# Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-204: License required > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-204 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-204 - **Heading:** License required - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 62 / Chapter 26 / Section 62-26-204 ## Text (a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, it is unlawful for any person to act as an investigations company or private investigator without first obtaining a license from the commissioner. (b) After expiration of a license issued under former part 1, holders of such licenses may obtain the equivalent license under this part by complying with the terms and conditions for renewal prescribed in this part. (c) Each private investigator licensed in accordance with this part shall maintain a business address to be recorded with the commissioner. A licensed private investigator under this part is not required to affiliate with a licensed investigations company. (d) [Deleted by 2021 amendment.] (e) (1) A private investigator may retire the license issued in accordance with this part by making a request for retirement of the license in writing and paying the appropriate fees set by the commissioner. The written request must be accompanied by the license certificate and pocket card. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the commissioner of any change in address. Only licenses that are current and in good standing with the commissioner may be retired. No retired licensee may engage in any act defined in § 62-26-202 . (2) A retired license shall not be reactivated unless the licensee shows proof of completion of continuing education requirements as provided in § 62-26-225 sufficient to meet a licensee's current requirements. Upon receipt of proof of the continuing education requirements and payment of appropriate fees set by the commissioner, a retired license shall automatically be changed from retired to active. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 294, Secs.s4, s5 eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 294, s 3, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 1990, ch. 780, § 5; 1991, ch. 457, § 3; 1993, ch. 511, §§ 4, 5; 2000, ch. 677, § 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, it is unlawful for any person to act as an investigations company or private investigator without first obtaining a license from the commissioner. (b) After expiration of a license issued under former part 1, holders of such licenses may obtain the equivalent license under this part by complying with the terms and conditions for renewal prescribed in this part. (c) Each private investigator licensed in accordance with this part shall maintain a business address to be recorded with the commissioner. A licensed private investigator under this part is not required to affiliate with a licensed investigations company. (d) [Deleted by 2021 amendment.] (e) (1) A private investigator may retire the license issued in accordance with this part by making a request for retirement of the license in writing and paying the appropriate fees set by the commissioner. The written request must be accompanied by the license certificate and pocket card. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the commissioner of any change in address. Only licenses that are current and in good standing with the commissioner may be retired. No retired licensee may engage in any act defined in § 62-26-202 . (2) A retired license shall not be reactivated unless the licensee shows proof of completion of continuing education requirements as provided in § 62-26-225 sufficient to meet a licensee's current requirements. Upon receipt of proof of the continuing education requirements and payment of appropriate fees set by the commissioner, a retired license shall automatically be changed from retired to active. A retired license shall not be reactivated unless the licensee shows proof of completion of continuing education requirements as provided in § 62-26-225 sufficient to meet a licensee's current requirements. Upon receipt of proof of the continuing education requirements and payment of appropriate fees set by the commissioner, a retired license shall automatically be changed from retired to active. (1) A private investigator may retire the license issued in accordance with this part by making a request for retirement of the license in writing and paying the appropriate fees set by the commissioner. The written request must be accompanied by the license certificate and pocket card. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the commissioner of any change in address. Only licenses that are current and in good standing with the commissioner may be retired. No retired licensee may engage in any act defined in § 62-26-202 . (2) A retired license shall not be reactivated unless the licensee shows proof of completion of continuing education requirements as provided in § 62-26-225 sufficient to meet a licensee's current requirements. Upon receipt of proof of the continuing education requirements and payment of appropriate fees set by the commissioner, a retired license shall automatically be changed from retired to active. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 294, Secs.s4, s5 eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 294, s 3, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 1990, ch. 780, § 5; 1991, ch. 457, § 3; 1993, ch. 511, §§ 4, 5; 2000, ch. 677, § 1. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-201 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-202 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-204 License required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-205 Investigations company license - Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-205.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-206 Investigations company license - Applicants - Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-206.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-207 Private investigator license - Applicants - Requirements - Apprentice status](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-207.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-208 Commissioner - Investigation of applications - Issuance of license - Notification of denial - Identification card](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-208.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-209 Posting of license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-209.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-210 License not transferable or assignable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-210.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-211 Renewal - Validity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-211.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-212 Termination of duties - Notice - Substitute agent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-212.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-213 Notice to the commissioner - When required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-213.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-214 Investigations company - Change in ownership](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-214.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-26-217 Revocation of license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-217.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T62_C26_S62-26-204. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.