Tennessee Unarmed Security Guard License Training

How to Get Your Tennessee Security License Online

Tennessee registers unarmed security officers through the Department of Commerce & Insurance. You need to be at least 18, meet the state’s citizenship or residency requirements, and complete approved training before you apply.

That training is the course below — about four hours, online, and the certificate is available the moment you finish. The state’s initial application fee is currently $95.

Scroll down to pick your course — and to see exactly what to do after your training is complete.

State-approved training

Courses Available in Tennessee Unarmed Security Guard License Training

Explore our electives

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour. Each elective is a short, state-approved course in a skill employers pay more.

Every elective is $35.00

How it works

Get Started in 4 steps

  1. Purchase the course

    Pick your state course, or a card renewal if your card is running out. (Electives are optional: de-escalation, first aid, report writing, and they qualify you for better-paid posts.)

  2. Complete the training

    Study online at your own pace, on any device. Start the minute checkout is done and pick up wherever you left off.

  3. Get your certificate

    Finish the course and download your certificate of completion, the proof your state board or your employer asks to see.

  4. Get licensed and hired

    In most states you then apply to the state agency for your guard card: certificate, fingerprints, background check and the state fee. Then start applying for posts.

Licensing is set state by state. A few states, Alabama and Colorado among them, issue no state guard licence at all, and some require the application to be filed through the security company that hires you. Each course page lists what your state asks for.

After your training

Tennessee Security Guard License: What to Do After Completing Your Training

If you have completed the required Tennessee security guard training, the next step is to complete the state's application process through the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.

  1. Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the Basic Requirements

    For an unarmed security guard license, Tennessee requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and meet the state's citizenship or residency requirements.

  2. Step 2: Complete the Required Training

    Tennessee requires applicants for an unarmed security guard license to complete the required training covering topics such as orientation, legal powers and limitations, emergency procedures, and general security duties.

  3. Step 3: Submit Your Application

    Complete the Tennessee security guard application through the state's current licensing process.

    The current initial application fee listed by Tennessee is $95.

    Make sure you provide all required documentation and information.

  4. Step 4: Wait for Your License

    Tennessee will review your application and required information before issuing your license.

    Do not assume that completing training or submitting an application automatically authorizes you to work.

  5. Step 5: Maintain Your License

    Once licensed, make sure you stay current with Tennessee's renewal and training requirements.

    Check the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance for the most current renewal information before your license expires.

Important: Security licensing requirements can change. The information on this page is provided as a general guide. Always verify current requirements, applications, fees, and deadlines with the official licensing authority for your state before submitting an application or beginning work.

From our graduates

Hear From Security Guards Who Started Here

Thousands of working guards took their first course with us. Here are a few of them, in their own words.

  • Kevin Turner

  • Dylan Grant

  • Deshawn Carter

  • Tyrone Brooks

  • Marcus Bell

  • Derrick Mason

The state standard

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course is built to what the job actually asks for, from the state-mandated basics to the advanced electives, and kept current as the rules change.

Before you enroll

Tennessee Unarmed Security License FAQs

Will my security guard certification cover all cities and towns in Tennessee?
Yes, your security guard certification in Tennessee is valid statewide, covering allcities and towns. Once you are licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, you can work as a security guard anywhere in the state, provided you maintain your certification, complete any required training, and meet renewal requirements.

Wha tqualifications do you need to become a security officer in Tennessee?
To become a security officer in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old, passa criminal background check, and complete a state-approved training program. You must apply for and obtain a license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. If you want to become an armed security guard, additional firearms training and a state-issued armed guard license are required. You must also be employed by a licensed security company.

What disqualifies you from being a security guard in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you can be disqualified from becoming a security guard if you have felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions related to violence, theft,or dishonesty, or if you fail the required criminal background check. Other disqualifications include a history of substance abuse, mental health issues that impair judgment, or falsifying information on your application. Additionally, failure to complete the required training or meet the standards set by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance can also lead to disqualification.

How much does it cost to take a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the cost of a Level 2 unarmed security officer training course typically ranges from $100 to $200, depending on the training provider. This fee covers the required basic security training. Additional costs may include fees for background checks, fingerprinting, and the application for a security guard license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, which can add another $70 to $100. The total cost to become a licensed security officer in Tennessee generally ranges from $170 to $300.

What are the levels of security guards in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, security guards are generally categorized into two levels: unarmed and armed guards. Unarmed guards are required to complete basic security training and obtain a license from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to perform general security duties. Armed guards must complete additional firearms training, pass a background check, and obtain a state-issued armed guard license, allowing them to carry a firearm while on duty. Both levels require background checks and must meet state certification requirements.

Are Level 2 non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in Tennessee?
No, Level 2 non-commissioned security guards in Tennessee are not allowed to carry a firearm. Only armed security guards who have completed additional firearms training, passed a background check, and obtained an armed guard license from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance are authorized to carry a firearm while on duty.

How do I get my security guard license in Tennessee?
To get your security guard license in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old, complete a state-approved security training program, and pass a criminal background check. After training, you apply for a license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. If you want to be an armed guard, you must complete additional firearms training and obtain an armed guard license. Once your application is approved, you can work as a licensed security guard anywhere in the state.

How soon can I download my certificate after finishing?
Immediately. The moment you complete the final module, your certificate appears in your account to download and print, with no waiting period or mailing delay before you can present it to an employer.

How long does the Tennessee training take?
The online unarmed course runs about four hours and can be finished in one sitting. Your completion certificate is available instantly, so the state registration and background check become the only remaining steps.

Do career-enhancement electives help me get hired in TN?
They do. Adding electives like De-escalation or First Aid signals extra skill to employers, and guards who complete electives earn roughly 23% more per hour than those with only the base certificate.

Is my certificate valid in Nashville, Memphis, and the rest of the state?
Yes. The training meets the same statewide TDCI standard everywhere, so your certificate works whether you are posted at a Nashville hospital, a Memphis warehouse, or a Chattanooga event venue.

Can I complete the training fully online?
Yes. The training is 100% online and self-paced, so guards in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and across Tennessee can finish from any device without attending a classroom.

Will one course cover training if I later work in another state?
Not automatically. Each state sets its own requirements, so a Tennessee certificate covers Tennessee posts. If you relocate, we offer state-specific courses for Georgia, Texas, and more, so you can add the credential that new state requires.

Do I need a job before I get my Tennessee license?
Registration is processed through an employing licensed security company, so most applicants line up a position first. Finishing your training in advance means you are ready to register the moment you are hired.

From the field

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