HB1917 • 2026

Health Care

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.

Education Healthcare Labor

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Freeman, Yarbro
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details on funding or costs associated with implementing the new licensing system.

Creating a New License for Limited Practice Professional Counselors

This bill creates a new license called 'limited practice professional counselor' and sets rules for who can get this license, what they can do with it, and when the licensing will end.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new type of counseling license called 'limited practice professional counselor'.
Sets requirements for getting this new license, such as education, experience, and passing exams.
Allows people who were certified before June 30, 1991, to keep their certification or upgrade to the new limited practice license.
Limits when new licenses can be issued after July 1, 2028, but allows existing holders to renew indefinitely if they meet certain conditions.
Defines what a 'limited practice professional counselor' can do and where they fit in Tennessee's health care system.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to become limited practice professional counselors.
Current certified or licensed professional counselors.
The Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists.

Terms To Know

Limited Practice Professional Counselor: A type of counselor who can provide guidance but cannot diagnose or treat mental disorders.
Jurisprudence Exam: An exam that tests knowledge about laws and rules related to counseling in Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens after July 1, 2028, for new license applications.
It is unclear how the transition from current licenses to limited practice licenses will be managed by the board.
There are no details on funding or costs associated with implementing this new licensing system.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HA0944

Amendment 1-0 to HB1917

Plain English: The amendment changes references to 'professional counselor' in various Tennessee laws to include both 'limited practice professional counselor' and 'licensed professional counselor'.

Adds the term 'limited practice professional counselor' alongside 'licensed professional counselor' in multiple sections of state law.
Updates specific requirements for licensing as a licensed professional counselor, including education and supervised experience.
Sets deadlines for transitioning or upgrading licenses from limited practice to full licensure by 2029.

The amendment text is extensive and covers many sections of Tennessee law. Some details may be too technical to explain fully without additional context.

SA0658

Amendment 1-0 to SB2399

Adds the term 'limited practice professional counselor' alongside 'licensed professional counselor' in multiple sections of state law.
Specifies requirements for individuals seeking licensure as a limited practice professional counselor or licensed professional counselor, including education and supervised experience.
Sets deadlines for transitioning licenses from 'professional counselor' to either 'limited practice professional counselor' or 'licensed professional counselor'.

The amendment text is technical and includes many legal references that are not explained in plain English.

Bill History

2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed behind the budget
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 4/6/2026
2026-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Government Operations Committee
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/31/2026
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/10/2026
2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/10/2026
2026-02-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Health Committee - Government Operations for Review
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

This bill establishes a new license for limited practice professional counselors, and requires the board
for professional counselors, marital and family therapists
,
and clinical pastoral therapists
("board") to issue licenses to applicants who meet the requirements for such a license. As used in this bill, a "limited practice professional counselor" means a licensed person who (i) is
professionally trained in counseling and guidance services designed to facilitate normal human growth and development throu
gh individual, family, or group counseling;
(ii)
is professionally trained in educational procedures, assessment, consultation, and research; and
(iii)
assists individuals by the practice of counseling with their personal, social, career, or educational development as they pass through life stages
. However, such license does not include the ability to appraise, assess, diagnose, or treat conditions attributable to a mental disorder.

This bill requires an applicant seeking to be licensed as a limited practice professional counselor to comply with all of the following requirements:



Be at least 18
and of good moral character.


H
ave earned a degree in counseling or a closely related field
.


Have o
btained at least 60 graduate hours in counseling or a closely related field
.


Have
completed a supervised field experience as either a practicum or internship
.


Have at least two years of professional experience of a type judged to be acceptable by the board subsequent to being granted a graduate degree.


Have passed the examination offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or such other approved examination.


Have passed the Tennessee jurisprudence exam.


Have met any additional criteria of the board established by rule.

This bill authorizes persons who were certified as a professional counselor on or before June 30, 1991, to retain the person's certification indefinitely by meeting current renewal requirements or upgrade to be licensed as a limited practice professional
counselor. However, a person who is a licensed professional counselor as of June 30, 2026, must be converted to a limited practice professional counselor license, and the board must reissue such a person's license accordingly.

This bill prohibits a new license for a limited practice professional counselor from being issued after July 1, 2028. However, a person who is a licensed limited practice professional counselor as of June 30, 2028, may retain the person's license indefi
nitely by meeting current renewal requirements or upgrade to be licensed as a licensed professional counselor by meeting the additional requirements described above.

This bill authorizes a limited practice professional counselor to do all of the following:



Complete the examination person convicted of a sex crime after admittance to a penal facility, as required by present law.


Complete the examination of a person convicted of a sex crime prior to the non-parole release of such a person, as required by present law.


