Rhode Island lets out-of-state marriage and family therapists skip exams

Rhode Island may issue a marriage and family therapist license without an exam. This path covers marriage and family therapists licensed in another state. Applicants must have held a marriage and family therapist license in another state for at least one year. A license is permitted, not guaranteed. The law takes effect upon passage.

Applicants using the degree-based paths for a full license must meet requirements for work with clients and supervised practice. These paths cover applicants with a master's degree or an accredited doctorate in marriage and family therapy. Both paths require at least two years of relevant experience after graduation and 100 hours of supervised work over two years under a board-approved supervisor. The master's path requires at least 1,400 client-contact hours after graduation, allows up to 100 during graduate study, and requires at least 300 with 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. Applicants must pass the board's licensing exam unless they qualify for licensing without an exam. Approval requires at least four board votes, including two from marriage and family therapists. The law takes effect upon passage.

Applicants for a marriage and family therapist associate license must complete supervised practice during their graduate program. This training requirement covers people applying for marriage and family therapist associate licenses. The internship or supervised practice must take place during a master's or doctoral program and include at least 300 hours of direct client contact under an approved supervisor. The law takes effect upon passage.