MFT Licensing Exam - Legal & Ethical
Issues ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Barter - CORRECT ANSWERS Barter is addressed in Subprinciple 9.5 of the Code of
Ethics, which states that MFTs "ordinarily refrain from accepting goods, services, or other non-
monetary remuneration from patients in return for professional services" because these
arrangements can lead to conflicts and exploitation.
Dual Relationships - CORRECT ANSWERS Dual relationships are addressed in
Subprinciple 1.2 of the Ethics Code, which requires MFTs to "avoid dual relationships with
patients that are reasonably likely to impair professional judgment or lead to exploitation." As
defined in this subprinciple, a dual relationship is a "separate and distinct relationship" that
occurs either at the same time as the therapeutic relationship or during a "reasonable period of
time" following termination of the therapeutic relationship. Note that, in some situations, a
relationship with a client's spouse, partner or family member may constitute an unethical dual
relationship.
Marriage License - CORRECT ANSWERS To obtain a marriage license in California, the
parties must appear together at the county clerk's office and present a completed application and
valid government-issued identification. There are two types of marriage license - public and
confidential. There is no residence or citizenship requirement to qualify for a marriage license;
and a blood test or health certificate is not required.
Scope of Competence - CORRECT ANSWERS Scope of competence refers to the limits
of what an MFT is qualified to do based on his or her education, training, and experience and is
addressed in the Ethics Code and California law.
Unpaid Fees - CORRECT ANSWERS MFTs are prohibited from terminating therapy
when a client has not paid his/her fees "except when the termination is handled in a clinically
appropriate manner" (Subprinciple 1.3.4). Although MFTs may use a collection agency to collect
unpaid fees, they must give the client an opportunity to pay the fees that are owed within a
, specified period of time before doing so and then give the collection agency only essential
information (Subprinciple 9.4).
Breach of Client Confidentiality - CORRECT ANSWERS In most situations, an MFT is
legally and ethically obligated to maintain a client's confidentiality. However, there are a number
of circumstances in which an MFT is legally required to breach confidentiality without the
authorization of the client or his/her legal representative. These circumstances include when the
MFT has a duty to warn/protect an intended victim of a client; to report child, elder adult, or
dependent adult abuse, or as required by a court order.
Emancipated Minors - CORRECT ANSWERS Emancipated minors are considered adults
for the purpose of consent to medical, dental or psychiatric care. A minor is emancipated when
he or she has entered into a valid marriage, whether or not the marriage has been dissolved; is on
active duty with the United States military; or has received a declaration of emancipation from
the court (FC Section 7002).
Personal Problems - CORRECT ANSWERS MFTs are ethically and legally obligated to
take appropriate action whenever personal problems or other factors might interfere with their
ability to provide effective professional services. For example, Subprinciple 3.1 of the Code of
Ethics states that MFTs are in violation of the Code and "subject to termination of membership,
or other appropriate action, if they...continue to practice when they are no longer competent to
practice because they are impaired due to physical or mental causes or the abuse of alcohol or
other substances."
Scope of Practice - CORRECT ANSWERS Scope of practice refers to the legally defined
boundaries of an MFT's professional practice and is described in B&PC Section 4980.02, which
states that the practice of marriage and family therapy refers to services "performed with
individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose
of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments."
Unprofessional Conduct - CORRECT ANSWERS Examples of unprofessional conduct by
MFTs and MFT interns are provided in B&PC Section 4982 and include being convicted of a
crime substantially related to an MFT's qualifications or duties; obtaining a license or registration
Issues ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Barter - CORRECT ANSWERS Barter is addressed in Subprinciple 9.5 of the Code of
Ethics, which states that MFTs "ordinarily refrain from accepting goods, services, or other non-
monetary remuneration from patients in return for professional services" because these
arrangements can lead to conflicts and exploitation.
Dual Relationships - CORRECT ANSWERS Dual relationships are addressed in
Subprinciple 1.2 of the Ethics Code, which requires MFTs to "avoid dual relationships with
patients that are reasonably likely to impair professional judgment or lead to exploitation." As
defined in this subprinciple, a dual relationship is a "separate and distinct relationship" that
occurs either at the same time as the therapeutic relationship or during a "reasonable period of
time" following termination of the therapeutic relationship. Note that, in some situations, a
relationship with a client's spouse, partner or family member may constitute an unethical dual
relationship.
Marriage License - CORRECT ANSWERS To obtain a marriage license in California, the
parties must appear together at the county clerk's office and present a completed application and
valid government-issued identification. There are two types of marriage license - public and
confidential. There is no residence or citizenship requirement to qualify for a marriage license;
and a blood test or health certificate is not required.
Scope of Competence - CORRECT ANSWERS Scope of competence refers to the limits
of what an MFT is qualified to do based on his or her education, training, and experience and is
addressed in the Ethics Code and California law.
Unpaid Fees - CORRECT ANSWERS MFTs are prohibited from terminating therapy
when a client has not paid his/her fees "except when the termination is handled in a clinically
appropriate manner" (Subprinciple 1.3.4). Although MFTs may use a collection agency to collect
unpaid fees, they must give the client an opportunity to pay the fees that are owed within a
, specified period of time before doing so and then give the collection agency only essential
information (Subprinciple 9.4).
Breach of Client Confidentiality - CORRECT ANSWERS In most situations, an MFT is
legally and ethically obligated to maintain a client's confidentiality. However, there are a number
of circumstances in which an MFT is legally required to breach confidentiality without the
authorization of the client or his/her legal representative. These circumstances include when the
MFT has a duty to warn/protect an intended victim of a client; to report child, elder adult, or
dependent adult abuse, or as required by a court order.
Emancipated Minors - CORRECT ANSWERS Emancipated minors are considered adults
for the purpose of consent to medical, dental or psychiatric care. A minor is emancipated when
he or she has entered into a valid marriage, whether or not the marriage has been dissolved; is on
active duty with the United States military; or has received a declaration of emancipation from
the court (FC Section 7002).
Personal Problems - CORRECT ANSWERS MFTs are ethically and legally obligated to
take appropriate action whenever personal problems or other factors might interfere with their
ability to provide effective professional services. For example, Subprinciple 3.1 of the Code of
Ethics states that MFTs are in violation of the Code and "subject to termination of membership,
or other appropriate action, if they...continue to practice when they are no longer competent to
practice because they are impaired due to physical or mental causes or the abuse of alcohol or
other substances."
Scope of Practice - CORRECT ANSWERS Scope of practice refers to the legally defined
boundaries of an MFT's professional practice and is described in B&PC Section 4980.02, which
states that the practice of marriage and family therapy refers to services "performed with
individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose
of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments."
Unprofessional Conduct - CORRECT ANSWERS Examples of unprofessional conduct by
MFTs and MFT interns are provided in B&PC Section 4982 and include being convicted of a
crime substantially related to an MFT's qualifications or duties; obtaining a license or registration
