and be earned while holding an associate license
- Paperwork: Verification of Post-Graduate Supervised Experience (one per supervisor); supervision contract and clinical supervisor association form
Can you be supervised remotely in Utah?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential.
- Video supervision: Direct clinical supervision may be in person or remote via synchronous two-way audio+video; group supervision in same room or via electronic video; remote requires a remote-supervision protocols plan in the supervision contract
- Phone only: not allowed for direct clinical supervision meetings (remote must be two-way audio and video); statute lets supervisor be available for ad-hoc consultation by telephone
- Supervisor licensed in Utah? required
- Supervisor credential: Division-approved clinical supervisor status: Utah license as APRN(psych)/CMHC/LCSW/MFT/psychiatrist/psychologist/MAC for ≥2 yrs, synchronous supervision course, request approval from DOPL; 6 hrs supervision CE per renewal
- Supervisee cap: No numeric cap in statute/rule ('reasonably provide' standard); group sessions ≤6 supervisees
- Board approval first: Clinical supervisor association form filed with DOPL before supervised training begins; supervision contract + job description submitted within 30 days of starting; no pre-approval of remote supervision
- If you live outside Utah: Hours may be earned in Utah or another US jurisdiction if legally obtained there while holding a Utah associate license or out-of-state equivalent; no rule on an associate outside Utah treating Utah clients
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
Chapter 443 (2025 General Session) amended §58-60-305 eff. 5/7/2025; R156-60e replaced R156-60b; last changed May 26, 2026. Pre-May-2024 accruers may use old rules until January 1, 2027.
Where the rules are unclear
Utah’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Is the associate license term-limited? R156-1-308a lists Associate Marriage and Family Therapist on the standard two-year renewal cycle (no non-standard term), but R156-60e-403.1(3) allows reinstatement 'for one additional three-year term' and the DOPL FAQ says an expired AMFT needs a Board extension.
- Does 'public agency or private clinic' (R156-60e-102.1(17): mental health agency, hospital, educational institution, non-profit, government agency) include a for-profit group private practice, and is solo private practice excluded?
- R156-60e-309.1(1)(a)(iii) requires the supervision contract and job description be submitted to the Division within 30 days, but the DOPL FAQ says the Division does not need a copy of the supervision contract (FAQ appears to predate the 5/26/2026 rule) — which governs?
- May a Utah-licensed associate physically located outside Utah treat Utah clients by telehealth, with hours counting toward Utah licensure? No rule addresses associate location directly.
- Utah has no MFT compact; confirm no privilege-based supervision pathway exists for MFT supervisors.
In the board’s own words
“You must have each supervisor complete a separate form, and the hours from all forms must total 3,000.” — DOPL MFT standard application page✓ matched in the source
“at least 500 hours of the applicant's required 1,200 direct client hours shall be clinical therapy provided to couples, families, or groups” — R156-60e-302.3(2)✓ matched in the source
“not less than 100 of which are direct clinical supervision hours under the supervision of a clinical supervisor” — Utah Code §58-60-305(1)(e)(ii)✓ matched in the source
“Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor September 30 even years Associate Marriage and Family Therapist September 30 even years” — R156-1-308a Table 1✓ checked by hand
“the Division may reinstate an associate license for one additional three-year term if the licensed individual completes the following” — R156-60e-403.1(3)✓ matched in the source
“the location of the meeting, such as in-person or remote” — Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-307.1(2)(a),(e) Clinical Supervision Contract (eff. 5/26/2026)✓ matched in the source
“using one of the following formats: (I) in-person; or (II) via electronic means that comply with state and federal laws” — Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-308.1(2)(e) Clinical Supervisor Duties (eff. 5/26/2026)✓ matched in the source
“how the parties will meet via synchronous electronic methods with two-way audio and video” — Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-307.1(2)(a),(e) Clinical Supervision Contract (eff. 5/26/2026)✓ matched in the source
“are present in the same room or via electronic video” — Utah Code §58-60-102(3),(4),(8),(12),(15),(17) Definitions (eff. 7/1/2026)✓ matched in the source
“is practicing within the scope of practice defined in the individual's respective licensing act and is licensed under this title” — Utah Code §58-60-102(3),(4),(8),(12),(15),(17) Definitions (eff. 7/1/2026)✓ matched in the source
“submit proof to the Division that the licensed individual has completed the training program under Subsection (1)(e) and request Division-approved status as a clinical supervisor” — Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-305.1, -306.1 Clinical Supervisor Eligibility/Training (eff. 5/26/2026)✓ matched in the source
“be licensed under Subsection (1)(a) for at least two years before providing supervision” — Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-305.1, -306.1 Clinical Supervisor Eligibility/Training (eff. 5/26/2026)✓ matched in the source
9 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Utah
- CMHC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Utah licenses · every state
Sources
- Utah Code §58-60-305(1)(d)–(g) (Qualifications for licensure, MFT), eff. 5/7/2025
- Utah Admin. Code R156-60e-302.3(2),(5); 304.1; 305.1; 307.1; 308.1(2)(e) (eff. 5/26/2026)
- Utah Code §58-60-102 (Definitions)
- DOPL: MFT standard application page
- Utah Admin. Code R156-1-308a Tables 1-2 (renewal dates; non-standard license terms), eff. 12/24/2024
- Utah Code §58-60-106(2) (transition to January 1, 2027)
- DOPL: Marriage and Family Therapy FAQ
- Utah Code Title 58 chapter index (Chapter 60a Counseling Compact; 60b Social Work Licensure Compact; 61b PSYPACT)
Checked against Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) with the Behavioral Health Board’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.