The Florida Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license application is the official packet filed with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling that lets a qualified clinician practice MFT in Florida under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes. Anyone who wants to diagnose and treat couples or families in Florida — whether by exam, endorsement, or after registering as an intern — must complete the DH-MQA 1178 application (current revision: 12/2024) before they can call themselves an LMFT.
The form looks simple, but the Board rejects roughly one in three first submissions for missing supervisor verifications, transcript issues, or background screening errors, and each rejection adds 30–90 days to processing. This guide walks the form line by line so the application clears the first time.
- 📄 The exact fields, boxes, and signature blocks on Form DH-MQA 1178 and how to fill each one
- 🧾 The eight required attachments most applicants forget and how to gather them fast
- 🧠 Three named walkthroughs — a Florida grad, a registered intern, and an out-of-state endorsement filer
- 💵 Current fees, the Livescan background screening workflow, and exam scheduling through AMFTRB
- ⚠️ The 12 most common mistakes that delay or deny licensure under Rule 64B4
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form DH-MQA 1178 is the Application for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist issued by the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). It is the single intake document the Board uses to confirm that an applicant meets the education, supervised experience, examination, coursework, and character requirements set in Section 491.005(3), Florida Statutes. Anyone who plans to assess or treat marital, relational, or family dysfunction for compensation in Florida must file it before holding out as an LMFT, and practicing without it is a third-degree felony under Section 491.012.
Three groups file the form. The first is applicants by examination — graduates of a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program (or an equivalent) who finished their post-master’s supervised hours and are ready to sit for the AMFTRB National MFT Examination. The second is applicants by endorsement — clinicians already licensed at the independent MFT level in another state for at least three of the last five years. The third group is registered interns moving from intern status (issued under Rule 64B4-2.005) to full licensure after completing two years and 1,500 face-to-face client contact hours of supervised work.
Filing the wrong pathway on page 1 is one of the costliest errors. A Texas-licensed LMFT who marks “By Examination” instead of “By Endorsement,” for example, will be told to schedule the AMFTRB exam again — which she already passed — and she loses six weeks while the Board re-routes her file. Picking the right pathway up front saves hundreds of dollars and months of waiting.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you open the online MQA portal or print the PDF. Missing any single item triggers a deficiency letter, and the Board’s clock pauses until you cure it. Florida law gives the Department only 90 days from a complete file to act under Section 120.60, so an incomplete file is the single biggest source of delay.
- Official sealed transcripts showing your master’s or doctoral MFT degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program — without these, the Board cannot verify your degree and your file is closed after 1 year of inactivity.
- Supervisor Verification Form DH-MQA 1179 for each supervisor of your post-degree hours — missing supervisor signatures are the #1 cause of rejection.
- Proof of 1,500 face-to-face client contact hours logged across at least 24 months — short hours mean automatic denial under Rule 64B4-2.0085.
- Proof of 100 hours of individual supervision (at least 50 hours one-on-one) — without this, the Board treats your hours as group-only and ineligible.
- Completion certificate for the 8-hour Florida Laws and Rules course — you cannot be licensed without it under Rule 64B4-2.001.
- Completion certificate for a 3-hour HIV/AIDS course required by Section 456.033, F.S. — missing it freezes your application.
- Completion certificate for a 2-hour Domestic Violence course under Section 491.0085 — required even if you took it during graduate school more than 6 years ago, you must repeat it.
- Livescan fingerprint receipt (ORI FL920010Z) from an FDLE-approved vendor — fingerprints expire 90 days after the print date, so do not run them too early.
- AMFTRB exam score report (or proof of registration) — passing the National MFT Exam is required by exam pathway and many endorsement pathways.
- Government-issued photo ID matching the name on every transcript and certificate — name mismatches alone cause a 4-to-6-week delay.
If you took your degree from a non-COAMFTE program, also pull every course syllabus, the registrar’s catalog, and a course-by-course mapping to the 12 content areas in Rule 64B4-7.0035. Missing one content area kills the equivalency review.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The Board posts the current PDF on the Florida Mental Health Professions forms page, and the same packet is built into the MQA Online Services portal. The PDF is fillable but unsigned PDFs are not accepted — you must print, ink-sign, notarize where required, and mail the originals. The online version skips most printing and lets you upload supporting documents, which is why the Board reports it processes online files about 30 days faster than paper files.
