Licensed jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee: 7 occupations, 6 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Tennessee
Tennessee licenses 7 of the 7 occupations below at the state level. Security guards have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 2 credentials in all | Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners | Training 1,500 clock hours1 | $602 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | SOS | – | $123 | Every 4 years1 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse – single-state license (valid only in Tennessee) 2 credentials in all | Tennessee Board of Nursing | – | – | Every 24 months4 |
| Insurance agent | Insurance producer license 2 credentials in all | Insurance Division | Training 20 clock hours8 | $508 | Every 2 years8 |
| Plumber | Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) 2 credentials in all | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | – | $7510 | Every 2 years11 |
| Electrician | Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) 2 credentials in all | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | – | $5013 | Every 2 years14 |
| Security guard | Unarmed Security Guard/Officer registration 4 credentials in all | Private Protective Services | Training 4 clock hours15 | $7516 | Every 2 years1 |
Licensing boards
6 agencies issue the Tennessee licenses we cover:
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors: plumbers and electricians
- Private Protective Services: security guards
- Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners: cosmetologists
- Tennessee Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- Tennessee Board of Nursing: registered nurses
- Insurance Division: insurance agents
Moving to Tennessee with a license
No Tennessee board we cover publishes a list of accepted states for the main license. The boards for notaries and security guards publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement1 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route1 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Interstate compact privilege and Military service members and spouses567 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses19 |
| Plumber | Military service members and spouses12 |
| Electrician | Military service members and spouses12 |
| Security guard | – |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Tennessee license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Tennessee Code Unannotated - Free Public Access: search results for T.C.A. 56-6-103 to 56-6-121 (section…Tennessee Code Unannotated, free public accessChecked November 7, 2026
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0440-01 Licensing (Board of Cosmetology), compilation December 24, 2025Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Publications (Rules of the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology)Dated December 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Knox County Clerk - Notary PublicKnox County Clerk, Knox County, TennesseeChecked November 7, 2026
- Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Related Boards ch. 1200-10-01 General RulesTennessee Secretary of State, Publications (Division of Health Related Boards rules)Checked November 7, 2026
- Rules of the Tennessee Board of Nursing ch. 1000-01 General Rules and Regulations Governing NursingTennessee Secretary of State, Publications (Rules of the Tennessee Board of Nursing)Dated April 8, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Nurse Licensure CompactTennessee Board of Nursing (Tennessee Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- Board of Nursing - ApplicationsTennessee Board of Nursing (Tennessee Department of Health)Dated October 2, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
- Rule ch. 0780-01-56 Licensing Requirements for Insurance ProducersTennessee Secretary of State (Rules of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Insurance Division)Dated September 10, 2020Checked November 8, 2026
- Agent/Producer ResourcesTennessee Department of Commerce and InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)Tennessee Board for Licensing ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Rules of Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Chapter 0680-4 Limited Licensed PlumbersTennessee Secretary of State, Division of PublicationsDated November 14, 2005Checked November 7, 2026
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-01 LicensingTennessee Secretary of State, Official Compilation of Rules and Regulations (Board for Licensing Contractors)Dated November 18, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board for Licensing ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-03 Limited Licensed ElectriciansTennessee Secretary of State, Official Compilation of Rules and Regulations (Board for Licensing Contractors)Dated September 2, 2001Checked November 7, 2026
- PPS Get a LicenseTennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, Private Protective Services ProgramChecked November 7, 2026
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0780-05-02 Private Protective ServicesTennessee Secretary of State, Division of Publications (Rules of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Regulatory Boards)Dated June 15, 2026Checked November 7, 2026