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

About

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.

MFT Frequently Asked Questions

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. How do I become an Approved Supervisor?
Complete the AAMFT course or follow the guidelines below.
1.Five (5) years full-time experience in marriage and family therapy practice and supervision;
2.Thirty-six (36) hours of supervision specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision; and
3.A recommendation for board-approved supervisor status from a supervisor who provided supervision

4. Is my supervisor and Approved Supervisor?
Approved supervisors can be found at the following hyperlink. https://aamft.org/Supervision/Search/Find_a_Supervisor.aspx

5. 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

6. What is required for a license through reciprocity?
(a) Hold a current MFT certificate or license from another stat;
(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-masters clinical experience consisting of not less than 10 hours per week pursuant to rule 0450-02-.14 and 0450-02-.05.

7. 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

8. 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.

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

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