MD MFT Juris cheat sheet

Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3 is the MFT subtitle; Subtitle 1 contains the allied-health definitions, Board composition, and general disciplinary machinery that apply across boards.

The State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists regulates MFTs in Maryland; the Board also licenses professional counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, and (historically) art therapists.

COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 63 governs marriage and family therapy licensure and practice; the MFT regulations sit alongside Subtitle 58 (professional counselors) and Subtitle 57 (alcohol and drug).

Statute sets the broad requirements (licensure, title protection, discipline); COMAR supplies the operational detail (application forms, supervised-experience format, CE hour categories, fees).

When statute and regulation conflict, the statute controls and the Board must amend the regulation; a licensee must comply with the stricter provision until the regulation is corrected.

The Board may adopt regulations, set fees, approve educational programs and supervisors, and issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed practice under its general authority in Title 17.

Statutory definitions of practice and of supervision are incorporated into every COMAR licensure requirement; a supervision hour that does not meet the statutory definition cannot satisfy a COMAR requirement.

The Board publishes applications, supervision forms, and the full regulation text on its health occupations website; the current COMAR text on the State's regulatory site is the operative version.

Marriage and family therapy is the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders and relational problems within a family systems framework, including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and referral.

Practice includes individual, couple, marital, family, and group therapy, and may include premarital counseling, divorce/co-parenting work, and family business or organizational consultation where the focus is relational.

Only a licensee may use the title "marriage and family therapist," "licensed marriage and family therapist," "MFT," or "LCMFT," and only a licensee may describe services as marriage and family therapy.

Title protection is separate from practice regulation: Maryland does not generally prohibit unlicensed persons from providing counseling-like services, but it does prohibit unlicensed use of the protected titles and representations of licensure.

A person licensed in another state may not hold out under the Maryland title; out-of-state practice into Maryland requires Maryland licensure or a recognized telehealth registration pathway.

The MFT scope overlaps with professional counselors and social workers; the distinguishing element is the relational/family-systems orientation and training, not the setting or the client count.

Licensees must practice within their competence and refer or obtain consultation when a case falls outside training, including certain forensic, custody-evaluation, or medically complex matters.

Representing oneself as an MFT without a license is grounds for a cease-and-desist order, civil penalty, and injunctive relief obtained by the Board.

An applicant must hold a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a closely related degree with equivalent MFT coursework) from a regionally accredited institution.

Required graduate coursework typically includes family systems/theories, couple and family therapy techniques, human development, psychopathology, assessment, research, ethics, and supervised practicum/internship.

Post-degree supervised experience is completed under an approved supervisor; the Board's supervision form documents direct client contact hours, supervision hours, and the supervisor's qualifications.

The national examination is the MFT National Examination (AMFTRB); a passing score is required, and scores are reported by the testing vendor directly to the Board.

The application package includes transcripts, the degree verification, supervision documentation, exam score, jurisprudence/ethics attestation, and the fee; incomplete packages are returned, not held indefinitely.

Maryland requires a criminal history records check (fingerprinting through the State and FBI) as part of initial licensure.

Licenses renew on the Board's biennial cycle; renewal requires continuing education in Board-specified categories (including ethics) and attestation of the truth of the renewal information.

A lapsed license may be reinstated within the Board's grace period by paying a late fee and documenting missed CE; after the grace period, reinstatement may require reapplication or additional supervised hours.

Continuing education hours must be in MFT-relevant content, and providers must be Board-approved or acceptable to the Board; licensees retain certificates for audit.

A licensee must give each client, at the outset of services, written disclosure of fees, the nature of services, confidentiality limits, and a means to contact the Board for complaints.

Advertising must be accurate and not misleading: no claims of superiority, no guarantees of outcome, no unearned credentials, and no use of a client testimonial that implies a guaranteed result.

A licensee may use only credentials actually held; "licensed marriage and family therapist" or "LCMFT" may be used only when the Maryland license is current and active.

Informed consent must cover the structure of therapy (who attends sessions, how secrets between family members are handled, and how records are shared within a couple or family).

Dual and multiple relationships are prohibited when they could impair objectivity or exploit the client; bartering, sexual relationships with current clients, and therapy with former sexual partners are prohibited.

A licensee must maintain client records for the period required by the Board and must keep records secure; records must be released only with a valid authorization or as required by law.

Fee splitting with referral sources, paying for referrals, and accepting kickbacks are prohibited; consultation fees and legitimate business arrangements must be disclosed.

Supervision of interns and LGPC/LCMFT-candidates must be documented, and the supervisor is responsible for the supervisee's compliance with the Act and COMAR.

