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MD MFT Juris study materials
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MD MFT Juris practice questions

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Question 1Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

Under the Maryland MFT licensing statute, which entity holds the legal authority to license marriage and family therapists in the State?

  1. The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Correct answer.
  2. The Maryland Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
  3. The Maryland Department of Health's Office of Health Care Quality
  4. The State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Explanation

Maryland places MFT licensure within the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, which administers the MFT title and practice provisions alongside its other behavioral health licenses. The Board issues and renews licenses and handles discipline. Professional associations and other agencies have no licensing authority.

Question 2Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A candidate applies for the Maryland MFT license. Which requirement must be satisfied before the Board will grant the license?

  1. A minimum of five years of independent private practice
  2. Membership in a national marriage and family therapy association
  3. A doctoral degree in any mental health discipline
  4. Completion of a supervised clinical experience and a passing score on the required examination Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland requires the applicant to have an acceptable graduate degree, supervised postgraduate clinical experience, and a passing score on the Board-approved examination. Association membership and a doctoral degree are not statutory conditions. The supervised experience is a defined period, not five years of independent practice.

Question 3Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

Which conduct would most directly expose a Maryland licensed MFT to Board discipline under the statute's prohibited-practice provisions?

  1. Telling a client at intake that the clinician's theoretical orientation is family systems
  2. Charging a fee that is higher than the fee charged by a nearby clinic
  3. Describing a client's identifying details in a public social media post without consent Correct answer.
  4. Declining to accept a new client because the clinician's caseload is full

Explanation

Revealing identifiable client information without authorization is a confidentiality breach and grounds for discipline. Declining new clients for capacity reasons and disclosing one's treatment orientation are appropriate professional practices. Fee levels are set by the clinician and are not per se violations.

Question 4Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A person who is not licensed as an MFT in Maryland uses the title "marriage and family therapist" in advertising. What is the legal status of that conduct?

  1. It is prohibited because the title is restricted to licensed individuals Correct answer.
  2. It is permitted because title use is not regulated, only practice is
  3. It is permitted if the person discloses that services are unlicensed
  4. It is permitted if the person has a related master's degree

Explanation

Maryland restricts use of the MFT title to individuals holding a Maryland license. Holding a related degree does not authorize the title, and a disclaimer does not cure the violation. The statute regulates both title use and the scope of practice.

Question 5Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

Which statement best describes the scope of practice of a Maryland licensed marriage and family therapist?

  1. Assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational and family systems framework Correct answer.
  2. Provision of psychological testing and custody evaluations as a routine function
  3. Diagnosis limited to couples and families, excluding individual clients
  4. Treatment limited to communication skills training and psychoeducation

Explanation

The MFT scope centers on relational and systems-based assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, and it includes individual, couple, and family clients. It is not confined to couples and families, nor limited to skills training. Psychological testing and custody evaluations fall outside the ordinary MFT scope.

Question 6Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to release records in response to a subpoena. What is the clinician's most appropriate first step?

  1. Send the record to the requesting attorney but redact the client's name only
  2. Verify the subpoena's validity and confirm the client's authorization or a court order before releasing Correct answer.
  3. Immediately send the full record because a subpoena is a court order
  4. Refuse all subpoenas because therapy records are absolutely privileged

Explanation

A subpoena is a demand for records, not automatically a court order compelling disclosure over objection. The clinician should confirm validity and obtain the client's authorization or a court order, and may seek legal advice or file a protective motion. Immediate release and blanket refusal are both improper.

Question 7Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is renewing a license and learns that continuing education requirements were not fully met because of a documented medical emergency. What is the most accurate statement about the Board's authority?

  1. The clinician must pay a fine set by the professional association
  2. The Board may grant an extension or waiver for good cause under its regulations Correct answer.
  3. The license automatically lapses with no possibility of relief
  4. The clinician must retake the licensing examination to reinstate

Explanation

The Board administers renewal and may provide relief, such as an extension or waiver, for good cause shown, including documented hardship. Automatic permanent lapse, mandatory reexamination, and association-set fines are not the standard remedies. The Board, not an association, controls renewal decisions.

