Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0450 - Counselors and Marital/Family Therapists
Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0450 pertains to the Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists. This title outlines the detailed regulations governing the licensing, practice, and ethical conduct of these mental health professionals in Tennessee.
The primary purpose of these regulations, and the Board itself, is to protect the public by ensuring that individuals practicing in these fields meet specific qualifications, adhere to professional standards, and are held accountable for their actions.
Here's a breakdown of the key chapters within Title 0450:
Chapter 0450-01: General Rules Governing Professional Counselors
Definitions: Provides precise definitions for terms relevant to professional counseling, such as "professional counseling," "practice of professional counseling as a mental health services provider," "approved supervisor," "client contact hour," "continuing education," "practicum," and "internship."
Licensure Requirements: Details the specific educational, supervised experience, and examination requirements for obtaining a license as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and for the "Mental Health Service Provider" (MHSP) designation. This includes requirements for master's or doctoral degrees from accredited institutions, specific hours of supervised clinical practice (e.g., post-master's experience, client contact hours, supervision hours), and passing national (e.g., NCE or NCMHCE) and state jurisprudence examinations.
Procedures for Licensure: Outlines the application process, including documentation submission and background checks.
Continuing Education: Specifies the annual or biennial continuing education (CE) requirements for license renewal (e.g., 20 clock hours every two years for LPCs, with specific hours for ethics/jurisprudence and suicide prevention). It also defines acceptable CE activities.
Professional Ethics: Mandates adherence to the American Counseling Association's (ACA) Code of Ethics, with the caveat that Tennessee laws and Board rules supersede any conflicting ethical guidelines.
Supervision: Sets forth requirements for supervisors and the supervision process.
Client Records: Includes rules for mandatory release of client records and confidentiality.
Board Administration: Covers details about Board meetings, officers, records, and handling complaints.
Chapter 0450-02: General Rules Governing Marital and Family Therapists
Similar to the Professional Counselors chapter, this chapter provides specific regulations for Licensed Marital and Family Therapists (LMFTs).
Definitions: Defines "marital and family therapy," "practice of marital and family therapy," "approved supervisor," and other relevant terms.
Licensure Requirements: Specifies educational requirements (master's or doctoral degree in MFT or related field with equivalent coursework, including a supervised practicum/internship), post-degree clinical experience (e.g., 1,000 hours of clinical practice, 200 hours of direct supervision), and examination requirements (national MFT exam and state jurisprudence exam). It also addresses temporary licenses for those completing requirements and licensure by endorsement/reciprocity.
Continuing Education: Outlines the annual/biennial CE requirements for LMFTs (e.g., 10 hours per year, with specific hours in ethics and jurisprudence).
Professional Ethics: Requires LMFTs to comply with the code of ethics adopted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), again with state law and Board rules taking precedence in cases of conflict.
Supervision: Details requirements for approved MFT supervisors.
Chapter 0450-03: General Rules Governing Clinical Pastoral Therapists
This chapter covers the certification and practice of Clinical Pastoral Therapists in Tennessee, with similar sections on definitions, licensure/certification requirements, continuing education, and ethics, tailored to this specific therapeutic discipline.
Overall Purpose and Role of the Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists:
Operating under the Tennessee Department of Health's Division of Health Related Boards, the Board's core functions are:
Licensing and Certification: Establishing the qualifications for and issuing licenses to professional counselors and marital and family therapists, and certifications to clinical pastoral therapists. This includes verifying education, supervised experience, and examination results.
Setting Standards of Practice: Defining the scope of practice for each profession and setting the ethical and professional standards that licensees and certificate holders must adhere to. This ensures competent and responsible care.
Consumer Protection: Investigating complaints against licensees/certificate holders, conducting disciplinary hearings, and imposing appropriate sanctions (e.g., reprimands, suspensions, revocations) for violations of state law, rules, or ethical codes. This protects the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners.
Continuing Competence: Mandating and monitoring continuing education requirements to ensure that licensees and certificate holders maintain and enhance their professional knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
In essence, Title 0450 provides the comprehensive regulatory framework through which the Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists ensures the integrity, quality, and public safety of mental health services delivered by these professions in the state.
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