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ArticleFree MFT Jurisprudence Practice Test by State 2026: 1,000+ Questions23 min read
Exam Review

Key Facts: CA MFT Law & Ethics Exam

75 Qs

Total Questions

50 scored + 25 pretest

90 min

Time Limit

Closed-book, computer-based

3 hrs

Associate Law-Ethics CE Yearly

BPC 4980.399(e)

No

National Exam Required

CA is independent

100

Practice Questions

Free on OpenExamPrep

The California Law & Ethics Exam is required for LMFT licensure in California. It covers BPC 4980 et seq. (MFT Practice Act), Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations, CAMFT Code of Ethics, Tarasoff duty to warn and protect, mandated reporting of child/elder/dependent adult abuse, confidentiality and privilege (Evidence Code 1014), informed consent, telehealth standards, supervision requirements for associates, scope of practice limitations, and business practice standards. The exam has 75 questions (50 scored, 25 unscored pretest items) with a 90-minute time limit.

Sample CA MFT Law & Ethics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CA MFT Law & Ethics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which California code section establishes the Marriage and Family Therapist Practice Act?
A.Business and Professions Code Section 4980 et seq.
B.Health and Safety Code Section 1000
C.Evidence Code Section 1014
D.Civil Code Section 43.92
Explanation: Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 4980 et seq. is the MFT Practice Act in California. It defines the scope of practice, licensure requirements, title protections, and regulatory authority of the Board of Behavioral Sciences over Marriage and Family Therapists.
2Which entity is responsible for regulating Marriage and Family Therapists in California?
A.California Medical Board
B.Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
C.California Board of Psychology
D.Department of Consumer Affairs directly
Explanation: The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and regulating Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, and Licensed Educational Psychologists in California.
3Under California law, what is the minimum supervised experience requirement for LMFT licensure?
A.1,000 hours
B.2,000 hours
C.3,000 hours
D.5,000 hours
Explanation: California requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised experience for LMFT licensure. These hours must be accrued under the supervision of an approved supervisor and include specific categories of direct client contact, including a minimum number of individual and group therapy hours.
4Does California require passage of the AMFTRB national MFT examination for LMFT licensure?
A.Yes, it is required in all states
B.Yes, but only for out-of-state applicants
C.No, California has its own independent Law & Ethics Exam
D.No, California requires no examination at all
Explanation: California does NOT require the AMFTRB national examination. Instead, California administers its own independent Law & Ethics Exam through Pearson VUE. This is a key distinction that sets California apart from most other states that accept or require the national exam.
5The Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California decision established which legal duty for therapists?
A.Duty to maintain absolute confidentiality
B.Duty to warn and protect identifiable potential victims from serious threats of violence
C.Duty to report all criminal behavior disclosed in therapy
D.Duty to hospitalize all clients who express anger
Explanation: The landmark Tarasoff decision (1976) by the California Supreme Court established that therapists have a duty to protect identifiable potential victims when a client communicates a serious threat of physical violence. This duty was later codified in California Civil Code Section 43.92 and may include warning the victim, notifying law enforcement, or taking other reasonable protective steps.
6Under California Evidence Code Section 1014, the psychotherapist-patient privilege belongs to:
A.The therapist
B.The patient
C.The court
D.The insurance company
Explanation: Under California Evidence Code Section 1014, the psychotherapist-patient privilege belongs to the patient (or client). Only the patient can waive the privilege, except in specific circumstances defined by law such as court-ordered evaluations or when dangerous patient exceptions apply.
7Under CANRA, within what timeframe must a mandated reporter make a telephone report of suspected child abuse?
A.Within 72 hours
B.Within 48 hours
C.Immediately or as soon as practically possible
D.Within one week
Explanation: Under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), mandated reporters must make a telephone report to the appropriate agency (child protective services or law enforcement) immediately or as soon as practically possible after suspecting child abuse. A written follow-up report must be submitted within 36 hours.
8A written follow-up report under CANRA must be submitted within what timeframe after the initial telephone report?
A.24 hours
B.36 hours
C.48 hours
D.72 hours
Explanation: Under CANRA, after making the initial telephone report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the mandated reporter must submit a written follow-up report within 36 hours. This report is typically made on the SS 8572 form (Suspected Child Abuse Report).
9Which of the following is NOT an exception to psychotherapist-patient privilege under California law?
A.The patient raises their mental state as an issue in litigation
B.Court-ordered examination
C.The therapist wants to discuss the case at a professional conference
D.Danger to self or others
Explanation: A therapist wanting to discuss a case at a professional conference is NOT an exception to privilege. While consultations with colleagues may be permissible with appropriate safeguards, presenting at a conference is not a statutory exception. Legitimate exceptions include: patient-litigant exception, court-ordered evaluations, danger to self/others, child abuse reporting, and proceedings to determine if the patient needs hospitalization.
10Under California law, what is the minimum age at which a minor can consent to outpatient mental health treatment without parental consent?
A.14 years old
B.12 years old
C.16 years old
D.18 years old
Explanation: Under California Family Code Section 6924, a minor 12 years of age or older may consent to outpatient mental health treatment or counseling if, in the attending professional's opinion, the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the services. Effective July 1, 2024 (AB 665), the former requirement that the minor also be a danger to self/others or an abuse victim was removed, broadening minor self-consent.

