Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Virginia · regulated by Virginia Board of Counseling (Department of Health Professions) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy (temporary resident license) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact plus 200 hours of supervision (no separate total since Dec 18, 2025; was 3,400) |
| Direct client contact | 2,000 face-to-face hours, 1,000 with couples/families; ≥1,000 (500 couples/families) within two years before application |
| Supervision | 200 hours of in-person supervision; ≥100 by an LMFT; ≥100 within two years before application |
| Minimum time | not less than 21 months |
| Exams | AMFTRB National MFT Examination |
Supervision
- How much: 200 hours of in-person supervision; ≥100 by an LMFT; ≥100 within two years before application
- How often: minimum one hour and maximum four hours per 40 hours of supervised work experience
- Group supervision: no more than 100 hours in group; group ≤6 residents
- Who may supervise: LMFT or LPC with ≥2 years post-licensure MFT experience plus 3-credit graduate course or 20 hours CE in supervision
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; residency begins after the master's degree
- Paperwork: Supervisory contract with resident application; quarterly supervisor evaluations; supervisor reports total hours and competency
Can you be supervised remotely in Virginia?
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: 200 hours of 'in-person' supervision, which may include technology with real-time visual contact; at least 100 hours by an LMFT; group ≤6 residents and ≤100 hours; 1-4 hours supervision per 40 hours work.
- Phone only: not allowed (real-time visual contact required)
- In-person minimum: none (video counts as in-person)
- Supervisor licensed in Virginia? other: regulation says licensed LMFT/LPC 'in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided'; Board-Approved Supervisor Application asks for a Virginia license
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved supervisor on the Approved Supervisor Registry: LMFT or LPC, 2 years post-licensure MFT experience, 3 graduate credits or 20 CE hours in supervision; at least 100 of 200 hours from an LMFT
- Supervisee cap: none found per supervisor; group supervision ≤6 residents
- Board approval first: yes: Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy license (with supervisory contract, supervisor and location) required before hours count; later supervisor/worksite changes need no Board notice but require a signed contract with a Board-approved supervisor first
- If you live outside Virginia: not addressed; same analysis as counselor (Guidance 115-1.4 applies to 18VAC115-50: practice is where the client is located). Resident license application lists the location for 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
Fast-track amendments effective December 18, 2025 reduced residency to face-to-face hours only, removed the 4-year limit and exam time limit; pre-12/18/2025 residents may choose old or new rules.
Where the rules are unclear
Virginia’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Same as counselor: meaning of 'jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided' vs. Virginia-license question on the supervisor application; whether residents may be outside Virginia; face-to-face definition vs handbook telehealth counting.
In the board’s own words
“at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact in clinical marriage and family services, of which 1,000 hours shall be face-to-face client contact with couples or families” — 18VAC115-50-60(B)(2)✓ matched in the source
“Residents shall receive a minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised work experience.” — 18VAC115-50-60(B)(1)(a)✓ matched in the source
“The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months.” — 18VAC115-50-60(B)(9)✓ matched in the source
“in-person may also include the use of technology that maintains client confidentiality and provides real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident.” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“to include 200 hours of in-person supervision with the supervisor in the consultation and review of marriage and family services provided by the resident.” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“provides real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“Hold an active, unrestricted license as a marriage and family therapist or professional counselor in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“Do you hold an active, unrestricted license as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or a professional counselor (LPC) in the Commonwealth of Virginia?” — Board of Counseling, Board-Approved Supervisor Application LPC/LMFT/LSATP (rev. 11/2024), Parts II-III✓ matched in the source
“at least 20 hours of continuing education in supervision offered by a provider approved under 18VAC115-50-96” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“No more than 100 hours of the supervision may be acquired through group supervision, with the group consisting of no more than six residents.” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“verification of a supervisory contract, (ii) the name and licensure number of the supervisor and location for the supervised practice” — 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements, MFT), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025, subsections A.1, B.1, B.6, B.10, C, D✓ matched in the source
“you are NOT required to submit an application, pay a fee, or notify the Board” — Board of Counseling, LMFT Licensure Process Handbook (rev. 04/2026), §§2.1, 2.3, 3, 3.1✓ matched in the source
4 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Virginia
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Virginia licenses · every state
Sources
- 18VAC115-50-60 (Resident license and residency requirements), as amended eff. Dec 18, 2025
- 18VAC115-50-70 (General examination requirements)
- Board of Counseling: Examination Information (LMFT FAQ)
- Virginia Register Vol. 42 Iss. 6 (Fast-Track), Nov 3, 2025
- 18VAC115-50-10 (Definitions: face-to-face), MFT
- Board of Counseling, LMFT Licensure Process Handbook (rev. 04/2026), §§2.1, 2.3, 3, 3.1
- Board of Counseling, Board-Approved Supervisor Application LPC/LMFT/LSATP (rev. 11/2024), Parts II-III
- Va. Code §54.1-3505(8) (registry of approved supervisors)
- Board of Counseling Guidance Document 115-1.4, Guidance on Technology-Assisted Counseling (eff. July 7, 2022), p. 2
Checked against Virginia Board of Counseling (Department of Health Professions)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.