Perform
an evaluation for psychiatric diagnosis or treatment, or both, with written, informed, voluntarily signed consent from a parent, guardian, legal custodian, or caregiver
, if such a limited practice professional counselor is personnel of a local education agency.


Refer patients to a professional art therapist.

This bill designates a limited practice professional counselor as all of the following:



A
"
mental health service provider
"
for the Tennessee Public Safety Behavioral Act, which requires public safety employers to provide at least 10 sessions with a mental health service provider for the purpose of treating PTSD
.


A "qualified mental health professional" for the purpose of providing services to persons of all ages with mental illness and emotional disturbances and for providing services to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.


A "counselor" for the purpose of exemption for liability for the suicide or attempted suicide of a client.


A qualified instructor for the purposes of offering a premarital preparation course to a couple for the purpose of exempting such a couple from $60 of the fee to issue a marriage license, as provided by present law.


A "medical professional" for the purposes of exemption from fees for a special volunteer license when practicing in a free health clinic. Further, a licensed limited practice professional counselor practicing in a free health clinic is prohibited from receiving any compensation for services rendered.


A health services provider, if such a licensed limited practice professional counselor (i) holds a Ph.D. in education from an accredited college or university; (ii) possesses at least 3,900 hours of clinical experience supervised by licensed clinical and counseling psychologists at an accredited school of medicine; (iii) is a national board certified counselor; (iv) has been practicing in this state as a limited practice professional counselor or candidate for at least six years; (v) was licensed by the board as a psychologist on July 15, 1992, with declared specialty other than school, clinical or counseling psychology; and (vi) has submitted to the board an application for such designation by December 31, 1994.


A provider for the purposes of the Health Care Consumers Right-to-Know Act of 1998, which establishes a system to provide public access to information about certain health care providers and managed care organizations in this state.

Further, this bill requires a licensed limited practice professional counselor to complete a training program approved by the board focused on suicide prevention, suicide assessment and screening, suicide treatment, suicide management, and suicide postve
ntion every four years. A limited practice professional counselor is prohibited from engaging in the practice of licensed psychological examiner, licensed senior psychological examiner, certified psychological assistant, licensed psychologist, licensed s
oc
ial worker, psychiatric nurse, law, or medicine.

This bill authorizes the board to issue an associate license for a limited practice professional counselor applicant who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license sought and who has successfully passed the examination re
quired by the board. Such an associate license allows the applicant to provide counseling services under qualified supervision.

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

Present law requires an applicant for a licensure as a professional counselor to comply with all of the same requirements as those listed above for a limited practice professional counselor. This bill requires an applicant for licensure as a professiona
l counselor to comply with all such requirements and to (i) complete coursework specifically related to the diagnosis, treatment, appraisal, and assessment of mental disorders; and (ii) complete two years of postgraduate supervised experience required for
l
icensure in a clinical setting that provides substantial opportunities to diagnose, treat, appraise, and assess mental disorders.

As used in this bill, a "licensed professional counselor" means a person licensed under present law who meets all of the following requirements:



Is professionally
trained in counseling and guidance services designed to facilitate normal human growth and development through individual, family, or group counseling; who is professionally trained in educational procedures, assessment, consultation, and research; and who assists individuals by the practice of counseling with their personal, social, career, or educational development as they pass through life stages
.



Is trained in the application of mental health and human development principals in order to (i) facilitate
human development and adjustment throughout the life span
; (ii) prevent,
diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated disorders that interfere with mental health
; (iii) conduct
assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives
;
and
(iv) plan
implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

Present law authorizes the board to license, without examination, a professional counselor applicant with a valid, unencumbered license issued by another state, territory, or federal district of the United States at an equivalent level of licensure. How
ever, the applicant must have a 60-hour graduate degree in counseling or a related field, meet all the requirements for a licensed limited practice professional counselor described above, and have actively practiced without supervision for at least two of
t
he three most recent years. This bill, instead, authorizes the board to license, without examination, a limited practice professional counselor that meets such requirements. The board may also issue a license to a limited practice professional counselor
, without examination, if the applicant has a valid, unencumbered license and (i) the applicant has earned a graduate degree prior to 2016 consisting of at least 52 hours of in counseling or a related field from an accredited program; and (ii) the applica
nt
has practiced as a licensed professional counselor or a limited practice professional counselor for at least 25 years.

