Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-22-117 (2026)

• (a)
  • (1) Except as specifically provided elsewhere in this part, commencing July 1, 1991, it is an offense for any person to engage in any of the following acts:
    • (A) Representing or advertising such person as, or using a title or description such as, "licensed professional counselor" without being duly licensed according to this part;
    • (B) Making use of any title, words, letters or abbreviations, or any combination thereof, that may reasonably be confused with licensure provided by this part to denote a standard of professional or occupational competence, without being duly licensed under this part; and
    • (C) Performing activities that may reasonably be construed to fall within the defined scope of practice of persons licensed under this part who are designated as mental health service providers as defined in § 63-22-122 without being duly licensed hereunder.
  • (2) Any person who engages in any unlawful act enumerated in this section commits a Class B misdemeanor.
  • (3) In addition to the foregoing, the department of health may institute appropriate proceedings, in law or equity, to enjoin any person from engaging in any unlawful act enumerated in this section, such action or proceeding to be brought in the circuit or chancery court of the county in which the unlawful act occurs or in which the defendant resides.

• (b) Nothing in this part shall be construed as permitting any person licensed or certified as a professional counselor or designated as a mental health service provider under this chapter to engage in the practice of licensed psychological examiner, licensed senior psychological examiner, certified psychological assistant, licensed psychologist, licensed social worker, psychiatric nurse, law or medicine.

• (c) This part does not apply to the person if the person is preparing for the practice of professional counseling or the practice permitted to a person designated as a mental health service provider pursuant to this chapter under qualified supervision.

• (d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as limiting the ministry, activities or services of a rabbi, priest, minister of the gospel or others authorized by a regularly organized and functioning religious body in performing the ordinary duties or functions of the clergy; nor shall anything in this chapter apply to or be construed as limiting the activities or services of Christian Science practitioners. Nor shall any rabbi, priest, or minister who offers counseling services, even if fees are charged, be subject to the limitations of this chapter, as long as they do not hold themselves out as certified or licensed professional counselors.

Acts 1991, ch. 421, § 15; 2000, ch. 832, §§ 3 - 5; 2001, ch. 334, § 15; 2008 , ch. 1016, § 6.