Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists

Licenses and regulates those qualified to practice all who practice professional counseling, marital and family therapy, and clinical pastoral therapy in Tennessee.

About  Tennessee's Professional Counselors

The Board for Board of Licensed Professional Counselors,  Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Pastoral Therapists was created in 1984 by the State Legislature. Effective January 1, 1998 a clinical pastoral therapy component was added to this Board. The Board is responsible for safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans, by requiring that all who practice professional counseling, marital and family therapy, and clinical pastoral therapy within this state be qualified. The Board interprets the laws, rules, and regulations to determine the appropriate standards of practice in an effort to ensure the highest degree of professional conduct. The Board is authorized to issue a license or certificate to qualified applicants who have completed appropriate education and successfully completed required examinations. The Board is also responsible for the investigation of alleged violations of the Practice Act and rules, and is responsible for the discipline of licensees who are found guilty of such violation.

Professional counselors, marital and family therapists, and clinical pastoral therapists may be licensed by either examination or endorsement from other states.

The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the Board by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Renewal notices are mailed from the Board's administrative office forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the license to the current address on record. Licensees are responsible for reviewing their license on time and keeping the Board apprised of current information. If a licensee has “opted in” to receive renewal notification via email, an email will be sent out to the licensee reminding them to renew their license approximately forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration date.  Licenses can be renewed on-line seventy (70) days prior to expiration.

The Board consists of five (5) members appointed by the Governor to serve five (5) year terms. The Tennessee Association for Counseling and Development, the Tennessee Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Tennessee Association of Pastoral Therapists each may provide the Governor with a list of four (4) candidates from which to fill vacant positions. One (1) position is a consumer member. A quorum of three (3) members is required to conduct business. The meetings are open to the public and are streamed live so those who are unable to attend physically may watch through the internet.

Contact the Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists

Call (615) 741-5735 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

Featured Links

Licensure Scam Alert

The Department of Health has been made aware that some licensees of a few different health licensure boards have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from those licensee’s licensing boards. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require payment of fines.  Some of them have been accompanied by fraudulent letters claiming to suspend the license. Please note: 

  • Phone calls may “spoof” or appear to be from the boards’ number;
  • If you need to verify the identity of a TN board investigator, call (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov.
  • The health-related board investigators will never demand that you provide personally identifying information, such as a social security number, date of birth, or bank or credit card account numbers over the phone;
  • These types of licensing scams are a problem nationwide.

 If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:

  • If you believe you are the recipient of a fraudulent communication claiming to be from your licensing board:
  • Report the communication to the Internet Crime Complaint Center Internet Crime Complaint Center at using the code "TDHHPBSCAM2026".  This will allow law enforcement to link these scams for improved investigation.
  • Complainants can alternatively call the Fusion Center Tipline (800TBIFIND) or submit a tip online at TBI but the IC3 is preferred.

·         Notify the Department of Health at (615) 741-8485 or email OIV.Complaints@tn.gov

  • The Federal Trade Commission also accepts reports about “Imposter Scams” online or at 1-877-382-4357.

Contact

Contact the Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists


Call (615) 741-5735 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243Featured LinksMFT Temporary/Associate Licensure FAQsHow to Upgrade to Mental Health Service Provider StatusProposed Fact Sheet on Types of Licensure

Applying for Licensure

When completing the application process below, you will be required to submit an official transcript from the institution where you completed your education. The transcript must be mailed directly from the educational institution to the board office located at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243 or emailed directly to our office at Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov.

Effective immediately, anyone coming in person to complete their application, speak to an administrator, or paying a fee will be required to have an appointment. This will ensure excellent customer service. To schedule an appointment please email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov. An administrator will contact you with a date and time. 

Applications

Applying for initial licensure from your professional licensing board has become a bit easier. The Department of Health has been working on an online application process that will allow all health care professionals to apply online for an initial license and complete (and update as necessary) a practitioner profile mandatory for certain professions. The process is user friendly and convenient and even allows you to pay for your initial application utilizing a credit card, debit card or e-check. You will also be able to upload many of the documents required to complete your initial application!  Please go to the initial application link below to begin the online process.

