Frequently Asked Questions

1. My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2. What are the hours of operation for the board administrators? 8am-4:pm central standard time.

3. How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Heatlh@tn.gov.

4. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.

5. If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.

6. If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

1.  My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2.  What are the hours of operation? 8am-4:pm central standard time.

3.  If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?

A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee.

4.  If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.

Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.

5.  How do I become an Approved Supervisor?

Complete the AAMFT course or follow the guidelines below.

• (Five (5) years full-time experience in marriage and family therapy practice and supervision;
• (Thirty-six (36) hours of supervision specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision; and
• (A recommendation for board-approved supervisor status from a supervisor who provided supervision

6.  Is my supervisor and Approved Supervisor?

Approved supervisors can be found at the following hyperlink.  https://aamft.org/Supervision/Search/Find_a_Supervisor.aspx

7.  How do I request a Jurisprudence Exam?  

A Jurisprudence Exam can be requested after a MFT application has been submitted.  Then, send a request for the exam and/or study material to Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov

8. What is required for a license through reciprocity?

(a) Hold a current MFT certificate or license from another state;

(b) Meet licensure requirements pursuant to Rule 0450-02-.04(1)(a) through (d); and

Rule 0450-02-.04

(1) Marital and Family Therapist by Examination. Prior to submitting an application each of the following qualifications must be met by a candidate for marital and family therapist.

(a) Be at least 18 years of age,

(b) The applicant shall provide evidence that he is highly regarded in moral character and professional ethics (rule 0450-02-.05),

(c) Education. The education requirement must be completed prior to the date of application.

1. Masters or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or by a comparable accrediting body.

2. The degree may be acceptable in a related subject field, so long as the degree contains the following coursework (all courses must be at least one semester in length):

(i) Human Development and Personality - 3 courses

(ii) Marriage and Family Studies - 3 courses

(iii) Marriage and Family Therapy - 3 courses

(iv) Research - 1 course

(v) Professional Ethics - 1 course

(vi) Assessment and diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral problems and dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature - 1 course

(vii) Supervised practicum/internship of no less than three hundred (300) hours which includes experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cognitive, affective and behavioral problems or dysfunctions in the DSM IV T.R. (or its successor) nomenclature, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-22-106.

(d) Two years of post-master’s clinical experience consisting of not less than 10 hours per week pursuant to rule 0450-02-.14 and 0450-02-.05.

9. Do I have to apply electronically?

No. A paper application can be printed when clicking onto the hyperlink below.  Please keep in mind, this may delay the licensure process by 2-4 weeks.   https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/Marital-Famiky-Therapists-Paper-Application.pdf

10. When can I view the most recent board meeting minutes?

Before the meeting minutes can be added to the tn.gov website, the minutes must be ratified by the board, which occurs at the following board meeting.  The minutes are then added to the tn.gov website within 48 hours.  

1. My application is in process, how will I know what items are missing or if my license has been approved? Our office will e-mail you once we complete an initial review of your application. You should access your LARS account at lars.tn.gov to review your application deficiencies throughout the application process. Once your license is approved, you can obtain your license number and expiration date by logging into your LARS account and on the Department of Healths Public Licensure/Certificate Verification page. Temporary licensees will be e-mailed a copy of their approval letter and all other licensees will receive their approval notice by mail.

2. What are the hours of operation for the board administrators?
8am-4:pm central standard time.

3. How should I contact the board administrators?
The administrators can be reached at 615-741-5735 or by email Unit1HRB.Heatlh@tn.gov.

4. What do I do if I’ve forgotten my user id and/or password?
If you have previously created an account in this licensure system, but cannot recall your Username and/or password, please click the appropriate Forgot Password or Forgot User ID link to recover your account credentials.
If you have forgotten or do know the email address used to create your account, you can contact the board administrators at 615-741-5735 local or 800-778-4123 nationwide, or email Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov to update or retrieve your email address.

5. If I am from another state, can I treat clients in Tennessee?
A provider must be licensed in the state of Tennessee to provide treatment to a client in Tennessee or operated in a free clinic environment.

6. If I am from another state, can I provide Telehealth services to a client in Tennessee.
Unless in a free clinic environment, the provider must be licensed in Tennessee, and the client must be in Tennessee.