Sec. 502.252. LICENSE APPLICATION

(a) An applicant for a license must:

(1) file a written application with the board on a form prescribed by the board; and

(2) pay the appropriate application fee.

(b) To qualify for a license as a licensed marriage and family therapist associate, a person must:

(1) be at least 18 years of age;

(2) have completed a graduate internship in marriage and family therapy, or an equivalent internship, as approved by the board;

(3) pass the license examination and jurisprudence examination determined by the board;

(4) hold a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or in a related mental health field with coursework and training determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an institution of higher education approved by the board;

(5) be of good moral character;

(6) have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

(7) not use drugs or alcohol to an extent that affects the applicant's professional competency;

(8) not have had a license or certification revoked by a licensing agency or by a certifying professional organization; and

(9) not have engaged in fraud or deceit in applying for a license under this chapter.

(c) An applicant is eligible to apply for a license as a licensed marriage and family therapist if the person:

(1) meets the requirements of Subsection (b);

(2) after receipt of a degree described by Subsection (b)(4), has completed two years of work experience in marriage and family therapist services that includes at least 3,000 hours of clinical practice of which:

(A) at least 1,500 hours consist of direct clinical services; and

(B) at least 750 hours consist of direct clinical services to couples or families; and

(3) has completed, in a manner acceptable to the board, at least 200 hours of supervised provision of direct clinical services by the applicant, 100 hours of which must be supervised on an individual basis.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.255(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1061 , Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2005.