SB2585 • 2026

Medical Occupations

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 33; Title 36; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to therapists.

Education Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Jackson, Hicks G
Last action: 2026-04-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor for action.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific dates for when certain provisions will be effective, leaving some uncertainty about implementation timelines.

Changes to Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing in Tennessee

This act updates the licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists in Tennessee, including changes to how licenses are granted from other states, exemptions for trainees, and new rules for supervisors.

What This Bill Does

Updates references to 'marital and family' therapists to 'marriage and family' therapists throughout state laws.
Requires applicants moving from another state to submit an application, pay fees, provide license history, pass a Tennessee exam, prove age, and show good character.
Exempts student interns and trainees in marriage and family therapy programs at accredited institutions from licensing requirements if supervised.
Allows certain individuals working under supervision towards independent licensure to use titles like 'pre-licensed marriage and family therapist'.
Establishes new rules for approved supervisors, including training hours and continuing education requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

Marriage and family therapists seeking licenses in Tennessee.
Student interns and trainees pursuing degrees in marriage and family therapy.
Approved supervisors of marriage and family therapists.

Terms To Know

LMFT-S: Abbreviation for 'Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor' who meets specific training requirements.
Board-approved supervisor: A person recognized by the board to supervise marriage and family therapists in training.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify an effective date for all changes.
Future actions by the Governor are needed before these changes take effect.

Amendments

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

HA0812

Amendment 1-0 to HB1909

Plain English: This amendment changes references from 'marital and family' to 'marriage and family' in various sections of Tennessee law related to therapists.

Replaces the term 'marital and family' with 'marriage and family' in multiple sections of state laws.
Updates specific definitions and requirements for licensed marriage and family therapists, including licensing procedures and supervision arrangements.

The full extent of changes to each section is not provided due to the truncation of some parts of the amendment text.

SA0582

Amendment 1-0 to SB2585

Plain English: This amendment changes references from 'marital and family' to 'marriage and family' in various sections of Tennessee law related to therapists.

Replaces the term 'marital and family' with 'marriage and family' throughout multiple sections of state laws.
Updates specific definitions, such as for licensed marriage and family therapists, to use the new terminology.

The full extent of changes in each section is not detailed due to the extensive nature of the amendment text.

Bill History

2026-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly
Transmitted to Governor for action.
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by H. Speaker
2026-04-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Signed by Senate Speaker
2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Enrolled and ready for signatures
2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Concurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
2026-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/2/2026
2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0
2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly
Subst. for comp. HB.
2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly
Comp. SB subst.
2026-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
2026-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0582)
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/24/2026
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Action def. in Health Committee to 3/24/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/17/2026
2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly
No Action Taken
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/10/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee
2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
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
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Present law requires the board for professional counselors, marriage and family therapists and clinical pastoral therapist "board" to license without examination a marriage and family therapist applicant that is licensed in another state. This bill requi
res an applicant for a license without examination to submit (i) a completed application for licensure by endorsement, (ii) payment of application fees, (iii) documentation of all marriage and family therapist licenses the applicant has ever had and the s
ta
tus of each; (iv) successful completion of the Tennessee jurisprudence exam, (v) proof that the applicant is at least 18, and (vi) evidence of highly regarded personal character and professional ethics.

EXEMPTIONS TO LICENSING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Present law clarifies that licensing and other requirements do not apply to the activities and services of a student intern or trainee in marriage and family therapy who is pursuing a program of studies in marriage and family therapy at an accredited ins
titution of higher learning, as long as the activities are performed under supervision. This bill also exempts persons who are under a supervisory arrangement approved by the board and who is working in a community mental health center, residential or in
pa
tient facility, intensive outpatient facility, or federally qualified health center.

