Armed Security Guard / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Tennessee data shows for Armed Security Guards

Becoming a licensed armed security guard in Tennessee means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 35 training hours, no state exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Tennessee regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

The initial price tag is $110, and renewal costs $69 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, armed security guards should know: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
71/100
Armed Security Guard · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
35 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$110
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$35/yr
$69 every 2 years
Continuing Education B+
4.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
35 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$110
Renewal Fee
$69
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Armed Security Guard All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires 35 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $110. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Tennessee? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Tennessee means clearing the state's checklist: 35 hours of education. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for armed security guards: Not typically reciprocal. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Tennessee does require a background check before issuing an armed security guard license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Tennessee? ▼
To stay licensed as an armed security guard in Tennessee, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $69.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

Armed Security Guard in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an armed security guard-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Tennessee's armed security guard requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Armed Security Guard in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state armed security guard license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.