In Tennessee, the licensure process is reserved to entities offering security services- whether individual, corporate or partnership. As the regulations indicate, the licensee must have a strong experiential background of at least 3 years in a managerial position.

For the individual security guard or officer, the call is for a registration card rather than a license.

62-35-115. Registration cards – Guards, officers and agents.

(a)   Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any individual to act as an armed or unarmed security guard/officer without having first obtained the appropriate registration card from the commissioner.

(b)   Any individual who holds a valid armed security guard/officer registration card may act as an armed or unarmed security guard/officer under that registration card.

Proprietary Security Organizations are not subject to licensure, but have to notify the commissioner in writing and maintain a Certificate of Insurance. However, when working in either a proprietary or contract security services setting, the individual security officer must be registered.

Note that an armed guard need not maintain registration status as “unarmed” since the candidate has met the requirements.

Temporary Licensure
Tennessee allows a period of time for an unlicensed, fully compliant applicant to work in the industry.
Pending issuance, denial or renewal of a registration card by the Commissioner, the applicant may work as an unarmed security guard/officer,
if the applicant submits a completed application form, proof of fingerprinting submission, three (3) sets of head-and-shoulder photographs taken within
the last six (6) months and the application fee to the commissioner, and the applicant keeps a copy of the completed application form on the applicant’s person while on duty.
The applicant may only work using the completed application form for seventy-five (75) business days from the date that the completed application.

Fees for Unarmed Security Officer
$70   Application Fee
$35.15   Fingerprint Fee

All Registration cards expire two years from the date of issuance and must be renewed. The renewal fee is $50.

A registration card issued to employees of a proprietary security organization are only valid for employment by a proprietary security organization.
See: Rule 0780-05-02-.24

Employment by a security company is required to obtain a unarmed security officer registration card.
See: FAQs

Reciprocity varies by the state.

See: Tennessee Reciprocity Agreements

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age

See: TN Code § 62-35-117(1)

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien

See: TN Code § 62-35-117(2)

No baseline requirement

I. Security Officer
None

II. Proprietary Security Officer
(b) (1) The provisions of 62-35-118(a), only, shall not apply to a person employed as an unarmed security guard/officer by a proprietary security organization.
See: 62-35-103. Exemptions from chapter provisions

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
Not required

The application or registration card shall be exhibited upon request of the commissioner, the commissioner’s designee, a full-time law enforcement officer or an employer to verify that the security officer/guard is working pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
See: Tennessee Code 62-35-120

Update: As of November 8, 2021, the Detection Services Licensing Program, Armed Security Guard profession will no longer be using the green cardstock pocket licenses. Instead, each new card issued will be a white, plastic-like card with a holographic State seal in the middle.  See images and more information here.

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
The applicant must be of good moral character

See: TN Code § 62-35-117(7)

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
All applicants are required to utilize electronic fingerprint submission. The fee is listed as $35.15 on the Application information.

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
Must not be suffering from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence

See: TN Code § 62-35-117(5)

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
The applicant must not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease unless a court of competent jurisdiction has since declared the applicant competent.

TN Code § 62-35-117(3)

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
Tenn. Code Ann. 62-35-116(a)(1) requires that all applicants provide a statement of all convictions and pending charges of a felony or a misdemeanor in any jurisdiction.

Tenn. Code Ann. 62-35-117(4) requires that persons convicted of any of the following offenses must have completed serving sentence or court ordered probation at least five years prior to making application.

Conviction of the following crimes shall disqualify an applicant, if the applicant has not completed sentence or court ordered probation at least five years prior to making application:

(A) Any felony; or
(B) Any misdemeanor involving:
(i) Shooting a firearm or other weapon;
(ii) Shoplifting;
(iii) Assault and battery or other act of violence against persons or property;
(iv) Crimes involving the sale, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, drugs or narcotics;
(v) Theft of property; or
(vi) Theft of services
See: TN Code §62-35-117(4)

Tenn. Code Ann. 62-35-130(a) states that the Commissioner may deny an application for registration upon finding that the applicant has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any felony or of a misdemeanor, if the Commissioner finds that such conviction reflects unfavorably on the fitness for such registration.

II. Proprietary Security Officer
The department’s website states the requirements as follows: Be free of convictions including:
•   Probation for 5 years for serious crimes
(OR)
•   Crimes involving:
– Firearms
– Shoplifting
– Violence

Not Required

I. Security Officer
Must complete a four hour basic course including one-hour each of:
•   Orientation – Tennessee Private Protective Services Licensing and Regulatory Act and Administrative Rules, Role of a Security Officer and Attitude and Conduct of Security Officers.
•   Legal powers and limitations of a security guard/officer – Authority (T.C.A. 62-35) and Criminal and Civil Laws and Liabilities (T.C.A. 39 & 40).
•   Emergency procedures – General First Aid and Emergency Evacuation and Notification Procedures.
•   General Duties – Patrol Procedures (foot and vehicle), General Security Terminology (including access control, etc.) and Report Writing.

Examination – Seventy percent (70%) required. Minimum of twenty-five (25) questions relating to the above listed topics.

See: Training curriculum.
See: Training Certification Form

II. Proprietary Security Officer
According to Tenn. Code Ann. 62-35-103(b)(1):
(b) (1) Section 62-35-118(a), only, shall not apply to a person employed as an unarmed security guard/officer by a proprietary security organization.
(3) It is the desire of the general assembly that unarmed proprietary security guards/officers hose primary duties involve contact with the public should have training in the areas of legal powers and limitations, and of emergency procedures as deemed necessary by their employers. The commissioner may provide such employers information concerning these areas.

I. Security Officer and II. Proprietary Security Officer
Rule 0780-05-02.09
The examination(s), which must be passed by an applicant for a new registration card, will be administered and graded by the applicant’s certified trainer. Such examination(s) shall be:
(a)   Written
(b)   Designed primarily to measure the applicant’s knowledge in the field of security guard and patrol service generally, rather than in policies, procedures, or requirements associated with a particular contract security company or proprietary security organization, and
(c)   Subject to review and evaluation by the Commissioner at any reasonable time upon request.

See: Section 0780-05-02.09 and Tennessee Private Protective Services official website

Upon non-compliance with an order of support, an occupational license or registration shall be revoked, suspended or denied.
See: TN Code §36-5-701 through §36-5-705

•   Rules of Department of Commerce and Insurance Division of Regulatory Boards (PDF)

•   Private Protective Services Laws – Title 62, Chapter 35

•   Main Portal