For mailing documents please send them to the Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists and Clinical Pastoral Therapists, 665 Mainstream Dr, Nashville TN 37243. 

Licensed Professional Counselors

Applications

GRADUATE DEGREE NOTICE: Applicants for licensure as an LPC must have completed the appropriate graduate level coursework. Graduate counseling degrees with less than 60-hours earned will not qualify you for any level of LPC licensure. If your 60-hour graduate degree is in a related field, you could reach out to your academic advisor or TLPCA for assistance in determining if your degree will qualify before applying for licensure.

Forms

 

Mental Health Service Providers

Applications

Forms

Licensed Marital and Family Therapists

Applications

Forms

Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists

Applications

Forms

Meetings, Members, & Minutes

Meeting Schedule

Click for the [Board] Calendar of Events

Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes page.

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 665 Mainstream Drive, MetroCenter.

Members

Board Members

Members Title Representation Term Expires
James H. Dalton, PhD, LPC/MHSP   Board Member LPC 06/30/2026
Kimberly D. Speakman, LPC/MHSP President LPC 06/30/2023
Shelly L. Steel, MFT Vice President MFT 06/30/2022
Howard E. Nelson, CPT, LCSW Secretary CPT 06/30/2025
Vacant Board Member Citizen Member 06/30/2025

Meeting Minutes

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site. 

Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists and Clinical Pastoral Therapists are required to complete ten (10) clock hours of continuing education during each calendar year. Those persons who hold any two (2) certificates or licenses, i.e., professional counselor, marital and family therapist, and pastoral therapist SHALL COMPLETE THIRTY (30) CLOCK HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION EVERY TWO (2) CALENDAR YEARS.  A PERSON WHO HOLDS THREE CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES SHALL COMPLETE FORTY (40) HOURS CLOCK HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION EVERY TWO (2) YEARS. IN EACH CASE AT LEAST TEN (10) HOURS SHALL BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF EACH PROFESSION FOR WHICH THE PERSON IS LICENSED OR CERTIFIED. Three (3) clock hours of the two (2) year clock hour requirement shall pertain to the following subjects: (i) professional ethics; and/or (ii) Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 22; and/or (iii) Official Compilation, Rules and Regulations of the State of Tennessee, Chapter 0450-2.

Acceptable continuing education shall consist of master or doctoral level course work from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education; attendance at educational events sponsored by national, state, regional, or local professional associations in the field; or events related to the practice of the profession for which a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education grants CEUs.

Each person must retain proof of attendance and completion of all CE requirements. This documentation must be retained for a period of four (4) years from the end of the calendar year in which the CE was acquired. This documentation must be produced for inspection and verification, if requested in writing by the board during its verification process. The board will conduct a randomly selected audit of individual records to assure that the CE requirements have been met. An individual's records may be audited during consecutive renewal periods. If audited, The individual must, within fifteen (15) working days of a request from the board, provide evidence of continuing education activities.

The board does not pre-approve CE programs. It is the individual's responsibility using his professional judgment, to determine whether or not programs are applicable and appropriate to his professional development and meet the standards outlined within the board's rules and regulations.

Whenever you have a question regarding continuing education, refer to Rule 0450-1-.12 or 0450-2-.12 or 0450-3-.12, "Continuing Education" or call the Board's Administrative Office at (615) 741-5735 and speak to the administrator of the Board.

At this time, it is not required that licensees register for an account but the board is encouraging licensees utilize this as a tool to assist in the tracking of the required continuing education. CE Broker is the official tracking system for the Tennessee Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The Board has provided you with a free Basic Account, so you'll have their helpful CE tracking tools right at your fingertips.

Free Access

Within the free Basic Account, you will have access to your Course History and CE Compliance Status. This lists all of the courses which have been reported thus far and indicates whether or not you have satisfied your renewal requirements. From here, you may easily find and report any CE that might be missing. CE Broker is 100% free to use and you will never have to pay to access all of the necessary tools to renew your license!

How to activate your free CE Broker account

Activating your free Basic Account provided to you by your board is a simple 3-step process.

1 | Visit https://cebroker.com/tn/account/basic/

2 | Next, enter your license number

3|   Then, start tracking your continuing education!

