3,000 Experiential Hours:

• Total hours required for LPC-MHSP = 3,000 which is divided between two (2) categories
• 1,500 face-to-face client hours​​
• 1,500 ancillary activities such as: licensure supervision, trainings, workshops, etc. Better defined as “required activities outside of face-to-face hours necessary for completion of licensure requirements”

60 Hours of Graduate Course Hours in Counseling or Related Field:

• 9 of 60 hours must include courses involving assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning to be eligible for the Mental Health Service Provider (MHSP) designation

150 Hours of Supervision: (Typically 1 hour of supervision per 10 clinical hours)

• 75 of the150 hours must conducted by an LPC/MHSP
• 100 hours of individual or triadic supervision (1:1 or 1:2)
• 50 hours of group supervision (3-8 supervisees) at most

• “Approved supervisor” must:
  
  - Be licensed for a minimum of 5 years;
  
  - Have passed a graduate-level course in supervision; OR hold a Supervision Certification from an approved organization; OR have completed 12 contact hours related to counseling supervision;
  
  - Maintain 3 CEUS in counseling supervision every 2 years
  
  - It is up to the applicant to show proof at the time of application that their supervisor meets these requirements. Entering into a contract with your supervisor to ensure requirements are met at the time of application is encouraged

2 to 4 Years to Complete Process of Licensure:

• Licensure process begins when licensure supervision begins
• Minimum of 2 years post-master's experience to be eligible for licensure
• "Rolling timeline" for hours completion

Complete the three exams:

• NCE (National Counselors Exam) – offered through NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)
• Register for the exam online at https://www.nbcc.org/search/stateboarddirectory/tennessee.
• At the bottom of the state page, you will find the Licensure Board Administrator’s contact information. On the right, you will find registration forms and instructions.​
• NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Exam) – offered through NBCC (using same link as above)​ Jurisprudence Exam – offered through NBCC Eligible to take only AFTER taking and passing NCE and NCMHCE;
• NOTE: You must contact Licensure Board Administrator to obtain permission to test; The exam is also offered through NBCC. Suggested study materials for exam: Current rules and regulations for LPC-MHSP licensure in Tennessee AND current American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics Exam is only offered online only through NBCC

60 Days to complete application

• Total amount of time a submitted application will remain active—incomplete files will be purged 60 days after receipt
• Consideration—Do not apply until you have completed all required coursework, taken and passed all 3 exams, have completed required F2F hours and hours of supervision
• Note: If applying for temporary license, all that is needed is completion of the NCE exam before applying along with transcripts, etc.

Licensure Board Application Approvals: 4 Times per Year:

• Licensure board meets 4 times each year to review complete applications
• Typically meet once per quarter. These meetings can change dates but usually do not.
• The LPC board usually meets January, April, July, and October.

Application for Licensure:

• Download the rules and regulations and applications for licensure from TN.gov/health. Click on ‘Health Professionals’, then on ‘Health Professional Boards.’ Scroll down until you see ‘Professional Counselors and Therapists.’
• List of required coursework is included
• List of required steps to complete licensure application and process for submission is included

Completed Application Materials:

• Fees
• Passport Picture
• NCE Scores
• NCMHCE Scores
• Jurisprudence Scores
• 2 letters of recommendation (from mental health professionals)
• Transcripts from school showing 60 semester graduate hours
• Other States verification (if applicable) mandatory practitioner profile
• Copy of birth certificate
• Declaration of Citizenship form
• Criminal Background Check (find more information at the TN.gov website)​
• Mandatory Practitioner Profile form
• 2 years post masters supervision verification forms