Question 8Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A licensed MFT in Maryland begins a romantic relationship with a former client two years after termination of therapy. Under the applicable ethical standards, this conduct is best characterized as:

  1. Permissible if the former client signs a consent form
  2. Fully permissible once the therapeutic relationship has formally ended
  3. Permissible only if the clinician transfers the client to a colleague first
  4. Potentially prohibited, because sexual or romantic relationships with former clients are generally barred or require extraordinary justification Correct answer.

Explanation

Ethical standards for MFTs generally prohibit sexual or romantic relationships with former clients, or at minimum impose a heavy burden of justification because of the power imbalance. Termination of therapy alone does not make the relationship acceptable. Consent forms and transfer to another clinician do not cure the underlying prohibition.

Question 9Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT receives a request from a client's employer for confirmation that the client is in treatment. The client has not signed a release. What should the therapist do?

  1. Decline to confirm or deny treatment without the client's written authorization Correct answer.
  2. Confirm only the dates of treatment because that is minimal information
  3. Refer the employer's request to the client's insurance carrier
  4. Provide the information because the employer is paying for the sessions

Explanation

Even the fact that a person is a client is protected information, so the therapist should not confirm or deny treatment without written authorization or another legal basis. Minimal-information arguments do not override confidentiality. Who pays for services does not create a right of access.

Question 10Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is providing teletherapy to a client who relocates temporarily to another state. Which consideration is most relevant to lawful practice?

  1. Whether the client's location requires licensure or registration in that jurisdiction Correct answer.
  2. Whether the therapist has a website listing telehealth services
  3. Whether the therapist's malpractice carrier offers a discount for telehealth
  4. Whether the client prefers video over telephone sessions

Explanation

Jurisdictional licensure rules generally follow the location of the client at the time of service, so the therapist must consider whether the client's temporary state requires authorization to practice there. Insurance discounts, marketing, and modality preference do not determine legal authority to provide services.

Question 11Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

During a session, an adult client tells a Maryland MFT that the client plans to seriously injure a specific, identifiable person. What is the therapist's most appropriate response under Maryland law and ethics?

  1. Terminate the client immediately without further action
  2. Report the statement only if the client actually commits the act
  3. Take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim, which may include warning the victim and notifying law enforcement Correct answer.
  4. Maintain confidentiality absolutely because the statement was made in therapy

Explanation

Maryland law permits and the ethical duty of care may require disclosure to protect an identifiable intended victim when a client presents a serious threat. Absolute confidentiality does not apply to this recognized exception, and waiting for the act would defeat the protective purpose. Termination alone does not discharge the protective duty.

Question 12Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

An MFT applicant in Maryland is completing supervised experience. Which arrangement best satisfies the supervisory requirements?

  1. Self-directed study with periodic peer consultation
  2. Documented supervision by an approved supervisor with the required frequency and hours Correct answer.
  3. Supervision provided informally by a colleague who reviews cases at lunch
  4. Supervision by a licensed psychologist who has never met the supervisee

Explanation

The Board's regulations specify approved supervisors, required supervision hours and frequency, and documentation of the supervised experience. Informal peer review, self-study, and supervision by someone who has no actual supervisory relationship do not satisfy the requirements.

Question 13Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to provide a custody evaluation in a divorce case involving a current client's child. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Avoid the dual role by declining the evaluation and referring the matter to a qualified evaluator Correct answer.
  2. Accept the evaluation if both parents verbally agree
  3. Accept the evaluation but limit the report to observations from therapy
  4. Accept the evaluation because the therapist already knows the family well

Explanation

Combining a treating role with a forensic custody evaluation creates an impermissible multiple relationship and compromises objectivity. The appropriate step is to decline and refer to a qualified evaluator. Familiarity, limited reports, and parental agreement do not resolve the conflict.