Comprehensive Course Search

One of the best free tools CE Broker provides is the Course Search. You can easily find every course needed to successfully complete your license renewal, with just a few clicks! After you are finished with each course, educational providers will report the credits directly into CE Broker for you - but you should always retain a copy of the certificates for your records. To find courses, visit courses.cebroker.com/search/tn and select your profession.

Helpful Support Center

CE Broker provides dedicated support 8AM- 8PM ET, Monday through Friday, with a team of experts trained on the rules and regulations of the Tennessee Board Professional Counselors and Therapists. You can reach them by phone at 877-434-6323, or via email and live chat. For additional information and helpful guides, please visit: https://help.cebroker.com/

Other Benefits of using CE Broker

Track and know precisely how many hours you've completed and how many hours are remaining;

Available convenience features like a personalized transcript and a personal account manager;

Bring CE compliance wherever you go with the CE Broker mobile app (available for Iphone and Android).

Educational Programs

Amridge University
School of Human Services
1200 Taylor Road
Montgomery AL 36117
Phone: (800) 351-4040

www.amridgeuniversity.edu

Austin Peay State University
Psychology Department
601 College Street
Clarksville TN  37044
Phone: (931) 221-7233
Knickmeyern@apsu.edu 
Dr. Nicole Knickmeyer, Coordinator of Community Counseling program

East Tennessee State University
Counseling Program
Human Development and Learning
Campus Box 70548
Johnson City  TN  37614-1707
Phone: (423) 439-7692
http://www.etsu.edu/coe/chs/

Freed-Hardeman University
Graduate Studies in Counseling
158 E. Main Street
Henderson TN 38340
Phone: (800) 348-3481

Harding School of Theology
1000 Cherry Rd.
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 761-1350
www.hst.edu

Johnson University
Graduate Counseling Program
7900 Johnson Dr.
Box 180
Knoxville, TN 37998
Phone: (865) 251-2217
Email: sridge@johnsonu.edu (Sean Ridge, Counseling Department Chair)
Web: www.johnsonu.edu

Lincoln Memorial University
School of Education - Counseling Program
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate, TN 37752
423-869-6223
http://www.lmunet.edu/academics/graduate-professional/masters-degree/master-of-education/counseling-guidance-med

Lindsey Wilson College
School of Professional Counseling
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN   37066
Phone: 615-448-5455
Regional Enrollment Director: Danette Hurley, MS, TLPC
hurley@lindsey.edu
www.lindsey.edu/spc

Lipscomb University
Graduate Programs in Psychology
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 966-5906

Middle Tennessee State University
Professional Counseling Program
College of Education 314 – Box 91
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Phone: (615) 898-2855
www.mtsu.edu/edu_leadership/professional_counseling/

Tennessee Tech University 
Department of Counseling and Psychology
Box 5031
Cookeville TN  38505
Phone: (931) 372-3457
www.tntech.edu/cp

Trevecca Nazarene University
Graduate Counseling Program
333 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 248-1384
www.trevecca.edu/gradcounseling
E-mail: admissions_gradcouns@trevecca.edu

University of Memphis
Ball Hall, Room 100
Memphis, TN 38152-0001
Phone: (901) 678-2841

University of Tennessee
College of Education
229 Claxton Addition
Knoxville, TN 37996-3400
Phone: (865) 974-8774

University of Tennessee at Martin
Dept. of Educational Studies
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
240 Gooch Hall
Martin, TN 38238
Phone: (731) 881-7210
www.utm.edu

Vanderbilt University
Human Development Counseling Program
PO Box 322-GPC
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 322-8484

Chart of Counseling Programs in Tennessee (October 2019)

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2. What are the hours of operation for the board administrators?
8am-4:30 pm central standard time.

3. How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov.

4. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.

5. If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.

6. If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

7.  What is required for my application?

Application
Photograph
Fee
Declaration of Citizenship (notarized) w/ copy of your Driver’s License
Copy Of Birth Certificate
Work Summary
Official Transcripts Sent Directly to Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov
NCE passing score and Jurisprudence exam results
2 reference letters (including letterhead, date, and original signature)
2 Years Post-Master Supervision
3000 hrs. by Tennessee Approved Supervisor
150 hrs. of Contact

For MHSP designation, 75 of the 150hrs has to be supervised by a Tennessee approved LPC-MHSP supervisor
Profile
Criminal background Check (a-c lists needed information you will need for the background check submission)
a. Address: 665 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37243
b. OCA #: 3166
c. Agency: Department of Health Licensure and Regulation
d. Printable Instructions

1. My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2. What are the hours of operation for the board administrators? 8am-4:pm central standard time.

