Two weeks ago, I shared the news that my Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) registration had been posted. A process that began long before graduation has entered a new stage. I am moving forward, and the next step on my path to licensure is the California MFT Law and Ethics Exam.
I have registered to take the exam in early October, which gives me about a month to prepare. I am approaching this exam as something that will benefit more from consistency than cramming. My plan is simple: study one hour every day.
My preparation strategy is based on what I learned while studying for the National Counselor Examination. I do better when studying is part of my daily routine, allowing me to become familiar with the material over time instead of having to negotiate with myself each day. Sixty minutes may not seem like much, but those daily sessions add up over several weeks.
For my preparation, I decided to use Ben Caldwell’s High Pass Education program. Several colleagues recommended his materials, particularly because of his experience in the field and familiarity with California’s licensing system.
I also compared prices, and High Pass made sense from that perspective. The self-study version of the California LMFT Law and Ethics Exam preparation program is listed at $139 and includes video lectures, test-taking strategies, quizzes, and practice exams with rationales.
In addition to the online training, I bought the textbook. This is where my study habits come into play.
Holding a physical book helps me feel more comfortable with the learning process. Reading on paper, underlining a passage, writing a note in the margin, or circling a key point makes the information feel more tangible.
My plan is to use the book as a companion to the online training. It will give me something physical to return to, while the videos will provide another way to organize and understand the material.
While I prefer studying with a physical book, there is value in becoming comfortable with reading questions on a screen, navigating multiple-choice answers, and maintaining concentration in that format. Because the exam is administered on a computer, studying on a screen will help me prepare for the test environment.
There is also something different about this exam compared with the exams I took as a student. I am studying material connected to my professional responsibilities. Law and ethics are not abstract subjects that will disappear after the test. They are part of the framework within which I practice, so I hope the study process will help me become more aware of the legal and ethical dimensions of my work.
For now, the goal is clear: early October.
My registration is complete, and I have the book, the training, and a study strategy that has worked for me before. Now I have about a month to put that plan into practice.
Preparing for the exam will be my focus in September. It is also why I will take a short break from this blog. I will return on October 13 to share how my preparation went and the results of the exam. Wish me luck!
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I will see you on October 13!
Roque Neto 