TN HB0959

Student interns in marriage and family therapy programs at accredited institutions may use titles such as "marital therapy intern," "family therapy trainee," or "student therapist," while those pursuing independent licensure after completing their degree may use "pre-licensed marriage and family therapist"

Associate licenses for licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists are valid for up to four years with possible board extensions, allowing holders to practice under qualified supervision while completing postgraduate requirements

Marriage and family therapy associate licensees must use the title "associate licensed marriage and family therapist" or "AMFT" and cannot represent themselves as fully licensed therapists

Professional counselors from other states may obtain licensure without examination if they have a 60-hour graduate degree with 2 of the last 3 years of unsupervised practice, or a 52-hour degree earned before 2016 with 25 years of practice experience

Section 4 (reciprocity provisions) takes effect July 1, 2025; Sections 1-3 (student titles and associate licensing) take effect January 1, 2026