50-State Security Licensing Compliance Guide
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Private Investigator Licensing in Tennessee

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Private investigation licenses are typically issued for individuals and organizations conducting investigative services. This guide contains information about private investigator licensing in Tennessee. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Tennessee Security Company Licenses

Tennessee Alarm Systems Contractor Company

Agency:Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Alarms Systems Contractors Program
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Insurance Requirements:

Liability Insurance in amounts not less than:

  • $100,000 bodily injury or death to 1 person resulting from the negligent act(s) of the principal insured or insured's agents, operating in the scope of the agents' employment. 
  • $300,000 bodily injury or death to two or more persons resulting from the negligent act(s) of the principal insured or insured's agents, operating in the scope of the agents' employment. 
  • $100,000 property damage in the course and scope of the agent's agency
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

The firm must employ a Tennessee-licensed Designated Qualifying Agent who is responsible for overseeing the quality of the firm's operations. The individual MUST be licensed in the same classifications the firm is applying for. 

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$500 application fee + $50 per classification 

Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Notarized application with the signature of the qualifying agent
  • Applications for the registration of all employees
Background Check Requirements: ACCESS PREMIUM DATA

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:
  • $250 for single classification licenses
  • $400 for multiple classification licenses
  • $75 per active employee fee
Due:

Biennially on the last day of the month of initial issuance

Tennessee Private Investigation Agency License

Agency:Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250 application fee for companies with 1 investigator, $500 for companies with 2-5 investigators, and $1,000 for companies with more than 5 investigators + $38 fingerprint fee. In addition, license fees are either $125, $250, or $500 depending on company size.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250 renewal fee for companies with 1 investigator, $500 for companies with 2-5 investigators, and $1,000 for companies with more than 5 investigators.

Due:

Biennially

Individual Licenses

Tennessee Individual Security Licenses

Tennessee Alarm Employee Registration

Agency:Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Alarms Systems Contractors Program

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $39.15 electronic fingerprint fee

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

Employing company must submit applications for alarm employee registration in accordance with the law within 30 days of employment.

Required Attachments:
  • Submit a signed, notarized application along with the appropriate non-refundable application fee of $100.
  • Submit copy of receipt for electronically scanned fingerprints.
  • Submit two 1" x 1" color passport-style photos with the name of the applicant printed on the back of each.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75 renewal fee

Due:

A registration shall expire biennially on the same date as the company registration.

Notes:

Renewals are submitted by the employing company in conjunction with the company registration renewal. 

Required Attachments:
  • Submit a signed, notarized application along with the appropriate non-refundable application fee of $100.
  • Submit copy of receipt for electronically scanned fingerprints.
  • Submit two 1" x 1" color passport-style photos with the name of the applicant printed on the back of each.

Tennessee Alarm Systems Qualifying Agent Designation

Agency:Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Alarms Systems Contractors Program
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:
  • $200 application fee + $50 per classification
  • $38 electronic fingerprint fee
Required Attachments:
  • Copy of receipt of electronically scanned fingerprints
  • One color passport-style photo
  • Certified court documents showing final disposition of any criminal charges, if applicable

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:
  • $100 for single classification licenses
  • $200 for multiple classification licenses
Due:

Biennially by the last day of the month of initial issuance

Required Attachments:
  • 2 color passport-style photos
  • Proof of required CE

Tennessee Private Investigator License

Agency:Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $38 fingerprint fee + $100 license fee following approval.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially

Learn about security licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Firearm Qualification - An additional qualification attached to license applications for armed private investigators.

Private Investigator Apprentice - Apprentices are issued limited licenses and can only operate under the direction of a licensed investigator.

Qualified Representative - A licensed private investigator who is responsible for the operation and management of an investigative agency.

Reciprocity - When a private investigator is allowed to do business in a different state under the license issued by their home state.

National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
Industry association that sponsors education and certification efforts for members.

National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)
Private investigation and security advocacy group.

United States Association of Professional Investigators (USAPI)
Industry association focused on education and certification.

Revised February 18, 2026