How to Become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Tennessee: Complete License Guide 2026

Clinical mental health counselors in Tennessee can make up to $54,010 yearly as educational and guidance counselors. They can also earn $42,210 as substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors. A career as a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee offers a rewarding path that takes specific education and licensing steps.

The state requires you to get a graduate degree in counseling or a related field with at least 60 semester credits. You also need 500 clock hours of supervised field experience. At least 300 of these hours must be in a mental health or community agency setting. The Tennessee state Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Pastoral Therapists oversees the licensing process.

This complete guide will take you through each licensing step. You’ll learn about education requirements, examination details, job opportunities, and license maintenance. The information here will guide you whether you’re starting your education or ready to apply for your license as a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee.

Types of Licensure in Tennessee

Tennessee has several paths to counseling licensure that lead to different careers, each with its own requirements. You need to understand these license types as you plan your career as a mental health counselor in the state.

The state has a two-level licensing system for professional counselors. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) makes up the first level, while Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP) represents the second level.

LPCs can do less than their LPC/MHSP counterparts. They can practice on their own and use counseling principles with individuals, groups, and organizations. They help clients with marital problems, parent-child issues, child and adolescent antisocial behavior, interpersonal problems, life transitions, job challenges, and simple bereavement. But they must refer clients to an LPC/MHSP if mental illness seems likely.

LPC/MHSP credentials give you a more complete scope of practice. You can help human development throughout life, prevent and treat mental disorders, assess clients to set treatment goals, and put treatment plans into action. LPC/MHSPs can do everything LPCs do, plus diagnose and treat mental disorders.

The Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists watches over both license types. By December 2020, Tennessee had approximately 2,800 LPCs, and 2,400 of them held the advanced LPC/MHSP designation.

Tennessee licenses several other counseling specialties:

• School Counselors: Certified by the Tennessee Department of Education
• Substance Abuse Counselors: Licensed as Level I or Level II Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LADACs) by the Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): Regulated by the same board as LPCs
• Applied Behavior Analysts: Credentialed by the Health Professional Boards Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee

Most aspiring clinical mental health counselors in Tennessee go for the LPC/MHSP credential because it lets them do more. This designation needs extra supervised clinical experience beyond the simple LPC requirements. LPC candidates need 1,000 hours of direct client contact and 50 hours of consultation, while LPC/MHSP seekers must complete 3,000 hours of clinical supervised experience with at least half spent face-to-face with clients.

Your career goals and the people you want to help will determine which path works best for you. The mental health counselor requirements in Tennessee change slightly based on your chosen credential, but the basic education requirements stay the same across all paths.

Earn Your Degree

A master’s degree is the first step to become a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee. This path needs a steadfast dedication and will give you the knowledge and skills needed for this rewarding profession.

Your educational experience starts with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field that has at least 60 semester credit hours. Programs with Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation are your best choice. This accreditation shows your education meets national standards and makes the licensure process easier. Several Tennessee universities now offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs. East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, and Middle Tennessee State University are among these options.

The state licensure requirements say your master’s program must cover these core content areas:

• Theories of human behavior, learning, and personality
• Abnormal behavior
• Theories of counseling and psychotherapy
• Evaluation and appraisal procedures
• Group dynamics, theories, and techniques
• Counseling techniques
• Multicultural counseling
• Ethics
• Research
• Clinical practicum or internship

Students pursuing the LPC/MHSP designation need nine semester credits in:

• Diagnosis
• Appraisal and assessment of mental disorders
• Treatment and treatment planning
• Psychopathology
• Use of the DSM

Field experience is vital. Your program needs a practicum or internship of at least 500 clock hours. You must complete 300 hours minimum in a mental health or community agency setting. A supervisor with at least a master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or psychiatry must oversee this clinical experience.

Programs offer different ways to boost your educational experience. Trevecca University uses a cohort model where you move through classes with the same group of students. This helps build a strong support network. The University of Tennessee Martin has 100% online coursework for students who need flexibility.

Programs have different admission requirements. Most need a minimum undergraduate GPA between 2.7 and 3.0, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Some programs ask for GRE scores while others don’t.

The cost varies by program. Trevecca’s program costs about $775 per credit hour. The total comes to $46,500 for the 60-hour program, plus extra fees for resources and practicum experiences.

Look beyond accreditation when choosing your program. Think over the format (online, hybrid, or on-campus), cohort structure, internship placement help, and faculty expertise. The program must meet Tennessee’s educational requirements for your chosen license type.

Your graduate education builds your professional identity as a counselor. It prepares you for licensure exams and the meaningful work of helping clients through their mental health experiences.

Get Licensed

The path to becoming a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee leads to a crucial step after completing your graduate degree. You’ll need to navigate the licensure application process. The state Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Pastoral Therapists oversees this process.

Tennessee’s online Licensure and Regulatory System has optimized the application submission process. This intuitive portal lets you apply for your original licensure, complete mandatory practitioner profiles, upload documents, and pay fees using credit/debit cards or e-checks. Make sure you gather all documents before creating your account.

Your LPC application must include several key documents. An official transcript from your educational institution needs to go directly to the board office. You also need a recent passport-style photo taken in the last 12 months, a notarized declaration of citizenship form, certified birth certificate copy, and two recommendation letters from licensed mental health professionals.

