Substantially Equivalent States – Marriage and Family Therapist

Washington state may issue credentials to applicants with credentials in another state based upon the other state's qualifications. The other state's licensing standards must be substantially equivalent to Washington state's licensing qualifications.

New legislative changes due to SHB 1724 will apply new criteria to out of state applicants starting July 23, 2023.

To qualify:

  • applicant must come from a state that has been deemed substantially equivalent (see list below),
  • has been credentialed for at least two years in that state, and 
  • has not been subject to disciplinary action.

Please note that we currently do not have a specific endorsement application. Applicants should use the Marriage and Family Therapist application until further notice. We are working on updating our applications to reflect these changes.

State for Review Date of Review Equivalent?
Alabama December 2, 2024 Yes
Alaska December 2, 2024 Yes
Arizona December 2, 2024 Yes
Arkansas December 2, 2024 Yes
Colorado December 2, 2024 Yes
Connecticut December 2, 2024 Yes
District of Columbia December 2, 2024 Yes
Delaware December 2, 2024 Yes
Florida December 2, 2024 Yes
Georgia December 2, 2024 Yes
Hawaii December 2, 2024 Yes
Idaho December 2, 2024 Yes
Illinois December 2, 2024 Yes
Indiana December 2, 2024 Yes
Iowa December 2, 2024 Yes
Kansas December 2, 2024 Yes
Kentucky December 2, 2024 Yes
Louisiana December 2, 2024 Yes
Maine December 2, 2024 Yes
Maryland December 2, 2024 Yes
Massachusetts December 2, 2024 Yes
Michigan December 2, 2024 Yes
Minnesota December 2, 2024 Yes
Mississippi December 2, 2024 Yes
Missouri December 2, 2024 Yes
Montana December 2, 2024 Yes
Nebraska December 2, 2024 Yes
Nevada December 2, 2024 Yes
New Hampshire December 2, 2024 Yes
New Jersey December 2, 2024 Yes
New Mexico December 2, 2024 Yes
New York December 2, 2024 Yes
North Carolina December 2, 2024 Yes
North Dakota December 2, 2024 Yes
Ohio December 2, 2024 Yes
Oklahoma December 2, 2024 Yes
Pennsylvania December 2, 2024 Yes
Rhode Island December 2, 2024 Yes
South Carolina December 2, 2024 Yes - only those designated as a supervisor may work independently
South Dakota December 2, 2024 Yes
Tennessee December 2, 2024 Yes
Utah December 2, 2024 Yes
Vermont December 2, 2024 Yes
Virginia December 2, 2024 Yes
West Virginia December 2, 2024 Yes
Wisconsin December 2, 2024 Yes
Wyoming December 2, 2024 Yes