Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Wisconsin · regulated by Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — MFT Section (DSPS) · medium confidence
| Pre-license credential | Marriage and Family Therapist Training License |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,000 hours of supervised marriage and family therapy practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact |
| Direct client contact | 1,000 hours face-to-face client contact |
| Supervision | None set by the state: as a total; Form #2574 ratio implies ≥100 hours for the 1,000 client-contact hours |
| Time limit | Training license valid 48 months; renewable at the MFT section's discretion |
| Exams | AMFTRB national MFT examination |
Supervision
- How much: None set by the state: as a total; Form #2574 ratio implies ≥100 hours for the 1,000 client-contact hours
- How often: At least 1 hour face-to-face supervision per 10 hours of client contact (DSPS Form #2574, Rev. 1/3/2023; not in statute or rule)
- Who may supervise: LMFT with MFT doctorate or 5 yrs full-time MFT practice; psychiatrist; licensed psychologist; AAMFT Approved Supervisor or candidate; or other pre-approved person
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted, except hours may begin after a mental-health graduate degree plus enrollment in a COAMFTE program (MPSW 16.04(1))
- Paperwork: Form #2571 Employment Form for Supervised MFT practice (training license); Form #2574 MFT Supervised Practice Experience (with exam application #12401)
Can you be supervised remotely in Wisconsin?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Since 6/1/2025, MFT supervision 'may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely'. Face-to-face means in person or real-time video conferencing (MPSW 15.01(1m), (3)). DSPS Form #2574 requires at least 1 hour of face-to-face supervision per 10 client-contact hours.
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor credential: None. Supervisors fall into listed categories: an LMFT with an MFT doctorate or 5 years full-time, a psychiatrist, a psychologist licensed under ch. 455, or an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or supervisor candidate. Anyone else must be approved in advance by the MFT Section.
- Supervisee cap: None set by the state
- Board approval first: An MFT training license is required before hours count. The training license application includes Form 2571 (Employment Form for Supervised MFT Practice). There is no separate supervision plan approval.
- If you live outside Wisconsin: 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
CR 24-012 (eff. 6/1/2025) defined face-to-face to include real-time video and allowed remote supervision.
In the board’s own words
“3,000 hours of supervised marriage and family therapy practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, while holding a valid marriage and family therapist training license” — MPSW 16.04(1)✓ matched in the source
“A marriage and family therapist training license is valid for 48 months and may be renewed at the discretion of the marriage and family therapist section.” — MPSW 16.015(2)✓ matched in the source
“The person whose practice is being supervised shall receive a minimum of one hour of face-to-face supervision for each 10 hours of client contact.” — DSPS Form #2574 Marriage and Family Therapist Supervised Practice Experience (Rev. 1/3/2023), p.1✓ matched in the source
“A marriage and family therapist training license is required to accumulate supervised practice hours for full marriage and family therapist licensure.” — DSPS Marriage and Family Therapist profession page✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely.” — MPSW 15.01(3)✓ matched in the source
“"Face-to-face" means in person or real time video conferencing where all parties can communicate by simultaneous means of audio, telephone, video, or data communications.” — MPSW 15.01(1m)✓ matched in the source
“The person whose practice is being supervised shall receive a minimum of one hour of face-to-face supervision for each 10 hours of client contact.” — DSPS Form #2574, p. 1✓ matched in the source
“A person who is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy approved supervisor or supervisor candidate.” — MPSW 16.04(2)(e)✓ matched in the source
“is in a position or has an offer for a position as a marriage and family therapist in a supervised marriage and family therapist practice” — MPSW 16.015(1)(d)1.✓ matched in the source
“Employment Form for Supervised Marriage and Family Therapy Practice” — DSPS Form #22801 checklist✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Wisconsin
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Wisconsin licenses · every state
Sources
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 16.01(3)-(4), 16.015, 16.04
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 15.01(1m), (3)
- Wis. Stat. s. 457.10–457.11
- DSPS Form #12401 MFT License–Exam checklist (V1. 5/22/2023)
- DSPS Form #22801 MFT Training License checklist (V1. 5/22/2023)
- DSPS Form #2574 Marriage and Family Therapist Supervised Practice Experience (Rev. 1/3/2023), p.1-2 — Wayback capture 2025-04-24 of dsps.wi.gov PDF
- DSPS Form #2574 on AccessGov (Rev. 11/6/2025; applicant section only viewable)
- DSPS Marriage and Family Therapist profession page
Checked against Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — MFT Section (DSPS)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.