§ 63-22-203 — Application for license - Fees - Qualifications

(a) An applicant for licensure as a licensed clinical pastoral therapist shall pay the board a nonrefundable fee as set by the board and shall satisfy the board that the applicant: (1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; (2) Is of good moral character; (3) Has met the educational standards set by the board, which shall include: (A) The completion of a course of studies consisting of a minimum of sixty (60) graduate semester hours in a curriculum approved by the board, of which a minimum of nine (9) graduate semester hours must relate specifically to the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and the awarding of a master's or doctoral degree from a recognized educational institution; and (B) The completion of a supervised clinical experience within the academic degree program as either a practicum or internship that includes experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the psychodynamics, interpersonal dynamics, and spiritual dynamics of persons experiencing emotional, behavioral, relational, or spiritual distress or dysfunction. The experience required under this subdivision (3)(B) must be conducted under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor; (4) Has provided a minimum of one thousand four hundred (1,400) hours of pastoral therapy with individuals, couples, families, or groups while receiving a minimum of two hundred seventy (270) hours of supervision of such therapy under board-approved supervision; and (5) Has passed examinations as approved by the board. (b) (1) When the board receives a completed application for initial licensure from an applicant, then the board shall, within sixty (60) days from the date the board receives the completed application: (A) Render a decision on the application; or (B) Inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board. (2) As used in this subsection (b), "completed application" means an application that satisfies all statutory and board rule requirements.

Legislative History

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 426, s 18, eff. 5/11/2023. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 233, s 3, eff. 4/30/2019. Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 955, s 1, eff. 4/27/2016. Acts 1997 , ch. 485, § 8; 2003 , ch. 250, § 4.