CRED: Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions section is intended only to provide helpful information to Tennesseans who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in violation of the Tennessee Human Rights Act. The Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the Attorney General’s Office cannot provide legal advice, and nothing in this section is legal advice.
The Civil Rights Enforcement Division investigates alleged violations of the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act. These laws protect Tennesseans from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education based on certain protected characteristics. Depending on the type of claim, protected characteristics may include a person’s race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, familial status, or disability. CRED also investigates allegations of retaliation for reporting or participating in an investigation of unlawful discrimination.
If the conduct alleged in your complaint is not covered by the Tennessee Human Rights Act or the Tennessee Disability Act, you will likely receive a notice of closure for lack of jurisdiction. However, CRED may be able to provide resources or direct you to an agency with authority to help resolve your complaint. For a list of additional resources that may be relevant to your situation, click here.
The quickest way to submit a complaint is through the Civil Rights Enforcement Division’s online complaint portal. If you require a paper or Spanish form, you may request one at CRED@ag.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-5825.
All complaints made to the division must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the last discriminatory act occurred.
If you need assistance completing the complaint form, please call the Civil Rights Enforcement Division at (615) 741-5825 or email CRED@ag.tn.gov. You may also visit the additional resources page.
CRED receives hundreds of complaints per year, and we strive to process each complaint as efficiently and effectively as possible. With that in mind, you may check the status of your complaint by calling (615) 741-5825 or by emailing CRED@ag.tn.gov. If you have received a complaint number, please refer to that number in your message.
No. The Attorney General’s Office does not represent or serve as a counsel for individual complainants.
No, you are not required to have an attorney to file a complaint. But complainants may choose to retain an attorney at any time. If you do retain an attorney, you or your attorney should notify CRED immediately so that we can direct communications through your counsel.
You do not need to provide documents when filing your complaint. CRED will let you know if it needs you to submit any documents relevant to your complaint and will facilitate the retrieval of those documents.
There is no set time limit for processing or investigating complaints, and each complaint is different. But CRED is cognizant of the one-year statute of limitations for filing a private lawsuit under the Tennessee Human Rights Act and strives to address each complaint as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Yes, the Tennessee Human Rights Act allows individuals who believe they were discriminated against in violation of the Act to file private lawsuits in state court within one year after the alleged discriminatory practice ceases. If you file a private lawsuit while your complaint with CRED is still pending, please notify our office immediately.
No, you are not required to file a complaint with CRED before filing a private lawsuit alleging violations of the Tennessee Human Rights Act or Tennessee Disability Act.
No. Filing a complaint with CRED does not toll the THRA’s one-year statute of limitations.