Rhode Island allows eligible out-of-state therapists to skip licensing exams

Rhode Island may license eligible out-of-state marriage and family therapists without an exam. The exception covers marriage and family therapists seeking a Rhode Island license. Applicants must hold a marriage and family therapist license in another state and have been licensed in another state for at least one year. Receiving a Rhode Island license is permitted, not guaranteed. The law takes effect upon passage.

Applicants for an associate license must complete supervised training with at least 300 hours working directly with clients. This requirement covers applicants for a marriage and family therapist associate license. The internship or practicum must be part of a master’s or doctoral program in marriage and family therapy. An approved supervisor must direct the training. The law takes effect upon passage.

Applicants for a full therapist license must meet the requirements for a master’s or doctoral degree path. Both paths cover applicants for a full marriage and family therapist license and require at least two years of relevant experience after graduation. The master’s path requires at least 1,400 client-contact hours after graduation. Up to 100 hours may count from the qualifying graduate program. At least 300 hours on the master’s path must involve couples, families, or groups of two or more people. The doctoral path requires a marriage and family therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Both paths require at least 100 hours of supervised casework after graduation, spread over two years, with a board-approved supervisor. Applicants must pass the board’s exam unless a licensing exception applies. The law takes effect upon passage.