House Bill 1917, also known as Senate Bill 2399, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to establish and define the role of "limited practice professional counselors" alongside licensed professional counselors. Key changes include the introduction of the term "limited practice professional counselor" in multiple sections, which clarifies the scope of practice and licensure requirements for these professionals. The bill specifies that a limited practice professional counselor is trained in counseling and guidance services but does not have the authority to diagnose or treat mental disorders. Additionally, it outlines the transition process for current licensed professional counselors to become limited practice professional counselors by July 1, 2026.

The bill also revises existing language to ensure consistency in the definitions and requirements for both types of counselors. For instance, it replaces instances of "professional counselor" with "limited practice professional counselor" in several sections, and it establishes new licensure requirements, including the completion of specific coursework and supervised experience. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to licenses applied for or renewed on or after that date.

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