Tennessee Unarmed Security Guard License Training

Getting your unarmed security license in TN starts with state-approved training, and you can finish that step online in about four hours. Our Tennessee course covers the material the Department of Commerce & Insurance requires for an unarmed officer, so you can complete it from home in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, or Chattanooga and move straight to your application.

Become a security guard

In Tennessee, unarmed security officers are registered through the Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Private Protective Services program. The path is straightforward: complete the required unarmed training, get fingerprinted for a background check, and submit your registration application through an employing licensed security company.

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Complete state-approved unarmed security officer training.
  • Pass a criminal background check (fingerprint-based).
  • Register through a licensed security company in Tennessee.

Our online course handles the training step. You start immediately after checkout, learn at your own pace, and download your completion certificate the moment you finish. Ready to begin?Choose your Tennessee package.

Unarmed vs. armed security license in TN

An unarmed security license in Tennessee lets you work posts without a firearm: retail, hospitals, events, apartment complexes, and corporate lobbies. It requires the least training and is the fastest way to start working.

An armed security guard license adds a separate armed-officer training course, firearm qualification, and additional TDCI requirements before you can carry on duty. Most guards start unarmed to get hired quickly, then add the armed credential later if a higher-paying armed post calls for it.

If your goal is simply to get your security license in TN and start earning, the unarmed route is where nearly everyone begins.

Cost and timeline for a Tennessee security license

Our online unarmed training starts at $65, and adding career-enhancement electives (like De-escalation or Basic and Emergency First Aid) raises your pay potential without adding classroom time. On top of training, budget for the state registration fee and the fingerprint background check, both paid to TDCI or its processing vendor.

Timeline-wise, the training portion takes about four hours and can be done in a single sitting. Your certificate is available instantly. The state registration and background check are the parts that take longest, usually a couple of weeks, so finishing your training early keeps things moving.

For a full walkthrough of every step, read our complete guide to a TN unarmed security license. You can also compare requirements in other states from our online security guard training hub or jump to a neighboring program like Georgia or Texas.

State Approved Training Programs

Advance Your Career with
Certified Training

Choose the package that fits your professional development goals. The first 3 packages include state required certification.

State Required Certificate

$65 $85
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ No career enhancement electives
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit  
MOST POPULAR

State Required Certificate + 1 Elective

$95 $125
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 State credit and 1 Elective credit
Advanced

State Required Certificate + 3 Electives

$140 $205
  • ✓ State Required Certificate Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit and 3 elective credits   

Career Enhancement Electives are optional training courses taken in addition to your state required certification. Guards who complete electives earn approximately 23% more per hour than those who don’t. Examples include De-escalation Training, Power to Arrest, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Explore all electives

1 Elective

$35 $40
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 1 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 1 elective credit   

3 Electives

$90 $120
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 3 elective credits

5 Electives

$125 $200
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 5 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 5 Elective Credits   

Three Simple Steps to Get Started

  • Step 1
    Choose Your Package

    Start with the State-required certification, or bundle in 1–3 career enhancement elective to grow your skills and earning potential.

  • Step 2
    Complete Checkout

    Complete checkout in seconds. Your account instantly shows your available certification and career enhancement elective credits.

  • Step 3
    Redeem Your Credits

    Begin your state-required certification immediately. Use your career enhancement elective credits anytime to choose the specialty courses that help you qualify for better-paying posts.
Get Started

Courses Available in Tennessee Unarmed Security Guard License Training

Explore Our Complete Library of Career Enhancement Electives

Your career path is unique, and your training should be too. With access to over 60 state-approved career enhancement electives, our package system puts you in control. After your purchase, you can redeem your credits for any course in our library—whether you’re fulfilling site requirements like Fire Safety or advancing into high-paying Executive Protection roles, all at your own pace.

Administrative
SPECIALTY CERT: PUBLIC RELATIONS - COMMUNITY & CUSTOMER (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: ID VERIFICATION TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
De-escalation / Use of Force
SPECIALTY CERT: DE-ESCALATION OF FORCE SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS)
Emergency / Crisis Response
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: BASIC AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: FIRE SAFETY AND FIRE WATCH TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE II (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
Specialized / Advanced Skills
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: GENERAL DUTIES, WRITING REPORTS, & CONDUCTING PATROLS (6 HOURS)

Better training equals higher hourly rates

We Offer State-Required Certification

Get all the mandatory security training you need to qualify for work. Our certification courses meet state requirements and give you the foundational knowledge every guard must have to get licensed and hired.

+

Career-Enhancement Electives

Take your skills beyond the basics. Add optional career enhancement electives that strengthen your professionalism, expand your capabilities, and help you earn higher hourly rates than the average guard.

The only online security guard school

Built by security guards for security guards

that you will need to maximize your hourly earning potential.

On-Demand Learning

On-Demand Learning

Train anytime and anywhere at your own pace. Access all courses 24/7 so you can study whenever it fits your schedule.

Fully Convenient

Fully Convenient

Works seamlessly on phone, tablet, or desktop. No classrooms, no appointments. Learn your way instantly.

Easy & Accessible

Easy & Accessible

Clear lessons, intuitive navigation, and instant progress tracking. Designed to make learning simple for every future guard.

Cost-Effective Pricing

Cost-Effective Pricing

Affordable training with no hidden fees. Only pay for the career enhancement electives you choose, nothing extra.

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course we offer has been crafted to reflect the real requirements of the security industry. From foundational state-mandated training to advanced elective courses, our programs follow clear quality criteria, ensuring your learning is consistent, up-to-date, and job-ready.Whether you're preparing for state licensing, upgrading your skills, or working toward higher-level roles, our training gives you a strong, credible foundation.

Why Security Guard School is Better

Guards we get certified make more.

Security guard training isn't just about meeting state compliance; it is about establishing a competitive advantage in the job market. In today's security landscape, top-tier employers are actively seeking candidates who possess specialized skills beyond the basic Guard Card. By completing our comprehensive certification packages—which include essential career enhancement electives like Power to Arrest and De-escalation—you position yourself for the highest-paying roles in the industry. Whether you are targeting high-traffic retail environments or specialized private protection, our curriculum is specifically designed to maximize your hourly earning potential immediately upon hire.

  • Healthcare & Hospital Security: Commands higher pay for patient restraint and crisis intervention skills.
  • Corporate Office Protection: Professional "Class-A" environments requiring advanced access control knowledge.
  • Retail Loss Prevention: Active theft deterrence roles that pay significantly more than passive observation.
  • Event & Venue Security: Lucrative contracts for guards certified in crowd management and bag checking.
  • Construction Site Patrol: High-liability zones requiring specific asset protection and fire watch training.
  • Educational Campus Safety: Specialized positions mandating training in student interaction and campus patrol.

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour.

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See How We Stack Up

Features Security Guard School ShieldForce Academy National GuardCert Network Sentinel Security Institute
Fully Online Courses ✓
Access from phone, tablet, and computer		 Limited Limited Limited
Nationwide Certification Coverage ✓
Coast-to-coast compliance		 X X X
Instant Certificate Download ✓
Download anytime, anywhere		 X X X
Specialty Certifications ✓
Expand your skills + pay		 Limited Limited Limited
Interactive Online Training ✓
Modern & mobile-friendly		 X Limited X
Real Human Support, 24/7 ✓
Chat, phone & email		 X Limited Limited
Built by Industry Pros ✓
Career-focused curriculum		 X ✓ X
Government-Sponsored Training ✓
Eligible for state programs		 Limited X Limited
Trusted by 100K+ Guards ✓
Proven results		 X Unknown Unknown

Tennessee Unarmed Security License FAQs

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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.

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