Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · Tennessee · regulated by Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists · medium confidence
| Pre-license credential | Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) (temporary license renamed 1/1/2026) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 1,000 hours of clinical practice and 200 hours of supervision ... over a period of not less than two years |
| Direct client contact | actively engaged = 10 or more face-to-face client contact hours per week |
| Supervision | 200 hours of supervision by an approved supervisor |
| Minimum time | not less than two years (two years of post-masters clinical experience, ≥10 hours per week) |
| Exams | AMFTRB national MFT exam plus Tennessee MFT Jurisprudence Examination (online, per 2025 board form); rule 0450-02-.08 still describes an oral exam (75% to pass) |
Supervision
- How much: 200 hours of supervision by an approved supervisor
- Group supervision: no more than one half of required supervision hours in group; group ≤6 supervisees unless AAMFT defines otherwise
- Who may supervise: AAMFT Approved Supervisor or Supervisor-in-Training (rule); statute since 2025 also allows a board-approved supervisor; supervisor must be a licensed mental health professional
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: 300-hour graduate practicum/internship is an education requirement; not stated to count toward post-master hours
- Paperwork: Verification of Supervised Post-Masters Experience (each supervisor, notarized; in PH-2723 forms rev. 7/2025); MFT Request for Associate Licensure form names primary supervisor
Can you be supervised remotely in Tennessee?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Live video supervision allowed under the Board's 6/24/2022 telehealth policy (face-to-face includes live video; HIPAA platform). The LMFT supervision policy (10/24/2025) describes face-to-face consultation 'whether in-person or through a telehealth platform'. Rule 0450-02-.01(35) says only 'face-to-face'.
- In-person minimum: none stated
- Supervisor licensed in Tennessee? other: an approved supervisor must be an LMFT or other licensed mental health professional who is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or Supervisor-in-Training, or a board-approved supervisor (T.C.A. 63-22-115(a)(2)). 'Licensed MFT' means licensed under this part (Tennessee), but 'other licensed mental health professional' has no state stated
- Supervisor credential: AAMFT Approved Supervisor / Supervisor-in-Training (national), or board-approved MFT supervisor (5 yrs practice + 36 h supervision training + recommendation); must hold an active unencumbered license throughout
- Supervisee cap: no overall cap; group ≤6 supervisees unless AAMFT defines otherwise; individual supervision = 1 or 2 supervisees
- Board approval first: Associate MFT license required to practise since 1/1/2026; the application must include evidence of an agreement with an approved supervisor, and the request form must be signed by the primary supervisor and notarized; a primary-supervisor change requires a new request form to the Board
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
2025 Pub. Ch. 204 (eff. 1/1/2026): postgraduate MFT exemption removed, so an associate license (AMFT) is required to practise; associate valid up to 4 years, extendable; 'approved supervisor' broadened to include board-approved supervisors. LMFT Policy on Supervision for Licensure approved 10/24/2025. No 0450-02 rule filing since 2019.
Where the rules are unclear
Tennessee’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Rule 0450-02-.08 requires a board oral exam (75% pass) on law/ethics; the 2025 upgrade application instead requires the online TN MFT Jurisprudence Examination. Has the oral exam been replaced, and what is the pass standard?
- Rule 0450-02-.01(35) says 'face-to-face'; the 2022 telehealth policy says it expires 'until the proposed rules are enacted'. Does it still govern MFT, given that the pending rulemaking amends only 0450-01?
In the board’s own words
“evidence of 1,000 hours of clinical practice and 200 hours of supervision by an approved supervisor over a period of not less than two years” — 0450-02-.05(1)(k)✓ matched in the source
“no more than one half (½) of the required supervision hours may be in a group setting” — 0450-02-.10(1)✓ matched in the source
“Two years of post-masters clinical experience consisting of not less than 10 hours per week” — 0450-02-.04(1)(d)✓ matched in the source
“As of January 1, 2026, postgraduates are required to hold the Associate Licensed Martial and Family Therapy license to provide therapy in any setting.” — LMFT Policy on Supervision for Licensure (10/24/2025)✓ checked by hand
“Submit proof of passing the TN MFT Jurisprudence Examination.” — PH-2723 MFT Upgrade application (rev. 7/2025), instruction 5✓ matched in the source
“an individual seeking licensure shall be required to pass Board-approved written and oral examinations” — 0450-02-.08 (April 2020 SOS compilation)✓ matched in the source
“a supervisor-in-training under supervision mentoring with a current American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor; or a board-approved supervisor” — Pub. Ch. 204 (2025) §2, T.C.A. 63-22-115(a)(2)✓ checked by hand
“It is the policy of the Board that face-to-face supervision is inclusive of live video conferencing supervision.” — Policy Statement Regarding Supervision via Telehealth (2022)✓ checked by hand
“regular documented face-to-face consultation (whether in-person or through a telehealth platform), guidance, and instructions” — LMFT Policy on Supervision for Licensure, Supervision Purpose✓ checked by hand
“a licensed marriage and family therapist or any other licensed mental health professional who is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy-approved supervisor” — T.C.A. § 63-22-115(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“supervision by an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or Supervisor-In-Training whose qualifications meet AAMFT standards” — 0450-02-.10(1) (April 2020)✓ matched in the source
“Unless otherwise defined by the AAMFT, a group setting may not consist of more than six (6) supervisees.” — 0450-02-.10(1) (April 2020)✓ matched in the source
3 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Tennessee
- LPC-MHSP (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Tennessee licenses · every state
Sources
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0450-02-.05(1)(k) (Procedures for Licensure), April 2020 SOS compilation p. 7
- SOS Official Compilation index, chapter 0450 (April 2020 revision current); SOS archived filings search for 0450
- 2025 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 204 (HB959) §§1-3, eff. 1/1/2026 (T.C.A. 63-22-113(a), 63-22-115(a)(2), 63-22-121(b))
- MFT Temporary/Associate Licensure FAQs (rev. 12/18/2025)
- LMFT Policy on Supervision for Licensure (approved 10/24/2025)
- Board Policy Statement Regarding Supervision via Telehealth (adopted 6/24/2022)
- Upgrade Application from Temporary to License as MFT (PH-2723, rev. 7/2025), instructions 2 and 5
- MFT Verification of Supervision Form (PH-2723, rev. 7/2025)
- T.C.A. § 63-22-115(a)(2)-(3) (approved supervisor; board-approved MFT supervisor), Justia mirror
- T.C.A. § 63-1-155(a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(D), (g)(1) (telehealth; graduates earning licensure hours), Justia 2025 mirror
Checked against Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.