Always confirm the revision date printed in the bottom-left corner of page 1 before you fill anything in. The Board reissues the form roughly every 18–24 months, and an outdated form is rejected outright. As of this writing, the current revision is 12/2024, and the Board no longer accepts the 2019 version.
To start online, create an account at MQA Online Services, choose Apply for a New License, then pick Marriage and Family Therapist from the profession drop-down and the matching pathway (Examination, Endorsement, or Provisional). The portal saves drafts for 30 days, so you can stop and return. To file by mail, send the printed packet to Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form DH-MQA 1178 Line by Line
The form runs roughly 14 pages depending on revision. Work top to bottom; do not skip ahead because some fields drive others (the pathway box on page 1 controls which experience pages you must complete).
Section 1 — Method of Licensure (Page 1, Top Box)
This box asks how you qualify: Examination, Endorsement, or Provisional License. Check exactly one box. The Board treats this as the spine of your application — every later section references the choice you make here.
Mark Examination if you graduated from an MFT program and have completed your post-degree supervised hours in Florida or another state. Mark Endorsement if you hold an active independent MFT license in another state for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Mark Provisional only if you have moved to Florida with a license in another state and need to practice while completing Florida-specific requirements under Rule 64B4-2.0086.
For example, Carlos Mendez, a 2023 Nova Southeastern MFT grad, checks Examination. Aisha Carter, an LMFT licensed in Georgia since 2017, checks Endorsement. Janet Nguyen, a Washington-licensed LMFT who just moved to Tampa, checks Provisional so she can see clients within 30 days.
A common nuance: dual-degree applicants (e.g., MFT + LMHC) must still pick one box; you cannot apply for two licenses on one form. The most common mistake is checking Endorsement without 3 years of independent practice — that triggers an automatic conversion to Examination and a request for transcripts the applicant did not bring. The misconception worth correcting: passing the AMFTRB exam in another state does not automatically qualify you for endorsement; the years-of-practice clock matters more than the exam score.
Section 2 — Applicant Identification (Name, SSN, DOB, Contact)
This section asks for your full legal name, other names used, Social Security Number, date of birth, mailing address, email, and phone. Print each field in black ink; the scanner that ingests paper applications drops blue ink occasionally.
Write your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card; the Department cross-checks against SSA records under Section 559.79. Format your date of birth as MM/DD/YYYY. Your SSN is mandated by Section 456.013(1)(a) and is used only for licensure and child-support screening.
For example, Carlos Mendez writes MENDEZ, CARLOS RAFAEL, 03/14/1995, and lists the Carlos R. Mendez he used in graduate school in the Other Names Used box. The nuance most filers miss: a married name change after graduation must be listed there, or your transcript name will not match.
A common mistake is leaving Other Names Used blank because the applicant thinks it does not apply; the Board flags any transcript whose name differs from the form. The misconception: filers think the SSN is optional because the box says “If applicable.” It is not optional for licensure under federal Title IV-D rules.
Section 3 — Education (Degree, Program, Dates, Accreditation)
This section asks for your degree, awarding institution, program name, start and end dates, and whether the program is COAMFTE-accredited. Each row matters because Rule 64B4-7.001 hinges on accreditation status.
Enter the exact degree title shown on your diploma (e.g., Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, not “Master’s in Counseling”). Use MM/YYYY for start and end. Check Yes in the COAMFTE box only if your program was accredited at the time you graduated, not now.
For example, Carlos Mendez writes Nova Southeastern University, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, 08/2021–12/2023, COAMFTE: Yes. The nuance: if your program lost or gained accreditation while you were enrolled, attach a letter from the program registrar confirming status as of your graduation date.
A common mistake is writing the institution’s brand name instead of the legal name (e.g., “Pepperdine GSEP” instead of Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology); the registrar’s seal will not match. The misconception: filers think any CACREP program qualifies. CACREP accredits counseling programs, not MFT programs — only COAMFTE accreditation is automatically accepted under Florida MFT rules.
