Family Counselor Certification

Marriage and family counseling programs are offered in social and behavioral sciences departments. Marriage and family counselors must be state-licensed after completing their required coursework. The minimum education requirement to be a state-licensed marriage and family counselor is a master's degree. Marriage and family counselors can become certified through the National Board for Certified Counselors. The American Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education accredits marriage and family programs.

Education Requirements

Marriage and family counselors must earn their Master of Science degree in counseling. In addition to receiving theoretical training in marriage and counseling therapy, students must also complete their clinical instruction and fieldwork by working at an approved counseling facility. Marriage and family programs require students to satisfy prerequisite courses including statistics, abnormal psychology, human, child or adolescent development and statistics. Graduates from a marriage and family program are eligible for licensure and professional certification.

Licensure

Marriage and family counselors must satisfy state-specific licensing requirements prior to starting their counseling careers. The minimum education requirement for state licensure is a master's degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy. Prospective applicants must also complete either two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice at an approved counseling facility. The clinical practice must be performed beyond the requirements for a master's degree. State licensure applicants must also pass a state exam and adhere to ethical codes and standards in counseling.

Continuing Education

State-licensed marriage and family counselors must take continuing education and professional development courses to maintain their licensure on an annual basis. Some counselors seek certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Certification requirements include transcripts from an accredited institution, completed internships and passing a written exam. Candidates who are certified must also take continuing education and professional development training to become re-certified every five years. The National Board for Certified Counselors awards certificates to family counselors with specialty fields.

Considerations

Marriage and family therapy programs are designed to provide students with the required coursework to become certified and successfully pass their state-licensing exams. The National Board for Certified Counselors administers the National Counselor Examination for licensure and certification or NCE for Certified Counselors. The NCE fulfills both national and state counselor licensure requirements. The exam is designed to evaluate a candidate's overall knowledge and skills that are essential for effective counseling. Candidates who are eligible to become certified marriage and family therapists include social workers and graduates from human development programs.

References

• National Board for Certified Counselors: The National Certified Counselor
• California State University East Bay: Master of Science in Counseling with the Marriage and Family Option
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Counselors
• American Association for Marriage and Family: Commission on Accreditation for MFT Therapy