DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY – GENERAL RULES  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 16145, 16148, 16901, 16903, 16909, and 16913 of the public health  
code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16901, 333.16903, 333.16909, and  
333.16913, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-  
4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 338.7201 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “Board” means the Michigan board of marriage and family therapy created under  
section 16907 of the code, MCL 333.16907.  
(b) “Code” means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.  
(c) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(2) As used in section 16903(3)(d) of the code, MCL 333.16903, “organized health care  
setting or other arrangement” means any of the following:  
(a) A health facility or agency as that term is defined in section 20106(1) of the code,  
MCL 333.20106.  
(b) A mental hospital or psychiatric hospital as those terms are defined in R  
330.1201(f).  
(c) A training institute.  
(d) A court family counseling service.  
(e) A church counseling program.  
(f) A marriage and family therapy practice.  
(g) A governmental agency.  
(h) A private practice of a fully licensed mental health practitioner.  
(3) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 338.7202 Training standards for identifying victims of human trafficking;  
requirements.  
Rule 2. (1) Under section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, an individual seeking  
licensure shall have completed training in identifying victims of human trafficking that  
satisfies the following standards:  
(a) Training content must cover all the following:  
(i) Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in this state or the United  
States.  
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(ii) Identifying victims of human trafficking in healthcare settings.  
(iii) Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in healthcare settings for adults  
and minors.  
(iv) Identifying resources for reporting the suspected victims of human trafficking.  
(b) Acceptable providers or methods of training include any of the following:  
(i) Training offered by a nationally recognized or state-recognized, health-related  
organization.  
(ii) Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.  
(iii) Training obtained in an educational program approved for initial licensure, or by a  
college or university.  
(iv) Reading an article related to the identification of victims of human trafficking that  
satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subrule and is published in a peer-  
reviewed journal, healthcare journal, or professional or scientific journal.  
(c) Acceptable modalities of training include any of the following:  
(i) Teleconference or webinar.  
(ii) Online presentation.  
(iii) Live presentation.  
(iv) Printed or electronic media.  
(2) The department may select and audit an individual and request documentation of  
proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, the individual shall  
provide an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of the following:  
(a) Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the date,  
provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.  
(b) A self-certification statement by the individual. The certification statement must  
include the individual’s name and either of the following:  
(i) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(i) to (iii) of this rule, the date, training  
provider name, and name of training.  
(ii) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(iv) of this rule, the title of article,  
author, publication name of the peer-reviewed journal, healthcare journal, or professional  
or scientific journal, and the date, volume, and issue of publication, as applicable.  
History: 2016 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7203 Limited license.  
Rule 3. (1) An applicant for licensure under section 16903(3) of the code, MCL  
333.16903, shall satisfy the requirements of the code, the rules promulgated under the  
code, and all the following requirements:  
(a) Provide the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the  
department.  
(b) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying the completion of either of  
the following educational requirements, as specified under section 16909(1)(a)(i) or (ii)  
of the code, MCL 333.16909:  
(i) A master’s degree or higher graduate degree from an approved training program in  
marriage and family therapy that satisfies the accreditation standards under R  
338.7211(1).  
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(ii) A master’s degree or higher graduate degree from an approved college or  
university that satisfies the accreditation standards under R 338.7211(2) or (3) and  
completed the graduate-level courses in section 16909(1)(a)(ii) of the code, MCL  
333.16909.  
(c) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying the completion of a  
supervised clinical marriage and family therapy experience that satisfies the requirements  
of section 16909(1)(b) of the code, MCL 333.16909, in conjunction with the applicant’s  
educational program. The supervised experience must be obtained either in a clinical  
practicum during graduate education or in a postgraduate marriage and family institute  
training program accredited under R 338.7211(2) or (3).  
(2) A limited license is renewed annually and may not be renewed more than 5 times.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7204 Telehealth.  