Section 4 — Supervised Clinical Experience (Hours, Supervisors, Dates)
This is the most heavily scrutinized section. It asks for employer/setting, supervisor name and license, start and end dates, total face-to-face client contact hours, individual supervision hours, and group supervision hours. You must hit at least 1,500 face-to-face hours and 100 supervision hours under Rule 64B4-2.0085.
List every site separately. Have each supervisor sign a separate Form DH-MQA 1179 and reference its date here. Hours older than 6 years before your application date no longer count, so backdate carefully.
For example, Carlos Mendez lists Family Wellness Center, Miami, FL — Dr. Lila Ortega, LMFT FL #MT2345 — 01/2024–12/2025 — 1,610 face-to-face hours / 110 supervision hours (60 individual / 50 group). The nuance: phone-only or telehealth-only sessions count toward face-to-face only if the supervisor was Florida-licensed and the client was in Florida.
The most common mistake is including testing, paperwork, or no-show time as “face-to-face”; the Board audits and removes those hours, often dropping applicants below 1,500 and forcing a denial. The misconception: filers think a Ph.D. psychologist can supervise MFT hours. Under Rule 64B4-2.008, only a licensed MFT (or qualified equivalent) can supervise MFT hours toward Florida licensure.
Section 5 — Examination (AMFTRB National MFT Exam)
This section asks whether you have passed the AMFTRB National MFT Examination, the date passed, and your scaled score. The Florida passing scaled score is 70, set by Rule 64B4-3.001.
If you have not passed yet, check Not Yet Taken and the Board will issue an Authorization to Test (ATT) through Pearson VUE after reviewing your education and experience. Enter the exam date as MM/DD/YYYY and write the scaled score, not the percentage.
For example, Aisha Carter writes Passed: 04/12/2018, Scaled Score: 78 because she sat for the exam in Georgia. The nuance: AMFTRB scores transfer between states automatically through the AMFTRB score-transfer system, but you must request the transfer at amftrb.org.
A common mistake is reporting a state-specific exam (e.g., a California MFT Clinical Exam from before 2016) instead of the National MFT Exam; only the National exam counts in Florida. The misconception: filers think a passing score from years ago will be re-checked by Florida; the Board only verifies through AMFTRB, never through your old state board.
Section 6 — Required Coursework (Laws & Rules, HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence)
This section confirms three Florida-specific courses. The 8-hour Laws and Rules course teaches Chapter 491 and Rule 64B4. The 3-hour HIV/AIDS course is required of every Florida health professional. The 2-hour Domestic Violence course is unique to mental-health licenses under Section 491.0085.
Enter the provider name, course title, and completion date for each. Attach the certificate. All three must be completed within 6 years of application for first-time applicants.
For example, Carlos Mendez writes NetCE — Florida Laws and Rules for Mental Health Professionals — 02/15/2026 in the laws-and-rules row. The nuance: a domestic-violence course taken in graduate school usually does not satisfy the requirement because Florida wants a stand-alone course meeting the 16-area content list.
The most common mistake is using a generic ethics CE in place of the laws-and-rules course; only courses approved by the Florida Board count. The misconception: filers believe an out-of-state HIV/AIDS course is fine. Florida accepts any HIV/AIDS course that meets Section 456.033, but the certificate must show 3 contact hours.
Section 7 — Background Questions (Criminal, Disciplinary, Health)
This section is a series of Yes/No questions covering criminal history, prior license discipline in any jurisdiction, malpractice judgments, and any health condition that affects practice. Each Yes answer requires a written explanation and supporting documentation.
Answer truthfully. The Board cross-checks against FDLE, the NPDB, and FBI databases, and lying here is its own ground for denial under Section 456.072(1)(h).
For example, Marcus Johnson (a 5th named filer) had a 2014 misdemeanor DUI in Ohio. He marks Yes, attaches the certified court disposition, and writes a one-page explanation. He is still licensed because the Board considers the age of the offense, evidence of rehabilitation, and relationship to MFT practice.
The nuance: sealed or expunged records still must be disclosed for licensure, even though they are hidden from public records under Section 943.0585. The most common mistake is checking No on a 20-year-old DUI thinking it does not matter; the FBI fingerprint check finds it and the Board treats the No as fraud, which is a far worse outcome than the DUI itself. The misconception: filers think a juvenile record is automatically excluded — it is not, unless legally sealed.
