Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · West Virginia · regulated by West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling (WVBEC) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate (LMFTA) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | a minimum of 3000 hours of supervised marriage and family therapy experience, after earning a master's degree (1500 after a doctoral degree) |
| Direct client contact | At least 50% direct therapy; at least 50% of those 1,500 hours with couples and families present |
| Supervision | 1 hour direct individual supervision per 20 hours of practice (≈150 hours for 3,000) |
| Minimum time | No less than 2 years (master's); no less than 1 year (doctoral) |
| Time limit | Associate license valid 36 months, renewable once for 24 months (60 months total) |
| Weekly cap | Max 1,500 hours credited in any 12-month period |
| Exams | AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (or Board-approved exam); passed before associate license; score valid 5 years |
Supervision
- How much: 1 hour direct individual supervision per 20 hours of practice (≈150 hours for 3,000)
- How often: 1 hr per 20 hrs practice; if supervisor not full-time at same agency, at least twice each calendar month
- Group supervision: Rule specifies 'direct individual supervision'; no group allowance stated
- Who may supervise: Board-approved LMFT or LPC licensed ≥2 yrs with 5 yrs experience, supervision course (1 graduate semester or 30-hr CE), jurisprudence exam; or AAMFT Approved Supervisor; max 4 supervisees (8 with approval)
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Up to 600 hours credit toward the 3,000 for master's practicum/internship; none toward doctoral 1,500
- Paperwork: Supervisor registration contract; verification of supervision forms incl. quarterly reports, supervisor midpoint and final verification and assessment (SVA)
Can you be supervised remotely in West 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: The 2026 MFT rule allows supervision in person or by any secured, encrypted telecommunication method (27CSR8 §6.2.1.e). Direct supervision includes telephone or video (§2.5). The 2021 MFT Supervisor Registration contract still says individual supervision is in person, face-to-face.
- Phone only: allowed by the rule definition ('telephone, video, or other contact'), but it conflicts with the 2021 contract form
- In-person minimum: None in the 2026 rule. The 2021 MFT Supervisor Registration contract says individual supervision is in person, face-to-face (conflict).
- Supervisor credential: The Board must pre-approve the supervisor (ALPS). Requirements: an LMFT or LPC licensed 2 years with 5 years of therapy experience, Board-approved MFT supervision training (a 1-semester graduate course or 30-hour CE), the jurisprudence exam, and a statement. Alternatively, a licensed mental health professional who is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor qualifies.
- Supervisee cap: At most 4 individual applicants per supervisor, or up to 8 total with prior Board approval
- Board approval first: Yes. An LMFT-Associate license is required before supervised experience begins. The supervisor registration contract is filed with the application. Changes of supervisor or job must be approved before they happen, or hours in between are nullified.
- If you live outside West Virginia: 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
27CSR8 re-filed and effective April 14, 2026.
Where the rules are unclear
West Virginia’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- 27CSR8 §6.2.1.e (2026) allows telecommunication supervision, but the posted MFT Supervisor Registration contract (2021) says individual supervision is in person, face-to-face. Which governs?
- Is an on-site licensed professional required for LMFT-Associates, as the application's 'On-site Supervisor' fields imply?
- May an out-of-state LMFT (non-AAMFT) be approved as the ALPS?
In the board’s own words
“a minimum of 3000 hours of supervised marriage and family therapy experience, after earning a master's degree” — 27CSR8 §6.2✓ matched in the source
“The master's level marriage and family therapy work experience shall be obtained in no less than two (2) years” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.a✓ matched in the source
“The Board may not credit an applicant with more than 1500 hours of experience in any twelve (12) month period.” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.b✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of one (1) hour of direct individual supervision is required for every 20 hours of practice” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.e✓ matched in the source
“An associate license is valid for 36 months... may renew their associate license once for an additional 24 months” — 27CSR8 §7.7✓ matched in the source
“Supervision can be conducted in-person or via any secured, encrypted telecommunication modality.” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.e✓ matched in the source
“"Direct supervision" means face to face or secured interactive contact such as telephone, video, or other contact” — 27CSR8 §2.5✓ matched in the source
“Direct individual supervision is in person, face-to-face.” — WVBEC MFT Supervisor Registration Form and Contract (2021), item 8✓ matched in the source
“The professional supervisor shall be pre-approved by the Board” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.f✓ matched in the source
“may not supervise more than four (4) individual applicants but may have additional supervisees (no more than eight (8) total) with prior Board approval” — 27CSR8 §6.2.1.e✓ matched in the source
“your onsite supervisor as well as your ALPS supervisor will be reviewing case notes.” — WVBEC Provisional LMFT Application✓ matched in the source
“Associate licensed marriage and family therapists may not own, operate, or function as an independent contractor (1099) of a private practice” — 27CSR8 §7.6✓ matched in the source
2 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in West Virginia
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LICSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All West Virginia licenses · every state
Sources
- 27CSR8 MFT Licensing Rule (eff. 4/14/2026) §27-8-6.2, 6.2.1.a–h
- WVBEC MFT Supervisor Registration Form and Contract (2021), items 8 and 10, p. 2
- WVBEC Provisional LMFT Application (2023), experience pages and private-practice checklist
Checked against West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling (WVBEC)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.