How to Serve as a Clinical Supervisor in Tennessee as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Serving as a clinical supervisor in Tennessee is an important milestone for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) who want to mentor the next generation of clinicians. Supervisors play a critical role in ensuring new professionals provide ethical, competent, and effective care. This guide explains the Tennessee clinical supervisor requirements, outlines the ongoing CE obligations, highlights pitfalls, and shows how the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) can help you meet your supervision CE requirements.

📝Supervisor Eligibility Requirements

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-22-115(a), supervision must be provided by an “approved supervisor.”

An approved supervisor may be:

• An American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)-Approved Supervisor;

• A supervisor-in-training under mentoring with a current AAMFT-Approved Supervisor; or

• A Board-approved marriage and family supervisor.

To qualify as a Board-approved marriage and family supervisor, an individual must provide evidence of:

• Five (5) years of full-time experience in marriage and family therapy practice and supervision;

• Thirty-six (36) hours of supervision specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision; and

• A recommendation for board-approved supervisor status from the supervisor who provided the supervision of supervision.

Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-22-115(a)(2)-(3)

🔁 Ongoing / Renewal CE Requirements

While there are no separate or additional CE requirements specifically for MFT supervisors in Tennessee, you must meet the general continuing education requirements under Rule 0450-02-.12 to maintain your license and remain eligible to supervise.

Annual CE Requirement

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists must complete 10 clock hours of CE every calendar year.

• Those holding two licenses regulated by the Board must complete 15 clock hours per calendar year.

• Those holding three licenses must complete 20 clock hours per calendar year.

• In each case, at least five (5) clock hours must directly relate to each profession held.

Ethics & Jurisprudence Requirement

• Every two years, 3 clock hours must pertain to one or more of the following:

  • Professional ethics

  • Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 22

  • Tennessee Rules and Regulations, Chapter 0450-02

Multi-Media (Online) CE Limitations

Rule 0450-02-.12(3)(b) permits online and distance learning CE, but limits how many hours may be earned through multi-media formats each calendar year:

• Single license holders: Maximum of 5 clock hours per year

• Two licenses: Maximum of 7.5 clock hours per year

• Three licenses: Maximum of 10 clock hours per year

Online courses, internet-based CE, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, and distance learning formats fall under this multi-media category.

Source: Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists. Continuing Education Requirements.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Avoid

Even experienced clinicians sometimes face challenges in meeting the Tennessee supervision training requirements for MFTs. Pitfalls include:

• Supervisor not meeting requirements at the time of supervision — If you do not already meet the statutory requirements for an approved supervisor under Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-22-115(a), your supervisee’s hours may not count.

• Supervisees not being properly registered — Supervision hours will not count unless the supervisee holds the appropriate provisional or temporary license status recognized by the Tennessee Board.

📘 How the Telehealth Certification Institute Helps You Meet Supervision CE Requirements

The Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers flexible, fully online, self-paced continuing education (CE) programs designed to support Tennessee-licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in meeting their annual CE requirements under Rule 0450-02-.12.

Because Tennessee limits the number of multi-media (online/distance learning) hours that may be applied each calendar year, licensees should plan their CE accordingly:

• Single-license holders may apply up to 5 online CE hours per calendar year.

• Those holding two licenses may apply up to 7.5 online CE hours per calendar year.

• Those holding three licenses may apply up to 10 online CE hours per calendar year.

Recommended Courses:

• 10 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle
  This focused bundle provides 10 supervision-focused CE hours. Tennessee licensees may apply online hours toward their annual CE requirement up to the multi-media limits outlined above.
  
  It covers key topics such as supervision foundations, cultural competency, and supervision models — all in a convenient, self-paced format.

• Ethics Courses
  Meet Tennessee’s requirement for 3 hours of ethics and jurisprudence CE (every two years). Our ethics catalog includes courses focused on professional boundaries, legal compliance, and ethical supervision. Online hours apply within Tennessee’s annual multi-media limits.

• Clinical Supervision Certificate Program
  This comprehensive program provides 49 CE hours covering essential supervision competencies. Tennessee licensees may apply these hours across multiple calendar years in accordance with the state’s annual multi-media CE limits.
  
  This program is especially useful for professionals holding multiple licenses who are eligible to apply a higher number of online CE hours per year.

• Individual Clinical Supervision CE Courses
  Prefer a targeted approach? Select individual supervision-focused CE courses in areas such as documentation, evaluation, multicultural supervision, and telesupervision best practices. Hours may be applied within Tennessee’s annual multi-media CE caps.

• AAMFT Supervision Fundamentals (AAMFT Pathway)
  For individuals pursuing the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation and serving as a supervisor-in-training under mentoring with a current AAMFT-Approved Supervisor, AAMFT’s Supervision Fundamentals course is part of the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation process.

🌟 Why Choose TCI for Your Training?

• ✅ Trusted by thousands of behavioral health professionals nationwide
• ✅ Study fully online and self-paced — anytime, anywhere
• ✅ Earn accredited CE from industry-leading experts
• ✅ Customize your learning with flexible, modular courses

⚠️ Disclaimer

“The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Licensing and supervision requirements may change, and interpretations may vary. It is the responsibility of each individual to verify the current rules and qualifications directly with their state licensing authority.”

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