Bill > HB0959

This bill modifies Tennessee's mental health professional licensing regulations, primarily focusing on changing terminology and supervisory requirements for marriage and family therapists and professional counselors. The bill replaces the term "temporary license" with "associate license" for professionals who have completed required academic coursework and passed necessary examinations. It redefines an "approved supervisor" to no longer include board-approved marriage and family supervisors, instead emphasizing supervisors approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The bill establishes new guidelines for associate licenses, including their validity period (up to four years), requirements for obtaining the license, and restrictions on how license holders can represent themselves professionally. For professional counselors, the bill introduces new pathways for licensing without examination, particularly for out-of-state professionals with equivalent credentials or those with extensive professional experience. The bill will be implemented in stages, with some sections taking effect in July 2025 and others in January 2026, allowing time for regulatory adaptation and professional compliance.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0959&ga=114