All Roll Calls
Yes: 166 • No: 1
TennesseeSB 2585114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
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.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Medical Occupations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Other professionals can provide family therapy
Beginning July 1, 2026, covered professionals may provide and advertise marriage and family therapy within their profession's accepted standards. These include licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychological examiners, physicians, and clergy. Alcohol and drug abuse counselors may provide counseling within their professional standards if licensed under Tennessee's counselor licensing law. They also qualify when working under qualified supervision while seeking certification.
Supervised therapy trainees can practice before licensing
Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying marriage and family therapy students and trainees are exempt from this therapist licensing part. Students must study at an accredited college or university, with supervised activities that are part of their study program. People pursuing independent licenses also qualify when working under an approved supervisor at a listed facility. These include community mental health centers, residential or inpatient facilities, intensive outpatient facilities, and federally qualified health centers. Covered trainees may use permitted titles, such as 'marriage and family therapy intern.'
Tennessee licensing paths for out-of-state therapists
Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee provides licensing paths for independently licensed marriage and family therapists from other states or territories. The board must issue a license without examination to applicants in good standing who meet Tennessee's licensing requirements. The endorsement path requires a completed application, all application fees, and records of each therapy license and its disciplinary status. Endorsement applicants must pass Tennessee's law exam, be at least 18, and show good moral character and professional ethics. The board may also make reciprocal licensing agreements with other states.
Therapy supervisors gain options and training requirements
Beginning January 1, 2027, Tennessee recognizes several paths to board-approved supervisor status. These include certain independently licensed professionals approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and supervised, mentored supervisors-in-training. Applicants using the board's approval criteria need five years of full-time work as independently licensed marriage and family therapists. Their licenses must be free of restrictions, and at least the last two years of experience must be in Tennessee. This path also requires 30 hours of supervision instruction from a board-approved continuing education provider. It requires six supervision education hours every two years, including at least three covering ethics and Tennessee family therapy law. Those six hours are additional to other license education requirements.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Paul Bailey
Republican • Senate
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/2/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/2/2026
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 3/30/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/30/2026
Yes: 94 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/19/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026, 01/01/2027
5/5/2026Pub. Ch. 737
5/5/2026Signed by Governor.
4/16/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/7/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/6/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/6/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/2/2026SenateConcurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
4/2/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/2/2026
3/31/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0
3/30/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
3/30/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/30/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/23/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/19/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/19/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
3/19/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0582)
3/19/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026
3/17/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
3/3/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
2/24/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
2/5/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
2/2/2026SenateFiled for introduction
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0812 (Substitute)
3/30/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0582
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