All Roll Calls
Yes: 166 • No: 1
TennesseeSB 2585114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
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: Ed Jackson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Medical Occupations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier Tennessee licenses for out-of-state marriage and family therapists
Starting July 1, 2026, Tennessee licenses out-of-state marriage and family therapists by endorsement. You must hold an independent license in good standing in another state. Send an application, pay fees, list each license and any discipline, and pass the Tennessee jurisprudence exam. You must be at least 18 and show good moral character. The board may sign reciprocity agreements with other states.
Training and title rules for students and prelicensed therapists
Starting July 1, 2026, students in accredited marriage and family therapy programs may do supervised work as part of their studies and use titles such as marriage and family therapy intern or student therapist. People training under an approved supervisor in specified settings may use prelicensed marriage and family therapist. Settings include community mental health centers, residential or inpatient facilities, intensive outpatient facilities, and federally qualified health centers. The law also lets other licensed professionals, like social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, physicians, attorneys, clergy, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors, do or advertise similar work within their own professional standards.
Stricter rules to be a marriage and family therapy supervisor
Beginning January 1, 2027, a board approved supervisor must have five years of full-time independent practice, with the last two years in Tennessee and an unencumbered license. You must complete 30 hours of supervision instruction from a board approved provider. You must also complete six hours of supervision continuing education every two years, with at least three hours on ethics and Tennessee law. These six hours are in addition to other CE requirements.
Standard names and titles for marriage and family therapists
Starting January 1, 2027, state law standardizes titles and terms. All references use marriage and family instead of marital and family. The law recognizes the titles Licensed marriage and family therapist and Associate licensed marriage and family therapist. Only people with an active, unsuspended independent license may use the Licensed marriage and family therapist title.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ed Jackson
Republican • Senate
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
Signed by Governor.
4/16/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/7/2026SenateSigned by Senate Speaker
4/6/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/6/2026HouseConcurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
4/2/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/2/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/2/2026
3/31/2026SenateSubst. for comp. HB.
3/30/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
3/30/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0
3/30/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/23/2026HouseSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0582)
3/19/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
3/19/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/19/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
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
2/5/2026SenateFiled for introduction
2/2/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0812 (Substitute)
3/30/2026
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0582
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