Tennessee Code Title 63. Professions of the Healing Arts § 63-22-121

(a)(1) An associate 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) An associate 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 an associate license, an applicant must submit to the board a completed application for an associate license with the applicant's completed application for the desired license and all appropriate fees.

(4) If an applicant is granted an associate license, then the license must remain valid for up to four (4) years and is 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) The board may issue an associate license to a marital and family therapist applicant who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license sought.

(2) An associate 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 (9).

(3) In order to receive an associate license, the applicant must submit the following to the board:

(4) If an applicant is granted an associate license, then the license is valid for up to four (4) years and is eligible for an extension at the discretion of the board.

(5) The applicant must submit to the board an application for the independent 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 independent license based on satisfactory completion of all requirements for independent licensure.  If the board approves or denies the application for the independent license or if the board revokes the associate license for any reason, then the associate license must cease to be valid.

(6) The holder of an associate license as a marital and family therapist shall not represent such associate licensee to be a licensed marital and family therapist.  The holder of such a license may only represent such associate licensee to be an “associate licensed marriage and family therapist” or by the use of the letters “AMFT.”