37-39-311. Marriage and family therapy license required -- qualifications. (1) A person may not practice marriage and family therapy unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist must have:

(a) (i) completed a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from an approved program;

(ii) completed a graduate degree in an allied field from an approved program, including graduate-level work that the board determines to be the equivalent of a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or marriage and family counseling; or

(iii) completed additional postdegree experience as defined by board rule as equivalent to the degree requirements in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii) if the applicant does not have a degree as provided in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii);

(b) passed an approved examination; and

(c) practiced under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor for at least 3,000 hours, including 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact in the practice of marriage and family therapy, of which up to 500 hours may be accumulated while achieving the educational credentials listed in subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(a)(ii).

(3) The supervised practice required under subsection (2)(c) must be completed as provided in 37-39-307 and as prescribed by the board by rule.