A licensee who is impaired, or who knows a colleague is impaired or practicing below standard, must act: refrain from practice, seek assistance, or report to the Board as required.

Confidentiality is the ethical duty not to disclose client information; privilege is the evidentiary right of the client (or holder) to prevent testimony or records in legal proceedings; Maryland recognizes a therapist-client privilege.

The holder of the privilege is the client; for a minor or a person under guardianship, the parent or guardian generally holds the privilege, subject to the minor's own interests.

Mandatory reporting: a licensee must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the local department of social services or law enforcement, and must report suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Exceptions to confidentiality and privilege include the client's informed written waiver, court order after in camera review, the duty to protect/prevent serious harm, and Board investigations of the licensee.

Maryland's duty to protect (the "duty to warn") permits or requires disclosure to the intended victim and law enforcement when a client presents a serious threat of imminent violence.

Disclosure is permitted for coordination of care with other providers only with a valid authorization, and the minimum necessary information should be shared.

In couple and family therapy, the therapist should establish in advance how individually disclosed information will be handled and may decline to keep secrets that undermine the treatment.

Records requested by subpoena are not automatically disclosable: the licensee should verify the subpoena's validity, notify the client, and seek a protective order or court guidance when privilege is claimed.

Grounds for discipline include fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license, incompetence, gross negligence, unethical or unprofessional conduct, and practicing while impaired.

Other grounds include practicing beyond scope, failing to supervise adequately, failing to maintain required records, and violating the Act, COMAR, or a Board order.

A conviction or plea of nolo contendere to a crime involving moral turpitude or relating to the practice is a ground for discipline, subject to the Board's review of the circumstances.

Complaints are filed with the Board; the Board's staff screens them, and the Board may dismiss, investigate, or refer to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a contested case.

A contested case proceeds under the Administrative Procedure Act (State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2): notice of charges, an opportunity to be heard, and a written decision by the administrative law judge or the Board.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and a requirement to complete remedial education or treatment.

The Board may act summarily (emergency suspension) when the public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate action, with a prompt hearing afterward.

The Board may subpoena records and witnesses, administer oaths, and petition a circuit court to enforce its subpoenas or orders.

A licensee must report to the Board within the required time any adverse action taken by another state or a health occupations board, and any criminal conviction.

Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3 is the MFT subtitle; Subtitle 1 contains the allied-health definitions, Board composition, and general disciplinary machinery that apply across boards.

The State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists regulates MFTs in Maryland; the Board also licenses professional counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, and (historically) art therapists.

COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 63 governs marriage and family therapy licensure and practice; the MFT regulations sit alongside Subtitle 58 (professional counselors) and Subtitle 57 (alcohol and drug).

Statute sets the broad requirements (licensure, title protection, discipline); COMAR supplies the operational detail (application forms, supervised-experience format, CE hour categories, fees).

When statute and regulation conflict, the statute controls and the Board must amend the regulation; a licensee must comply with the stricter provision until the regulation is corrected.

The Board may adopt regulations, set fees, approve educational programs and supervisors, and issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed practice under its general authority in Title 17.

Statutory definitions of practice and of supervision are incorporated into every COMAR licensure requirement; a supervision hour that does not meet the statutory definition cannot satisfy a COMAR requirement.

The Board publishes applications, supervision forms, and the full regulation text on its health occupations website; the current COMAR text on the State's regulatory site is the operative version.

Marriage and family therapy is the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders and relational problems within a family systems framework, including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and referral.

Practice includes individual, couple, marital, family, and group therapy, and may include premarital counseling, divorce/co-parenting work, and family business or organizational consultation where the focus is relational.

Only a licensee may use the title "marriage and family therapist," "licensed marriage and family therapist," "MFT," or "LCMFT," and only a licensee may describe services as marriage and family therapy.

Title protection is separate from practice regulation: Maryland does not generally prohibit unlicensed persons from providing counseling-like services, but it does prohibit unlicensed use of the protected titles and representations of licensure.

A person licensed in another state may not hold out under the Maryland title; out-of-state practice into Maryland requires Maryland licensure or a recognized telehealth registration pathway.

The MFT scope overlaps with professional counselors and social workers; the distinguishing element is the relational/family-systems orientation and training, not the setting or the client count.

Licensees must practice within their competence and refer or obtain consultation when a case falls outside training, including certain forensic, custody-evaluation, or medically complex matters.

Representing oneself as an MFT without a license is grounds for a cease-and-desist order, civil penalty, and injunctive relief obtained by the Board.

