(1) To meet the education requirement for full licensure or associate licensure an applicant must have a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a behavioral science master's or doctoral degree with equivalent course work from an approved school. An official transcript must be provided as evidence of fulfillment of the course work required.

(2) The following are considered to be equivalent to a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from an approved school:

(a) A doctoral or master's degree from an approved school in any of the behavioral sciences that shows evidence of fulfillment of the course work requirements set out in WAC 246-809-121; or

(b) A doctoral or master's degree in any of the behavioral sciences from an approved school that shows evidence of partial fulfillment of the equivalent course work requirements set out in WAC 246-809-121, plus supplemental course work from an approved school to satisfy the remaining equivalent course work requirements set out in WAC 246-809-121.

(3) Applicants who held a behavioral science master's or doctoral degree and are completing supplemental course work through an approved school to satisfy any missing program equivalencies may count any postgraduate experience hours acquired concurrently with the additional course work.

(4) Anyone who has obtained American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) clinical membership status is considered to have met the education requirements of this chapter. Verification must be sent directly to the department from the AAMFT.