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CA MFT LAW AND ETHICS EXAM AND PRACTICE
EXAM NEWEST 2025/ 2026 | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DEETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+| BRAND
NEW!!
MFT Scope of Practice - ..(ANSWER)...A legal term. An LMFT may:
Practice psychotherapy
Diagnose and treat mental disorders (in order to improve client's relationships)
Administer and interpret psychological tests (as long as doing so is within the
MFT's scope of competence as determined by education, training, or experience,
and as long as it is directed toward improving client's relationships
Privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A legal term. The legal right not to have confidential
information revealed during legal proceedings or in court. The client or client
representative holds the privilege.
Subpoenas and privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A therapist's first response upon receiving
a subpoena is to assert privilege. The therapist can release records if the client
gives him written permission to do so, or if the court orders him to do so.
Who holds privilege? - ..(ANSWER)...The client, if he is an adult, or if he is a minor
who is receiving treatment without parental consent.
The court can waive the privilege
If a minor is a ward of the state, the minor holds privilege, which can be waived by
the court or by the client's attorney
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If there is a legal guardian, he/she can waive privilege on behalf of client
Exceptions to privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A judge decides if the facts of the case fall
under one of the following exceptions to privilege:
The client has introduced his emotional condition in a legal proceeding
The client has treated information as if it were not confidential
The thx has been appointed by the court to examine the client
The thx has been ordered by the court to divulge information
The client has sought therapy to commit and/or escape punishment for a crime
Proceedings to determine sanity
Proceedings to establish client competence
Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Both legal & ethical term
Thx cannot divulge HIV even if client is endangering a partner
Mandated reporters are allowed to respond to follow-up inquiries from
investigators
Mandated Exceptions to Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Suspected abuse
Tarasoff
The Patriot Act of 2002
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Permissive Exceptions to Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Client is a danger to self,
or to the person or property of others (California evidence code 1024)
Disclosures to licensed professionals (such as supervisor or colleague) to get help
in treating client
When there is an authorization to release PHI
When client has signed a health insurance claim form
Breach of duty (thx sues client for non-payment, or client sues thx for
malpractice)
Child Abuse Reporting - ..(ANSWER)...Immediately by phone
Within 36 hours by written report
Optional reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...Emotional abuse and fetal abuse
Out of state reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...Must be reported no matter
where it occurs, and no matter the location of the victim/abuser
All reports must always be made to CPS or law enforcement within California
Historical reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...When victim is now over 18, no
report
When victim is now over 18, but thx has a reasonable suspicion that the
perpetrator has or is abusing others who are currently under the age of 18
"Having access" is a myth; emphasis is on "reasonable suspicion"
CA MFT LAW AND ETHICS EXAM AND PRACTICE
EXAM NEWEST 2025/ 2026 | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DEETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+| BRAND
NEW!!
MFT Scope of Practice - ..(ANSWER)...A legal term. An LMFT may:
Practice psychotherapy
Diagnose and treat mental disorders (in order to improve client's relationships)
Administer and interpret psychological tests (as long as doing so is within the
MFT's scope of competence as determined by education, training, or experience,
and as long as it is directed toward improving client's relationships
Privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A legal term. The legal right not to have confidential
information revealed during legal proceedings or in court. The client or client
representative holds the privilege.
Subpoenas and privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A therapist's first response upon receiving
a subpoena is to assert privilege. The therapist can release records if the client
gives him written permission to do so, or if the court orders him to do so.
Who holds privilege? - ..(ANSWER)...The client, if he is an adult, or if he is a minor
who is receiving treatment without parental consent.
The court can waive the privilege
If a minor is a ward of the state, the minor holds privilege, which can be waived by
the court or by the client's attorney
,2|Page
If there is a legal guardian, he/she can waive privilege on behalf of client
Exceptions to privilege - ..(ANSWER)...A judge decides if the facts of the case fall
under one of the following exceptions to privilege:
The client has introduced his emotional condition in a legal proceeding
The client has treated information as if it were not confidential
The thx has been appointed by the court to examine the client
The thx has been ordered by the court to divulge information
The client has sought therapy to commit and/or escape punishment for a crime
Proceedings to determine sanity
Proceedings to establish client competence
Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Both legal & ethical term
Thx cannot divulge HIV even if client is endangering a partner
Mandated reporters are allowed to respond to follow-up inquiries from
investigators
Mandated Exceptions to Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Suspected abuse
Tarasoff
The Patriot Act of 2002
, 3|Page
Permissive Exceptions to Confidentiality - ..(ANSWER)...Client is a danger to self,
or to the person or property of others (California evidence code 1024)
Disclosures to licensed professionals (such as supervisor or colleague) to get help
in treating client
When there is an authorization to release PHI
When client has signed a health insurance claim form
Breach of duty (thx sues client for non-payment, or client sues thx for
malpractice)
Child Abuse Reporting - ..(ANSWER)...Immediately by phone
Within 36 hours by written report
Optional reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...Emotional abuse and fetal abuse
Out of state reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...Must be reported no matter
where it occurs, and no matter the location of the victim/abuser
All reports must always be made to CPS or law enforcement within California
Historical reporting of child abuse - ..(ANSWER)...When victim is now over 18, no
report
When victim is now over 18, but thx has a reasonable suspicion that the
perpetrator has or is abusing others who are currently under the age of 18
"Having access" is a myth; emphasis is on "reasonable suspicion"