Question 14Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A client informs a Maryland MFT that the client intends to file a complaint against the therapist with the Board. What is the therapist's most appropriate response?

  1. Require the client to sign a release before continuing sessions
  2. Continue providing appropriate care and avoid retaliating or abandoning the client Correct answer.
  3. Report the client to law enforcement for filing a false complaint
  4. Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship to avoid a conflict

Explanation

Filing a Board complaint is a protected client action, and the therapist should continue appropriate care without retaliation or abandonment. Immediate termination and coerced releases are retaliatory or coercive. There is no basis to treat a complaint as a crime.

Question 15Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

Which circumstance most clearly triggers a mandatory report by a Maryland MFT?

  1. A client's disclosure of a past argument with a spouse
  2. A client's report of job-related stress
  3. A reasonable belief that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect Correct answer.
  4. A client's expression of general frustration with a parent

Explanation

Maryland requires MFTs to report suspected child abuse or neglect based on reasonable belief. Interpersonal conflict, occupational stress, and general frustration do not meet the reporting threshold. The duty is triggered by suspicion of abuse or neglect, not by ordinary family tension.

Question 16Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is considering bartering with a client who cannot pay the standard fee. Under the ethical standards, bartering is:

  1. Required when a client cannot afford the fee
  2. Permitted only when it is not clinically contraindicated and the arrangement is not exploitative Correct answer.
  3. Permitted only if the client proposes the arrangement first
  4. Prohibited in all circumstances without exception

Explanation

Bartering is not categorically banned, but it is permitted only when it is culturally appropriate, not clinically contraindicated, and not exploitative, with a clear written agreement. It is never required, and who proposes it does not determine its acceptability.

Question 17Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is leaving a group practice and moving to a new location. Which action best reflects the applicable ethical obligations regarding client records and continuity of care?

  1. Destroy the records to protect confidentiality
  2. Notify clients of the change and arrange for transfer or continued care consistent with the records rules Correct answer.
  3. Take all original records to the new practice without client notice
  4. Leave the records with the group practice without informing clients

Explanation

When a clinician leaves a practice, clients must be informed and given a choice about continuity, and records must be handled consistent with the applicable retention and custody rules. Silent retention, unannounced removal, and destruction all harm clients and violate record obligations.

Question 18Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

An unlicensed person in Maryland provides couples counseling and holds herself out as offering "marriage and family therapy services." Which statement best describes the legal issue?

  1. The person is lawful if she charges below-market fees
  2. The person is lawful if she has completed some graduate coursework
  3. The person is lawful because couples counseling is never regulated
  4. The person may be violating the practice and title provisions because the services and title fall within the regulated scope Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland regulates both the MFT title and the practice of marriage and family therapy, so unlicensed provision of these services under that description can violate the statute. Low fees and partial coursework do not create an exemption. Couples counseling is not categorically outside regulation.

Question 19Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT serves on a treatment team and is asked to share only the information necessary for the client's coordinated care. This practice is best described as:

  1. A breach because no information may be shared among providers
  2. Prohibited unless a court orders the disclosure
  3. Permissible disclosure consistent with the minimum-necessary principle for coordination of care Correct answer.
  4. Permissible only after the client's death

Explanation

Coordinated care permits disclosure of information reasonably necessary for treatment, consistent with the minimum-necessary principle and applicable consent rules. Sharing all information indiscriminately would be improper, but sharing what is needed is not a breach. A court order is not required for treatment coordination.

Question 20Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked by a court to release therapy records of a client who has put the client's mental condition at issue in litigation. What is the most accurate statement?

  1. The client's privilege may be limited by the legal claim, but the therapist should still seek authorization or a court order and disclose only what is necessary Correct answer.
  2. The therapist should release records directly to the opposing attorney without any review
  3. The therapist may release the entire record to any party once litigation begins
  4. The privilege is absolute and the therapist must refuse even a court order

Explanation

When a client places mental condition at issue, the privilege may be narrowed, but the therapist still should confirm the legal basis, seek authorization or a court order, and limit disclosure to what is necessary. Privilege is not absolute, and litigation does not authorize unrestricted release.