Section 8 — Affidavit and Signature
This is your sworn statement that everything in the form is true. It must be signed in the presence of a notary public if you are filing the paper form, or e-signed through the MQA portal if you are filing online. Florida accepts online notarization under Section 117.201.
Sign in blue or black ink. Print your full legal name beneath the signature line. The notary completes the jurat with state, county, date, and seal.
For example, Janet Nguyen signs Janet T. Nguyen before a Tampa notary on 05/27/2026 and the notary stamps the page. The nuance: a digital signature image pasted into the PDF is rejected — the Board needs a wet signature or a portal e-signature, never a typed cursive font.
The most common mistake is signing before the notary instead of in front of them; that voids the jurat and forces a re-sign. The misconception: filers think a notary in another state cannot notarize a Florida application. They can — Florida accepts notarizations from any U.S. state.
Section 9 — Fees and Payment
This section asks for the application fee and unlicensed activity fee, totaling $205 ($200 application + $5 unlicensed activity surcharge under Section 456.065). The initial licensure fee of $200 is billed only after approval, before the license is issued.
Pay online by credit card or e-check, or include a paper check made out to Department of Health with your mailed packet. Write the applicant’s name and MFT Application on the memo line.
For example, Aisha Carter pays $205 by Visa through the MQA portal at the moment she submits. The nuance: fees are non-refundable, even if the application is denied for incomplete documents.
The most common mistake is sending a personal check that bounces; the Board returns the entire packet and the applicant restarts at the back of the queue. The misconception: filers think the $200 initial licensure fee is due now. It is not — that bill arrives only after the Board votes to grant the license.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Carlos Mendez, Florida Grad Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Method of Licensure | Examination |
| Full Legal Name | MENDEZ, CARLOS RAFAEL |
| Date of Birth | 03/14/1995 |
| Degree and School | M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, 12/2023, COAMFTE: Yes |
| Supervised Hours | Family Wellness Center, Miami — Dr. Lila Ortega, LMFT — 01/2024–12/2025 — 1,610 hours / 110 supervision |
| Exam | Not Yet Taken — request ATT from Pearson VUE |
| Required Coursework | NetCE Laws & Rules 02/15/2026; HIV/AIDS 02/20/2026; Domestic Violence 02/22/2026 |
| Background Questions | All No |
| Fees | $205 paid online by credit card |
Scenario 2 — Aisha Carter, Georgia LMFT Applying by Endorsement
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Method of Licensure | Endorsement |
| Full Legal Name | CARTER, AISHA RENE |
| Other License | Georgia LMFT #MFT004821, active since 06/2018 |
| Years of Independent Practice | 7 years (2018–2025) |
| Degree and School | M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mercer University, 05/2016, COAMFTE: Yes |
| Exam | Passed 04/12/2018, Scaled Score 78 — score transfer requested via AMFTRB |
| Required Coursework | Florida Laws & Rules 03/01/2026; HIV/AIDS 03/03/2026; DV 03/05/2026 |
| Background Questions | All No; Livescan ORI FL920010Z 02/28/2026 |
| Fees | $205 application + $5 unlicensed activity |
Scenario 3 — Janet Nguyen, Registered Intern Moving to Full Licensure
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Method of Licensure | Examination (post-intern) |
| Full Legal Name | NGUYEN, JANET THUY |
| Florida Intern Number | IMT2456, issued 06/2023 |
| Degree and School | M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pacific Lutheran University, 05/2022, COAMFTE: Yes |
| Supervised Hours | Bayshore Family Counseling, Tampa — Dr. Robert Kim, LMFT — 07/2023–04/2026 — 1,540 hours / 102 supervision |
| Exam | Passed 02/02/2026, Scaled Score 73 |
| Required Coursework | Completed during intern registration in 2023 |
| Background Questions | All No (re-Livescan because prior prints expired) |
| Fees | $205 paid online |
How to File the Completed Form
You may file online or by mail. The Board strongly prefers online because the portal scans for missing fields before submission and reduces deficiencies by about 60%.
