Tennessee Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Tennessee licenses professional counselors through the Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists. The state utilizes a tiered pathway that includes the Certified Associate Counselor (CAC), progression to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and advancement to the Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP).

Individuals must complete supervised post-master’s experience and meet examination requirements associated with each licensure level.

Tennessee Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider (LPC/MHSP)
Initial / Associate License Title	Certified Associate Counselor (CAC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 hours
Required National Exam(s)	NCE (for LPC) and NCMHCE (for LPC/MHSP)
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	Yes

The Path to Licensure in Tennessee

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a graduate degree in counseling or a related field.

Educational requirements include:

• Master’s degree in counseling
  
• Minimum of 60 graduate semester hours
  
• Degree must be:
  
  • CACREP-accredited, or
    
  • From a comparable program accepted by the Board
    

Programs must include supervised practicum and internship experiences, though specific hour requirements are not defined in primary sources.

Step 2: Obtain Certified Associate Counselor (CAC) Credential

Applicants must obtain the Certified Associate Counselor (CAC) credential to begin supervised practice.

Requirements include:

• Submission of an application to the Board
  
• Verification of qualifying education
  
• Compliance with Board requirements for associate status
  

Important:

• Individuals may not engage in independent practice
  
• All counseling services must be performed under supervision
  
• The CAC serves as the required entry point for accruing supervised post-master’s experience

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for advancement to LPC and ultimately LPC/MHSP, applicants must complete supervised post-master’s clinical experience.

Requirements include:

• 3,000 hours of supervised experience
  
• At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face client contact
  

Supervision requirements include:

• Minimum of 150 hours of supervision
  
• No more than 50 hours may be group supervision
  

Supervision must:

• Be provided by a qualified, licensed supervisor
  
• Occur in a clinical setting appropriate for mental health counseling
  
• Be face-to-face, unless video supervision is approved by the Board due to hardship
  

All supervised experience must be properly documented and verified by the supervisor.

Note: This supervised experience is the foundation for clinical practice authority under the LPC/MHSP designation, which includes diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass examinations corresponding to the level of licensure they are pursuing.

For LPC licensure:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE counseling exam)
  

For LPC/MHSP designation:

• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
  

All applicants must also pass:

• Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination
  

Examinations are tied to licensure level, with the NCE associated with initial LPC licensure and the NCMHCE required for clinical practice authority under the LPC/MHSP designation.

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Supervision & Ethics in Tennessee

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Tennessee?

Supervisors must be licensed mental health professionals, such as:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (with MHSP designation for MHSP supervision)
  
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  
• Psychologist (Health Service Provider)
  
• Senior Psychological Examiner
  
• Psychiatrist
  

Supervisors must:

• Be licensed for at least five years
  
• Be qualified to provide supervision in clinical counseling
  
• Assume responsibility for the supervisee’s professional activities
  

Can Associates Practice Independently in Tennessee?

No. Individuals must practice under supervision while completing post-master’s experience. Independent practice is not permitted until full licensure as an LPC/MHSP is granted.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Tennessee requires:

• 150 total hours of supervision
  
• No more than 50 hours of group supervision
  

Supervision must be primarily face-to-face, with limited exceptions for approved video supervision.

What Documentation Is Required?

Applicants must submit documentation verifying supervised experience.

Requirements include:

• Supervisor verification of hours and experience
  
• Documentation of supervision sessions
  
• Evidence that supervision occurred in compliance with Board rules

Who Is Responsible for Clinical Decisions?

Supervisors are responsible for:

• Oversight of the supervisee’s clinical work
  
• Ensuring services are delivered competently and ethically
  
• Protecting client welfare
  
• Providing ongoing evaluation and guidance

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Tennessee

Pro Tip
Ensure that supervision is conducted in an approved clinical setting and meets all Board requirements, including documentation and supervisor qualifications.

Warning
Failure to complete required supervision hours or obtain proper documentation may delay or prevent licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Tennessee

Can I Start a Private Practice as a CAC in Tennessee?

No. Certified Associate Counselors must practice under supervision and may not independently provide counseling services until licensed as an LPC/MHSP.

How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in Tennessee?

The timeline depends on completing:

• Graduate education requirements
  
• Examination requirements
  
• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
  

The duration will vary based on how quickly supervised hours are completed.

Does Tennessee Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Tennessee accepts CACREP-accredited programs or comparable programs that are determined by the Board to meet required educational standards. Prospective applicants can explore Tennessee counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.

List of Programs