Out-of-State Applicants

Credential Options | Licensure Reciprocity | Substantial Equivalency | Universal Licensure | State Credential Search Tool

Marriage and Family Therapist

Washington State welcomes out-of-state applicants wishing to obtain credentials in Washington State. This page provides a basic overview of the reciprocity pathways and eligible credentials for out-of-state applicants.

Washington has three primary options for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT):

LMFT Associate*

The associate-level license is for a person with an eligible graduate degree in a mental health field (RCW 18.225.090), who must still gain post-graduation supervised experience and to qualify to take the approved examination necessary to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.

*These descriptions are intended to provide a summary of basic credential requirements and do not provide detailed requirements. Interested applicants should review the full requirements listed in chapter 246-809 WAC and, if necessary, contact the program manager for questions specific to their situation.

LMFT Probationary Credential*

The probationary license is a temporary credential issued to an individual who is licensed in another state and applies for reciprocity in Washington. The license is issued for one year and can be renewed one time for another year. The purpose of the probationary license is to allow the holder to seek and accept employment opportunities while the department assesses the gap in licensure requirements. Within the time limits provided by the probationary license, applicants will need to meet the full licensure requirements as a Marriage and Family Therapist or consider other available licensure options.

LMFT*

Allows the credential holder to practice independently at the full scope of an LMFT in Washington State, in both private practice and state-regulated facilities.

Licensure Reciprocity Program/Probationary Licensure

Scope of Practice Analysis – Probationary Certification

“Marriage and family therapy" is defined in RCW 18.225.005(8) as the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of relationships, including marriage and family systems. Marriage and family therapy involves the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. The practice of marriage and family therapy means the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private, for a fee, monetary or otherwise.

The completed analysis revealed 45 states are deemed to have an equivalent and/or greater scope to Washington. The following five states' scopes were deemed not to be substantially equivalent to Washington:

Iowa
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
Rhode Island

The analysis of the scope of practices is based strictly on the statutory and rules language of each state.

Substantial Equivalency

Qualifications

Washington State offers licensure for applicants licensed in another state with comparable licensing standards. This process allows qualified professionals to obtain Washington credentials without repeating education or exams already completed in another state.

As of July 23, 2023, new criteria established under RCW 18.130.077 apply to out-of-state applicants seeking initial licensure in Washington. These criteria are specific to initial licensure and do not necessarily apply to licensure by endorsement.

To qualify under this law, you must:

Hold a current license in a state that is considered substantially equivalent to Washington (see list below),
Have been licensed in that state for at least two years, and
Have no history of disciplinary action on your license.

Universal Licensure

Eligibility Criteria

If you are licensed in a state considered substantially equivalent, your application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Being from a substantially equivalent state does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Additionally, if you have ever been licensed in a universal licensure state, you may not qualify under this pathway. Please review the information below to better understand how universal licensure may affect your eligibility.

What is Universal Licensure?

Universal licensure allows some states to issue licenses to professionals even if they do not meet all of that state’s standard education or examination requirements.
Under SHB 1724, Washington requires that the original state where you were first licensed meets our substantial equivalency standards.
For example, if you were initially licensed in a non-equivalent state and later obtained a license in a universal licensure state, you may not meet Washington’s eligibility criteria under the new law.
Washington evaluates where you were first licensed. If your initial license was granted by a state with lesser requirements, even if you currently hold a license from a substantially equivalent state, you may not qualify under this pathway.

The following states have adopted universal licensure policies:

Arizona
Arkansas
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Mississippi
Missouri
Utah
Virginia

Please Note: This list may change as more states adopt or modify universal licensure policies.

Please select your state below and review the results. These results will help determine which out-of-state credentialing pathway you are eligible to apply for.

If your credential is eligible only under the "Reciprocity" search, apply for the Probationary credential AND the full LMFT credential. If your credential is evaluated to be Substantially Equivalent, apply for the full LMFT credential.