How Do I Apply for a Marital and Family Therapist Permanent License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

Attach the following. Email the documents to plpublic@idph.iowa.gov if there are any issues attaching.

Training/ Supervision Requirement

One of the following:

• Proof of clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, OR
• Completed Supervised Clinical Experience: Supervision Report form

A list of approved behavioral health supervisors is available here.

Examination Requirement

Proof of passing the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) Examination in Marital and Family Therapy.

Educational Requirement

Official transcripts conferring a master’s or doctoral degree sent to the board office directly from the college or university.

• Graduates of COAMFTE accredited institutions in marital and family therapy. Degree must be in marital and family therapy.
• Graduates of Non-COAMFTE accredited programs. Degree must be in mental health, behavioral science, or a counseling-related field from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education, which is content-equivalent to a graduate degree in marital and family therapy. The applicant is also required to contact the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) to obtain a content equivalency evaluation and report. Applicants are responsible for the cost of the CCE curriculum evaluation. Expect up to six weeks for the CCE review to be completed after submission of CCE required material

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state, the applicant must meet the following requirements.

1. Meet the requirements established in Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481—891.2 or IAC 481—891.8; and
2. Submit official license verification for all states in which the applicant has been licensed. 

The license verification must include the following: 

• Licensee Name;
• License Number;
• Issue Date;
• Expiration Date;
• License Status; and
• Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).