Question 21Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT supervises a pre-licensed counselor and learns that the supervisee has made a serious clinical error. How should the supervisor respond?

  1. Ignore the error to preserve the supervisory relationship
  2. Address the error directly, document the corrective action, and ensure client welfare is protected Correct answer.
  3. Report the supervisee to the Board without first addressing the clinical issue
  4. Take over the client's care secretly without informing the client

Explanation

Supervisors are responsible for client welfare and for the professional development of supervisees, which requires direct feedback, documentation, and corrective steps. Ignoring the error fails the supervisory duty, and immediate Board referral is not the first step for an ordinary clinical error. Secretly taking over care undermines informed consent.

Question 22Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT has a client who is also a close friend of the therapist's spouse. The therapist recognizes that the overlapping relationship may impair objectivity. What is the most appropriate course of action?

  1. Ask the client to keep the friendship secret from the spouse
  2. Disclose the relationship to the client only after termination
  3. Continue treatment without discussion because the client sought out the therapist
  4. Assess the risk, discuss it with the client, and refer if objectivity or client welfare is compromised Correct answer.

Explanation

Multiple relationships require ongoing assessment of whether objectivity or client welfare is at risk, with disclosure and referral when needed. Continuing silently, disclosing only at termination, or asking the client to keep secrets all compound the conflict. The therapist's duty is to protect the client, not to preserve the referral.

Question 23Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is subpoenaed to testify about a client's treatment in a criminal matter. The therapist believes the records are privileged and the client objects. What is the best course of action?

  1. Assert the privilege on the client's behalf and seek guidance from the court before disclosing Correct answer.
  2. Refuse to appear in court entirely
  3. Testify fully because a subpoena overrides all privilege claims
  4. Provide a summary of treatment to the prosecutor without notifying the client

Explanation

The therapist should assert the client's privilege, appear as required, and ask the court to resolve the claim before disclosing protected information. A subpoena does not automatically override privilege, and blanket refusal to appear risks contempt. Providing information to the prosecutor without notice violates confidentiality.

Question 24Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT wants to advertise a specialty in discernment counseling. Which approach best complies with the advertising provisions?

  1. Claim to be the most effective discernment counselor in the state
  2. Advertise guaranteed outcomes for couples who complete the program
  3. Use client testimonials with full names and diagnoses
  4. Use accurate descriptions of training and services and avoid misleading or unverifiable claims Correct answer.

Explanation

Advertising must be accurate and not misleading, and specialty claims should reflect actual training and competence. Superiority claims, identifying testimonials, and guaranteed outcomes are misleading or violate confidentiality. Accurate description of services is the compliant approach.

Question 25Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is treating an adolescent and the parents demand full access to session content. What is the most appropriate approach?

  1. Terminate treatment because the parents are involved
  2. Provide verbatim session content to the parents on request
  3. Refuse to speak with the parents at all
  4. Clarify the confidentiality agreement at the outset and balance parental rights with the adolescent's developmental need for privacy Correct answer.

Explanation

Best practice is to establish a clear confidentiality agreement with the adolescent and parents at the outset and then balance the parents' legal role with the adolescent's need for privacy. Providing verbatim content, refusing all contact, and terminating care all undermine treatment. The clinician should manage expectations rather than abandon the case.

Question 26Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

Under the Maryland MFT licensing statute, which entity holds legal authority to adopt regulations that define supervised clinical experience for licensure applicants?

  1. The recognized professional association for marriage and family therapists
  2. The Maryland General Assembly directly, by statute, without delegation
  3. The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, subject to the approval process for regulations Correct answer.
  4. The Maryland Department of Health, through its Office of Health Care Quality

Explanation

Health Occupations Article, Title 17 assigns the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists the duty to adopt regulations implementing the subtitle, including supervised experience requirements. Those regulations proceed through the standard regulatory review and approval process rather than being enacted directly by the legislature. The department and professional associations do not hold rulemaking authority over MFT licensure.

