Licensed Professional Counselor / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Tennessee data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Tennessee sets the entry bar for licensed professional counselors at 2,878 training hours and a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Tennessee's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $132, with renewal running $113 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, licensed professional counselors should know: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,878 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$132
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$57/yr
$113 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,878 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$132
Renewal Fee
$113
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Professional Counselor All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 2878 hours of education or training, the NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE exam, and an initial fee of $132. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 2878 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
For licensed professional counselors, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed professional counselor licensing in Tennessee. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee ties continued licensed professional counselor licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $113 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.