Rule 4. (1) A licensee shall obtain consent for treatment before providing a telehealth  
service under section 16284 of the code, MCL 333.16284.  
(2) A licensee shall keep proof of consent for telehealth treatment in the patient’s up-to-  
date medical record and follow section 16213 of the code, MCL 333.16213.  
(3) A licensee providing any telehealth service shall do both of the following:  
(a) Act within the scope of the licensee’s practice.  
(b) Exercise the same standard of care applicable to a traditional, in-person health care  
service.  
History: 2021 AACS.  
R 338.7205 Licensure requirements.  
Rule 5. An applicant for a marriage and family therapist license shall satisfy the  
requirements of the code, the rules promulgated under the code, and all the following  
requirements:  
(a) Provide the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the  
department.  
(b) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying the completion of either of  
the following educational requirements, as specified under section 16909(1)(a)(i) or (ii)  
of the code, MCL 333.16909:  
(i) A master’s degree or higher graduate degree from an approved training program in  
marriage and family therapy that satisfies the accreditation standards under R  
338.7211(1).  
(ii) A master’s degree or higher graduate degree from an approved college or university  
that satisfies the accreditation standards under R 338.7211(2) or (3) and completed the  
graduate-level courses in section 16909(1)(a)(ii) of the code, MCL 333.16909.  
(c) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying the completion of a  
supervised clinical marriage and family therapy experience that satisfies the requirements  
of section 16909(1)(b) of the code, MCL 333.16909, in conjunction with the applicant’s  
educational program. The supervised experience must be obtained either in a clinical  
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practicum during graduate education or in a postgraduate marriage and family institute  
training program accredited under R 338.7211(2) or (3).  
(d) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying not less than 1,000 direct  
client contact hours in a supervised marriage and family therapy experience, as required  
under section 16909(1)(c) of the code, MCL 333.16909.  
(e) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a passing score on the  
examination adopted under R 338.7209.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7207 Examinations; eligibility.  
Rule 7. (1) To establish eligibility for the examination under R 338.7209, an applicant  
shall provide a completed application on a form provided by the department, together  
with the required fee.  
(2) To be eligible to sit for the Marital and Family Therapy National Examination, an  
applicant shall satisfy either R 338.7203(1)(b) and (c) or R 338.7205(b) and (c).  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7209 Examination adoption.  
Rule 9. The Marital and Family Therapy National Examination conducted and scored  
by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) is  
approved and adopted. The passing score for the Marital and Family Therapy National  
Examination is the passing score established by the AMFTRB.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS.  
R 338.7211 Adoption of standards by reference.  
Rule 11. (1) The accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation for  
Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), American Association for  
Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) care of COAMFTE, 112 South Alfred Street,  
Alexandria, Virginia 22314, in the publication titled “Accreditation Standards Graduate  
& Post-Graduate Marriage and Family Therapy Training Programs Version 12.5,”  
effective January 1, 2022, which is available at no cost from the commission’s website at  
https://www.coamfte.org, are approved and adopted by reference. If a marriage and  
family therapy educational program is accredited by COAMFTE, it is approved.  
(2) The standards for recognition of accrediting organizations developed and adopted by  
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), One Dupont Circle NW, Suite  
510, Washington, D.C. 20036, in the publication titled “CHEA Standards and Procedures  
for Recognition,” effective October 4, 2021, which are available at no cost on the  
council’s website at https://www.chea.org, are approved and adopted by reference. If a  
higher education institution is accredited by the accrediting body of the region where the  
institution is located and the accrediting body satisfies the recognition standards of  
CHEA, the institution is approved.  
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(3) The criteria for recognition and the recognition process for the secretary’s  
recognition of accrediting agencies of the United States Department of Education, Office  
of Postsecondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202, in 34  
CFR 602.10 to 602.39, effective July 1, 2020, which are available at no cost on the  
department’s website at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html, are  
approved and adopted by reference. If a higher education institution is accredited by the  
accrediting body of the region where the institution is located and the accrediting body  
satisfies the recognition criteria and process of the United States Department of  
Education, the institution is approved.  