APPLICABILITY

This bill applies to licenses applied for, or renewed, on or after July 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 2399
By Yarbro

HOUSE BILL 1917
By Freeman
HB1917
011124
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8;
Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63
and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-50-119(b)(1)(A)(i)(a), is amended
by deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(a) A licensed professional counselor under title 63, chapter 22, part 1;
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-1-101(20), is amended by
deleting "professional counselor" and substituting "limited practice professional counselor;
professional counselor".
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-3-201(a)(2), is amended by
adding "limited practice professional counselor," immediately after "certified or licensed
professional counselor,".
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-6-802, is amended by adding
"limited practice professional counselor," immediately after "licensed professional counselor,".
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-6-804(a), is amended by adding
"limited practice professional counselor," immediately after "licensed professional counselor,".
SECTION 6. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-6-413(b)(5)(C)(v), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(v) A licensed professional counselor, as defined in § 63-22-122;
SECTION 7. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-6-413(b)(5)(C), is amended by
adding the following as a new subdivision:
(ix) A limited practice professional counselor, as defined in § 63-22-122.

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SECTION 8. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-124(c), is amended by adding
the following as a new subdivision:
(10) Limited practice professional counselor.
SECTION 9. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 52-1-101(14), is amended by
deleting "professional counselor" and substituting "limited practice professional counselor,
licensed professional counselor".
SECTION 10. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 52-3-201(a)(2), is amended by
adding "limited practice professional counselor," immediately after "certified or licensed
professional counselor,".
SECTION 11. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-2401(a), is amended by
adding "a duly licensed limited practice professional counselor, as defined in § 63-22-122;"
immediately after "as defined in § 63-22-115;".
SECTION 12. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-2401(a), is amended by
adding "by a duly licensed limited practice professional counselor;" immediately after "by a duly
licensed marital and family therapist;".
SECTION 13. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-1-125(e)(2), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(2) A marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, limited practice
professional counselor, or pastoral counselor certified or licensed under chapter 22 of
this title;
SECTION 14. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-1-201(2), is amended by adding
the following as a new subdivision:
(K) Limited practice professional counselor licensed under chapter 22 of this
title.

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SECTION 15. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-222(b)(4), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(4) Has been practicing as a licensed professional counselor or a limited practice
professional counselor for a period of six (6) or more years in this state;
SECTION 16. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-302(6)(I), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(I) Licensed professional counselor or professional counselor candidate;
SECTION 17. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-302(6), is amended by
adding the following as a new subdivision:
(M) Limited practice professional counselor or a limited practice professional
counselor candidate;
SECTION 18. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-409(b), is amended by
deleting subdivisions (3) and (4) and substituting:
(3) A limited practice professional counselor under chapter 22 of this title;
(4) A licensed professional counselor under chapter 22 of this title;
SECTION 19. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-102, is amended by deleting
subdivisions (2) and (4) and substituting:
(2) Upon payment of a nonrefundable fee as set by the board, review the
credentials of licensure of a limited practice professional counselor and professional
counselor applicant to determine if the applicant is eligible for licensure;
(4) License an applicant who meets the requirements in this part for a licensed
professional counselor or limited practice professional counselor and establish by rule
any additional qualifications of the applicant necessary for the practice of counseling as
provided in this part;

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SECTION 20. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-104, is amended by deleting
"professional counselor" and substituting "limited practice professional counselor".
SECTION 21. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-104, is amended by
designating the existing language as subsection (a) and adding the following as a new
subsection:
(b) An applicant for licensure as a professional counselor shall comply with all
requirements described in subsection (a) and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Complete coursework specifically related to the diagnosis, treatment,
appraisal, and assessment of mental disorders; and
(2) Complete two (2) years of postgraduate supervised experience
required for licensure in a clinical setting that provides substantial opportunities to
diagnose, treat, appraise, and assess mental disorders.
SECTION 22. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-107, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting:
(a) Beginning July 1, 2026, an applicant for licensure as a limited practice
professional counselor and a professional counselor shall:
(1) Meet the requirements of §§ 63-22-104 and 63-22-110; and
(2) Pass an examination as adopted and administered by the board.
(b) A person who was certified as a professional counselor on or before June 30,
1991, may retain the person's certification indefinitely by meeting current renewal
requirements or upgrade to be licensed as a limited practice professional counselor.
(c)
(1) A person who is a licensed professional counselor as of June 30,
2026, must be converted to a limited practice professional counselor license.

