Tennessee Counselor Licensing Requirements
Counselor Licensing Requirements in Tennessee must be met in order to practice safely and securely in the state.
Permanent licenses are issued at two important levels. A licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC/MHSP) is a higher level of licensing than a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). It is possible to work toward both licenses simultaneously. The process begins when you enroll in the educational program that best meets your needs.
The following information is designed to provide a guideline for counseling licensure in Tennessee.
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Tennessee Counselor Credential Titles
Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC/MHSP) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)Tennessee Counselor Educational Requirements
LPC/MHSP In addition to, or as part of the graduate degree – completion of 9 graduate semester hours of coursework related to diagnosis, treatment, appraisal, and assessment of mental disorders. LPC60 graduate semester hours in professional counseling or a related field from an institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, CACREP, or a comparable accrediting body, which includes a master’s degree in professional counseling and a supervised 500 hour practicum or internship (300 hours of which must be completed in a clinical setting).
Tennessee Counselor Experiential Requirements
LPC/MHSP 2 years of post-master’s professional experience consisting of 3,000 hours of direct clinical experience (not less than 10 hours per week) 1,500 hours have to be direct client contact and 1,500 hours need to be clinically based. Must have 150 hours of supervision LPC 2 years of post-master’s professional experience consisting of 3,000 hours of direct clinical experience (not less than 10 hours per week) *As of January 31, 2013, Supervisors had to be licensed for 5 years, conform to section F of the ACA Code of Ethics, and have at least 12 clock hours of supervision training.Tennessee Counselor Exam Required
LPC/MHSP NCE, NCMHCE, and TN Jurispruden ce Exam LPC NCE and the TN Jurispruden ce ExamTennessee Requirements for Clinical Supervisors
Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP) Licensed as a professional counselor, LPC-MHSP, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, psychologist with a health service provider designation, senior psychological examiner, or a psychiatrist, for a minimum of 5 years. As of January 31, 2013 supervisors must conform to section F of the ACA Code of Ethics and be trained in supervision (minimum 12 clock hours).Tennessee Requirements for Out of State Applicants
Individuals seeking LPC licensure by reciprocity must meet the following qualifications: Hold a current professional counselor license from another state, meet licensure requirements, and pass all required examinations. Individuals seeking LPC/MHSP licensure by reciprocity must meet the following qualifications: Hold a current professional counselor license with a mental health service provider designation, or its equivalent, from another state, meet licensure requirements, and pass all required exams. Required documentation: completed application and supporting documentation; recent photo; birth certificate; evidence of good moral character; original certificate/license and renewal certificate/license; the state certification or licensing law and rules in effect at the time the applicant was credentialed; and an official statement from the certification or licensing agency in applicant’s state which indicates that such certificate or license is in effect and in good standing, and under what provision such a certificate or license was issued (i.e. grandfathering, examination, reciprocity, endorsement). An applicant shall pay, at the time of the application, the nonrefundable application fee.Tennessee Scope of Practice
“PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING” (without the designation as a mental health service provider) means the rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the application of principles, techniques, methods, or procedures of the counseling profession, including appraisal activities, as defined by the law, counseling, consulting and referral activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the treatment of any mental, emotional or adjustment disorder other than marital problems, parent-child problems, child, and adolescent antisocial behavior, adult antisocial behavior, other specified family circumstances, other interpersonal problems, phase of life problems, other life circumstance problems, occupational problems, and uncomplicated bereavement. “PRACTICE OF COUNSELING AS A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER” means the application of mental health and human development principles in order to: a. facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span; b. prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental health; c. conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives within the limitations prescribed in T.C.A. § 63-22-150(1); and d. plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. Counseling treatment interventions shall mean the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling strategies which include principles of development, wellness, and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to permit the performance of any act which licensed professional counselors designated as mental health service providers are not educated and trained to perform, nor shall it be construed to permit the designation of testing reports as “psychological”. “SCOPE OF PRACTICE” (1) The following shall be considered necessary when addressing the scope of practice for professional counselors: a. Assisting an individual, through the counseling relationship, in a manner intended to facilitate normal human growth and development, using a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods and techniques, to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual and/or career development and adjustment through the lifespan. b. Rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the application of principles, techniques, methods or procedures of the counseling profession, including appraisal activities, counseling, consulting and referral activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the treatment of any mental, emotional or adjustment disorder other than marital problems, parent-child problems, child and adolescent antisocial behavior, adult antisocial behavior, other specified family circumstances, other interpersonal problems, phase of life problems, other life circumstance problems, occupational problems, and uncomplicated bereavement. c. Selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual’s aptitudes, achievements, or interests, which are used to understand, measure or facilitate such individual’s normal human growth and development, but shall not include the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality, nor the use of psychological or clinical tests designed to identify or classify abnormal or pathological human behavior, nor the use of individually administered intelligence tests. Consistent with each counselor’s formal education and training, licensed or certified professional counselors may administer and utilize appropriate assessment instruments which measure and/or diagnose problems and/or dysfunctions within the context of human growth and development as part of the counseling process or in the development of a treatment plan. (2) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (1), the following shall be considered necessary when addressing the scope of practice for professional counselors as a mental health service provider: a. Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span; b. Prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental health; c. Conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives within the limitations prescribed in T.C.A. § 63-22-150(1); and d. Plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. “Counseling treatment interventions” means the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling strategies which include principles of development, wellness, and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to permit the performance of any act which licensed professional counselors designated as mental health service providers are not educated and trained to perform, nor shall it be construed to permit the designation of testing reports as “psychological.” (3) Any person who engages in any unlawful act enumerated in these rules and T.C.A. §§ 63-22-101, et seq., is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. (4) Nothing in these rules shall be construed as permitting individuals registered with the board to administer or prescribe drugs or in any manner engage in the practice of medicine as defined by Tennessee law. Now that you are familiar with the counselor licensing requirements in Tennessee, visit our How to Become a Counselor in Tennessee page for a more detailed look into the steps you will need to take to make your dream of becoming a counselor a reality.Tennessee State Information
State of Tennessee Dept. of Health Bureau of Related Boards 665 Mainstream Dr. Nashville, TN 37243 615/532-5088 615/532-5369 (fax) Executive Director Teddy Wilkins CONTACT: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://tennessee.gov/health/topic/pcmft-board LPC with/without MHSP designation: $200 MHSP Upgrade fee: $85 Temporary License: $150 State Registration fee: $10 Background Fingerprint Check: $56http://tennessee.gov/health/topic/pcmft-board