APPROVED SUPERVISORS

Present law authorizes the board to issue an associate license to a marriage and family therapist applicant who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license sought. Such a license authorizes the applicant to engage in the
practice of marriage and family therapy under the supervision of an approved supervisor. An "approved supervisor" means a licensed marriage and family therapist or any other licensed mental health professional who is an American Association for Marriage
an
d Family Therapy-approved supervisor; a supervisor-in-training under supervision mentoring with a current American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; or a board-approved supervisor.

This bill authorizes an approved supervisor to use and indicate a designation using the abbreviation "LMFT-S." However, supervisors in training may not use such a designation. As used in this bill, a "board-approved marriage and family supervisor" mean
s a person who gives to the board evidence of at least five years of full-time experience as an independently licensed marriage and family therapist with at least the last two years completed in this state; and at least 30 hours of instruction specific to
t
he practice of marriage and family therapist supervision through a board-approved continuing education provider. In order to maintain board-approved status, an approved supervisor must complete at least six hours of supervision continuing education every
two years, in addition to any continuing education requirements for maintaining licensure. At least three such hours must be relevant to ethics and state laws governing the practice of marriage and family therapy.

ON MARCH 19, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2585, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 authorizes a student intern or trainee in marriage and family therapy who is pursuing a program of studies in marriage and family therapy at an accredited institution of higher learning to use the titles "marriage and family therapy intern",
"family therapy intern", or "student therapist" for purposes of performing activities under supervision and as part of a supervised program of study.

This amendment authorizes a person who is under a supervisory arrangement recognized and approved by the board, working toward independent licensure, and who is working in a community mental health center, residential or inpatient facility, intensive out
patient facility, or federally qualified health center to use the title "prelicensed marriage and family therapist" or a postgraduate degree designation.

This amendment specifies that, in order to qualify as an approved supervisor, a licensed mental health professional must be independently licensed and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; a supervisor-in-training u
nder supervision mentoring with a current American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; or a board-approved supervisor. This amendment authorizes an approved supervisor to use and indicate such designation utilizing the abbrev
ia
tion "LMFT-S". A supervisor in training shall not use such designation.

This amendment replaces the term "board-approved marriage and family supervisor" with "board-approved supervisor" and adds that a board-approved supervisor must complete six hours of supervision continuing education every two years, at least three hours
of which must be relevant to ethics and laws of this state that govern the practice of marriage and family therapy. The supervision hours must be in addition to any other continuing education requirements for maintaining licensure.

ON MARCH 30, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2585 FOR HOUSE BILL 1909, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2585, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes:



Provides that an "approved supervisor" means (i) a licensed marriage and family therapist, or other licensed mental health professional, who is independently licensed and an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; (ii) a supervisor-in-training who is under the supervision of, and receiving mentoring from, a current American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; or (iii) a board-approved supervisor.


Changes the effective date for Sections 1-15, 17-19, and 21-31 of the bill from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027. Such provisions apply to actions occurring, and licensure and license renewal applications submitted, on or after that date.

ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HOUSE BILL 1909
By Hicks G

SENATE BILL 2585
By Jackson
SB2585
010978
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4,
Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 33; Title 36;
Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to
therapists.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-29-248(a)(5), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-50-117, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-50-119(b)(1)(A), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-1-101(20), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 33-3-201(a)(2), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 6. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-6-413(b)(5)(C)(iii), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 7. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 52-1-101(14), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 8. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 52-3-201(a)(2), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 9. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-2401(a), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".

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SECTION 10. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-1-125(b)(1)(A), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 11. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-1-201(2)(I), is amended by
deleting "Marital and Family" and substituting "Marriage and Family".
SECTION 12. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-302(6)(J), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 13. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-11-409(b)(5), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 14. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-101(a), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 15. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-102, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" wherever it appears in subdivisions (5), (6), and (7) and substituting
"marriage and family".
SECTION 16. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-103, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting:
(a) The board shall license without examination a marriage and family therapist
applicant who is licensed to practice independently and is in good standing in another
state or territory if the applicant's qualifications meet the licensure requirements under
this part.
(b) The board may enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state that
licenses marriage and family therapists.
(c) The board shall license by endorsement a marriage and family therapist
applicant who is licensed to practice independently in another state or territory upon
receipt of the following:
(1) A completed application for licensure by endorsement;