Question 27Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A graduate with a master's degree in a mental health field wants to practice marriage and family therapy in Maryland. Which credential does the subtitle require before the person may lawfully practice MFT and use the associated title?

  1. A registration filed with the state health department, renewable without examination
  2. A certificate of completion from an accredited MFT training program
  3. A national certification from a professional MFT association, which substitutes for state licensure
  4. A license issued by the Board after meeting education, experience, and examination requirements Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland regulates marriage and family therapy through licensure administered by the Board; practicing or holding oneself out as an MFT requires the license. Education, supervised experience, and examination are components of qualifying for that license, not substitutes for it. National certification and program certificates do not confer practice authority in Maryland.

Question 28Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A licensed MFT in Maryland plans to begin charging clients for online video sessions after previously offering only in-person services. Which step best aligns with the Board's regulatory expectations for this change in practice?

  1. Announce the service on social media before confirming that the platform meets privacy requirements
  2. Confirm the practice complies with telehealth standards and inform clients of the format, limits, and any fee changes in advance Correct answer.
  3. Begin scheduling immediately, since the license already authorizes psychotherapy regardless of modality
  4. Notify the malpractice carrier only after the first online session is completed

Explanation

Regulations and ethical standards require that teletherapy be delivered competently and that clients receive clear advance information about the nature of services, including format and fees. Verifying compliance and obtaining informed consent before the change protects clients and the licensee. The license alone does not excuse skipping those steps.

Question 29Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT's license is subject to renewal. Which statement accurately describes the continuing education obligation tied to renewal under the Board's regulations?

  1. Continuing education is encouraged but optional for licensees in active practice
  2. Licensees must complete the required continuing education hours within the renewal cycle and attest to completion Correct answer.
  3. Hours earned in any single weekend may satisfy the entire cycle requirement without limitation
  4. Continuing education credits are required only for supervisors of pre-licensure trainees

Explanation

The Board's renewal regulations condition license renewal on completing a specified number of continuing education hours during each renewal period, with attestation and audit mechanisms. The requirement applies to licensees generally, not only to supervisors. There are limits on how much credit certain formats or short periods may generate.

Question 30Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to serve as the sole supervisor for several pre-licensure trainees while also maintaining a full clinical caseload. Which consideration is most directly governed by the Board's supervisory regulations?

  1. Whether supervision sessions are billed to the trainees' insurance
  2. Whether the supervisor's own license has been held for at least twenty years
  3. Whether the trainees share the same theoretical orientation as the supervisor
  4. Whether the number of supervisees and the supervisor's other duties permit adequate supervision of each trainee Correct answer.

Explanation

Supervisory regulations focus on the quality and adequacy of supervision, including that supervisors not carry responsibilities so extensive that oversight of trainees is compromised. Duration of the supervisor's own licensure beyond the required threshold, shared theory, and billing arrangements are not the regulatory measure of adequate supervision.

Question 31Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

An MFT licensed in another state moves to Maryland and wishes to see clients while awaiting a Maryland license. Which statement best reflects Maryland's approach to practice across state lines?

  1. Interstate practice is unregulated because therapy is not considered health care
  2. A license from any state automatically authorizes practice in Maryland without further application
  3. Practicing MFT in Maryland generally requires a Maryland license, though the Board may provide for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity Correct answer.
  4. An out-of-state licensee may practice indefinitely in Maryland if clients are seen only by video

Explanation

Maryland requires its own license to practice marriage and family therapy in the state, and the Board's regulations may allow endorsement or reciprocity pathways for qualified out-of-state licensees. No other state's license operates automatically in Maryland, and modality does not remove the licensure requirement. Marriage and family therapy is regulated health care.

Question 32Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is the subject of a Board complaint alleging boundary violations. Which description best captures the Board's disciplinary authority under the subtitle?

