Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (Tampa: job market, transfer, school)

[Old Teacher]

My daughter is thinking about moving to the Tampa area. In Indiana, she completed 2000 hours of supervised counseling after she received her Master's Degree, worked 2 years in the field, and has taken the Boards test and passed. We looked at the Florida website and are slightly confused about Florida recognizing her license. We think it says that she would have to take a couple of short classes and pass those tests to have her license approved for Florida. She works mainly with children and adolescents. She sent an inquiry to the website and they referred her to the info on the website, but again, we are confused. Could anyone give more info? And what is the job market there for therapists? Thanks for any help!

[Davachka]

I don't know about therapists, but if she is board licensed in Indiana, my guess is she will have to be relicensed in Florida. My husband is a physician who is board licensed and certified in Indiana and New York, but this is not recognized state to state and he has to start the process all over to be licensed and eligible to work in Florida. Good luck!

[Old Teacher]

Thanks, Faina00, by restarting, do you mean that she would have to have supervised counseling and re-take the test? Not sure what you mean about your husband - he would not have to go back to a resident again, would he?

[Davachka]

Originally Posted by Old Teacher

Thanks, Faina00, by restarting, do you mean that she would have to have supervised counseling and re-take the test? Not sure what you mean about your husband - he would not have to go back to a resident again, would he?

No, nothing that severe as being a resident, but restarting the licensure process, as far as paperwork. The credentials transfer (such as schooling, test taking) but not the license. My assumption is they will look at her test scores, diplomas, etc but it is a different field, so it is only a guess.

[fsuadrienne]

I am a Psychologist and I am moving from out of state to Tampa. If her requirements are anything like mine for licensure (which they probably are to some degree), then she will have to apply for Florida licensure. For instance, I would have to pay the application fee for Florida and take the state exam. There is typically no reciprocity across states. Did you look on the Florida Department of Health website? This is where I found my information.