Tennessee Private Investigator License
The core, state-controlled cost to get a Tennessee PI license is $390 ($150 application, $100 license, $140 exam), plus separate fingerprinting fees paid to IdentoGO/TBI/FBI. Renewal is $100 every two years with 12 hours of CE. All figures come from Tennessee’s official rules and TDCI.
The private investigator license cost in Tennessee includes a $150 state application fee, a $100 initial license fee, and a $100 renewal every two years; the state PI exam costs $140. Fingerprinting is required and paid to IdentoGO/TBI/FBI separately. No state-set insurance is required for individual PIs. TDCI – Get a License; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1175‑01‑.11; 1175‑01‑.12; PSI Exam Bulletin; 1175‑01‑.03 (Fingerprinting).
Requirements last verified: 2026-07-27
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Tennessee Private Investigation & Polygraph Commission, Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI). Official page. |
| Application fee | $150 (individual Private Investigator). 1175‑01‑.11. |
| Initial license fee | $100 (individual PI). 1175‑01‑.11. |
| Exam fee | $140 (administered by PSI). PSI Exam Bulletin. |
| Renewal fee/cycle | $100 every two years (individual PI). 1175‑01‑.12; renewal interval confirmed on TDCI – Get a License. |
| Continuing education | 12 hours per two‑year renewal period. TDCI – Get a License; TDCI CE guidance. |
| Minimum age | 21 years. TDCI – Get a License. |
| Background check/fingerprints | Electronic fingerprints required; fees are paid directly to IdentoGO/TBI/FBI and are separate from TDCI fees. Amount set by TBI/FBI/vendor (subject to change). 1175‑01‑.03; TDCI Identogo notice. |
| Insurance/bond | No Commission‑set insurance or bond for an individual PI license is specified in the PI rules; business insurance may be required by employers or for company licensure. TDCI – Get a License; 1175‑01 rules. |
| Company license (if opening your own agency) | Additional company application and license fees apply based on number of investigators ($250–$1,000 application; $125–$500 license). Experience requirement: employ or possess 2,000 hours of compensated investigative experience. 1175‑01‑.11; TDCI – Get a License. |
How to calculate your private investigator license cost in Tennessee
- Confirm eligibility and gather documents. Verify you meet age, citizenship, character, and education/CE rules. See TDCI’s PI requirements and CE policy. TDCI – Get a License; TDCI CE guidance.
- Budget the state fees. Plan for $150 (application) + $100 (initial license) = $250 to obtain the license, plus the $140 exam. 1175‑01‑.11; PSI Exam Bulletin.
- Schedule and pay for fingerprints. Register with IdentoGO and pay the TBI/FBI processing fee separately (amount set by TBI/FBI/vendor, not TDCI). 1175‑01‑.03.
- Take and pass the Tennessee PI exam. Pay $140 to PSI and pass the exam covering statutes and rules. PSI Exam Bulletin.
- Submit application and initial license payment. File through TDCI’s licensing portal and pay the $150 application and $100 license fees. TDCI – Get a License; 1175‑01‑.11.
- Plan for renewals and CE. Renew every two years for $100 and complete 12 hours of CE per cycle; late renewal penalty is $100 if within 30 days. 1175‑01‑.12; TDCI – Get a License.
Private investigator license cost in Tennessee: complete breakdown
At minimum, an individual seeking a Tennessee PI license will pay three state-controlled items: a $150 application fee, a $100 initial license fee, and a $140 exam fee. After issuance, the biennial renewal is $100. Fingerprinting is mandatory and paid separately to IdentoGO/TBI/FBI. 1175‑01‑.11; 1175‑01‑.12; PSI Exam Bulletin; TDCI – Get a License; 1175‑01‑.03.
Optional and situational costs
- Starting a PI company? Add company application ($250–$1,000) and company license fees ($125–$500) based on number of investigators. 1175‑01‑.11.
- Late renewal penalty. $100 if within 30 days of expiration for PI licenses. 1175‑01‑.12.
What Tennessee requires to get a private investigator license (and how it affects cost)
Tennessee requires applicants to be at least 21, pass a state PI exam, complete criminal history checks (TBI/FBI), and meet character standards; license renewals are every two years with 12 hours of CE each cycle. These steps drive the main costs listed above. TDCI – Get a License; TDCI CE guidance; PSI Exam Bulletin.
For a step-by-step budgeting and paperwork walkthrough tailored to 2026, pair this cost guide with our Tennessee private investigator license: 2026 checklist and our national primer on private investigator requirements: what you need in 2026.
Related License Navigator guides: private investigator license cost in Alaska: 2026 guide · Private investigator license cost in Vermont: 2026 guide · Private investigator license cost in West Virginia: 2026 fees
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a private investigator license in Tennessee?
Plan for $150 (application) + $100 (initial license) + $140 (exam) = $390 in state-controlled fees, plus separate fingerprinting charges paid to IdentoGO/TBI/FBI. Renewal is $100 every two years. Official sources: 1175‑01‑.11; 1175‑01‑.12; PSI Exam Bulletin; TDCI.
Do I have to buy insurance to hold a Tennessee PI license?
The Commission’s individual PI licensing rules list no mandatory insurance or bond for individuals. If you open a company or work as a contractor, your business or client may require insurance. Verify business needs separately. Sources: TDCI – Get a License; PI Rules.
What are the continuing education costs?
You must complete 12 hours of CE each two‑year cycle; costs vary by provider and are separate from the $100 state renewal fee. Sources: TDCI – Get a License; TDCI CE guidance.
How much is fingerprinting for Tennessee PI licensing?
Fingerprint fees are paid directly to IdentoGO and cover TBI/FBI processing; the exact amount is set by TBI/FBI/vendor and can change. Budget separately and check IdentoGO when you schedule. Sources: 1175‑01‑.03 (Fingerprinting); TDCI notice.
Are there extra fees if I’m forming a PI company in Tennessee?
Yes. Company application fees range from $250–$1,000 and company license fees $125–$500 depending on the number of investigators; renewals mirror those tiers. Source: 1175‑01‑.11; 1175‑01‑.12.
Want a personalized cost checklist with links to the right forms? License Navigator can map your Tennessee PI steps and total out-of-pocket in minutes—so you don’t miss a required fee or deadline.
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