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(2) Payment of all application fees;
(3) Documentation of all marriage and family therapist licenses the
applicant has ever held and the disciplinary status of each;
(4) Successful completion of the Tennessee jurisprudence exam;
(5) Proof that the applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(6) Evidence of highly regarded personal character and professional
ethics.
SECTION 17. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-106, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 18. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-107(c), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 19. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-110(c), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 20. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-113, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting:
(a) This part does not apply to:
(1) Activities and services of a student intern or trainee in marriage and
family therapy who is pursuing a program of studies in marriage and family
therapy at an accredited institution of higher learning, if such activities are
performed under supervision and are part of a supervised program of study; or
(2) A person who is under a supervisory arrangement recognized and
approved by the board and who is working in a community mental health center,
as defined in § 33-1-101, residential or inpatient facility, intensive outpatient
facility, or federally qualified health center.
(b) Notwithstanding this part to the contrary:

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(1) A person enrolled in a program as described in subdivision (a)(1) may
use the titles "marriage and family therapy intern," "family therapy trainee," or
"student therapist"; and
(2) A person who has completed a graduate degree and is under
supervision and pursuing independent licensure in marriage and family therapy
as described in subdivision (a)(2) may use the title "pre-licensed marriage and
family therapist" or a postgraduate designation.
(c) This part does not prohibit qualified members of other professional groups as
defined by the board, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed psychologists,
licensed psychological examiners, licensed senior psychological examiners, certified
psychological assistants, psychiatric nurses, physicians, attorneys at law, or members of
the clergy from performing or advertising that they perform the work of a marriage and
family therapy nature consistent with the accepted standards of their respective
professions, or prohibit alcohol and drug abuse counselors licensed pursuant to title 68,
chapter 24, part 6, or operating under qualified supervision while seeking such
certification from performing counseling consistent with the accepted standards of that
profession.
SECTION 21. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-114, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 22. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-115(a)(3), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(3) "Board-approved marriage and family supervisor" means a person who gives
to the board evidence of:

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(A) At least five (5) years full-time experience as an independently
licensed marriage and family therapist with an unencumbered license and no
less than the last two (2) years of experience completed in this state; and
(B) Thirty (30) hours of instruction specific to the practice of marriage and
family therapist supervision through a board-approved continuing education
provider;
SECTION 23. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-115(a)(4), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(4) "Licensed marriage and family therapist" means a person to whom an
independent license to practice has been issued pursuant to this part, which license is in
force and not suspended or revoked as of the particular time in question;
SECTION 24. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-115(a)(5), is amended by
deleting "marital and family systems" and substituting "marriage and family systems" and
deleting "Marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "Marriage and family".
SECTION 25. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-115, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" wherever it appears in subsections (a), (b), (e), and (g) and substituting
"marriage and family".
SECTION 26. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-115, is amended by adding
the following as new subsections:
(h) An approved supervisor may use and indicate designation as an approved
supervisor using the abbreviation "LMFT-S." A supervisor in training shall not use such
abbreviation.
(i) To maintain board-approved supervisor status, an approved supervisor must
provide proof of completion of six (6) hours of supervision continuing education every
two (2) years, which is in addition to any continuing education requirements for

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maintaining licensure. At least three (3) hours must be relevant to ethics and state laws
governing the practice of marriage and family therapy.
SECTION 27. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-121(b), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" wherever it appears and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 28. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-206(a)(4), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 29. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-403, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 30. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-22-404, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 31. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-32-102, is amended by deleting
"marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 32. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-1-101(a)(8)(C), is amended by
deleting "marital and family" and substituting "marriage and family".
SECTION 33. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.