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Guide · 3 min read

How to verify a private detective’s license in Tennessee

Anyone can call themselves a detective online. In Tennessee, doing the work for hire requires a license. Checking takes two minutes.

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The short version
  • Tennessee licenses private investigation companies and investigators through the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
  • Search verify.tn.gov for the company name and the investigator’s name.
  • Licensed investigators must meet training and background requirements.

Who licenses detectives in Tennessee

Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission

Tennessee’s Private Investigators Licensure Act requires companies and individuals who conduct private investigations for hire to be licensed. Licensing is administered by the Private Investigation and Polygraph Commission within the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

How to check

  1. Go to verify.tn.gov.
  2. Search for the company name, then the investigator’s name.
  3. Confirm the license is active and matches the business you are dealing with.

Why it matters

A licensed investigator has passed a background check, meets training requirements and is accountable to a state regulator. An unlicensed “investigator” may cut corners that put you and your case at risk. Read our hiring checklist.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different; talk to a Tennessee attorney about your case. Last reviewed October 25, 2026.

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How we can help

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Quick answers

Common questions

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Do private investigators need a license in Tennessee?

Yes. Companies and individuals conducting private investigations for hire must be licensed in Tennessee.

Where do I check a PI license in Tennessee?

At verify.tn.gov, the state’s license verification site.

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