Counseling License Requirements in Tennessee
Learn about Tennessee counseling license requirements, salary expectations, renewal rules, unique licensure considerations, and more.
From the country music-filled streets of Nashville to the Great Smoky Mountain vistas, Tennessee provides a vibrant setting for licensed counselors.
Discover what it takes to obtain various Tennessee counseling licenses, including requirements, salary expectations, and unique considerations across disciplines.
Tennessee Counselor Licensure Requirements
Tennessee offers several pathways to counseling licensure, all representing distinct careers. The Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists oversees licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists, and the Tennessee Department of Education administers the certification process for school counselors.
Although the following licensure options maintain similar standards, each license holds unique requirements and considerations.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Tennessee?
The timeframe for becoming a counselor in Tennessee varies depending on the type of licensure and education pursued. This entire process may take up to eight years, considering the time required to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, and postgraduate experience.
Certain factors may increase the time required to gain a Tennessee counseling license. LMFTs pursuing a doctorate need several more years of education and experience, and an LPC/MHSP requires a few additional years of supervised work than an LPC without the MHSP designation.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Tennessee
Tennessee offers direct licensing reciprocity for licensed Kentucky counselors holding the LPC/MHSP designation. To practice in Tennessee, applicants must provide a current passport-style photograph, notarized Declaration of Citizenship, certified copy of birth certificate, two letters of recommendation from licensed mental health professionals, a practitioner profile questionnaire, and the results from Tennessee’s jurisprudence exam.
An out-of-state LMFT may acquire Tennessee licensure by reciprocity by presenting evidence to the Board that the previous state’s licensing requirements meet or exceed Tenneesse’s regulations.
Out-of-state school counselors may gain certification by endorsement if they are credentialed in a state that recognizes the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education interstate agreement.
Applicants should consult state board websites for detailed reciprocity and endorsement information.
How to Renew a Counseling License in Tennessee
Tennessee counseling licenses must be renewed every two years. LPCs, LPC/MHSPs, and LMFTs must complete 20 continuing education hours, three of which cover ethics. A required $100 fee covers the cost of license renewal, with an additional $100 late fee applied to overdue renewals.
School counselors with an initial, practitioner-level school services personnel license may renew their credential once, extending the license period for an additional three years. Renewal requires 30 professional development hours.
School counselors with an upgraded, professional-level school services personnel license may renew their credential by completing either 60 professional development hours or two years of qualifying educator experience. Professional-level licenses require renewal every 10 years.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Tennessee
Educational, guidance, and career counselors in Tennessee earn the highest average counseling salary statewide, bringing home over $60,000 annually, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, Tennessee counseling salaries generally fall below national averages for the same occupations. Tennessee rehabilitation counselors earn closest to their national average counterpart — only $4,000 behind. Marriage and family therapists in Tennessee see the sharpest difference, with an average salary $26,000 below than the national average.
Fortunately, Tennessee has the 9th-lowest cost of living in the U.S., meaning counselors’ salaries may stretch farther in covering expenses like housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $29.04 | $60,390 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $22.36 | $46,510 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $22.83 | $47,480 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $24.75 | $51,480 |
| Counselors, All Other | $25.82 | $53,710 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Tennessee
- Tennessee Counseling Association: The largest professional counseling association in the state, TCA promotes counselors’ professional development and works to promote wellbeing, respect for diversity, and human dignity across the state of Tennessee. Membership benefits include networking opportunities and an annual conference.
- Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association: TLPCA enhances mental health counseling in Tennessee via licensing, advocacy, education, and professional development. Membership benefits include networking opportunities, access to professional development and CE opportunities, reduced annual conference fees, and an online discussion board.
- Tennessee School Counselor Association: TSCA works to advance school counseling in support of academic performance, career planning, and students’ personal and social growth. TSCA supports advocacy for school counseling across Tennessee and provides counselors with professional development, networking opportunities, and a job opportunities page.
- Tennessee Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: TNAMFT is an independent affiliate of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. TNAMFT promotes the professional interests of MFTs in Tennessee, representing the profession to the public and before governmental entities. Membership benefits include networking and continuing education events.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Tennessee
To obtain a Tennessee counseling license, you need at least 500 hours of internship training and 1,000 postgraduate experience hours in face-to-face professional counseling.
