1. (1) In order for an Intern designation to be renewed, the intern must have completed a minimum of ten (10) contact hours of acceptable Continuing Education or Experience Units during the previous twenty-four months. A minimum of three (3) of these hours must be clinical MFT workshops, a minimum of three (3) of these hours must be in the area of diagnosis and treatment, and a minimum of three (3) of these hours must be in the area of professional issues and ethics.
2. (2) In order for an MFT Associate License to be renewed, the MFT Associate must have completed a minimum of twenty (20) contact hours of acceptable Continuing Education or Experience Units during the previous twenty-four months. A minimum of five (5) of these hours must be clinical MFT workshops, a minimum of three (3) of these hours must be in the area of diagnosis and treatment, and a minimum of three (3) of these hours must be in the area of professional issues and ethics.
3. (3) In order for an LMFT license to be renewed, the licensee must have completed a minimum of forty (40) contact hours of acceptable Continuing Education or Experience Units during the previous twenty-four (24) months. A minimum of ten (10) of these hours must be clinical MFT workshops, a minimum of six (6) of these hours must be in the area of diagnosis and treatment, and a minimum of six (6) of these hours must be in the area of professional issues and ethics. LMFT supervisors must have completed a minimum of five (5) hours of continuing education in the content area of supervision.

4. (4) Acceptable CEU’s include:

   1. (a) National, state, or local MFT association training and continuing education activities;
   2. (b) Graduate courses in MFT or cross-disciplinary course (one (1) graduate semester = fifteen (15) hours, one (1) graduate quarter = ten (10) hours);
   3. (c) NBCC-approved courses;
   4. (d) Continuing education activities sponsored by allied mental health professional associations or agencies (i.e., psychology, counseling, nursing, medical, social workers);
   5. (e) Supervision by an Approved MFT Supervisor under a board approved contract (not more than ten (10) hours);
   6. (f) Continuing education activities sponsored by mental health federal agencies (e.g., DOD, DOE, etc.);
   7. (g) Independent study activities such as: teaching graduate courses in MFT; presenter of MFT material in a recognized professional forum (first time presented); supervising a person for MFT licensure under a Board approved contract; service rendered on professional MFT boards or committees, editing or writing professional books or articles for publication. No more than ten (10) hours of continuing education shall be in independent study.
   8. (h) Continuing education activities related to mental health, counseling, and/or marriage and family therapy sponsored by colleges and universities that are regionally accredited.
   9. (i) AAMFT and subsidiary organization, or NBCC, pre-approved distance learning courses that may include web page lectures; class discussions via internet bulletin boards; student interaction; and student to student interactive online communication through electronic mail, television, or video. Distance learning is a convenient mode for Board approved, interactive online/video coursework that is designed to provide an alternative to conventional continuing education for MFT members who demonstrate physical impairment, conflicting work schedule, or hardship. Distance learning requires no or limited physical attendance and does not replace face-to-face clinical supervision. Distance learning must be synchronous.
5. (5) Documentation of completion will include a written statement of all CEU course information including the name of the sponsoring organization, location of seminar, title/brief description, principal instructor, dates, and number of hours claimed. The Board will audit a number of randomly selected licensees to assure that the continuing education requirements have been met before the license is renewed. The Board may request verification of credits submitted, including information regarding content certification and attendance. The licensee shall maintain and make available upon request the documentation required by this rule for a period of two (2) years. Failure to substantiate credits submitted or to submit documentation of sufficient continuing education credits will result in refusal by the Board to renew a license.

Author: The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-17A-1 thru 34-17A-26.

Editor’s Note: Chapter 536-X-5 was renumbered to Chapter 536-X-6 as per certification filed July 10, 2006; effective August 14, 2006.

History: New Rule: Filed November 15, 2000; effective December 20, 2000. Amended: Filed January 7, 2004; effective February 11, 2004. Amended: Filed May 19, 2004; effective June 23, 2004. Amended: Filed July 10, 2006; effective August 14, 2006. Amended: Filed April 19, 2007; effective May 24, 2007. Amended: Filed February 8, 2012; effective March 14, 2012. Amended: Filed June 19, 2019; effective August 3, 2019. Amended: Published May 219, 2020; effective July 13, 2020. Amended: Published August 31, 2023; effective October 15, 2023.