Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-05-02-.08 - APPLICANTS FOR REGISTRATION CARDS

(1) Pending issuance or denial of a registration card, an individual may work as an unarmed security guard/officer if he or she:

(a) Has filed with the Commissioner an application which is sufficient on its face in all respects (except for proof of completion of required training). The Commissioner may consider the following documentation as proof that an application has been filed:

1. Postmarked certified United States Mail receipt addressed to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and evidencing certified return receipt postage paid;

2. Receipt evidencing shipment of the application to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance via a commercial courier service;

3. United States Mail return receipt;

4. A printed confirmation for an application and payment summary; or

5. Such other evidence of filing as the Commissioner may deem acceptable;

(b) Has paid the prescribed application and licensing fee; and

(c) Keeps on his or her person while on duty, a copy of the completed application that is on file with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

(d) Once an application for a security guard/officer has been denied, then the applicant may not perform the services of a security guard/officer by retaining a copy of a completed and filed application on his or her person.

(e) Once an application for a security guard registration has been denied based on a criminal record, the security guard must immediately cease and desist all security guard activities and may not reapply for a security guard registration, either armed or unarmed, for six (6) months from the date of the registration denial.

(f) A security guard/officer who is working on a pending application in a public school, public charter school, private school, or church-related school must also keep proof of all training requirements necessary to be posted in such school at all times while providing security or patrol services in or at such school, which may include:

1. A copy of a training form from a certified trainer indicated the completed training by the security guard/officer;

2. Any certifications, certificates, cards, or other documentation from an approved provider evidencing the security guard/officer's completion of the required training; and/or

3. Any proof or documentation of the security guard/officer's status being exempt from any training requirements.

(g) Any applicant who receives notification of the incomplete status of their application must immediately cease all work as a security guard until such deficiency in his/her application is remediated and the applicant can show proof of such remediation. The Commissioner may consider the following documentation as proof that any defect in an application has been remediated:

1. Correspondence, either in physical or electronic form, which confirms his/her application is complete;

2. Any evidence which tends to substantiate any missing documents and/or information not included in the applicant's original application have now been received by the program; or

3. Any other evidence of filing as the Commissioner may deem acceptable.

(2) Any holder of, or applicant for, an unarmed security guard/officer registration card who wishes to act as an armed security guard/officer must file a separate application (with the prescribed application and licensing fee) for an armed security guard/officer registration card.

(3) A security guard/officer who holds an active registration card or who has applied for a registration card but who has not completed the additional training required by T.C.A. § 62-35-118(a)(2)(B) must complete this additional training within fifteen (15) days of being employed by or otherwise providing services for a proprietary security organization that holds a license or permit for on-premises consumption from the alcoholic beverage commission or a beer board.

(4) If a security guard/officer is employed by a contract security company but not placed on a post that would require the additional training pursuant to T.C.A. § 62-35-118(a)(2)(B), then the security guard/officer will not need to complete the additional training unless or until the security guard/officer is placed on a post that would require the additional training required by T.C.A. § 62-35-118(a)(2)(B). If a security guard/officer has been employed by a contract security company for more than fifteen (15) days and is then placed on a post that requires the additional training pursuant to T.C.A. § 62-35-118(a)(2)(B), then the security guard/officer will have fifteen (15) days from the date of being placed on the post to complete the additional training, even if that exceeds fifteen (15) days from the date the guard was originally employed by the contract security company.

(5) A security guard/officer registrant or applicant who is or will be on a post that requires the additional training pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 62-35-118(a)(2)(B) or 62-35-118(e) must submit an application to the Commissioner to add the required classifications to his or her registration card that indicates this security guard/officer has or will complete the required trainings pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 62-35-118(a)(2)(B) or 62-35-118(e). This application must be submitted and all applicable fees paid prior to this guard working at this post. A copy of the application to add these trainings to the registration card must be kept on the security guard/officer's person, as described in subdivision (1) of this rule.

(6) A security guard/officer who is working at a post requiring the additional training pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 62-35-118(a)(2)(B) or 62-35-118(e) must keep an active registration card showing the added trainings on the card or a copy of the submitted application to add classifications to his or her registration card and proof of the payment of all applicable fees on his or her person while working as a security guard at this post.

(7) Any application for a registration card that fails to include any documents required upon submission of the application may be closed or denied at the discretion of the Commissioner.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-05-02-.08

Original rule filed November 17, 1987; effective January 1, 1988. Amendment filed October 21, 1988; effective December 5, 1988. Amendment filed July 19, 1990; effective September 2, 1990. Amendment filed December 14, 1990; effective January 28, 1991. Amendment filed February 28, 2001; effective May 14, 2001. Amendments filed March 21, 2025; effective 6/19/2025.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-35-103, 62-35-116, 62-35-119, and 62-35-129; and Public Acts of 1987, Chapter No. 436, Section 38(b).