LicenseCompass

Marriage Therapist License in Washington

Quick Answer

To become a Marriage Therapist in Washington, you need a master's or doctoral degree in MFT, 2 years of supervised experience with 1,000 hours of direct client contact, and must pass the AMFTRB exam.

Exam
AMFTRB exam (Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards)
Timeline
4-6 years (master's/doctoral degree + 2 years/1,000 hours supervised experience)
Background Check
Required

Requirements

Marriage Therapist license in Washington

gold
Education
Degree required
Exam
Third-party exam required
Background Check
No criminal record prohibitions
Continuing Education
Continuing education required to maintain license
Veterans Benefits
Expedited processing is available for military and spouses

Licensing Agency

Department of Health

Marriage Therapist Salary in Washington

Entry Level

$52,710

Median

$59,660

Experienced

$100,250

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary data is for informational purposes only.

How to Get Licensed

Step-by-step roadmap to becoming a licensed Marriage Therapist in Washington.

  1. 1

    Complete Education Requirements

    Degree required

  2. 2

    Submit Background Check

    No criminal record prohibitions

  3. 3

    Pass the Required Exam

    Third-party exam required — AMFTRB exam (Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards)

  4. 4

    Submit Your Application

    File your application with the licensing agency.

  5. 5

    Receive Your License

    Processing typically takes 4-6 years (master's/doctoral degree + 2 years/1,000 hours supervised experience).

Marriage Therapist Licensing in Washington: What to Know

Requires master's or doctoral degree in MFT from an approved school. Minimum 2 calendar years of full-time marriage and family therapy experience with 1,000 hours direct client contact. Must pass the AMFTRB exam and pay required fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Marriage Therapist license in Washington?
The process typically takes 4-6 years (master's/doctoral degree + 2 years/1,000 hours supervised experience), depending on education completion and exam scheduling.
What exam do I need for a Marriage Therapist license in Washington?
You need to pass the AMFTRB exam (Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards). Third-party exam required

Considering another state?

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Data from CareerOneStop (DOLETA/DEED). Last updated: February 15, 2026.