Supervised experience plays a vital role in getting licensed. The LPC designation requires two years of professional experience with 1,000 hours of direct client contact and 50 hours of supervision yearly. LPC/MHSP candidates must complete 3,000 hours of clinical supervised experience. This includes 1,500 hours in direct client contact and 1,500 hours in clinically-related activities, plus 150 hours of consultation with an approved supervisor.

Your supervisor must meet specific criteria. They need five years of experience as a licensed LPC, LPC-MHSP, LMFT, psychologist, psychiatrist, or LCSW. They must also complete twelve hours of supervision training and follow the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics.

You’ll need to pass multiple exams. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam are mandatory for all applicants. Mental health service provider designation seekers must also clear the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

The cost structure includes several fees. The original LPC application costs $200, while upgrading to mental health service provider costs $75. You’ll pay $100 for the Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam. License renewal happens every two years and costs $115, with a $75 penalty for late renewals.

A temporary license option exists if you’ve met academic requirements and passed the NCE. This license stays valid for four years and lets you practice under supervision while completing other requirements.

The board reviews applications year-round. Submit your completed file at least 30 days before the next board meeting. Most applications take four to six weeks to process after receiving all documents.

The licensure process demands precision and detailed documentation. Keep accurate records of your supervised hours and experiences to ensure your application succeeds.

Find Employment

Clinical mental health counselors in Tennessee can look forward to a bright future. Employment opportunities are expected to grow substantially over the next decade. The state projects counselor positions in substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health to increase from 5,420 in 2022 to 7,180 by 2032, which lines up with the national growth trend of 19% from 2023 to 2033.

Licensed Professional Counselors in Tennessee earn an average annual salary of $65,272. All the same, your earnings can vary based on experience, location, and specialty. New counselors typically start around $31,767, while experienced professionals can earn up to $91,669. Urban areas like Nashville tend to offer better pay, with average salaries reaching about $88,541.

Licensed counselors can work in various settings throughout the state:

• Healthcare Systems – Hospitals and integrated care facilities need counselors to provide therapy, crisis intervention, and case management
• Community Mental Health Centers – Organizations like Mental Health Cooperative, Centerstone, and Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System regularly hire counselors
• Residential Treatment Facilities – Cedar Grove Residential Treatment Center and JourneyPure offer roles working with patients who need intensive care
• Educational Institutions – Schools, colleges, and universities run counseling centers for student support
• Private Practice – Many counselors start their own practices after gaining experience
• Correctional Facilities – You can provide mental health services to incarcerated individuals

Most graduates from Middle Tennessee State University’s clinical mental health counseling program find jobs in the middle Tennessee region. Nashville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Kingsport regularly have openings for mental health professionals.

The Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association (TLPCA) offers an active job board with statewide opportunities. You can also find positions through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services on the State of Tennessee’s official jobs search engine at http://tn.gov/careers/.

Your job applications should showcase your specialized training and supervised experience. Employers value both credentials and practical skills, so make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with different populations. Specialized areas like substance abuse counseling, eating disorder treatment, and trauma-informed care remain highly sought after throughout Tennessee.

Remain Compliant

Your Tennessee counseling license renewal depends on state regulations. Professional counselors must renew their licenses every two years by the last day of their birth month. The Department of Health license verification website will display any disciplinary actions that result from missed renewal requirements.

Continuing education is the base of compliance. You need 20 clock hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. Three of these hours must cover ethics, Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 63, Chapter 22), or the Official Compilation of Rules and Regulations (Chapter 0450-2). Professionals with multiple credentials have higher requirements—30 clock hours for two licenses and 40 clock hours for three licenses. Each credential needs at least 10 hours of directly related content.

Acceptable continuing education options include:

• Master or doctoral level coursework from nationally or regionally accredited institutions
• Educational events sponsored by professional associations
• Events related to your practice that grant CEUs from accredited institutions

Supervisors must complete three additional hours of continuing education on supervision topics. The 2014 American Counseling Association Code of Ethics applies to all licensees unless it conflicts with Tennessee’s state laws or rules.

Proper documentation plays a crucial role in compliance. Documentation of completed continuing education must be kept for four years after the calendar year of completion. The board conducts random audits, and you must provide evidence of your continuing education within 15 working days.

CE Broker serves as the official tracking system for the Tennessee Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. They offer a free Basic Account that helps track your continuing education progress.

The professional privilege tax must be paid on time. Your license renewal will be blocked until the Department of Revenue provides a tax clearance letter if you miss this payment.

The licensure board requires current contact information at all times. Failing to maintain updated information can lead to disciplinary action. These compliance measures ensure you can continue practicing as a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee.

Next Steps

A career as a clinical mental health counselor in Tennessee offers rewarding opportunities and substantial growth. This experience needs dedication as you complete your education, gain supervised experience, and pass licensing examinations. You can choose the LPC path or go for the more complete LPC/MHSP designation. Each step builds your professional foundation and helps you serve clients better.

The job market looks promising in Tennessee, especially in urban centers like Nashville and Chattanooga. Your earnings grow with experience and specialization. Entry-level counselors start around $31,767, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $91,669 annually.

Getting your license is just the beginning. You’ll need to focus on professional development through regular renewal and ongoing education. Every two years, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education to stay current with best practices and ethical standards. This steady growth not only keeps your license active but also makes you a more effective counselor.

Each requirement in this process serves a purpose and prepares you to provide quality mental health services to Tennesseans who need help. The well-laid-out path to licensure gives you the skills, knowledge, and credentials to make a real difference in your clients’ lives. Mental health services continue to grow statewide, and your choice to pursue this career helps you address critical needs while building a meaningful professional life.