Tennessee licensing laws

To obtain a debt collection license in Tennessee, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Tennessee Collection Service Board, provide a surety bond of $10,000, pass background checks for all control persons, and meet net worth or financial requirements. The application review typically takes 30-90 days.

Debt collection licenses in Tennessee generally require annual renewal. Renewal generally involves submission of a renewal application, payment of renewal fees, updated surety bond confirmation, and any required annual reports. Late renewals may incur additional penalties.

Mortgage companies generally apply through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) for Tennessee mortgage licensing. Requirements include a completed MU1 form, surety bond, audited financial statements, business plan, background checks (FBI criminal and credit) for all control persons, and net worth requirements. Individual MLOs are generally required to complete pre-licensing education (20 hours minimum including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of non-traditional lending, plus Tennessee-specific hours), pass the SAFE MLO test, and submit an MU4 form through NMLS.

Mortgage licenses in Tennessee are renewed annually through NMLS. Company renewals require updated financial statements, bond confirmation, and payment of renewal fees. MLOs are generally required to complete continuing education (8 hours minimum annually, including Tennessee-specific requirements) and pay renewal fees through NMLS. The renewal period typically runs November 1 through December 31.

The bond is posted with the city or county that approves the plat, not a state agency. The local government (the obligee) sizes the security from the project engineer's estimate of the improvements still to be built (streets, curbs, sidewalks, storm drains, water and sewer), and the developer files the executed bond with the development or subdivision improvement agreement. Many Tennessee jurisdictions reduce the required amount as phases are inspected and accepted.

The bond stays in force until the local government inspects and accepts the improvements and releases the security; it is not renewed on a fixed license cycle.

Charitable organizations register with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming before soliciting contributions in Tennessee, whether the ask happens in person, by mail, by phone, or online to Tennessee residents. A typical filing includes the state registration form (or the multistate Unified Registration Statement where accepted), the IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation and bylaws, a list of officers and directors, the most recent IRS Form 990 or financial statements, and disclosure of any professional fundraiser contracts.

Common exemptions cover religious organizations, educational institutions, and small organizations under a revenue threshold, but exemption is rarely automatic; many states require an exemption filing. Registration fees are typically tiered to annual contributions; confirm the current schedule with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming.

Charitable registrations in Tennessee renew annually, generally keyed to the organization's fiscal year end, with updated financial reporting (IRS Form 990 or audited financials above the statutory revenue threshold) and the renewal fee. Late renewals can incur penalties and suspend the organization's authority to solicit.

To obtain a money transmitter license in Tennessee, applicants generally need to submit a completed application to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, provide a surety bond of $25,000-$500,000, demonstrate minimum net worth of $100,000, provide audited financial statements, implement a comprehensive BSA/AML filings program, and pass background checks for all control persons. Many states now accept applications through NMLS. The application process typically takes 3-12 months depending on the state and complexity of the applicant's business model.

Money transmitter licenses in Tennessee generally require annual renewal. Renewal typically requires submission of audited financial statements, updated surety bond, quarterly or annual transaction reports, BSA/AML filing documentation, and payment of renewal fees. Some states require call report filings on a quarterly basis throughout the year.

Apply for or renew your credit services organization registration with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and file a $100,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond renews alongside the underlying credit services organization registration.

Apply for or renew your motor vehicle dealer license with the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission and file a $50,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the motor vehicle dealer license term and renews on the same cycle (about every 2 years).

Apply for or renew your notary public commission with the Tennessee Secretary of State (elected by county, commissioned by the state) and file a $10,000 surety bond as part of the application. The surety issues the bond form the state accepts and files it for you.

The bond runs with the notary public commission term and renews on the same cycle (about every 4 years).

There is no statewide contractor license bond to file in Tennessee. Tennessee licenses contractors by exam and financial statement, with bonds only in narrow special cases. Contractors still encounter surety bonds at the project level (bid, performance, and payment bonds on public and many private jobs) and through city or county contractor licensing programs that require their own bonds.

With no statewide license bond, there is nothing to renew at the state level in Tennessee. Keep any local license or permit bonds and project bonds current under their own terms.