Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-8

Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-8
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-1 Application for marriage and family therapist license; requirements

Sec. 1. An individual who applies for a license as a marriage and family therapist must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in marriage and family therapy, or in a related area as determined by the board from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirements under section 2.1(a)(1) of this chapter or from a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 2.1(a)(2) or 2.1(a)(3) of this chapter; and (B) completed the educational requirements under section 2.5 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has met the clinical experience requirements under section 2.7 of this chapter. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual: (A) except as provided in section 1.7 of this chapter, holds a marriage and family therapist associate license, in good standing, issued under section 5 of this chapter; or (B) is licensed or certified to practice as a marriage and family therapist in another state and is otherwise qualified under this chapter. (4) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (5) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a marriage and family therapist without endangering the public. (6) Pay the fee established by the board. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.33-1993, SEC.42; P.L.147-1997, SEC.61; P.L.2-2007, SEC.337; P.L.134-2008, SEC.39; P.L.177-2009, SEC.46; P.L.1-2025, SEC.215.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-1.5 Application for marriage and family therapist associate license; requirements; temporary permit

Sec. 1.5. (a) An individual who applies for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in marriage and family therapy, or in a related area as determined by the board from an institution of higher education that meets the requirements under section 2.1(a)(1) of this chapter or from a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 2.1(a)(2) or 2.1(a)(3) of this chapter; and (B) completed the educational requirements under section 2.5 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a marriage and family therapist associate without endangering the public. (4) Pay the fee established by the board. (5) Pass an examination provided by the board. (b) The board shall issue an associate temporary permit to practice marriage and family therapy to an individual who: (1) meets the educational requirements for a license as a marriage and family therapist; (2) is pursuing the required clinical supervisory hours for a license as a marriage and family therapist; and (3) pays a fee for the temporary permit set by the board. An associate temporary permit issued under this subsection expires one (1) year after the date the permit is issued, without regard to the number of times the individual passes or fails the required examination to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. The temporary permit may not be renewed. As added by P.L.134-2008, SEC.40. Amended by P.L.195-2018, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-1.7 Doctoral program; associate license; clinical experience

Sec. 1.7. An individual who receives a master's degree and enters a doctoral program may do either of the following: (1) Apply for a marriage and family therapist associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter by meeting the requirements of this chapter. (2) Elect not to apply for a marriage and family therapist associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter, accrue the clinical experience required under section 2.7(b) of this chapter, and apply for a marriage and family therapist license at the conclusion of the doctoral program. As added by P.L.177-2009, SEC.47. Amended by P.L.83-2024, SEC.17; P.L.130-2025, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-2.1 Requirements for institution attended by applicant

Sec. 2.1. (a) An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist under section 1 of this chapter or an applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate under section 1.5 of this chapter must have received a master's or doctor's degree in marriage and family therapy, or in a related area as determined by the board, from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the following requirements: (1) If the institution was located in the United States or a territory of the United States, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. (2) If the institution was located in Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. (3) If the institution was located in a foreign country other than Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution: (A) was recognized by the government of the country where the school was located as a program to train in the practice of marriage and family therapy or psychotherapy; and (B) maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of institutions accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. (b) An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist under section 1 of this chapter or an applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate under section 1.5 of this chapter who has a master's or doctoral degree from a program that did not emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the course work requirement from an institution that is: (1) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education; and (2) recognized by the United States Department of Education. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.62. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.338; P.L.134-2008, SEC.41.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-2.5 Educational requirements

Sec. 2.5. (a) An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist under section 1 of this chapter or an applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate under section 1.5 of this chapter must complete the following educational requirements: (1) Except as provided in subsection (b), graduate course work that must include graduate level course credits with material in at least the following content areas: (A) Theoretical foundations of marriage and family therapy. (B) Major models of marriage and family therapy. (C) Individual development. (D) Family development and family relationships. (E) Clinical problems. (F) Collaboration with other disciplines. (G) Sexuality. (H) Gender and sexual orientation. (I) Issues of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, and culture. (J) Therapy techniques. (K) Behavioral research that focuses on the interpretation and application of research data as it applies to clinical practice. The content areas may be combined into any one (1) graduate level course. (2) Graduate course work in the following areas: (A) Legal, ethical, and professional standards issues in the practice of marriage and family therapy or an equivalent course approved by the board. (B) Appraisal and assessment for individual or interpersonal disorder or dysfunction. (3) At least one (1) supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in a marriage and family counseling setting that meets the following requirements: (A) The applicant provided during at least twelve (12) months of clinical practice, at least three hundred (300) face to face client contact hours, of which at least one hundred (100) hours must be relational, under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist who has at least five (5) years of experience or a qualified supervisor approved by the board. (B) The applicant received one hundred (100) hours of supervision from a licensed marriage and family therapist who has at least five (5) years experience as a qualified supervisor. The requirements under clauses (A) and (B) may be met by a supervised practice experience that took place away from an institution of higher education but that is certified by an official of the eligible postsecondary educational institution as being equivalent to a graduate level practicum or internship program at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Education, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. (b) The following graduate work may not be used to satisfy the content area requirements under subsection (a): (1) Thesis or dissertation work. (2) Practicums, internships, or fieldwork. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.63. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.339; P.L.134-2008, SEC.42; P.L.160-2018, SEC.2; P.L.49-2019, SEC.5; P.L.149-2022, SEC.5; P.L.15-2023, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-2.7 Examination; clinical experience requirement