An applicant must hold a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a closely related degree with equivalent MFT coursework) from a regionally accredited institution.

Required graduate coursework typically includes family systems/theories, couple and family therapy techniques, human development, psychopathology, assessment, research, ethics, and supervised practicum/internship.

Post-degree supervised experience is completed under an approved supervisor; the Board's supervision form documents direct client contact hours, supervision hours, and the supervisor's qualifications.

The national examination is the MFT National Examination (AMFTRB); a passing score is required, and scores are reported by the testing vendor directly to the Board.

The application package includes transcripts, the degree verification, supervision documentation, exam score, jurisprudence/ethics attestation, and the fee; incomplete packages are returned, not held indefinitely.

Maryland requires a criminal history records check (fingerprinting through the State and FBI) as part of initial licensure.

Licenses renew on the Board's biennial cycle; renewal requires continuing education in Board-specified categories (including ethics) and attestation of the truth of the renewal information.

A lapsed license may be reinstated within the Board's grace period by paying a late fee and documenting missed CE; after the grace period, reinstatement may require reapplication or additional supervised hours.

Continuing education hours must be in MFT-relevant content, and providers must be Board-approved or acceptable to the Board; licensees retain certificates for audit.

A licensee must give each client, at the outset of services, written disclosure of fees, the nature of services, confidentiality limits, and a means to contact the Board for complaints.

Advertising must be accurate and not misleading: no claims of superiority, no guarantees of outcome, no unearned credentials, and no use of a client testimonial that implies a guaranteed result.

A licensee may use only credentials actually held; "licensed marriage and family therapist" or "LCMFT" may be used only when the Maryland license is current and active.

Informed consent must cover the structure of therapy (who attends sessions, how secrets between family members are handled, and how records are shared within a couple or family).

Dual and multiple relationships are prohibited when they could impair objectivity or exploit the client; bartering, sexual relationships with current clients, and therapy with former sexual partners are prohibited.

A licensee must maintain client records for the period required by the Board and must keep records secure; records must be released only with a valid authorization or as required by law.

Fee splitting with referral sources, paying for referrals, and accepting kickbacks are prohibited; consultation fees and legitimate business arrangements must be disclosed.

Supervision of interns and LGPC/LCMFT-candidates must be documented, and the supervisor is responsible for the supervisee's compliance with the Act and COMAR.

A licensee who is impaired, or who knows a colleague is impaired or practicing below standard, must act: refrain from practice, seek assistance, or report to the Board as required.

Confidentiality is the ethical duty not to disclose client information; privilege is the evidentiary right of the client (or holder) to prevent testimony or records in legal proceedings; Maryland recognizes a therapist-client privilege.

The holder of the privilege is the client; for a minor or a person under guardianship, the parent or guardian generally holds the privilege, subject to the minor's own interests.

Mandatory reporting: a licensee must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the local department of social services or law enforcement, and must report suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Exceptions to confidentiality and privilege include the client's informed written waiver, court order after in camera review, the duty to protect/prevent serious harm, and Board investigations of the licensee.

Maryland's duty to protect (the "duty to warn") permits or requires disclosure to the intended victim and law enforcement when a client presents a serious threat of imminent violence.

Disclosure is permitted for coordination of care with other providers only with a valid authorization, and the minimum necessary information should be shared.

In couple and family therapy, the therapist should establish in advance how individually disclosed information will be handled and may decline to keep secrets that undermine the treatment.

Records requested by subpoena are not automatically disclosable: the licensee should verify the subpoena's validity, notify the client, and seek a protective order or court guidance when privilege is claimed.

Grounds for discipline include fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license, incompetence, gross negligence, unethical or unprofessional conduct, and practicing while impaired.

Other grounds include practicing beyond scope, failing to supervise adequately, failing to maintain required records, and violating the Act, COMAR, or a Board order.

A conviction or plea of nolo contendere to a crime involving moral turpitude or relating to the practice is a ground for discipline, subject to the Board's review of the circumstances.

Complaints are filed with the Board; the Board's staff screens them, and the Board may dismiss, investigate, or refer to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a contested case.

A contested case proceeds under the Administrative Procedure Act (State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2): notice of charges, an opportunity to be heard, and a written decision by the administrative law judge or the Board.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and a requirement to complete remedial education or treatment.

The Board may act summarily (emergency suspension) when the public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate action, with a prompt hearing afterward.

The Board may subpoena records and witnesses, administer oaths, and petition a circuit court to enforce its subpoenas or orders.

A licensee must report to the Board within the required time any adverse action taken by another state or a health occupations board, and any criminal conviction.