2023 Tennessee Code › Title 63 - PROFESSIONS OF THE HEALING ARTS (§§ 63-1-NEW — 63-32-119) › Chapter 22 - PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND CLINICAL PASTORAL THERAPISTS (§§ 63-22-101 — 63-22-404) › Part 1 - PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS (§§ 63-22-101 — 63-22-122) › Section 63-22-121 - Temporary licenses

(a)
(1)
A temporary license may be issued by the board for a licensed professional counselor designated as a mental health service provider applicant who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license sought and who has successfully passed the examination required by the board.
(2)
A temporary license obtained pursuant to this section authorizes an applicant to perform the functions specified in §
63-22-122(5)
, for which the applicant is seeking licensure under qualified supervision.
(3)
In order to receive a temporary license, an applicant must submit to the board a completed application for a temporary license with the applicant's completed application for the desired license and all appropriate fees.
(4)
If an applicant is granted a temporary license, the license shall remain valid for up to four (4) years and shall be eligible for extension at the discretion of the board.
(5)
The applicant shall notify the board and present supporting documentation demonstrating the satisfactory completion of the required postgraduate supervised experience in a clinical setting. The board shall then grant or deny the license application based on satisfactory completion of all requirements for licensure.
(b)
(1)
A temporary license may be issued by the board to a marital and family therapist applicant who has completed the academic course work and training required for the license sought; provided, that in order to retain such temporary license, the applicant must take the written examination required by the board the first time it is scheduled following issuance of the temporary license. The applicant must successfully pass the exam within two (2) years following issuance of the temporary license.
(2)
A temporary license obtained pursuant to this section authorizes the applicant to engage in the practice of marital and family therapy, as defined by §
63-22-115(a)(7)
, under the supervision of an approved supervisor, as defined by §
63-22-115(a)(2) and (a)(9)
.
(3)
In order to receive a temporary license, the applicant must submit to the board the following:
(A)
A completed application for a temporary license;
(B)
Satisfactory evidence of an agreement with an approved supervisor under whose supervision the applicant intends to practice; and
(C)
All appropriate fees.
(4)
A temporary license shall be nonrenewable and shall be valid for a period of not more than three (3) years. Within such three-year period, the applicant must submit to the board an application for the regular license and must present supporting documentation demonstrating the satisfactory completion of the required amount of post-master's degree supervised experience in a clinical setting under an approved supervisor. The board shall then grant or deny the application for the regular license, based on satisfactory completion of all requirements for licensure, including the oral examination. If the board approves or denies the application for the regular license or if the board revokes the temporary license for any reason, then the temporary license shall cease to be valid and must be returned to the board.
(5)
The holder of a temporary license as a marital and family therapist shall not represent such temporary licensee to be a licensed marital and family therapist. The holder of such a license may only represent such temporary licensee to be a "marital therapy intern," a "family therapy trainee" or such other title designation that clearly reflects trainee status and temporary licensure.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1040, s 4, eff. 1/1/2023.
Acts 1996, ch. 798, § 1; 1997 , ch. 167, § 1.