Overview
COAMFTE and MFT education
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), a committee of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), accredits master’s, doctoral, and post-degree marriage and family therapy programs. CHEA-recognized. It is the gold-standard specialized accreditor for the field.
The Path
COAMFTE, CACREP, and LMFT licensure
Requirements vary by state, and MFT is more flexible than social work. A COAMFTE-accredited degree meets the education requirement for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in every state and streamlines the application. But most states also accept a marriage-and-family degree accredited by CACREP in the MFT specialty, or a regionally accredited MFT program meeting specific curriculum standards. Confirm the exact rule with your state board.
- Graduate MFT degreeCOAMFTE-accredited, or a CACREP-MFT or regionally accredited MFT program per state rules.
- Supervised hoursPost-degree supervised clinical experience (commonly 1,000–4,000 hours).
- AMFTRB examThe MFT National Examination from the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.
- State licenseLMFT (and often an associate LMFTA stage first).
Why It Matters
What COAMFTE accreditation adds
- Streamlined licensureA COAMFTE degree meets the education bar in every state and simplifies the application.
- PortabilityIt improves license portability if you move between states.
- Direct-hour creditSome states let COAMFTE-program clinical hours count toward the post-degree total.
- Not always requiredBecause CACREP and regional routes exist, COAMFTE is preferred rather than universally mandatory.
Do It Yourself
Verify an MFT program
Go Deeper
Official sources
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits marriage and family therapy programs? The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), a committee of AAMFT, which accredits master's, doctoral, and post-degree MFT programs. It is CHEA-recognized.
- Do I need a COAMFTE-accredited degree to become an LMFT? Not in every state. A COAMFTE degree meets the education requirement everywhere and streamlines licensure, but most states also accept a CACREP-MFT or a regionally accredited MFT degree meeting curriculum standards.
- What exam do LMFT candidates take? The MFT National Examination, developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
- How is MFT accreditation different from social work? Social work licensure requires a CSWE-accredited degree in every state; MFT is more flexible, with COAMFTE preferred but CACREP and regional routes accepted in many states.
- Can COAMFTE hours count toward licensure? In some states, a portion of the supervised clinical and supervision hours earned in a COAMFTE-accredited program can count toward the post-degree total. Check your state board.
- Is COAMFTE recognized by the government? COAMFTE is CHEA-recognized. Its role is the specialized education standard for MFT and the smoothest path to LMFT licensure.
- Does COAMFTE accredit online programs? Yes. Many COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs offer hybrid or fully online formats.
- How do I verify an MFT program's accreditation? Search the COAMFTE directory and confirm the licensure route with your state MFT board.