Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Washington · regulated by Washington State Department of Health — Marriage and Family Therapist program (Ch. 18.225 RCW) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMFTA (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | a minimum of 3,000 hours |
| Direct client contact | 1,000 hours direct client contact, at least 500 diagnosing and treating couples and families |
| Supervision | At least 200 hours; ≥100 one-on-one; ≥100 with an LMFT (2+ yrs clinical experience) |
| Exams | AMFTRB national MFT examination |
Supervision
- How much: At least 200 hours; ≥100 one-on-one; ≥100 with an LMFT (2+ yrs clinical experience)
- Group supervision: Up to 100 of 200 hours may be group; group = one supervisor and no more than six candidates (face-to-face or virtual)
- Who may supervise: LMFT or equally qualified licensed MH practitioner; license in good standing 2 yrs; 15 hrs supervision training, or 25 hrs supervising, or AAMFT Approved Supervisor
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: COAMFTE master's graduates credited with 500 direct client contact hours + 100 supervision hours
- Paperwork: DOH 670-005 Verification of MFT Supervision and Experience (in packet DOH 670-042)
Can you be supervised remotely in Washington?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Both one-on-one supervision (1 supervisor, at most 2 candidates) and group supervision (at most 6) are defined as 'face-to-face or virtual' with an approved supervisor (WAC 246-809-110(4), (6)). No hour limit applies to virtual supervision.
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor credential: No state supervisor registry. The approved supervisor is an LMFT or equally qualified practitioner, licensed without restrictions for 2 years, with 15 hours of supervision training and 25 hours of supervising, or an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. The supervisor gives the candidate a declaration on a DOH form before supervision starts. At least 100 of the 200 hours must be with an LMFT who has 2 years of clinical experience.
- Supervisee cap: Per session: one-on-one is at most 2 candidates, and group is at most 6. No cap on a supervisor's total supervisees was found.
- Board approval first: No approval of a supervision plan. The supervisor's declaration of qualification is due before supervision begins (WAC 246-809-134(3)). The associate application is complete only once the supervisor has submitted the Approved Supervisor Form.
- If you live outside Washington: None set by the state
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
WAC 246-809-130 amended WSR 25-11-019 (filed 5/12/25, eff. 10/1/25). 2024 c 371 removed six-renewal cap on associate licenses; 120-day practice-after-application from 10/1/2025.
Where the rules are unclear
Washington’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- DOH form 670-005 defines one-on-one and group supervision as 'face-to-face' and requires an LMFT supervisor with 5 years of experience. WAC 246-809-110 and -130 (as amended 2025) say 'face-to-face or virtual' and 2 years. Will DOH accept virtual hours logged on the current form?
- Must the approved supervisor hold a Washington license?
In the board’s own words
“Total experience requirements include a minimum of 3,000 hours” — WAC 246-809-130(3)✓ matched in the source
“At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor” — WAC 246-809-130(3)(b)✓ matched in the source
“At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision” — WAC 246-809-130(3)(b)(ii)✓ matched in the source
“"One-on-one supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than two licensure candidates.” — WAC 246-809-110(6)✓ matched in the source
“"Group supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than six licensure candidates.” — WAC 246-809-110(4)✓ matched in the source
“Before beginning supervision, the approved supervisor must provide the licensure candidate with a declaration stating that the supervisor has met the requirements of this section” — WAC 246-809-134(3)✓ matched in the source
“An American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisor meets the qualifications of this subsection.” — WAC 246-809-134(4)(c)✓ matched in the source
“One-on-one supervision means face-to-face supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than two licensure candidates.” — DOH 670-005, p. 1 note✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Washington
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LICSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Washington licenses · every state
Sources
- WAC 246-809-130 Supervised postgraduate experience (LMFT)
- WAC 246-809-110 Definitions
- WAC 246-809-134 Approved supervisor
- WAC 246-809-140 Examination
- RCW 18.225.090(1)(d)
- RCW 18.225.145 Associate licenses
- DOH 670-005 Verification of MFT Supervision and Experience
- WAC 246-809-020 Supervision standards, subsec. (2)(b)
- DOH Marriage and Family Therapist FAQ
Checked against Washington State Department of Health — Marriage and Family Therapist program (Ch. 18.225 RCW)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.