House Bill 1917 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning professional counselors, specifically introducing the designation of "limited practice professional counselor." The bill replaces existing references to "professional counselor" with "limited practice professional counselor" in multiple sections, thereby establishing a new category of licensure. Key amendments include the addition of "limited practice professional counselor" in definitions, licensure requirements, and practice regulations, while also clarifying the scope of practice for both limited practice and licensed professional counselors.

The bill outlines that beginning July 1, 2026, applicants for licensure as either a limited practice professional counselor or a professional counselor must meet specific educational and examination requirements. It also stipulates that individuals currently certified as professional counselors will be converted to limited practice professional counselor licenses, and those licensed as limited practice professional counselors can retain their licenses indefinitely by meeting renewal requirements. The legislation emphasizes the distinction between the two types of counselors, particularly regarding their capabilities in diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8-50-119(b)(1)(A)(i)(a), 8-50-119, 33-1-101(20), 33-1-101, 33-3-201(a)(2), 33-3-201, 33-6-802, 33-6-804(a), 33-6-804, 36-6-413(b)(5)(C)(v), 36-6-413, 36-6-413(b)(5)(C), 49-2-124(c), 49-2-124, 52-1-101(14), 52-1-101, 52-3-201(a)(2), 52-3-201, 56-7-2401(a), 56-7-2401, 63-1-125(e)(2), 63-1-125, 63-1-201(2), 63-1-201, 63-11-222(b)(4), 63-11-222, 63-11-302(6)(I), 63-11-302, 63-11-302(6), 63-11-409(b), 63-11-409, 63-22-102, 63-22-104, 63-22-107, 63-22-116(a)(1), 63-22-116, 63-22-116(a)(1)(B), 63-22-116(a)(2), 63-22-117(a)(1)(A), 63-22-117, 63-22-117(b), 63-22-117(c), 63-22-117(d), 63-22-118(a), 63-22-118, 63-22-120, 63-22-121(a)(1), 63-22-121, 63-22-122, 63-22-206(a)(4), 63-22-206, 63-32-102(b), 63-32-102, 68-24-604