Travel LMFT Jobs
Travel contracts for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists paying $60–$85/hr. California, Texas, New York, and Florida are the top markets. No national compact — licensing strategy included.
Hourly Rate
$60–$85/hr
Compact Status
No Compact
Top States
CA · TX · NY · FL
Contract Length
13 weeks
No LMFT National Compact — License Required in Every State You Practice
Unlike registered nurses (who have the NLC compact), there is no national compact for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. You must obtain a separate license for each state in which you work — including telehealth assignments where the patient is located. Allow 6–12 weeks per state for endorsement processing.
Master's Degree in MFT or Equivalent
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT), Master of Arts in MFT (MAMFT), or COAMFTE-accredited equivalent. Some states accept clinical psychology or counseling master's degrees — verify with each state board.
2,000–4,000 Post-Degree Supervised Hours
Hours required vary by state. California requires 3,000 total hours (1,750 direct client contact, 1,250 non-client hours). Hours must be completed under licensed MFT supervision and documented precisely for endorsement.
AMFTRB MFT National Examination (Most States)
The national MFT licensing exam administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). Score transfers between most states. Exception: California uses its own exam — CA does NOT accept AMFTRB scores.
California: CA MFT Exam + Law & Ethics Exam
California does not use the AMFTRB national exam. CA BBS administers its own MFT licensing exam, plus a mandatory separate California Law & Ethics examination. Both must be passed for CA licensure.
Renewal: Every 2 Years with 36 CEUs
LMFT licenses in most states renew on a 2-year cycle with 36 continuing education hours required. California requires 36 CEUs including mandatory coursework in law & ethics, cultural competency, and aging/long-term care.
AAMFT Membership (Recommended)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy membership provides credentialing support, CE resources, and professional standards documentation often requested during multi-state license endorsement.
| Feature | LMFT | LCSW |
|---|---|---|
| Full Title | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist | Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
| Primary Focus | Family systems, couples, relational therapy | Individual + community social work |
| Supervision Model | MFT supervision (AAMFT standards) | NASW clinical supervision |
| Compact Available | No compact | No compact |
| CA-Specific Body | CAMFT (CA Assoc of MFT) + CA BBS | BBS supervised by DCA |
| Pay Range | $60–$85/hr contract | $62–$90/hr contract |
| Setting Flexibility | Outpatient, school, corrections | Hospital, CDCR, community |
Both LMFT and LCSW have no national compact as of 2026. Pay ranges are comparable; specialization and setting preferences differ.
Community Mental Health
Highest VolumeFQHCs and county behavioral health agencies — highest volume of LMFT openings. NHSC loan repayment and PSLF-eligible settings are common.
School-Based Therapy
Fast GrowingK-12 district counseling and student mental health — one of the fastest-growing LMFT sectors. Structured caseloads, academic calendar alignment.
CDCR / Corrections (CA)
CA OnlyCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has dedicated LMFT positions — premium pay, structured caseload, CA-only market.
Private Practice Locum
$90–$110/hrHighest hourly rate at $90–$110/hr. Short-term coverage for private practices and group practices. Requires independent practice authorization.
Military / DoD Settings
Tricare Auth.Tricare-authorized LMFT positions on military bases and VA-adjacent facilities. Government pay grades, predictable scheduling.
Telehealth / Remote Therapy
Fastest GrowthFastest-growing LMFT segment. Platform-based remote therapy for health systems and FQHC networks. License must match patient location state.
| State | Hourly Rate | Weekly (40 hrs) | License Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $72–$90/hr | $2,880–$3,600 | 8–12 weeks |
| Texas | $65–$80/hr | $2,600–$3,200 | 6–10 weeks |
| New York | $68–$85/hr | $2,720–$3,400 | 8–12 weeks |
| Florida | $62–$78/hr | $2,480–$3,120 | 6–10 weeks |
| Washington | $65–$82/hr | $2,600–$3,280 | 8–12 weeks |
| Arizona | $60–$75/hr | $2,400–$3,000 | 6–8 weeks |
Weekly rates include taxable base pay plus tax-free housing and meal stipends for qualifying travelers. Hourly reflects blended contract value. Apply to your target state license 10–12 weeks before contract start.
Updated every 4 hours from CatSol's live inventory.
No LMFT-specific roles in live feed right now
LMFT travel roles fill quickly. Submit your profile and a recruiter will match you to open contracts as they post.
LMFT Licensing Fraud Warning
Some staffing agencies claim to offer "LMFT compact reciprocity" or "multi-state LMFT licensure." There is no LMFT compact. Any agency claiming compact reciprocity for LMFTs is misinformed or misleading you. Each state requires its own separate license application. Verify directly with the state licensing board before accepting an assignment.
CatSol's behavioral health recruiters specialize in LMFT placements at community mental health, CDCR, school-based programs, and locum practice settings. Tell us which states you are licensed in — we will match you to the highest-paying open contract.