  1. The Board may impose fines but cannot restrict or revoke the license
  2. The Board may investigate and impose sanctions such as reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing Correct answer.
  3. The Board must obtain the client's written permission before opening any investigation
  4. The Board may only refer the matter to the criminal justice system and take no licensing action

Explanation

The subtitle grants the Board authority to investigate complaints and impose a range of disciplinary sanctions, including reprimand, probation, suspension, and revocation, following due process. Client consent is not a precondition to investigating a complaint, and the Board's authority is not limited to referrals or fines.

Question 33Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to provide a summary of a client's treatment to the client's attorney with the client's signed authorization. Which principle governs how much detail the therapist should disclose?

  1. Provide the information only after the attorney agrees not to share it with the court
  2. Disclose the entire record, since a signed authorization removes all limits on disclosure
  3. Disclose only the information the authorization permits and that is relevant to the stated purpose Correct answer.
  4. Decline any disclosure, because therapy records are never releasable

Explanation

Confidentiality regulations and ethical standards require that disclosures follow the scope of the client's authorization and be limited to information necessary for the purpose. A signed release does not convert the record into unrestricted public material. Blanket refusal is also inconsistent with honoring a valid authorization.

Question 34Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT wants to use a professional credential in advertising that the therapist does not actually hold. What is the most accurate statement about this conduct under Board standards?

  1. Only intentional misrepresentation is actionable; careless claims are permitted
  2. Advertising claims are outside Board purview because they are commercial speech
  3. Misrepresenting credentials in advertising is a basis for discipline because advertising must be accurate and not misleading Correct answer.
  4. A disclaimer in small print cures any misleading credential claim

Explanation

Board regulations and ethical standards require that public statements about qualifications be truthful and not misleading, and misrepresentation can support discipline. Commercial speech does not remove the licensee from professional regulation. Fine-print disclaimers do not cure a misleading headline claim, and negligent as well as intentional misstatements may be sanctioned.

Question 35Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is treating a client whose insurance company requests the treatment plan and progress notes. The client has signed the insurer's authorization. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Ask the client to obtain a court order before any information is shared
  2. Send the complete record including unrelated historical material
  3. Release only the information covered by the authorization that is needed for the insurer's review Correct answer.
  4. Refuse all insurer requests as a matter of policy regardless of authorization

Explanation

When a valid authorization exists, the therapist may disclose information within its scope and should limit the release to what the payer actually needs. Refusing all requests, over-disclosing unrelated material, or demanding a court order when authorization suffices are all inconsistent with confidentiality standards.

Question 36Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT learns that a client has been abusing a vulnerable adult in the client's care. Which obligation applies to the therapist?

  1. Report only if the vulnerable adult consents to the disclosure
  2. Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate state authority as required by Maryland reporting law Correct answer.
  3. Maintain confidentiality because adult abuse reporting is discretionary
  4. Confront the abuser directly and document the confrontation in lieu of reporting

Explanation

Maryland law mandates reporting of suspected abuse of vulnerable adults, and the therapist's duty overrides confidentiality in that circumstance. Reporting is not discretionary and does not depend on the victim's consent. Direct confrontation is not a lawful substitute for the mandated report.

Question 37Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to treat a current client's business partner in individual therapy. Which consideration is most relevant to determining whether accepting the new client is appropriate?

  1. Whether the business partner lives in the same county as the original client
  2. Whether the overlapping relationship creates a conflict of interest or risk of harm to either client Correct answer.
  3. Whether the business partner can pay the full fee without insurance
  4. Whether the therapist has office space large enough for both clients

Explanation

Multiple-relationship standards direct the therapist to avoid entering relationships that could impair objectivity or harm a client, and treating a person closely connected to an existing client raises that risk. Fee arrangements, office size, and geography are not the governing considerations. The therapist should evaluate the conflict and likely decline or seek consultation.

Question 38Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is preparing to close a practice and relocate. Which action best reflects the applicable standards for termination and continuity of care?

