LMFT Licensure Lab Webinar

An update to the Massachusetts licensing regulations for LMFTs is expected to go into effect later this year. Under a newly published policy, the Allied Mental Health Board has advised that applicants who wish to have their licenses reviewed under the existing regulations (published in 2015) must apply before the new regulations are promulgated:

At its meeting on March 20, 2026, the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions (“Board”) voted to implement the following policy: All LMHC and LMFT applications submitted for the first time for review through the Board’s e-Licensing Excellence system (“eLX”) before the date of promulgation of revised sections 262 CMR 2.00 and 262 CMR 3.00 will be reviewed under the versions of 262 CMR 2.00 and 262 CMR 3.00 promulgated in 2015. An applicant whose application has been withdrawn, denied, or otherwise closed before promulgation must reapply before promulgation for the Board to review the application under the regulations promulgated in 2015.

Here is the link to the new review policy on the MA AMHB website:
https://www.mass.gov/policy-advisory/board-policies-and-guidelines-allied-mental-health#policy-on-licensed-mental-health-counselor-lmhc-and-licensed-marriage-and-family-therapist-lmft-application-reviews-and-new-regulations

Below is a redline summary of the soon-to-be-published changes to the licensing regulations. We encourage you to evaluate your application against the existing 2015 regulations and the upcoming 2026 regulations, and make a determination about the timing of your license application given how these might apply to you.

Key areas that have changed:

• Definition of Approved Supervisor

• Definition of Clinical Field Experience Site

• Requirement for direct observation in supervision removed

• Education requirements and remediation pathways for fewer than 60 semester credit hours

• Addition of COAMFTE accreditation as a pathway for recognition of educational requirements

• Clarification of the requirements for licensure by reciprocity

• Addition of language to legally protect providers who work with clients seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care

NEAFAST is host upcoming LMFT Licensure Lab webinars to provide information and answer questions about licensure application and process in general as well the upcoming changes. These live webinars will be hosted by Rachel Blum Cantone, Chair of the Licensure and Legislation Committee.

Friday April 17, 2026 from 9-10am

https://neafast.memberclicks.net/licensurelabapril2026