Sec. 2.7. (a) For purposes of this section, "virtual supervision" means supervision of an applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist by a qualified supervisor through an electronic platform that provides for synchronous visual and audio interaction in real time, and which is compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Virtual supervision does not include telephone calls, electronic mail, or text messages. (b) An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist under section 1 of this chapter must have at least two (2) years of postdegree clinical experience, during which at least fifty percent (50%) of the applicant's clients were receiving marriage and family therapy services. The applicant's clinical experience must include one thousand (1,000) hours of postdegree clinical experience and two hundred (200) hours of postdegree clinical supervision, of which one hundred (100) hours must be individual supervision, under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist who has at least five (5) years of experience or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board. (c) Except as provided in section 1.7 of this chapter, if an individual is obtaining the postdegree clinical experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as a marriage and family therapist associate under section 1.5 of this chapter. (d) When obtaining the clinical experience required under subsection (b), the applicant must provide direct individual, group, and family therapy and counseling to the following categories of cases: (1) Unmarried romantic relationships and relational systems. (2) Married couples. (3) Separating or divorcing couples. (4) Family systems and groupings, including children and minors. (e) A doctoral internship may be applied toward the supervised work experience requirement. (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), the experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the supervising marriage and family therapist. (g) Except as provided in subsection (h), the work requirement may not be performed away from the supervising marriage and family therapist's premises if: (1) the work is the independent private practice of marriage and family therapy; and (2) the work is not performed at a place that has the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board. (h) Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised postdegree clinical experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision by a licensed marriage and family therapist or equivalent supervisor described in subsection (b). (i) Any supervised postdegree clinical experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter after being licensed as a marriage and family therapist associate under section 1.5 of this chapter do not expire and may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised postdegree clinical experience requirements under this chapter. (j) After obtaining a temporary permit under section 1.5 of this chapter, any supervised postdegree clinical experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter before the temporary permit expires may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised postdegree experience requirements under this chapter. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.64. Amended by P.L.197-2007, SEC.85; P.L.134-2008, SEC.43; P.L.177-2009, SEC.48; P.L.28-2012, SEC.24; P.L.160-2018, SEC.3; P.L.83-2024, SEC.18; P.L.1-2025, SEC.216; P.L.130-2025, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-3 Examination; minimum requirements; examination in last term

Sec. 3. (a) As used in this section, "term" refers to an academic semester, trimester, or quarter. (b) An individual who satisfies the requirements of section 1.5(a)(1) through 1.5(a)(4) of this chapter may take the examination provided by the board. (c) An individual who: (1) is enrolled in the last term of the last year of a program leading to a degree that meets the requirements of section 1.5(a)(1) of this chapter; and (2) provides a letter of good standing from the director of the marriage and family therapy department or the director's designee; may take the examination provided by the board for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate. (d) A letter of good standing provided under subsection (c)(2) by an individual who applies for a license as a marriage and family therapist associate must include the following information: (1) The individual's first and last name. (2) The type of degree and program in which the individual is enrolled. (3) A statement confirming that the individual is currently in the final term of the program. (4) The anticipated date of completion of the program. (5) A statement confirming that the individual is in good academic standing. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.134-2008, SEC.44; P.L.10-2019, SEC.112; P.L.83-2024, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-4 Examinations; times and places

Sec. 4. The board shall provide for examinations to be given at least once annually at times and places established by the board. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-5 Issuance of license

Sec. 5. The board shall issue a marriage and family therapist license or marriage and family therapist associate license, as appropriate, to an individual who: (1) achieves a passing score, as determined by the board, on the examination provided under this chapter; and (2) is otherwise qualified under this article. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.65; P.L.134-2008, SEC.45.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-8 Duration of marriage and family therapist license; renewal

Sec. 8. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a marriage and family therapist license issued by the board is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (b) An individual may renew a marriage and family therapist license by: (1) paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license; and (2) completing not less than fifteen (15) hours of continuing education each licensure year. (c) If an individual fails to pay a renewal on or before the expiration date of a license, the license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.66; P.L.134-2008, SEC.46; P.L.177-2015, SEC.54.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-8.5 Duration of marriage and family therapist associate license; renewal

