Tennessee Private Investigation Company
Practice Exam 2026/2027 | 200 Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Explanations for
PI Licensing Success Study Guide
• This 200-question practice exam covers all core topics tested on the Tennessee
Private Investigator licensing exam — from state statutes and ethics to surveillance,
legal procedures, and client confidentiality.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the correct option, and studying the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
understanding of why each answer is right.
TENNESSEE PRIVATE INVESTIGATION COMPANY PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 200
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Explanations
1. Which Tennessee statute governs the licensing of private investigators in
the state?
A. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-35-101 et seq.
B. Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-101 et seq.
C. Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-401 et seq.
D. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-7-101 et seq.
E. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-26-101 et seq.
Correct Answer: A. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-35-101 et seq.
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Act is found
under TCA § 62-35-101 et seq. This statute establishes all requirements for
licensing, regulation, and conduct of private investigators and private investigation
companies in Tennessee.
2. Who is responsible for issuing private investigator licenses in Tennessee?
A. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
,B. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
C. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office
D. The Tennessee Department of Safety
E. The Tennessee Secretary of State
Correct Answer: B. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and
Insurance
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
(TDCI) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and overseeing private
investigators and private investigation companies in the state.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a private investigator
license in Tennessee?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
Correct Answer: D. 21 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee law requires that applicants for a private
investigator license be at least 21 years of age. This age requirement ensures a level
of maturity and life experience necessary for the responsibilities of the profession.
4. How many years of experience in investigative work are required before
applying for a private investigator license in Tennessee?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 4 years
E. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 3 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee requires applicants to have at least three years
of experience in investigative work or a related field. This ensures that licensed
investigators possess the practical knowledge needed to perform their duties
competently.
5. Which of the following would DISQUALIFY an applicant from receiving a
private investigator license in Tennessee?
A. Having a minor traffic violation
B. Being convicted of a felony
C. Having a civil lawsuit filed against them
D. Being self-employed previously
E. Having worked in retail security
Correct Answer: B. Being convicted of a felony
EXPERT RATIONALE: A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor under
Tennessee's PI licensing statute. The law is designed to ensure that those entrusted
with sensitive investigative work maintain a record of integrity and lawful conduct.
6. Which of the following best describes the role of a licensed private
investigator in Tennessee?
A. Enforcing criminal laws on behalf of the state
B. Making arrests for misdemeanor offenses
C. Conducting investigations for private clients within the bounds of the law
, D. Issuing subpoenas independently
E. Carrying out search warrants
Correct Answer: C. Conducting investigations for private clients within the
bounds of the law
EXPERT RATIONALE: Private investigators in Tennessee are licensed to conduct
lawful investigations on behalf of private clients. They do not have law enforcement
authority and cannot make arrests, issue subpoenas, or execute warrants.
7. In Tennessee, which of the following is TRUE regarding a private
investigator's authority to carry a firearm?
A. All licensed PIs are automatically authorized to carry a firearm
B. PIs may carry a firearm only if they hold a valid carry permit
C. Firearms are prohibited for all PIs regardless of permit status
D. PIs must carry a firearm at all times while on duty
E. Firearm authority is granted by the TDCI automatically upon licensing
Correct Answer: B. PIs may carry a firearm only if they hold a valid carry
permit
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee does not automatically grant firearm-carrying
authority with a PI license. A private investigator must separately obtain a valid
handgun carry permit under state law to legally carry a firearm while working.
8. What must a private investigation company in Tennessee have in order to
legally operate?
A. A federal business license
B. A licensed private investigator as its qualifier or manager
C. At least five employees
Practice Exam 2026/2027 | 200 Questions with
Verified Answers and Detailed Explanations for
PI Licensing Success Study Guide
• This 200-question practice exam covers all core topics tested on the Tennessee
Private Investigator licensing exam — from state statutes and ethics to surveillance,
legal procedures, and client confidentiality.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the correct option, and studying the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
understanding of why each answer is right.
TENNESSEE PRIVATE INVESTIGATION COMPANY PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 200
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Explanations
1. Which Tennessee statute governs the licensing of private investigators in
the state?
A. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-35-101 et seq.
B. Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-101 et seq.
C. Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-401 et seq.
D. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-7-101 et seq.
E. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-26-101 et seq.
Correct Answer: A. Tennessee Code Annotated § 62-35-101 et seq.
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Act is found
under TCA § 62-35-101 et seq. This statute establishes all requirements for
licensing, regulation, and conduct of private investigators and private investigation
companies in Tennessee.
2. Who is responsible for issuing private investigator licenses in Tennessee?
A. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
,B. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
C. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office
D. The Tennessee Department of Safety
E. The Tennessee Secretary of State
Correct Answer: B. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and
Insurance
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
(TDCI) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and overseeing private
investigators and private investigation companies in the state.
3. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a private investigator
license in Tennessee?
A. 18 years old
B. 19 years old
C. 20 years old
D. 21 years old
E. 25 years old
Correct Answer: D. 21 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee law requires that applicants for a private
investigator license be at least 21 years of age. This age requirement ensures a level
of maturity and life experience necessary for the responsibilities of the profession.
4. How many years of experience in investigative work are required before
applying for a private investigator license in Tennessee?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 4 years
E. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. 3 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee requires applicants to have at least three years
of experience in investigative work or a related field. This ensures that licensed
investigators possess the practical knowledge needed to perform their duties
competently.
5. Which of the following would DISQUALIFY an applicant from receiving a
private investigator license in Tennessee?
A. Having a minor traffic violation
B. Being convicted of a felony
C. Having a civil lawsuit filed against them
D. Being self-employed previously
E. Having worked in retail security
Correct Answer: B. Being convicted of a felony
EXPERT RATIONALE: A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor under
Tennessee's PI licensing statute. The law is designed to ensure that those entrusted
with sensitive investigative work maintain a record of integrity and lawful conduct.
6. Which of the following best describes the role of a licensed private
investigator in Tennessee?
A. Enforcing criminal laws on behalf of the state
B. Making arrests for misdemeanor offenses
C. Conducting investigations for private clients within the bounds of the law
, D. Issuing subpoenas independently
E. Carrying out search warrants
Correct Answer: C. Conducting investigations for private clients within the
bounds of the law
EXPERT RATIONALE: Private investigators in Tennessee are licensed to conduct
lawful investigations on behalf of private clients. They do not have law enforcement
authority and cannot make arrests, issue subpoenas, or execute warrants.
7. In Tennessee, which of the following is TRUE regarding a private
investigator's authority to carry a firearm?
A. All licensed PIs are automatically authorized to carry a firearm
B. PIs may carry a firearm only if they hold a valid carry permit
C. Firearms are prohibited for all PIs regardless of permit status
D. PIs must carry a firearm at all times while on duty
E. Firearm authority is granted by the TDCI automatically upon licensing
Correct Answer: B. PIs may carry a firearm only if they hold a valid carry
permit
EXPERT RATIONALE: Tennessee does not automatically grant firearm-carrying
authority with a PI license. A private investigator must separately obtain a valid
handgun carry permit under state law to legally carry a firearm while working.
8. What must a private investigation company in Tennessee have in order to
legally operate?
A. A federal business license
B. A licensed private investigator as its qualifier or manager
C. At least five employees
