Page 1 of 100
TN Private Investigation Company Exam Questions with
Correct Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -
JUST RELEASED
Exam Coverage Summary
The TN Private Investigation Company examination assesses knowledge of the Tennessee Private
Investigations Licensing and Regulatory Act (TCA Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 2), the Private Investigator
and Investigation Company Rules (Chapter 1175-01), business management, and professional standards
required for licensure . To qualify, the qualifying agent for a company must be at least 21 years of age,
demonstrate good moral character, and possess or employ an individual with 2,000 hours of verifiable
investigative experience or one year of related/applicable education . Applicants must pass the PSI-
administered exam, submit credit references, undergo a TBI fingerprint background check, and pay
licensing fees based on company size ($375 for sole practitioners, $750 for 2-5 employees, $1,500 for 6+
employees) . The exam covers the statutory definition of investigative services, prohibited acts,
recordkeeping, supervision of apprentices, continuing education (12 hours biennially), grounds for
disciplinary action (including civil penalties up to $2,000), reciprocal agreements, and exemptions from
licensure .
Exam Details:
• Provider: PSI Exams
• Fee: Varies by company size ($375 – $1,500)
• License Renewal: Biennial, 12 hours continuing education required
• Statutory Authority: TCA 62-26-201 et seq.; Rules 1175-01
• Key References: Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62, Chapter 26; Tennessee Administrative
Code 1175-01
Question 1
A person is applying as the qualifying agent for a new PI company. Which of the following is a mandatory
age requirement?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
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C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
Correct Answer: B
*Summary Rationale: TCA 62-26-206 requires the qualifying agent to be at least 21 years of age .*
Question 2
According to TCA 62-26-202, what is the definition of an "investigations company"?
A) A security guard service
B) A person who obtains or furnishes information regarding the identity, habits, conduct, business, or
character of any person
C) A private police force
D) A credit reporting agency
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: The statutory definition includes obtaining info on identity, habits, conduct,
business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, etc. .
Question 3
The "Private Investigators Licensing and Regulatory Act" is codified in which part of Tennessee Code?
A) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 1
B) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 2
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C) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 3
D) Title 62, Chapter 27
Correct Answer: B
*Summary Rationale: Part 2 is the short title for the Private Licensing & Regulatory Act (62-26-201) .*
Question 4
Unlicensed practice of private investigation is classified as what level of offense?
A) Civil infraction
B) Class A misdemeanor
C) Class E felony
D) No offense if no fee is charged
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Practicing without a license is a Class A misdemeanor under Tennessee law .
Question 5
What document must a private investigator licensed in Tennessee carry at all times when engaged in
investigative activities?
A) Birth certificate
B) Notarized surety bond
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C) Pocket Identification Card issued by the commissioner
D) Form of investigation plan
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: The PI identification card is issued in a wallet-sized, permanently laminated format;
it must be carried on the person during activities .
Question 6
Which of the following is an accurate description of "pretexting" as it applies to skip tracing?
A) Stakeout of a subject's home
B) Using a fabricated reason to obtain confidential records
C) A background credit check with consent
D) A public records request
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Pretexting is misrepresenting one's identity or purpose to gain protected
information, which is illegal in Tennessee .
Question 7
An applicant for a company license must demonstrate 2,000 hours of compensated, verifiable
investigative experience. Which alternative is acceptable?
A) Completion of high school GED
TN Private Investigation Company Exam Questions with
Correct Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -
JUST RELEASED
Exam Coverage Summary
The TN Private Investigation Company examination assesses knowledge of the Tennessee Private
Investigations Licensing and Regulatory Act (TCA Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 2), the Private Investigator
and Investigation Company Rules (Chapter 1175-01), business management, and professional standards
required for licensure . To qualify, the qualifying agent for a company must be at least 21 years of age,
demonstrate good moral character, and possess or employ an individual with 2,000 hours of verifiable
investigative experience or one year of related/applicable education . Applicants must pass the PSI-
administered exam, submit credit references, undergo a TBI fingerprint background check, and pay
licensing fees based on company size ($375 for sole practitioners, $750 for 2-5 employees, $1,500 for 6+
employees) . The exam covers the statutory definition of investigative services, prohibited acts,
recordkeeping, supervision of apprentices, continuing education (12 hours biennially), grounds for
disciplinary action (including civil penalties up to $2,000), reciprocal agreements, and exemptions from
licensure .
Exam Details:
• Provider: PSI Exams
• Fee: Varies by company size ($375 – $1,500)
• License Renewal: Biennial, 12 hours continuing education required
• Statutory Authority: TCA 62-26-201 et seq.; Rules 1175-01
• Key References: Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62, Chapter 26; Tennessee Administrative
Code 1175-01
Question 1
A person is applying as the qualifying agent for a new PI company. Which of the following is a mandatory
age requirement?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
, Page 2 of 100
C) 25 years
D) No minimum age
Correct Answer: B
*Summary Rationale: TCA 62-26-206 requires the qualifying agent to be at least 21 years of age .*
Question 2
According to TCA 62-26-202, what is the definition of an "investigations company"?
A) A security guard service
B) A person who obtains or furnishes information regarding the identity, habits, conduct, business, or
character of any person
C) A private police force
D) A credit reporting agency
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: The statutory definition includes obtaining info on identity, habits, conduct,
business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, etc. .
Question 3
The "Private Investigators Licensing and Regulatory Act" is codified in which part of Tennessee Code?
A) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 1
B) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 2
, Page 3 of 100
C) Title 62, Chapter 26, Part 3
D) Title 62, Chapter 27
Correct Answer: B
*Summary Rationale: Part 2 is the short title for the Private Licensing & Regulatory Act (62-26-201) .*
Question 4
Unlicensed practice of private investigation is classified as what level of offense?
A) Civil infraction
B) Class A misdemeanor
C) Class E felony
D) No offense if no fee is charged
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Practicing without a license is a Class A misdemeanor under Tennessee law .
Question 5
What document must a private investigator licensed in Tennessee carry at all times when engaged in
investigative activities?
A) Birth certificate
B) Notarized surety bond
, Page 4 of 100
C) Pocket Identification Card issued by the commissioner
D) Form of investigation plan
Correct Answer: C
Summary Rationale: The PI identification card is issued in a wallet-sized, permanently laminated format;
it must be carried on the person during activities .
Question 6
Which of the following is an accurate description of "pretexting" as it applies to skip tracing?
A) Stakeout of a subject's home
B) Using a fabricated reason to obtain confidential records
C) A background credit check with consent
D) A public records request
Correct Answer: B
Summary Rationale: Pretexting is misrepresenting one's identity or purpose to gain protected
information, which is illegal in Tennessee .
Question 7
An applicant for a company license must demonstrate 2,000 hours of compensated, verifiable
investigative experience. Which alternative is acceptable?
A) Completion of high school GED
