HOW TO BECOME A SECURITY GUARD IN TENNESSEE

Requirements For Security Guard Registration:

• Be at least 18 for registration as an unarmed security guard.
• Be at least 21 for registration as an armed security guard.
• Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.

Your application will be denied if you are NOT a US Citizen or resident alien.
Resident Alien applicants must provide documentation of their citizenship status.

Applicants should not have been declared incompetent by any court due to mental defect or disease. However, if a court has since declared the applicant competent, this requirement is considered met.

If convicted in any jurisdiction of any crimes listed in this subdivision (4), have completed serving sentence or court-ordered probation at least five (5) years before application.

Note:
If an individual already holds an armed guard registration, they do not need to register as an “unarmed” guard. This means that the armed guard registration covers both roles.

Conviction of the following offenses shall disqualify an applicant, subject to the conditions stated:

Any Felony

Any Misdemeanor Involving:

• Shooting a firearm or other weapon
• Shoplifting
• Assault and battery or other act of violence against persons or property
• Crimes involving the sale, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, drugs, or narcotics;
• Theft of property
• Theft of services

Must not be suffering from chronic drunkenness, narcotics addiction, or dependence;

Must not possess any disability that, in the opinion of the commissioner, prevents the applicant from performing the duties of a security guard or officer.

Good moral character is crucial for security guard registration, as it is a fundamental requirement.

Meeting the training requirements is essential, as this ensures that you are well-prepared for the responsibilities of a security guard.

Click the icon below to review all requirements for being licensed as an Armed or Unarmed Security Officer / Guard in Tennessee on the Private Protective Services page. This will empower you with the knowledge to ensure that you are eligible.

Statement of Criminal Records:
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. You must provide all final Court dispositions (judgments) on any charges/arrests.

You must provide certified documents of the final court disposition(s) or judgment(s) with the application, including dismissed, suspended, or deferred sentences, and a written explanation of the events surrounding the charges. If the court no longer has these records on file, you must obtain a letter from the judge or court clerk stating so.

Be Advised:
If you check “no” to any of the following questions regarding arrests or charges in the application and an arrest record is listed on your TBI or FBI report, your application could be denied for a material misstatement.

Misdemeanor citations and charges for “bad checks,” where you may not have been fingerprinted and booked but were required to pay court costs or fines, are reported to the TBI and FBI as an arrest. These charges must also be disclosed on your application.

Record Expungements:
Suppose you were told that a charge or arrest would be expunged from your record, and you would not need to report the charge as an arrest. In that case, you should verify with the court clerk or your attorney that the record was deleted and that you have “no arrest record” for the charge or arrest before completing your application for registration. Failure to report charges or arrests that were not expunged from your record and are still listed on your TBI or FBI report could result in the denial of your application for a material misstatement.

Military Service Record:
If other than Honorable discharge, attach a separate paper explaining the discharge and a copy of your DD214.

Please take note of the following instructions for scheduling an electronic fingerprint appointment:
All applicants are required to submit their fingerprints electronically. They should schedule an appointment and pay for fingerprint processing directly with the provider.

• Applicants must bring approved identification documents to the appointment.
• Please refer to the list of acceptable identification documents on the provider’s website.
• The provider will send the applicant’s fingerprints to the TBI and FBI for processing.
• Private Protective Services will receive the report.

Online Scheduling Instructions:
1. Select “Digital Fingerprinting”
2. Select “Schedule A New Appointment”
3. Select “Don’t Know Your Service Code”
4. Select “Department of Commerce and Insurance”
5. Select “(As Applicable) Armed Guards or Unarmed Guards”
6. Agree to the terms and conditions
7. Enter your zip code
8. Choose your preferred location, date, and time
9. Provide applicant information
10. Pay the fee

Call Center Scheduling:
The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (Central). If you don’t have internet access, please call 855-226-2937 (toll-free). The operators will gather the necessary details and schedule your appointment.

You can click the icon below to access the electronic fingerprinting scheduling website.

We recommend using your phone to scan documents.

Items you will need to scan to submit electronically:

• Trainer’s Certificate
• Electronic Fingerprinting Receipt
• Photo ID / Driver’s License
• Passport style picture

As Applicable:

• Criminal Records
• DD-214 (Military)

Click the icon below to download the app CamScanner a useful tool for scanning documents.

Review the video tutorials (below) to:

• Register a New CORE Account
• Submit Application

Important Note:
Board> Select Private Protective Services

Items you will need to submit electronically:

• Trainer’s Certificate
• Electronic Fingerprinting Receipt
• Photo ID / Driver’s License
• Passport style picture

As Applicable:

• Criminal Records
• DD-214 (Military)

Important note when submitting electronically:

• The Photo ID is not explicitly called out during the process; upload it in the “Additional Documents” section.

Click the icon below to navigate to the CORE Online Licensing Services.

Unarmed Guards:
The applicant may work using a copy of CORE proof of submission for up to seventy-five (75) business days from the date the application form, fingerprints, passport-style photograph, and the application fee are received, pending the commissioner’s issuance or denial of the registration card.

Armed Guards:
The applicant may only work as an Armed Guard once the license is received at the mailing address on record but may work as an Unarmed Guard as stated above.