Private Investigation Company

Tennessee Private Investigation & Polygraph Examiners

A private investigation company is any person who engages in the business or accepts employment to obtain or furnish information with reference to one or more of the following: 1) Crime or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or any state or territory of the United States, 2) The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputations or character of any person, 3) The location, disposition or recovery of lost or stolen property, 4) The cause or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, damages or injuries to persons or to property, or 5) The securing of evidence to be used before any court, board, Commission, officer or investigating committee.

Requirements

Licensing Requirements

  1. Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
    2. Must be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.
    3. Possess or employ at least 1 person who has at least 2,000 hours of compensated, verifiable investigative experience satisfactory to the Commissioner OR has 1 year of applicable, related experience or education in a related area of study approved by the Commissioner.
    4. Successful completion of a background check through IdentoGO.
    • For information, including locations, scheduling, and guidance for out-of-state applicants, visit https://www.identogo.com.
    • An applicant may be disqualified from licensure, subject to the discretion of the Commissioner, if convicted of offenses listed in Tenn. Rules & Regulations 1175-01-.04(6).

Examination Requirements

Successfully complete the investigations company examination through PSI. In addition to scheduling an examination, you can view the exam bulletin and find more information about the testing process on their website at https://test-takers.psiexams.com.

Required Documents

  1. 3 credit references from lending institutions or business firms where the qualifying agent, or each partner, if a partnership, has established a credit record.
    2. If you are licensed in any other jurisdiction, you must provide a Letter of Good Standing from each jurisdiction where you hold a license or registration. This must include information on qualifications for the license or registration, issuance date, current status, and disciplinary action taken against the license or registration.
    3. Statement of Affiliates

Application & Fees

Complete the “Initial Tennessee Private Investigation Company Application” online at core.tn.gov. The fees associated with this application are as follows:

  • Sole Practitioner: $375
  • 2 to 5 Employees: $750
  • More Than 5 Employees: $1,500
  • Branch Company Office License: $100