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Continuing Education Requirements in Tennessee For LPCs, LMFTs, LADAC and Social Workers

If you are a licensed clinician in Tennessee, here is a straightforward breakdown of what is required for renewal, including format rules and supervision requirements.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Total CE required: 20 clock hours

Required content:
• Minimum 3 hours in ethics, Tennessee law, or board rules
• 2 hours of board-approved suicide prevention training every 4 years
• If you are an approved supervisor, 3 of your 20 hours must be supervision-specific

Format rules:

  • Live in-person training counts fully
  • Online and distance-based CE should be reviewed carefully against current Tennessee board rules and guidance
  • Asynchronous on-demand training is limited to 10 hours per renewal cycle
  • Because Tennessee board language for LPCs does not clearly state that live synchronous virtual trainings are uncapped, clinicians should verify current board interpretation before relying on all live virtual hours for renewal. 
  • This rule is currently being revised, but the updated language has not yet been published and no implementation date has been announced.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Total CE required: 20 clock hours

Required content:
• Minimum 3 hours in ethics, Tennessee law, or board rules
• 2 hours of board-approved suicide prevention training every 4 years
• If you provide supervision, 3 of your 20 hours must be supervision-specific

Format rules:

  • Live in-person training counts fully
  • Online and distance-based CE should be reviewed carefully against current Tennessee board rules and guidance
  • Asynchronous on-demand training is limited to 10 hours per renewal cycle
  • Tennessee board materials do not clearly state that live synchronous virtual trainings are uncapped for LMFT license renewal. 
  • This rule is currently being revised, but the updated language has not yet been published and no implementation date has been announced.

Licensed Social Workers (LBSW, LMSW, LAPSW, LCSW)

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years

Total CE required:
• LBSW: 18 hours
• LMSW: 24 hours
• LAPSW and LCSW: 30 hours

Required content for all levels:
• 6 hours in ethics
• 1 hour in Tennessee law and board rules
• 2 hours of board-approved suicide prevention training every 4 years

Supervisor requirement:
• If you provide clinical supervision, you must complete a cumulative 12 hours of supervision-specific CE, including 3 hours focused on Tennessee rules

Format rules:
• Live in-person training counts fully
• Live online synchronous training counts the same as in-person and is not capped
• Asynchronous on-demand training may count for up to two-thirds of your required hours

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADAC I and LADAC II)

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years

Total CE required: 15 clock hours

 Required content:

  • Minimum 3 hours in ethics
  • 2 hours suicide prevention training every 4 years
  • If you are an approved supervisor, every 2 years an additional 10 hours specific to alcohol and drug clinical supervision, 6 of which must be specific to clinical supervision ethics.

Format rules:

  • Live in-person training counts fully
  • Live online synchronous training counts the same as in-person and is not capped
  • Asynchronous on-demand training is limited to 6 hours per renewal cycle

Suicide Prevention Training Requirement (Tennessee)

Tennessee law requires certain licensed mental health professionals to complete training in suicide prevention as part of their ongoing professional education. This requirement was established through the Kenneth and Madge Tullis, MD Suicide Prevention Training Act (TCA §63-1-125).

Who This Applies To

The suicide prevention training requirement applies to several licensed professions in Tennessee, including:

  • Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC-MHSP)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Advanced Practice Social Workers (LAPSW)
  • Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW)
  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers (LBSW)
  • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADAC I and LADAC II)
Training Requirement

Licensees must complete:

  • A minimum of two (2) hours of board-approved suicide prevention training
  • At least once every four (4) years

This training may count toward a licensee’s required continuing education hours.

Acceptable Training

Suicide prevention training must be offered or approved by an appropriate professional organization, academic institution, or continuing education provider recognized by the applicable licensing board.

Examples may include training provided by:

  • Professional mental health associations
  • Accredited universities or training institutes
  • Approved continuing education providers
Official Sources

Tennessee Code:
https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-63/chapter-1/part-1/section-63-1-125/

Tennessee Board of Social Work Continuing Education Page:
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/sw-board/sw-board/continuing-education.html

Important Note

Licensing boards determine continuing education requirements. Clinicians should confirm current requirements with their licensing board prior to relying on any specific course for license renewal.

Live/Synchronous vs Asynchronous/On-Demand

Live or synchronous means real-time interaction with an instructor, whether in a room or online. 

Asynchronous means pre-recorded or self-paced learning without live interaction. These hours are allowed but limited, depending on your license type.

  • For social workers, Tennessee board policy states that synchronous continuing education qualifies as in-person learning.

  • For LPCs and LMFTs, Tennessee board materials do not clearly state that live synchronous virtual CE is treated the same as in-person or that it is uncapped, so clinicians should verify current board interpretation before assuming unlimited live virtual hours will count.

Additional Notes

• Keep documentation of all CE for at least 4 years in case of audit
• Make sure your CE provider meets board approval standards
• If you hold multiple licenses under the same board, your total CE requirement may increase

This summary is intended as a helpful overview. Always verify directly with your licensing board for the most current rules.

Helpful Resource Links:

Licensed Professional Counselors, LMFTs, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists

  • Official continuing education page for the board that regulates LPCs and LMFTs: CLICK HERE
  • General board page (with links to statutes, rules, FAQs, and renewal info): CLICK HERE

Social Workers

  • Official continuing education page for the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure: CLICK HERE
  • General board page for the Board of Social Workers: CLICK HERE

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADAC I and LADAC II)

  • Official continuing education page for LADAC: CLICK HERE
  • General board page for the Board of LADAC: CLICK HERE