(4) Copies of the standards in this rule are available for inspection and distribution at a  
cost of 10 cents per page from the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, Bureau of  
Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 611 West  
Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, Michigan 48909.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7213 Licensure by endorsement.  
Rule 13. (1) An applicant for a marriage and family therapy license by endorsement  
shall satisfy the requirements of the code and the rules promulgated under the code, and  
all the following requirements:  
(a) Provide the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the  
department.  
(b) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a current and full marriage  
and family therapist license in another state or a province of Canada.  
(c) If the applicant is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in a province in  
Canada, provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant  
completed the educational requirements in Canada or the United States for licensure as a  
marriage and family therapist in Canada or the United States.  
(d) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a passing score on either of  
the following examinations for a marriage and family therapist license in another state or  
a province of Canada to obtain licensure as a marriage and family therapist in another  
state or a province of Canada:  
(i) The examination adopted under R 338.7209.  
(ii) The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist California Clinical Examination.  
(2) An applicant who is or has been licensed, registered, or certified in a health  
profession or specialty by another state, the United States military, the federal  
government, or another country shall disclose that fact on the application form. The  
applicant shall satisfy the requirements of section 16174(2) of the code, MCL 333.16174,  
including verification from the issuing entity showing that disciplinary proceedings are  
not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application.  
If licensure is granted and it is determined that sanctions have been imposed, the  
disciplinary subcommittee may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of  
the code, MCL 333.16174.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
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R 338.7215 Relicensure.  
Rule 15. (1) An applicant may be relicensed within 3 years after the expiration date of  
the license under section 16201(3) of the code, MCL 333.16201, if the applicant satisfies  
the requirements of the code, the rules promulgated under the code, and all the following  
requirements:  
(a) Provides the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the  
department.  
(b) Establishes good moral character as that term is defined in, and determined under,  
1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
(2) An applicant may be relicensed more than 3 years after the expiration date of the  
license under section 16201(4) of the code, MCL 333.16201, if the applicant satisfies the  
requirements of the code, the rules promulgated under the code, and all the following  
requirements:  
(a) Provides the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the  
department.  
(b) Establishes good moral character as that term is defined in, and determined under,  
1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.  
(c) Provides fingerprints as required under section 16174(3) of the code, MCL  
333.16174.  
(d) Provides proof, as directed by the department, verifying the satisfaction of either of  
the following requirements:  
(i) The applicant held or holds an unrestricted marriage and therapy license in another  
state or a province of Canada during the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of  
the application for relicensure.  
(ii) Successfully passes the examination adopted under R 338.7209 during the 3-year  
period immediately preceding the date of the application for relicensure.  
(3) An applicant who is or has been licensed, registered, or certified in a health  
profession or specialty by another state, the United States military, the federal  
government, or another country shall disclose that fact on the application form. The  
applicant shall satisfy the requirements of section 16174(2) of the code, MCL 333.16174,  
including verification from the issuing entity showing that disciplinary proceedings are  
not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application.  
If licensure is granted and it is determined that sanctions have been imposed, the  
disciplinary subcommittee may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of  
the code, MCL 333.16174.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
R 338.7217 Rescission.  
Rule 17. R 338.1841 to R 338.1844 and R 338.1861 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code, appearing on pages 2509 and 2510 of the 1979 Michigan  
Administrative Code, are rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
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R 338.7219 License renewal; requirements.  
Rule 19. (1) An applicant for license renewal shall satisfy the requirements of the code  
and the rules promulgated under the code.  
(2) An applicant for license renewal shall provide the required fee and a completed  
application on a form provided by the department.  
History: 2019 AACS; 2021 AACS; 2023 MR 22, Eff. Nov. 16, 2023.  
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;