Grassroots Action Center
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is alerting Tennessee Counselors, Counselor Educators, students, and stakeholders to legislation that would significantly alter Professional Counseling oversight in the state.
S.B. 2227 / H.B. 2539 proposes dissolving the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists and shifting licensure authority to a commission-run structure rather than maintaining a dedicated counseling regulatory board.
If enacted, Tennessee Counselors would no longer be governed by a counseling-specific licensure board comprised of subject-matter experts in counseling practice.
Why This Matters
NBCC has concerns regarding the potential impact of this legislation on:
1. Public Protection
Counseling licensure boards provide specialized expertise in ethical standards, supervision requirements, disciplinary review, and scope-of-practice determinations. Removing counseling-specific oversight may create gaps in regulatory knowledge that directly affect consumer protections and public safety.
2. Professional Parity
Currently, other behavioral health professions, including social work, psychology, and substance use counseling, are not proposed for similar restructuring. Removing only the LPC board may create an imbalance in professional oversight and representation.
3. Workforce Stability and Mobility
The LPC board facilitates multiple licensure pathways, including entry into the profession for new Counselors and those relocating to Tennessee. In addition, Tennessee’s participation in the Counseling Compact supports interstate practice, telehealth expansion, and workforce mobility. Dedicated regulatory boards play a key role in ensuring states remain aligned with compact standards. Structural changes could create unintended barriers for Counselors and the communities they serve.
Act Now:
If you are a Tennessee Counselor, Counselor Educator, student, or stakeholder, we encourage you to respectfully share your perspective with members of the Tennessee Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and House Health Subcommittee as soon as possible.
Your voice is critical in ensuring that counseling-specific regulatory expertise remains part of Tennessee’s mental health infrastructure.
Send a message to your legislators using NBCC’s pre-drafted language. Please personalize your message to reflect your professional role and experience.