About the CA MFT Law & Ethics Exam

The California Law & Ethics Exam (LMFT) tests knowledge of California-specific laws, regulations, and ethical standards governing Marriage and Family Therapy practice. This exam covers California Business and Professions Code (BPC 4980 et seq.), BBS regulations, CAMFT Code of Ethics, mandated reporting requirements, Tarasoff duty to warn/protect, telehealth regulations, and supervision standards. California does NOT require the AMFTRB national exam — this is a completely independent state exam.

Exam sponsor: California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) / Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

75 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

Not published

Exam / Certification Fees

$75 (temporarily reduced from $150 for applications postmarked July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by California BBS. The BBS/Pearson VUE handbook reports pass/fail only; a numeric score is given only to candidates who fail, and no cut score or pass rate is published Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

16%

Consent, Confidentiality & Privilege

Evidence Code 1014 psychotherapist-patient privilege, informed consent requirements, minor consent, exceptions to confidentiality

16%

Mandated Reporting & Limits to Confidentiality

Child abuse and neglect (CANRA), elder and dependent adult abuse reporting, Tarasoff duty to warn/protect, immunity provisions, reporting timelines

12%

Legal Standards for Professional Practice

BPC 4980 et seq., scope of practice, licensure requirements, title protection, BBS authority, disciplinary actions, unprofessional conduct

16%

Professional Competence & Integrity

Professional-competence standards: boundaries, continuing education, cultural competence, impairment, self-care, documentation standards

24%

Responsibility to Clients & Counseling Relationships

Dual relationships, sexual misconduct prohibitions, gift-giving, social media boundaries, termination and abandonment, power dynamics, transference

16%

Practice Policies & Professional Responsibilities

Associate supervision requirements, advertising standards, fee practices, record retention, telehealth regulations, professional corporation rules

Preparing for the CA MFT Law & Ethics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Not published
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $75 (temporarily reduced from $150 for applications postmarked July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA MFT Law & Ethics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master BPC 4980 et seq. (the MFT Practice Act) — know licensure requirements, scope of practice, and unprofessional conduct definitions
2Study Tarasoff duty thoroughly — California is where this landmark case originated and it is heavily tested
3Know all mandated reporting requirements including CANRA (child abuse), elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse reporting timelines
4Understand Evidence Code 1014 (psychotherapist-patient privilege) and all exceptions to confidentiality
5Review CAMFT Code of Ethics with focus on dual relationships, sexual misconduct prohibitions, and boundary management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the California MFT Law & Ethics Exam?

The California Law & Ethics Exam is a state-specific examination required for LMFT licensure in California. It tests candidates' knowledge of California Business and Professions Code (BPC 4980 et seq.), Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations, CAMFT Code of Ethics, mandated reporting laws, Tarasoff duty, confidentiality and privilege statutes, and supervision requirements. The exam has 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit.

Does California require the AMFTRB national MFT exam?

No. California does NOT require the AMFTRB national examination for MFT licensure. California has its own independent Law & Ethics Exam administered through Pearson VUE. This is one of the key differences between California and most other states.

How many questions are scored on the California MFT exam?

Of the 75 total questions, only 50 are scored. The remaining 25 are unscored pretest items being evaluated for future exams. You cannot tell which questions are scored and which are pretest, so treat every question as if it counts.

What is the Tarasoff duty and how does it apply in California?

The Tarasoff duty, established by the California Supreme Court, requires therapists to take reasonable steps to protect identifiable potential victims when a client communicates a serious threat of violence. In California, this duty was codified in Civil Code Section 43.92 and applies to all licensed therapists including LMFTs.

How much does the California MFT Law & Ethics Exam cost?

The LMFT California Law & Ethics Examination fee is $75 for applications postmarked between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2030. This is a temporary 50% reduction from the standard $150 fee, adopted by the BBS under Business and Professions Code Section 128.5. The fee is paid to the BBS (payable to the Behavioral Sciences Fund) through the BreEZe online system.

When are you eligible to take the California MFT Law & Ethics Exam?

You become eligible as soon as you receive your Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) registration number from the BBS. You do not need to complete your 3,000 supervised experience hours first — those hours are required for the separate California Clinical Exam and the Application for Licensure. Associates must attempt the Law & Ethics Exam at least once during each annual registration renewal period until they pass it.