Oregon & Washington · MFT
MFT Couples & Family Hours: What Counts in Oregon and Washington
Last updated July 10, 2026
Every MFT associate in Oregon and Washington carries a requirement the other disciplines never think about: a couples/family subset carved out of the direct client hours. It is easy to under-track — the sessions blend into your regular direct hours — and discovering a shortfall in year three is miserable. Here is exactly what each state requires.
The targets, side by side
| Requirement | Oregon LMFT | Washington LMFT |
|---|---|---|
| Direct client hours | 1,900 | 1,000 |
| Couples/family subset | 750 minimum | 500 minimum |
| Total postgraduate hours | — (no separate total) | 3,000 |
| Total supervision | Proportional per month | 200 hours |
| Governing rule | OAR 833-040-0021 | WAC 246-809-130 |
What actually counts
The subset covers direct hours delivered to a couple or family together in the same session (Washington frames it as diagnosing and treating couples and families). An individual session with one member of a couple counts toward your overall direct hours, but not toward the subset. For gray areas — collateral sessions, parent-only sessions in family work — get your supervisor's read and, when in doubt, the board's, before counting.
Oregon: the narrower supervisor pool
Oregon LMFT associates follow the same OBLPCT rules as LPC associates — 36-month minimum, up to 400 pre-degree hours of credit, the proportional monthly supervision rule with its zero-credit penalty — but with a stricter supervisor requirement. Your supervisor must be trained specifically in the systemic approach to couples and family therapy, have 5 years of post-licensure experience, and have 30 clock hours of supervision training. That is a much smaller pool than the LPC list, so line up your supervisor early.
Washington: double the supervision, two floors
Washington LMFTAs need 200 supervision hours — twice the LICSW/LMHC target — with two overlapping floors on the same 200:
- By format: at least 100 one-on-one; up to 100 may be group.
- By supervisor credential: at least 100 with an LMFT who has 5+ years of clinical experience; up to 100 may be with an equally qualified practitioner (LMHC, LICSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric ARNP).
These are floors, not buckets — all 200 could be one-on-one with a qualifying LMFT. Washington LMFTAs also carry the associate license's six-renewal cap and 18 CE hours per year, and take the AMFTRB national MFT exam.
Credits and forms
- COAMFTE credit (WA): graduates of COAMFTE-accredited programs receive 500 direct client hours and 100 supervision hours of credit.
- Pre-degree credit (OR): up to 400 hours of supervised direct client contact from the clinical portion of your graduate program.
- Verification: Washington hours are verified on DOH 670-005 (one per supervisor, per practice setting) at final application. Oregon hours flow through the OBLPCT annual Supervision Report.
Common questions
What counts as a couples or family hour for MFT licensure?▾
Direct client hours delivered to a couple or family together in the same session. Oregon requires at least 750 of your 1,900 direct hours to be couples/family work; Washington requires at least 500 of your 1,000 direct hours to involve diagnosing and treating couples and families.
Does an individual session with one partner count toward my couples/family hours?▾
It counts toward your overall direct client hours, but the couples/family subset is defined by the couple or family being together in the same session. For edge cases like collateral sessions, confirm with your supervisor and your board before counting them.
Who can supervise LMFT hours in Oregon?▾
Oregon LMFT associates need a supervisor trained specifically in the systemic approach to couples and family therapy, with 5 years of post-licensure experience and 30 clock hours of supervision training — a narrower pool than for LPC associates.
How many supervision hours does a Washington LMFTA need?▾
200 total — double the LICSW and LMHC targets. At least 100 must be one-on-one, and at least 100 must be with an LMFT-credentialed supervisor who has 5 or more years of clinical experience. These are overlapping floors, not separate buckets.
Does a COAMFTE-accredited degree reduce my Washington LMFT hours?▾
Yes. COAMFTE graduates receive credit for 500 direct client hours and 100 supervision hours toward the Washington LMFT requirements.
What form verifies my Washington LMFT hours?▾
DOH 670-005, the Marriage and Family Therapy Supervision and Experience Verification form — one per supervisor and per practice setting, submitted with your final LMFT application. Oregon LMFT associates instead file the OBLPCT annual Supervision Report.
Official sources
This guide is informational, not legal advice. Licensure rules change — always verify current requirements with your board before making decisions about your supervision plan, and flag any discrepancies to support@almostlicensed.com so we can fix them.