3. How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov.

4. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.

5. If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.

6. If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

1.  My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2.  What are the hours of operation? 8am-4:30pm central standard time.

3.  If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?

A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee.

4.  If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.

Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

5.  How do I become an Approved Supervisor?

Complete the AAMFT course or follow the guidelines below.

  • (Five (5) years full-time experience in marriage and family therapy practice and supervision;
  • (Thirty-six (36) hours of supervision specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision; and
  • (A recommendation for board-approved supervisor status from a supervisor who provided supervision

6.  Is my supervisor and Approved Supervisor?

Approved supervisors can be found at the following hyperlink.  https://aamft.org/Supervision/Search/Find_a_Supervisor.aspx

7.  How do I request a Jurisprudence Exam?  

A Jurisprudence Exam can be requested after a MFT application has been submitted.  Then, send a request for the exam and/or study material to Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov

8. What is required for a license through reciprocity?

(a) Hold a current MFT certificate or license from another state;

(b) Meet licensure requirements pursuant to Rule 0450-02-.04(1)(a) through (d); and

Rule 0450-02-.04

(1) Marital and Family Therapist by Examination. Prior to submitting an application each of the following qualifications must be met by a candidate for marital and family therapist.

(a) Be at least 18 years of age,

(b) The applicant shall provide evidence that he is highly regarded in moral character and professional ethics (rule 0450-02-.05),

(c) Education. The education requirement must be completed prior to the date of application.

1. Masters or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or by a comparable accrediting body.

2. The degree may be acceptable in a related subject field, so long as the degree contains the following coursework (all courses must be at least one semester in length):

(i) Human Development and Personality - 3 courses

(ii) Marriage and Family Studies - 3 courses

(iii) Marriage and Family Therapy - 3 courses

(iv) Research - 1 course

(v) Professional Ethics - 1 course

(vi) Assessment and diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral problems and dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature - 1 course

(vii) Supervised practicum/internship of no less than three hundred (300) hours which includes experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive, affective and behavioral problems or dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-22-106.

(d) Two years of post-master’s clinical experience consisting of not less than 10 hours per week pursuant to rule 0450-02-.14 and 0450-02-.05.

9. Do I have to apply electronically?

No. A paper application can be printed when clicking onto the hyperlink below.  Please keep in mind, this may delay the licensure process by 2-4 weeks.   https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/Marital-Famiky-Therapists-Paper-Application.pdf

10. When can I view the most recent board meeting minutes?

Before the meeting minutes can be added to the tn.gov website, the minutes must be ratified by the board, which occurs at the following board meeting.  The minutes are then added to the tn.gov website within 48 hours.  

1. My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2. What are the hours of operation for the board administrators?
8am-4:pm central standard time.

3. How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov.

4. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.

5. If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.

6. If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

Policies

Statutes

Statutes are proposed and made law by the Tennessee State General Assembly (Legislature). The Board, following specific notice requirements and hearings, adopts rules. Both have the force of law and may be used in the regulation of a profession. The statutes pertaining to this Board are found at T.C.A. 63-1 (Division of Health Related Boards) and T.C.A. 63-22 (Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists).

Click here to review the Tennessee Code Annotated. (This link will take you to a website that is not maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health).

Rules

Click here for Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Pastoral Therapists

Rules for Clinical Pastoral Therapists are in the process of being amended.  For qualifications for licensure, please follow the link above to view the Tennessee Code Annotated.  The pertinent statutes can be found under Title 63 Chapter 22 Section 201 et.seq.  You may also call the board office at (615) 741-5735 for further information.

Ethics

Click here for the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics for Licensed Professional Counselors

Click here for the American Association of Marital and Family Therapy Code of Ethics

This Page Last Updated: March 30, 2026 at 12:42 PM