  1. Continue treatment indefinitely by telephone to avoid any termination
  2. Transfer all records to another provider without client knowledge
  3. Give clients advance notice, offer referrals or transfer options, and provide records as authorized Correct answer.
  4. Stop seeing clients without notice once the new location is secured

Explanation

Termination standards require planning that avoids abandonment, including advance notice, appropriate referrals, and handling of records consistent with client authorization. Silent discontinuation, unannounced record transfer, and indefinite improvised continuation are inconsistent with those duties.

Question 39Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is asked to serve as an expert witness in a case involving a person the therapist has never treated. Which statement best describes the ethical and regulatory expectation?

  1. The therapist may offer opinions about the person's diagnosis as if the person were a client
  2. The therapist must base the opinion on the fee the retaining party offers
  3. Expert testimony is prohibited for licensed MFTs in Maryland
  4. The therapist may serve within the limits of competence and must be clear about the basis and limits of the opinion Correct answer.

Explanation

Forensic roles require competence, clarity about the difference between treating and evaluating, and honesty about the limits of an opinion formed without a treatment relationship. Testifying is not prohibited, but opinions must not be presented as clinical diagnosis of a non-client. Fees cannot drive the substance of an opinion.

Question 40Maryland Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Act (Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Subtitle 3) and COMAR regulations governing MFT licensure and practice

A Maryland MFT is developing a written professional disclosure statement for new clients. Which content most directly reflects the informed-consent expectations of the Board's regulations?

  1. A description of services, fees, confidentiality and its limits, and the client's rights and responsibilities Correct answer.
  2. A guarantee of specific treatment outcomes
  3. The therapist's Social Security number and home address
  4. A list of the therapist's personal hobbies and family background

Explanation

Informed consent under the regulations addresses the nature of services, fees, confidentiality and its exceptions, and client rights, so clients can make knowledgeable decisions about treatment. Personal trivia, outcome guarantees, and unnecessary private identifiers are not appropriate components of a disclosure statement.

Question 41Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

Under Maryland's licensure framework for marriage and family therapists, which credential authorizes independent practice and allows the holder to diagnose and treat mental disorders without supervision?

  1. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) Correct answer.
  2. Certified Marriage and Family Therapist (CMFT)
  3. Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW)
  4. Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT)

Explanation

Maryland's two-tier MFT system provides a graduate-level license for supervised practice and a clinical license for independent practice. The LCMFT is the clinical-level license that permits independent diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. The graduate-level credential requires ongoing supervision and does not authorize independent practice.

Question 42Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

Which Maryland statute and title of the Health Occupations Article governs the licensure and regulation of marriage and family therapists?

  1. Title 17 Correct answer.
  2. Title 10
  3. Title 8
  4. Title 19

Explanation

Marriage and family therapists are regulated under Title 17 of the Health Occupations Article of the Maryland Code. The MFT title appears alphabetically among the behavioral health professions in that article. Knowing the correct title helps candidates locate the actual statutory authority for scope and title protection.

Question 43Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

A person who has not obtained a Maryland MFT license uses the title 'marriage and family therapist' in advertising private services. Under the title protection provisions, this conduct is best characterized as:

  1. Permissible if the person holds a degree in a related field
  2. Permissible because the person did not use the abbreviation LCMFT
  3. Permissible as long as no client complaints are filed
  4. A violation of the title protection provisions, subject to disciplinary action Correct answer.

Explanation

Maryland law restricts use of the MFT title and its variants to individuals who hold the appropriate license. Using the title without licensure violates the title protection provisions regardless of whether the abbreviation is used. The Board may pursue disciplinary or injunctive action for unauthorized use of the protected title.

Question 44Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

Which of the following activities falls within the scope of practice of a licensed marriage and family therapist in Maryland?

  1. Diagnosing and treating emotional and mental disorders within the context of marital and family systems Correct answer.
  2. Ordering involuntary psychiatric admissions without medical consultation
  3. Performing forensic evaluations of competency to stand trial
  4. Prescribing psychotropic medication to family members in treatment

Explanation

The MFT scope of practice centers on evaluating and treating mental and emotional disorders through a marital and family systems lens. Diagnosis and psychotherapy are core authorized activities. Prescribing medication and ordering involuntary admissions are outside the MFT scope and are reserved to other licensed professions.

