The Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was created under Article 15 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, the Occupational Code, to license and regulate the practice of marriage and family therapy in Michigan. Public Act 126 of 1995 transferred the authority of the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended.

Part 169 defines the practice of marriage and family therapy as the providing of guidance, testing, discussions, therapy, instruction, or advice that is intended to avoid, eliminate, relieve, manage or resolve marital or family conflict or discord, to create, improve, or restore marital or family harmony, or to prepare couples for marriage.

The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare and to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected it.

The Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy consists of 9 voting members: 6 marriage and family therapists and 3 public members.

The Board currently oversees the practice of approximately 880 Marriage and Family Therapists.