How to look up a license in Tennessee
To confirm a Tennessee license, search the board that issued it: Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, SOS, Tennessee Board of Nursing and 2 more for the cosmetologists, notaries, registered nurses and insurance agents, among others, we cover.
On this page
Official license searches in Tennessee
5 official searches from 5 boards cover the Tennessee licenses on this site. One row also links a complaint page.
| Board | Licenses it covers | Search | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners | cosmetologists | License search1 | – |
| Tennessee Secretary of State (SOS) | notaries | License search2 | – |
| Tennessee Board of Nursing | registered nurses | License search3 | – |
| Insurance Division | insurance agents | License search4 | – |
| Private Protective Services | security guards | License search5 | File a complaint5 |
What each search covers
A board's search lists only its own licenses:
- Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners: the 2 credentials it issues for cosmetologists, including Cosmetologist and Instructor (cosmetology instructor's license).
- Tennessee Secretary of State: the 2 credentials it issues for notaries, including Notary Public and Online Notary Public.
- Tennessee Board of Nursing: the 2 credentials it issues for registered nurses, including Registered Nurse – single-state license (valid only in Tennessee) and Registered Nurse – multistate license (Nurse Licensure Compact).
- Insurance Division: the 2 credentials it issues for insurance agents, including Insurance producer license and Insurance producer license (nonresident).
- Private Protective Services: the 4 credentials it issues for security guards, including Unarmed Security Guard/Officer registration, Armed Security Guard/Officer registration, Certified Security Guard Trainer (certified trainer) and Contract Security Company license.
Occupations without a state search here
- Plumbers: the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
- Electricians: the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
How to check a license
Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).
The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: cosmetologists, notaries, registered nurses, insurance agents, security guards.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Department of Commerce and InsuranceTennessee Department of Commerce and InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- FAQ: commission statusTennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business and Charitable OrganizationsChecked November 7, 2026
- Board of Nursing Frequently Asked QuestionsTennessee Board of Nursing (Tennessee Department of Health)Checked November 8, 2026
- Agent/Producer ResourcesTennessee Department of Commerce and InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- Private Protective Services homeTennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, Private Protective Services ProgramChecked November 7, 2026