How to Get a Registration

Before beginning an application, the Jurisdiction must first agree to use the private probation services company for supervision of its misdemeanor cases.

See Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs 1177-01-.03 for required documentation. Applicants must comply with all the requirements under Tenn. Code Ann. 16-3-900.

All exhibits submitted (uploaded or attached) with the application are considered part of the application.

Final processing of the application is subject to administrative review.
 

Requirements

Licensing Requirements

1. Provide sworn TBI and FBI criminal background reports for every employee and volunteer associated with the entity.

2. Submit written staff training policies and procedures of 40 hours of qualifying education, which should include at least 2 hours of ethics.

3. Provide proof of the required $1,000,000 insurance policy and a $25,000 performance bond, as required by applicable statutes and rules.

4. Describe staffing levels and submit written standards for supervising probationers, including the types and frequency of required contacts.

5. Submit written procedures for handling court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, and community service.

6. Submit a written policy for handling indigent offenders.

7. Submit written procedures and policies for obtaining and presenting evidence to the court for revoking an offender’s probation.

8. Describe reporting and recordkeeping procedures.

9. Describe default and contract termination procedures.

10. Describe the process for transferring supervision of probationers to another private entity or to a public probation provider.

11. Submit a schedule showing the full range of probation fees and charges paid by supervised probationers, including any fees that fall outside the range.

12. Provide the names of all employees who will supervise probationers, along with their credentials and position within the entity.

Education Requirements

1. The Chief Executive Officer must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, administration, social work, or the behavioral sciences, and have two (2) years of experience in criminal justice or social work.

a. Upon approval by the Council, four (4) years of professional administrative experience with an organization providing services in criminal justice or social work may substitute for the bachelor’s degree.

2. Each employee responsible for probation supervision must have at least four (4) years of experience in criminal justice or a social services agency providing counseling services or must have a bachelor's degree and/or an associate degree from an accredited college or university.
 

Application & Fees

Complete the “Initial Private Probation Service Company Application” online at core.tn.gov. The registration fee with the Council is $100. The private entity shall pay an additional registration fee of $100.00 for each second or subsequent judicial district in which it provides probation supervision in Tennessee.

The applicant must be associated with an active private probation services company.

The applicant is to demonstrate through this application that he/she has the reasonable ability to furnish continuous probation services in compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and uniform contract requirements pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. 16-3-901, et seq. and Tenn. Comp R. & Reg. 11771.

Final processing of the application is subject to administrative review.

Requirements

Licensing Requirements

1. Complete 40 hours of Qualifying Education/Orientation.

2. Complete an Eligibility Verification Attestation.

3. Submit a Fingerprint Policy Acknowledgement.

4. Provide both a TBI and an FBI background check.

5. Provide a copy of a driver’s license or other picture ID.

Education Requirements

Each employee responsible for probation supervision must have at least four (4) years of experience in criminal justice or a social services agency providing counseling services or must have a bachelor's degree and/or an associate degree from an accredited college or university.
 

Application & Fees

Complete the “Initial Private Probation Service Officer” application online at core.tn.gov. In most cases, this application is completed by the company. There is no fee associated with an officer application.