To file online, log in at the MQA Online Services portal, upload every supporting document as a PDF (10 MB max each), pay the $205 application fee by credit card or e-check, and submit. You will receive an immediate email confirmation with your application tracking number; keep it as proof of filing. Online files typically process in 45–75 days once complete.
To file by mail, send the signed and notarized packet, all attachments, and a check or money order for $205 payable to Department of Health to Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258. Send by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt; the green card is your only proof of filing if the packet is lost. Mailed files run 75–120 days. There is no fax option, and there is no in-person filing window — the Tallahassee office does not accept walk-ins.
For Livescan fingerprints, use any FDLE-approved Livescan vendor and quote ORI number FL920010Z, the Department of Health agency code; the vendor electronically transmits results to the Board within 3–5 business days. Fingerprint cost runs $50–$80 depending on the vendor.
What Happens After You File
The Board’s licensure analyst opens your file within 10–14 days, reviews education and experience, and issues either an Approved to Test, a Deficiency Letter, or a Recommendation for Denial. Most applicants receive a deficiency letter on the first review — that is normal, not a denial.
You have 1 year from the original filing date to cure deficiencies under Rule 64B4-2.001. If you miss that window, the Board closes the file and you must restart with a new $205 fee. After all deficiencies are cleared, your file goes to the next available Board meeting; the Board meets roughly every 8 weeks, and meeting dates are posted on the Florida Mental Health Professions calendar.
Once the Board votes to approve, you pay the $200 initial licensure fee through the portal, and your license number issues within 5 business days. You can then verify your active license at MQA Search Services. License renewal happens biennially on March 31 of odd years under Rule 64B4-6.001.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Picking the wrong Method of Licensure box — re-routes the file and adds 6+ weeks.
- Listing a non-COAMFTE program without a course-by-course equivalency map — triggers automatic denial of education review.
- Counting paperwork or no-show time as face-to-face client hours — Board audits remove those hours and may drop you below 1,500.
- Using a non-LMFT supervisor for primary supervision — those hours are voided under Rule 64B4-2.008.
- Submitting the wrong revision of Form DH-MQA 1178 — outdated forms are returned unprocessed.
- Forgetting Other Names Used — transcripts whose names do not match are treated as fraudulent.
- Marking No on background questions for a sealed or expunged record — the FBI check finds it and the misstatement becomes the disqualifier.
- Running Livescan fingerprints too early — they expire 90 days after the print date and you pay again.
- Combining two CE certificates to satisfy the 8-hour Laws and Rules course — only single-course providers are accepted.
- Sending a personal check with insufficient funds — the bounced check returns the whole packet to the back of the queue.
- Pasting a digital-signature image into the PDF — only wet signatures or portal e-signatures are valid.
- Failing to request the AMFTRB score transfer for endorsement applicants — the Board cannot verify exam passage on its own.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do confirm the form’s revision date matches the version posted today on the Board’s forms page, because outdated versions are rejected unread.
- Do scan every attachment as a single combined PDF named LastName_FirstName_MFT_Attachments.pdf so the analyst can find each item quickly.
- Do schedule Livescan fingerprints within 30 days of submission so they remain valid through the entire review.
- Do keep a digital copy of the entire packet, including notary jurats, for at least 2 years in case you must respond to a deficiency.
- Do request your AMFTRB score transfer the same day you submit, because AMFTRB processing can take 4 weeks.
- Do sign up for email notifications on the MQA portal so you see deficiency letters within hours, not weeks.
- Don’t submit before your final transcript is sealed and mailed; the Board will not verify a digital unofficial copy.
- Don’t use a generic Verification of Employment letter to replace Form DH-MQA 1179; supervisor verification has its own statutory format.
- Don’t pay the initial licensure fee until you receive the Board’s approval letter; pre-payment is not refunded automatically.
- Don’t assume you are licensed as soon as the Board votes — practice does not begin until the license number is issued and active in MQA Search.
- Don’t ignore a deficiency letter for more than 60 days, because at 1 year your file dies and your $205 is gone.
- Don’t call the Board for a status update inside the first 45 days; analysts have not yet opened your file.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro (Self): You save the $300–$1,200 a licensing consultant typically charges for an MFT packet.
