A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your LMFT Hours in Texas
Feeling overwhelmed by the licensing process? Here's exactly what you need to know to track, earn, and submit your LMFT Associate hours with confidence.
Becoming a fully licensed LMFT in Texas is a major milestone, but the journey between graduation and licensure can feel like a confusing maze of paperwork, acronyms, and supervision hours.
If you're newly registered as an LMFT Associate (LMFT-A) or preparing to apply, this guide will walk you through the process clearly, so you can focus less on logistics and more on becoming the therapist you want to be:
Step 1: Understand the Big Picture
To become a fully licensed LMFT in Texas, you must complete:
3,000 total supervised clinical hours, including:
1,500 direct client hours
500 of those must be relational hours (working with couples or families)
At least 200 hours of supervision
Minimum of 100 hours must be individual (the rest may be group)
All hours must be completed under the supervision of a Texas BHEC-approved LMFT-S.
Step 2: Secure an Approved Supervisor
Before you begin counting hours, you must:
Submit your Supervisory Agreement Form to BHEC (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council)
Get it approved and on file with the board
Pro tip: Hours only count after your plan is officially approved—so don’t delay submitting that form.
Questions to ask when choosing a supervisor:
What is your supervision style?
What is your availability for new supervisees?
Do you specialize in the populations I want to work with?
How do you support therapist identity development?
Step 3: Start Logging Your Hours
Use a reliable and consistent format to track your hours from the very beginning. You can use:
Spreadsheets (some supervisors provide templates)
BHEC’s Experience Verification Forms (required for final submission)
A supervision tracking tool or app (like Theratrak or Time2Track)
Track:
Direct client hours
Relational hours
Supervision hours (individual vs. group)
Dates, client types, and settings
Pro tip: Log your hours weekly to avoid the stress of backtracking.
Step 4: Accumulate Clinical Experience
You’ll need to complete your hours over a minimum of 24 months, but not more than 60 months (5 years). Be sure to:
Maintain consistent supervision (weekly or biweekly)
Work across a range of clinical issues and populations
Stay in communication with your supervisor about your progress
Step 5: Renew Your Associate License (If Needed)
Your LMFT-A license is valid for two years, but if you haven’t completed all your hours by then (which is common), you’ll need to submit a renewal application to continue practicing.
Make sure:
Your CEUs are complete (including any ethics requirements)
You have no gaps in licensure or supervision
Step 6: Submit Your Final Paperwork
Once you've completed your hours and supervision:
Fill out your Experience Verification Forms
These must be signed by each supervisor you’ve worked with
Submit your Application for LMFT Licensure
Include fees, background check, and jurisprudence exam results
Await BHEC approval
Once approved, you’ll receive your full LMFT license!
Bonus Tips for LMFT Associates
Document everything. Keep copies of supervision notes, contracts, and hour logs.
Prioritize self-care. These early years are exciting but also emotionally demanding. Seek your own therapy consistently, learn how to create boundaries, and build your network.
Build your community. Surround yourself with other associates and professionals who “get it.”
Find a supervisor who’s invested in YOU. The relationship matters just as much as the requirements.
Ready to Start—or Switch—Your Supervision?
As a licensed LMFT-S, I work with Associate therapists across Texas who want supervision that’s collaborative, encouraging, and growth-focused—especially in areas like eating disorders, body image, trauma, and intuitive clinical development.
👉 Contact me to schedule a free consultation
👉 Download your freebie: 30 Must-Have Resources for LMFT Associates
You’ve got what it takes to become an incredible therapist. Let’s make sure the logistics don’t hold you back from your purpose.