Question 45Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

A Maryland LCMFT wishes to describe her services on a website. Which description is consistent with the profession's scope and title protections?

  1. Marriage and family therapy services provided by a licensed marriage and family therapist Correct answer.
  2. Court-ordered competency evaluations for adults
  3. Psychiatric medication management for couples
  4. Psychological testing and neuropsychological assessment

Explanation

A licensed MFT may accurately describe the provision of marriage and family therapy services and identify the license held. Advertising must not claim services outside the scope of practice or imply credentials the licensee does not hold. Medication management, competency evaluation, and neuropsychological testing are outside the MFT scope.

Question 46Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

The acronym 'LGMFT' in Maryland refers to which level of MFT credential?

  1. A temporary permit issued only to out-of-state applicants
  2. A clinical license permitting independent practice
  3. An honorary designation awarded by a professional association
  4. A graduate-level license requiring supervised clinical experience Correct answer.

Explanation

The LGMFT is Maryland's graduate-level MFT license, which allows a licensee to accumulate supervised clinical hours toward the clinical license. It is not an independent practice credential. The LGMFT is a statutory license, not an honorary or temporary designation.

Question 47Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

Which body is responsible for issuing MFT licenses and enforcing scope and title provisions in Maryland?

  1. The State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Correct answer.
  2. The Maryland Insurance Administration
  3. The Maryland Board of Physicians
  4. The Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality

Explanation

MFT licensure in Maryland is administered by the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, which regulates counselors, therapists, and related behavioral health professions. The Board investigates complaints and enforces scope and title requirements. Other agencies listed regulate different industries or provider types.

Question 48Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

A licensed MFT is asked to supervise an unlicensed family therapy intern. Under Maryland law, what is the primary requirement for the supervision arrangement to be lawful?

  1. The supervisor must hold an active MFT license and the supervisee must be pursuing licensure or otherwise authorized to practice under supervision Correct answer.
  2. The supervisor must have a doctoral degree
  3. The arrangement must be approved by the client's insurance carrier
  4. The intern must be enrolled in an accredited program and paid by the practice

Explanation

Supervision of persons accruing MFT experience must be conducted by an appropriately licensed MFT, and the supervisee must be lawfully authorized to practice under supervision. The arrangement is grounded in the licensure statutes and Board regulations rather than insurance approval. Degree level beyond the license and payment arrangements are not the governing criteria.

Question 49Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

A Maryland LCMFT is asked by a client to provide a formal opinion on whether the client should be held criminally responsible for an offense. The therapist has no forensic training. The most appropriate response is to:

  1. Refer the client to a lawyer and draft the report jointly
  2. Provide the opinion because the LCMFT license authorizes all mental health opinions
  3. Decline the request and clarify the limits of the therapist's role and competence Correct answer.
  4. Provide the opinion but label it as non-binding

Explanation

Although MFTs may diagnose and treat mental disorders, forensic opinions require specialized competence and often fall to forensic specialists. Ethical practice requires recognizing the limits of one's competence and role. Declining and clarifying the role protects the client and avoids overstepping the scope.

Question 50Scope of practice, definitions, and title protection for marriage and family therapists

Which statement best describes the relationship between the LGMFT and LCMFT credentials in Maryland?

  1. The LGMFT is issued only after the LCMFT is revoked
  2. The LGMFT is a higher credential than the LCMFT
  3. The LGMFT is a supervised graduate-level license that precedes eligibility for the clinical LCMFT Correct answer.
  4. The LGMFT and LCMFT are interchangeable titles for the same license

Explanation

Maryland uses a two-tier structure in which the graduate license permits supervised practice while the licensee accumulates experience toward the clinical license. The LCMFT is the independent clinical credential. The two titles are distinct and not interchangeable.