Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0450 - Counselors and Marital/Family Therapists
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Tennessee Rules & Regulations – Title 0450: Counselors and Marital/Family Therapists:
🧩 Structure of Title 0450
This title is organized into three chapters, each governing a profession under the same regulatory board:
Chapter 0450‑01 – General Rules Governing Professional Counselors
Chapter 0450‑02 – General Rules Governing Marital and Family Therapists (MFTs)
Chapter 0450‑03 – General Rules Governing Clinical Pastoral Therapists (law.cornell.edu, tn.gov, regulations.justia.com)
The Board itself—the Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists—regulates all three professions (tn.gov).
🔑 Key Provisions for Marital & Family Therapists (Chapter 02)
✅ Section 0450‑02‑.01 – Definitions
Provides precise definitions for terms like “actively engaged,” “client contact hour,” “approved supervisor,” and “licensed marital and family therapist” (regulations.justia.com).
📚 Section 0450‑02‑.05 – Procedures for Licensure
Describes routes to licensure:
By examination
By certification upgrade (e.g., CMFT certification plus 200 supervision hours or 15 years’ experience)
By reciprocity from another state
Temporary licensure, valid up to 3 years with appropriate supervision (regulations.justia.com).
A temporary licensee must clearly identify as a trainee and cannot misrepresent their status .
🧠 Section 0450‑02‑.12 – Continuing Education
Licensed MFTs must complete 10 clock-hours annually.
Dual licensees (e.g., counselor + MFT) must complete 30 hours every 2 years, and triple-licensees 40 hours (tn.gov).
At least 10 hours per profession are required.
3 hours must cover ethics, Tennessee law, or rules (tn.gov).
Documentation must be kept for 4 years and is subject to audit (tn.gov).
🛡️ Section 0450‑02‑.11 – Retirement/Reactivation
Includes provisions for retiring and reactivating MFT licenses/certificates (casetext.com).
⚖️ Other Notable Sections
.02 Scope of Practice, .03 Necessity of Certification/Licensure, .04 Qualifications, .06 Fees, .07 Application Review, .08 Exams, .09 Renewals, .10 Supervision, .13 Ethics, .15 Disciplinary Actions, .21 Advertising, etc., all comprehensively cover the operational, ethical, and procedural requirements (law.cornell.edu).
📌 Chapter 01 Highlights – Professional Counselors
Definitions (e.g., "approved supervisor," "clinical setting"): Chapter mirrors MFT structure (regulations.justia.com).
Post-master’s supervised experience requirements updated in 2008 (3,000 hours with 150 hours supervision) (memphis.edu).
Ethics, supervision, disciplinary rules, etc., align across professions.
📄 Where to Access the Full Text
Official TN Department of Health website – under PCMFT Board statutes & rules (tn.gov).
Tennessee Secretary of State (SOS) – quarterly updated PDFs (e.g., “0450‑01.pdf”; last revision April 2020) (publications.tnsosfiles.com).
Cornell LII – browsable online versions current through March 23, 2025 (law.cornell.edu).
Justia – full chapter coverage with latest changes (regulations.justia.com).
🧭 Need Help With Any of the Following?
Detailed provisions—like scope of practice, ethics, fees, supervision, disciplinary process
Recent amendments—especially post-March 2025 updates
Downloadable PDFs or direct links from official sources
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