Click the icon to review all requirements to be licensed as an Armed or Unarmed Security Officer / Guard in the State of Tennessee on the Private Protective Services Webpage to ensure that you are eligible.
Note:
If an individual maintains an armed guard registration it is not necessary to also be registered as an “unarmed” guard.
Requirements For Security Guard Registration:
Be at least 18 years of age for registration as an unarmed security guard.
Be at least 21 years of age for registration as an armed security guard.
Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.
If you are NOT a US Citizen or resident alien your application will be denied.
Resident Alien applicants must provide documentation of their citizenship status.
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;
If convicted in any jurisdiction of any of the crimes listed in this subdivision (4), have completed serving sentence or court ordered probation at least five (5) years prior to application.
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 analogues, drugs, or narcotics;
- Theft of property
- Theft of services
Not be suffering from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence;
Not having any disability that, in the opinion of the commissioner, prevents the applicant from performing the duties of a security guard/officer.
Be of good moral character.
Must meet the training requirements.
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 and all charges/arrests.
You are required to provide certified documents of the final court disposition(s) or judgment(s) with the application, including dismissed, suspended or deferred sentences, as well as, a written explanation of the events that surrounded 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 there is an arrest record listed on your TBI or FBI report, your application could be denied for a material misstatement. Misdemeanor citations and charges for "bad checks", cases 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:
If 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, you should verify with the court clerk or your attorney that the record was expunged 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 and/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 sheet of paper explaining the discharge, and a copy of your DD214.
Upon scheduling the class with Alliance Training & Testing LLC, you will receive a confirmation message with detailed instructions and directions for the class. 100% Online Unarmed students will receive instant access to the course. The course is designed to be completed in 4.5 - 5 hours, but students will have access to the course for 30 days from the date of purchase.
Click the icon to view the electronic fingerprinting scheduling website.
All applicants are requested to utilize electronic fingerprint submission.
Applicants should make an appointment and submit payment for fingerprint processing directly to the provider.
Applicants must take approved identification documents to the appointment.
Please refer to the list of acceptable identification documents on their website.
The provider will transmit the applicant's fingerprints to the TBI and FBI for processing.
The report will be received by Private Protective Services.
Online Scheduling: Step-By-Step Instructions To Schedule Electronic Fingerprint Appointment
Select > Digital Fingerprinting
Select > Schedule A New Appointment
Select > Don't Know Your Service Code
Select > Department of Commerce and Insurance
Select > (As Applicable) Armed Guards or Unarmed Guards
Select > Agree to Terms
Enter > Zip Code
Select > Location | Date | Time
Enter > Applicant Information
Pay > Fee
Call Center Scheduling:
Available Monday-Friday, 8:30 A.M – 4:30 P.M. (Central)
If you do not have access to the internet you may call 855-226-2937 (toll-free).
Operators will collect required information and schedule your appointment.
We recommend using your phone to scan documents with the APP CamScanner in PDF format.
Click the icon to download CamScanner now.
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 to navigate to the CORE Online Licensing Services
Review the video tutorials (below) to:
- Register a New 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 specifically called out during the process, upload it in the "Additional Documents" section.
Click the icon to view our job board and subscribe to receive announcements on current openings.
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 that the application form, fingerprints, passport style photograph, and the application fee are received, pending the issuance or denial of the registration card by the commissioner.
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.