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(2) The board shall reissue the person as described in subdivision (c)(1)
a limited practice professional counselor license.
(d)
(1) Beginning July 1, 2028, the board shall not issue a new license for a
limited practice professional counselor.
(2) A person who is a licensed limited practice professional counselor as
of June 30, 2028, may retain the person's license indefinitely by meeting current
renewal requirements or upgrade to be licensed as a licensed professional
counselor by meeting the additional requirements as described in § 63-22-
104(b).
(e)
(1) Beginning July 1, 1991, an applicant for licensure as a licensed
marital and family therapist shall:
(1) Meet the requirements of § 63-22-103(a) or § 63-22-106; and
(2) Pass such examinations as may be administered by the
board.
(2) Beginning July 1, 1991, the board shall not issue marital and family
therapist certifications. A person certified as a marital and family therapist on or
before June 30, 1991, may maintain certification or upgrade from certification to
licensure by any of the following methods:
(A) By acquiring the minimum standards provided in § 63-22-
106(3);
(B) By receiving two hundred (200) hours clinical supervision from
not more than two (2) supervisors deemed qualified by the board; or

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(C) By validating fifteen (15) years of clinical practice while
maintaining certification by continuing a practice of marital and family
therapy.
SECTION 23. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-116(a)(1), is amended by
deleting "a professional counselor" and substituting "a limited practice professional counselor or
licensed professional counselor".
SECTION 24. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-116(a)(1)(B), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(B)
(i) The applicant has a conferred graduate degree consisting of a
minimum of fifty-two (52) hours in counseling or a related field from an accredited
program that were earned prior to 2016; and
(ii) The applicant has practiced as a licensed professional counselor or a
limited practice professional counselor for a minimum of twenty-five (25) years
and meets the requirements of § 63-22-104(a)(4)-(7).
SECTION 25. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-116(a)(2), is amended by
deleting the subdivision.
SECTION 26. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-117(a)(1)(A), is amended by
deleting "such as, "licensed professional counselor" without being" and substituting "such as,
"licensed professional counselor" or "limited practice professional counselor" without being".
SECTION 27. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-117(b), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(b) This part does not permit a person licensed or certified as a professional
counselor or limited practice professional counselor to engage in the practice of licensed
psychological examiner, licensed senior psychological examiner, certified psychological

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assistant, licensed psychologist, licensed social worker, psychiatric nurse, law, or
medicine.
SECTION 28. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-117(c), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(c) This part does not apply to a person if the person is preparing for the practice
of counseling.
SECTION 29. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-117(d), is amended by
adding "or limited practice professional counselors" immediately after "licensed professional
counselors".
SECTION 30. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-118(a), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(a) Notwithstanding § 63-22-122, this part does not apply to the following:
(1) A person regulated by the board of nursing or the state board of
education; or
(2) A professional counselor employed in a community or human service
agency and working directly under the supervision of a licensed professional
counselor or a limited practice professional counselor.
SECTION 31. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-120, is amended by deleting
the section.
SECTION 32. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-121(a)(1), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(1) An associate license may be issued by the board for a licensed professional
counselor or a limited practice professional counselor applicant who has completed the
academic coursework and training required for the license sought and who has
successfully passed the examination required by the board.

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SECTION 33. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-122, is amended by deleting
subdivisions (3) and (5) and substituting:
(3) "Limited practice professional counselor":
(A) Means a person licensed under this part who is professionally trained
in counseling and guidance services designed to facilitate normal human growth
and development through individual, family, or group counseling; who is
professionally trained in educational procedures, assessment, consultation, and
research; and who assists individuals by the practice of counseling with their
personal, social, career, or educational development as they pass through life
stages; and
(B) Does not include the ability to appraise, assess, diagnose, or treat
conditions attributable to a mental disorder;
(5)
(A) "Licensed professional counselor" means a person licensed under
this part:
(i) Who is professionally trained in counseling and guidance
services designed to facilitate normal human growth and development
through individual, family, or group counseling; who is professionally
trained in educational procedures, assessment, consultation, and
research; and who assists individuals by the practice of counseling with
their personal, social, career, or educational development as they pass
through life stages; and
(ii) The application of mental health and human development
principles in order to:

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(a) Facilitate human development and adjustment
throughout the life span;
(b) Prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, or
behavioral disorders and associated disorders that interfere with
mental health;
(c) Conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose
of establishing treatment goals and objectives within the
limitations prescribed in subdivision (1); and
(d) Plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using
counseling treatment interventions.
(B) This subdivision (5) does not permit:
(i) The performance of any act that a licensed professional
counselor is not educated and trained to perform; or
(ii) The designation of testing reports as psychological.
(C) As used in this subdivision (5), "counseling treatment interventions"
means the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic counseling
strategies that include principles of development, wellness, and pathology that
reflect a pluralistic society.
SECTION 34. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-206(a)(4), is amended by
deleting "a professional counselor designated as a mental health service provider" and
substituting "a licensed professional counselor".
SECTION 35. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-32-102(b), is amended by
deleting "professional counselor" and substituting "limited practice professional counselor,
licensed professional counselor".

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SECTION 36. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-24-604, is amended by adding
"limited practice professional counselor," immediately after "licensed professional counselor,".
SECTION 37. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to licenses applied for or renewed on or after that date.