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TennesseeHB 0959114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 63, relative to mental health.

Sponsored By: Caleb Hemmer (Democrat)

Became Law

Medical Occupations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Easier Tennessee licenses for out‑of‑state counselors

Beginning July 1, 2025, the board may license counselors from other states without an exam if they hold a valid, unencumbered, equivalent license and meet education and experience rules. One path needs a 60‑hour graduate degree and at least two of the last three years practicing at that level without supervision, plus other statutory criteria. Another path accepts a degree of at least 52 hours earned before 2016 with at least 25 years of licensed practice, plus the same criteria. Applicants for the highest license level must also meet the state’s top‑level requirements.

New supervised license for counselors

Beginning January 1, 2026, counselor applicants who finished required coursework and passed the board exam can get an associate license. This license lets you perform counseling functions defined in state law under qualified supervision. To get it, you must file the associate application with your main license application and pay the fees. The associate license lasts up to four years, and the board may extend it. When you complete your required supervised clinical hours, you must notify the board and submit proof to move to full licensure.

Supervised license for marriage and family therapists

Beginning January 1, 2026, the board issues an associate license to marriage and family therapy applicants who completed required coursework. You may practice marriage and family therapy only under an approved supervisor. To apply, you must show an agreement with an approved supervisor and pay the fees. The associate license lasts up to four years, and the board may extend it. The law clarifies approved supervisors: a licensed MFT or other licensed mental health professional approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a supervisor-in-training under an AAMFT-approved mentor, or a board-approved supervisor. When you finish the required post‑master’s supervised hours, you apply for independent licensure; the associate license ends when the board approves or denies that application, or if it is revoked. You may not call yourself a licensed MFT; you must use “associate licensed marriage and family therapist” or “AMFT.”

Clear titles and rules for marriage and family therapy trainees

Beginning January 1, 2026, supervised clinical work by MFT students in a board‑recognized program is exempt from this part of the law. Enrolled students in those supervised programs may use the titles “marital therapy intern,” “family therapy trainee,” or “student therapist.” Graduates under supervision who are working toward independent MFT licensure may use “pre‑licensed marriage and family therapist.”

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Caleb Hemmer

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Karen D. Camper

    Democrat • House

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 0

House vote • 4/3/2025

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 2 4/3/2025

Yes: 85 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/27/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/10/2025

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

Yes: 18 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2025

HOUSE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 204

    4/28/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/11/2025, 07/01/2025, 01/01/2026

    4/28/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/11/2025

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/7/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/7/2025Senate

  6. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2025House

  7. H. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 85, Nays 0 PNV 3 HB0959

    4/3/2025House

  8. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/3/2025House

  9. H. Placed on Message Calendar 4/3/2025

    3/31/2025House

  10. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/27/2025Senate

  11. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0155)

    3/27/2025Senate

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0156)

    3/27/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    3/27/2025Senate

  14. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/13/2025Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/11/2025House

  16. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0032)

    3/10/2025House

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/10/2025House

  18. Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/10/2025House

  19. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/10/2025

    3/6/2025House

  20. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/6/2025

    3/5/2025House

  21. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/4/2025House

  22. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee

    2/26/2025House

  23. Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/4/2025

    2/26/2025House

  24. Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 2/26/2025

    2/19/2025House

  25. Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0032 (Substitute)

    3/10/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0155

    PDF

  • SA0156

    PDF

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