- Pro (Self): You learn the rules in detail, which helps when you supervise interns later.
- Pro (Self): You control the timing and can file as soon as your last document arrives.
- Pro (Self): You avoid the consultant’s queue, which can add 2–4 weeks of its own.
- Pro (Self): Online filing has guardrails that catch most simple errors automatically.
- Con (Self): You shoulder the cost of every mistake — each rejection adds 30–90 days to licensure.
- Con (Self): You must read Chapter 491 and Rule 64B4 carefully, which costs hours.
- Con (Self): You may misjudge supervision hour categories, which is the most common reason hours are voided.
- Con (Self): Anyone with a criminal-history disclosure benefits from counsel, since the Board weighs presentation as much as facts.
- Con (Self): Endorsement applicants without a clear 3-of-5-years record often need help proving independent practice across multiple state systems.
Filing by Mail vs. Filing Online
| Filing Channel | Key Differences |
|---|---|
| Online via MQA Portal | $205 by credit card or e-check, instant submission confirmation, 45–75 day processing, automatic deficiency emails, e-signature accepted |
| Paper by Mail | $205 check or money order, USPS Certified Mail required for proof, 75–120 day processing, paper deficiency letters, wet-signature notarization required |
FAQs
Is the Florida MFT license issued under Chapter 491?
Yes. Chapter 491, Florida Statutes governs MFT licensure, while Rule 64B4 of the Florida Administrative Code provides the procedural requirements that the Board enforces.
Do I need a COAMFTE-accredited degree?
No. A non-COAMFTE program may qualify if a course-by-course equivalency review proves it covers the 12 content areas listed in Rule 64B4-7.0035, but expect a longer review.
Are 1,500 face-to-face client hours mandatory?
Yes. Rule 64B4-2.0085 requires at least 1,500 face-to-face client contact hours over a minimum of 24 months of post-degree supervised work.
Is the AMFTRB National MFT Exam the only accepted exam?
Yes. Florida accepts only the National MFT Examination administered by AMFTRB; old state-specific MFT exams do not satisfy Section 491.005(3)(c).
Do supervised hours expire?
Yes. Hours older than 6 years before your application date no longer count toward Florida licensure under Rule 64B4-2.0085, so backdate carefully.
Should I check Endorsement on Section 1 if I just got licensed in Texas last year?
No. Endorsement requires 3 of the last 5 years of independent practice, so a 1-year Texas LMFT must apply by Examination instead.
Do I list my maiden name in the Other Names Used field?
Yes. Any prior or alternate name — maiden, married, hyphenated, or transliterated — must be listed so transcripts and Livescan results match the Board’s record.
Can I leave Section 7 background questions blank if my record is sealed?
No. Sealed and expunged records must still be disclosed for licensure under Section 943.0585(4)(a), and undisclosed records are a separate ground for denial.
Is a Ph.D. psychologist allowed to sign my Form DH-MQA 1179 supervisor verification?
No. Only a licensed MFT (or qualified equivalent under Rule 64B4-2.008) can verify and sign post-degree supervision hours toward the Florida MFT license.
Does the $200 initial licensure fee get charged with the application?
No. Only the $205 application + unlicensed activity fee is due at filing; the $200 initial licensure fee is billed after the Board approves your application.
Can I e-sign Section 8 with a typed cursive font?
No. The affidavit needs a wet signature before a notary or a verified e-signature inside the MQA portal; pasted signature images are rejected.
Is the laws-and-rules course required even for endorsement applicants?
Yes. Every Florida MFT applicant — by examination, endorsement, or post-intern — must complete the 8-hour Florida Laws and Rules course within 6 years of application.
Do I get my $205 back if my application is denied?
No. Application and unlicensed-activity fees are non-refundable under Section 456.013(2), even when the Board denies the file for incomplete documents.
Can I practice while my application is pending?
No. You may not see clients as an LMFT until your license number is active in MQA Search; practicing earlier is unlicensed activity under Section 491.012.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Florida LCSW License Application (with Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Medical License Application (MD) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Mental Health Counselor License (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Osteopathic Physician License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Physician Assistant License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the New Jersey Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners Application (LMFT, LAMFT & Reciprocity) + FAQs