Frequently Asked Questions

Initial Application Packet: 

Policies and Procedures for your agency (policies required are found in the Licensure Rules)
An active filing with the Secretary of State

An application is considered complete only when all required documents and forms have been submitted. Surveyors are not assigned until all the Initial Application documents are received.
The complete Initial Application packet should be submitted simultaneously, within the same day, or your application will be incomplete and will be closed upon preliminary review.
For services that require a licensed business office, the site must be zoned and classified for business occupancy. Simply owning the location does not meet this requirement.
PSSA-Only licensing does not require business office.

A national criminal background check administered by Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) or a licensed private investigative company or licensed private investigative individual, through www.identogo.com and the VECHS waiver form.

Due to the high volume of both Initial and Renewal applications, review and determination of an Initial license may take at least six months. Initial applications are reviewed and assigned in the order they become complete. An application is considered complete only when all required documentation has been submitted.
The licensure timeline cannot move forward until accurate and complete documentation is received. Surveyors cannot pause their existing workload to prioritize an incomplete submission. Delayed or piecemeal responses may place your application behind others that become complete sooner.

A breakdown of the cost can be found in the Licensure Rules in Chapter 2 (0465-02-02-.05 FEES); however, an invoice will be provided and calculated based on the services that are applied for licensing.
Payment is expected upon receipt by invoice only. The assigned regional surveyor submits the invoice to the applicant once the application has been accepted.

Your agency’s policies and procedures must align with the DDA Licensure Rules. Failure to comply will result in a licensure delay and possibly denial.
The policy guidance can be found in DDA Licensure Rules
- Minimum Program Requirements for All Facilities/Services 0465-02-06
- Additional policy requirements for specific service types can be found in the corresponding DDA Licensure Rules

There will be a Licensure Surveyor assigned to work with the new applicants in each region.
To ensure we can assist you efficiently, please review all available guidance materials prior to reaching out. If clarification is still needed and is not addressed on the Licensure website or in other shared communications, please email DDA.Licensing@tn.gov with your specific question.

Avoid submitting graphic files like JPEG or TIFF.
Use PDF or DOC formats instead.
Documents should be neatly organized, aligned in the same direction, and ready for review.
Each document submitted must be labeled with your organization’s name and applicable regional information.

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, where one person owns and runs an unincorporated business which will not require a filing with the Secretary of State.

Attending the DDA Provider Credentialing Forum is highly encouraged. It provides valuable insights into the application process and increases your chances of success.
Additionally, we ask that you review the Become a Credentialed Provider website to determine whether your inquiry should be directed to Credentialing.