Sec. 8.5. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a marriage and family therapist associate license issued by the board is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (b) An individual may renew a marriage and family therapist associate license two (2) times by: (1) paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license; and (2) completing at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing education each licensure year. (c) The board may renew a marriage and family therapist associate license for additional periods based on circumstances determined by the board. (d) If an individual fails to pay a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of a license, the license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.134-2008, SEC.47. Amended by P.L.177-2015, SEC.55.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-9 Reinstatement of invalid license

Sec. 9. (a) The board may reinstate an invalid marriage and family therapist license issued under section 5 of this chapter up to three (3) years after the expiration date of the license if the individual holding the invalid license meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. (b) If more than three (3) years have elapsed since the date a marriage and family therapist license expired, the individual holding the license may renew the license by satisfying the requirements for renewal established by the board and meeting the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. (c) The board may reinstate an invalid marriage and family therapist associate license issued under section 5 of this chapter up to one (1) year after the expiration date of the license if the individual holding the invalid license meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. An associate license that has been expired for more than one (1) year may not be reinstated under IC 25-1-8-6. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.67; P.L.2-1998, SEC.68; P.L.269-2001, SEC.22; P.L.134-2008, SEC.48.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-9.5 Reciprocity for marriage and family therapists

Sec. 9.5. The board shall issue a license to an individual to be a marriage and family therapist, not more than thirty (30) days after the application is filed and completed, if the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state or jurisdiction; (2) has passed an examination substantially equivalent to the level for which licensure is being requested; (3) does not have a pending disciplinary proceeding in another state; and (4) pays a fee. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.149-2022, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-10 Temporary permit; requirements; expiration; renewal

Sec. 10. (a) The board may issue a temporary permit to an individual to profess to be a marriage and family therapist if the individual pays a fee and the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state and the individual has applied for a license from the board; (2) is practicing in a state that does not license or certify marriage and family therapists, but is certified by a national association approved by the board and the individual has applied for a license from the board; or (3) has been approved by the board to take the examination and has graduated from a school or program approved by the board and the individual has completed any experience requirement. (b) A temporary permit expires the earlier of: (1) the date the individual holding the permit is issued a license under this article; (2) the date the board disapproves the individual's license application; or (3) one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial permit is issued. (c) The board may renew a temporary permit if the individual holding the permit was scheduled to take the next examination and the individual: (1) did not take the examination; and (2) shows good cause for not taking the examination. (d) A permit renewed under subsection (c) expires on the date the individual holding the permit receives the results from the next examination given after the permit was issued. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-11 Notification of retirement from practice

Sec. 11. (a) An individual who is licensed as a marriage and family therapist under this chapter shall notify the board in writing when the individual retires from practice. (b) Upon receipt of the notice, the board shall: (1) record the fact the individual is retired; and (2) release the individual from further payment of renewal fees and continuing education requirements. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.69; P.L.134-2008, SEC.49.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-13 Exemption from examination requirement

Sec. 13. (a) An individual who applies for a marriage and family therapist associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter may be exempted by the board from the examination requirement under this chapter if the individual: (1) complies with subsection (b); and (2) is licensed or certified to practice as a marriage and family therapist in another state or has engaged in the practice of marriage and family therapy for at least three (3) of the previous five (5) years. (b) An individual may be exempted under subsection (a) if the individual: (1) has passed a licensing examination substantially equivalent to the licensing examination required under this article; (2) has passed an examination pertaining to the marriage and family therapy laws and rules of this state; and (3) has not committed any act or is not under investigation for any act that constitutes a violation of this article; and is otherwise qualified under section 1.5 of this chapter and pays an additional fee. As added by P.L.186-1990, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.147-1997, SEC.70; P.L.134-2008, SEC.50; P.L.109-2015, SEC.45.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8-15 Mental health diagnosis evaluation; requirements; documentation

Sec. 15. (a) This section applies if an individual licensed under this chapter performs an evaluation to determine a mental health diagnosis of a patient and determines that the patient either: (1) has not seen: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5; within the previous twelve (12) months; or (2) may have a physical condition that requires medical attention. (b) The individual performing the evaluation shall do the following: (1) Advise the patient to schedule, and offer to assist the patient with the scheduling of, a physical examination at the earliest opportunity with: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5. (2) Provide the patient with a list of practitioners specified in subdivision (1) that the patient may contact to schedule a physical examination, including the: (A) name; (B) address; and (C) telephone number; of the practitioners. (3) Coordinate patient care as appropriate with the practitioner who is providing physical medical care to the patient, unless the patient has declined to consent to the coordination of care. (c) An individual performing the evaluation shall document all actions taken under subsection (b) in the patient's medical record. As added by P.L.138-2021, SEC.7.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026

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