How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists have a unique job and many find this career to be rewarding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much faster than average growth for this profession over the next several years, and marriage and family therapists can expect to make an annual salary of $37,050 to $96,520, with $49,880 being the median yearly pay.

If you are considering bringing your marriage and family therapy practice to the U.S., review our guide below for answers to questions about this process such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapists?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapists?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)?

Several important steps make up the process . Our steps will give you a general overview of this process, and you will need to consult the requirements of the specific state you wish to work in, as marriage and family therapy licensing is handled on the state level, not a national level. Steps for becoming a foreign-educated marriage and family therapist in the U.S. include:

1. Review the regulations for the specific state that you wish to work in when you immigrate to the United States. You will need to check specific state requirements to see detailed information on the type of education required of you and the work experience you will need before you are eligible for licensing. In most states, you will need at least a graduate-level degree in a specific marriage and family therapy or counseling-related major. The certification type that you will be pursuing in the U.S. is for a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT).
2. Obtain certified translations of your original academic documents, work and internship experiences, and any other important documents before using a credential evaluation service to convert your foreign qualifications to the accurate U.S. equivalency. This will help you determine if you meet the basic education and experience requirements needed to apply for MFT licensing in the state where you wish to work. After receiving your credential evaluation, you will be able to see what you might be missing and complete the remaining educational or experiential requirements.

You can obtain a reliable and accurate credential evaluation by using one of the credential evaluation services found through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE), as both of these organizations are comprised of credential evaluation services that are dedicated to accurate evaluations and high standards.

1. After you’ve obtained your credential evaluation, you will need to complete any additional state licensing requirements. In most states, this includes taking the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some states will also require you to take a state-specific ethics exam. Use the directory of state MFT licensing boards on the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s website for more detailed information about state examination requirements.
2. At the same time as completing specific state-required examinations, you may want to consider taking either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). These tests generally aren’t required of LMFT applicants, but they can be helpful when it comes to obtaining a job in the U.S. and throughout the process of moving to the U.S. to work as an LMFT.
3. Once you’re sure you meet all state requirements for licensing, submit your application for a marriage and family therapist license to the state MFT licensing board where you wish to work. After your application is approved and you are awarded a license, you can start researching jobs to apply to in the United States and work on your visa or green card applications. H-1B visas for specialty occupations and employment-based visas are the most common ways that LMFTs immigrate to the U.S.

Always consult with the state MFT licensing board where you wish to work for more detailed and up-to-date information about obtaining a license, and don’t hesitate to contact a U.S. immigration lawyer if you have questions about which visa type to utilize as you consider moving your LMFT profession to the United States.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?

Moving to the U.S. to work as a marriage and family therapist is not an inexpensive undertaking, as there are many costs associated with this process. You will need to factor in the cost of credential evaluations and certified translations, examination fees and study materials, specific state license fees, and visa or green card application fees. If you need to take other exams, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, or you need to consult with a U.S. immigration lawyer, this may also add to your cost. On average, and not including the cost of obtaining your marriage and family therapist education, it costs between $2,000 and $4,000 to work as a foreign-educated marriage and family therapist in the U.S.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?

The time it takes varies based on individual situations and factors such as preparing for examinations, state ethics exams, the state license process, and the process of applying for and receiving a visa or a green card. On average, the process will take between 2 and 5 years; this estimate does not include the time it takes to obtain your education or any required supervised work and internship experience.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapist in the U.S.?

After you have met all basic education and experience requirements, obtained state licensing, found a job working in the U.S. as a marriage and family therapist, and obtained the best visa or green card for your situation, you will be able to work in the United States without restrictions. Make sure you are aware of any continuing education or license renewal requirements that you may need to meet to ensure you can legally practice in your state without issue.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapists?

Each state will have different requirements for a license. However, most states will adhere to the same general requirements of having foreign-educated applicants prove that both their education and experience meets the U.S. equivalency. Applicants for licensing in each state are also commonly required to pass examinations like the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and state ethics exams. Continuing education requirements and other license renewal regulations may also be a part of obtaining and maintaining licensing in certain states. You can review specific state license regulations and compare them using the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Boards state license comparison listing.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Marriage and Family Therapists?

Many states require that marriage and family therapists are U.S. citizens or an eligible category of non-citizens in order to be eligible for licensing in that jurisdiction. This means that obtaining a green card for permanent residency in the United States is often required; specific types of visas for traveling to the U.S. and working as a marriage and family therapist may be allowed while an individual’s green card application is processed. You will need to check with the specific state you wish to work in for more detailed information. In general, marriage and family therapists fall into the category of specialty professions that qualifies them for immigration to the U.S. via specific skilled worker visa types. The H-1B visa for specialty occupations is a common choice for marriage and family therapists that wish to practice in the United States, but employment-based visas like the EB-2 and EB-3 visas are also an option in certain circumstances. The EB-2 visa also allows individuals to eventually obtain a green card via the Physician National Interest Waiver. Every individual’s immigration situation is different, so it’s important to consult with a U.S. immigration lawyer if you have questions about how to gain a green card or which visa type is the best option for your circumstances.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Certified translations are an essential part of earning your license to practice marriage and family therapy in the United States. You will need certified translations of documents like academic transcripts, diplomas, licenses, work experience and internship history, and even birth certificates as you pursue credential evaluations, apply for state licensing, and submit visa applications, Via our online store, you can obtain certified translations of important documents including:

• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Business licenses and certifications
• Resumes and employment records
• Birth certificates

Order Your Certified Translation