Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-23-105 (2026)

• (a) The practice of advanced master's or doctorate social work as a licensed clinical social worker is a specialty within the practice of social work that requires the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, principles, values, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups or persons who are adversely affected by social or psychosocial stress or health impairment. The practice of clinical social work requires the application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions, including severe mental illness in adults and serious emotional disturbances in children, case management, direct practice, information and referral, clinical and nonclinical supervision, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs and activities. Treatment methods include the provision of individual, marital, couple, family, and group therapy, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, advanced case management, direct practice and psychotherapy. Clinical social workers are qualified to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and other diagnostic classification systems in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and other activities. The advanced practice of clinical social work may occur outside the jurisdiction of an agency or organizational setting in which the social worker assumes responsibility and accountability for the nature and quality of the services provided to clients, pro bono or in exchange for direct payment or third-party reimbursement. Practice at this level may include the provision of supervision for licensed or temporarily licensed master's social workers seeking advanced licensure as an advanced practice social worker or as a licensed clinical social worker. Licensed clinical social workers may engage in both independent clinical and agency-based, nonclinical, macro social work practice. A social worker may not prescribe medication or interpret psychological tests. The practice of advanced master's or doctorate social work as a licensed clinical social worker may include the practice activities of a licensed baccalaureate social worker, licensed master's social worker and/or licensed advanced practice social worker.

• (b) To obtain a license to engage in the practice independently as a licensed clinical social worker an applicant must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has:
  • (1) Submitted a written application in a form prescribed by the board or via online application;
  • (2) Paid all applicable fees specified by the board relative to the licensure process;
  • (3) Attained the age of majority;
  • (4) Graduated and received a master's degree in social work from a council on social work education approved program or has received a doctorate or Ph.D. in social work;
  • (5) Worked for not less than two (2) years as a licensed master's social worker, or temporarily licensed master's social worker under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or, if the applicant is from another state, has worked for not less than two (2) years prior to the date of application under the supervision of a person who possesses educational and experiential qualifications that meet or exceed the requirements for licensure in this state as a licensed clinical social worker; and
  • (6) Successfully passed the association of social work board's clinical licensing exam.

• (c) No person shall practice independently as a clinical social worker or act as, or represent the person to be, a licensed clinical social worker as defined in this section unless the person possesses a valid license issued pursuant to subsection (b).

• (d) A violation of subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.

Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 949,s 14, eff. 7/1/2014.

Acts 2008 , ch. 1016, § 1.