Tennessee LPC/MFT Licensure Board Update

The Tennessee General Assembly advanced a bill (SB 2227/ HB 2539) that would eliminate the Licensed Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy Board and house the administrative functions of the board under a Department of Health commission. However, during their hearing yesterday afternoon, the House Health Committee adopted an amendment writing the LPC and MFT board out of the legislation. Therefore, the board will be retained and keep its current responsibilities and staff.

This would not have been possible without the consistent advocacy efforts of the Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA). During their Day on the Hill on March 18th, they met with legislators and attending one of the hearings. They conveyed that the LPC/MFT board is functioning as intended and is necessary for the preservation of LPC professional identity and ethical standards.

For any further information on legislation in Tennessee, visit TCA’s resource page here. For general advocacy questions, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.