1. Eligibility Requirements for Armed Guard Registration

To apply for an Armed Security Guard registration in Tennessee, an individual must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
• Be legally allowed to possess a firearm under state and federal law
• Complete the required 12 hours of armed guard firearms training
• Submit fingerprints for a TBI/FBI background check
• Submit a passport‑style photo
• Meet all background restrictions

2. Required Training for Armed Guards (12 Hours Total)

A. Classroom Instruction – 8 Hours

Covers:

• Firearm safety
• Legal use of force
• Deadly force laws
• Firearms liability
• Safe carry and storage
• Range safety rules
• Responsibilities of an armed security officer

B. Range Qualification – 4 Hours

Applicant must:

• Demonstrate safe firearm handling
• Fire the state‑approved qualification course
• Score 70% or higher on the target

Training must be conducted by a PPS‑Certified Firearms Instructor.

3. Fingerprint & Photo Requirements

Fingerprints

• Mandatory TBI/FBI background check
• Completed through IdentoGO
• Required for all armed guard applicants
• Not repeated if valid prints are already on file

Photo

• Passport‑style color photo
• Plain background
• Uploaded through the CORE system

4. Application Requirements

To receive an Armed Guard registration card, the applicant must submit:

• Armed guard application
• Firearms training certificate (IN‑1313)
• Fingerprints (if not already on file)
• Passport‑style photo
• State fees

5. Background Restrictions (Disqualifiers)

A. Automatic Disqualifiers

An applicant cannot be licensed as an armed guard if they have:

Felonies

• Any felony conviction
• Any pending felony charge
• Any felony diversion not yet dismissed

Violent or Weapon‑Related Misdemeanors (within 5 years)

• Assault
• Domestic assault
• Aggravated assault
• Reckless endangerment
• Stalking
• Unlawful weapon possession
• Any crime involving violence or threat of violence

Drug‑Related Misdemeanors (within 5 years)

• Drug possession
• Drug paraphernalia
• Sale/distribution of controlled substances

Theft, Fraud, or Dishonesty (within 5 years)

• Theft
• Burglary
• Fraud
• Forgery
• Identity theft
• Any crime involving moral turpitude

Federal Firearm Prohibitions (18 U.S.C. § 922(g))

Disqualifies armed guard applicants, including:

• Misdemeanor domestic violence convictions
• Orders of protection restricting firearm possession

B. Discretionary Disqualifiers

PPS may deny registration for:

• Pattern of arrests showing disregard for the law
• Documented substance abuse issues
• Mental instability affecting judgment
• Dishonorable discharge (case‑by‑case review)
• Lack of good moral character