1. (1) Qualifications:

   1. (a) Any individual who seeks to provide training to a security guard/officer to meet the qualifications of the Act, including in the use of any approved firearm(s) and/or less than lethal weapons, must qualify as a certified trainer in accordance with § 62- 35-126 and this rule.
   2. (b) An individual is qualified to provide training to a security guard/officer if the individual has sufficient experience, education, and/or teaching within the relevant subject areas the individual applies to train, as determined by the Commissioner. In addition to the one (1) year supervisory experience requirement, an individual must have at least five

2. (5) years of experience working and/or instructing within the given subject to be qualified to become certified as a security guard/officer trainer. All experience must be based on full-time, compensated working experience specifically related to the security industry, which may include relevant military and/or law enforcement experience.

   1. (c) A certified trainer does not need to hold a registration card related to the type of training the certified trainer is qualified to instruct, however, the certified trainer must be eligible for the type of registration card and/or classification(s) in order to be certified to instruct security guards/officers on the subject. The Commissioner may require the certified trainer to submit the same documentation required for a security guard/officer in order to establish the certified trainer is qualified with the Program. A certified trainer must notify the Commissioner within thirty (30) days of any incident, arrest, or other event that impacts the trainer’s qualifications or ability to instruct security guards/officers.
   2. (d) In order to be qualified to provide enhanced armed guard training, a certified officer must demonstrate personal experience and qualifications in the use and handling of rifles and shotguns, which must include relevant full-time law enforcement, security, and/or military experience.
   3. (e) All experience and education submitted for approval by the Commissioner must be specific to the requested certification and verifiable for the Commissioner. Failure for education or experience to be properly verified may result in the denial of a request for a certification.

3. (2) Any individual who wishes to become a certified trainer shall submit an application to the Commissioner on the prescribed form. The application shall include:

   1. (a) The full name and business address of the applicant;
   2. (b) Date and place of birth;
   3. (c) One (1) set of classifiable electronic fingerprints as required by the provider approved by the Commissioner;
   4. (d) One (1) head-and-shoulder photograph taken within the last six (6) months;
   5. (e) Disclosure of any affiliation with a contract security company or proprietary security organization;

   6. (f) Identification of the training that the applicant desires to administer:

      1. 1. Unarmed security guard/officer training; and/or
      2. 2. Armed security guard/officer training.

   7. (g) Identification of any additional classifications of training that the applicant desires to administer:

      1. 1. Baton training;
      2. 2. Chemical spray training;
      3. 3. Stun gun training;
      4. 4. De-escalation techniques;
      5. 5. Proper and safe restraint techniques;
      6. 6. First aid training;
      7. 7. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training;
      8. 8. Active shooter training; and/or
      9. 9. Enhanced armed guard training.
   8. (h) A resume outlining the education and experience of the applicant, including descriptions of all employment or occupations engaged in during the immediate past five (5) years;

   9. (i) Any documentary evidence of qualifications to conduct the training required by the Act, including but not limited to:

      1. 1. An instructor’s certificate issued by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission;
      2. 2. An instructor’s certificate issued by a federal, United States military, state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency;
      3. 3. An instructor’s certificate issued by the National Rifle Association;
      4. 4. For each type of less than lethal weapons training which the applicant desires to provide, a certificate showing that the applicant has completed a course in the instruction of persons in the proper use of the less than lethal weapon and the liabilities associated with its use;
      5. 5. For each type of less than lethal weapons training which the applicant desires to provide, a notarized statement by the applicant to the effect that the applicant has, for at least one (1) year prior to November 1, 1996, provided training to security guard/officers or law enforcement officers in the proper use of the less than lethal weapon and the liabilities associated with its use;
      6. 6. An active instructor’s certificate issued by the American Red Cross or another recognized and qualified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or first aid training organization or association;
      7. 7. An instructor’s certificate from any certifying agency, association, company, or organization showing the applicant is qualified to instruct individuals on de- escalation and/or safe and proper restraint techniques;
      8. 8. An instructor’s certificate from any certifying agency, association, company, or organization showing the applicant is qualified to instruct individuals on active shooter trainings; and/or
      9. 9. Any letters of recommendation from any previous employers, government agencies, or other qualified individuals or entities that attest to the applicant’s ability to provide trainings pursuant to §§ 62-35-118(a)(2)(B) or 62-35118(e).
   10. (j) The name and qualifications of any instructor whom the applicant intends to appoint to assist in the implementation of the training program.
4. (3) Each applicant for certification as a trainer must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and meet the qualifications for a registration card set forth in T.C.A. § 62-35-117. The one (1) year of supervisory experience required by T.C.A. § 62-35-126(a)(2) may consist wholly or partially of teaching the subject of security guard and patrol service.
5. (4) A trainer shall notify the Commissioner in writing within ten (10) days of any material change in information furnished in connection with an application for certification.
6. (5) If the Commissioner determines that an applicant for certification as a trainer is qualified to conduct only one (1) type of training permitted by this rule, the Commissioner shall limit the terms of the trainer’s certificate accordingly.
7. (6) Any instructor assisting in the implementation of a training program shall be under the supervision and control of the certified trainer by which he was appointed. The certified trainer shall be accountable for the performance of each instructor appointed.
8. (7) Any certified trainer appointing an instructor shall at the time of such appointment submit to the Commissioner documentation that the instructor meets the requirements of T.C.A. § 62- 35-126(c).
9. (8) If a certified trainer appoints an instructor to assist in any training, the instructor must be under the direct supervision of the certified trainer. The instructor shall not provide any training that the certified trainer is not certified to provide to security guards/officers, unless the instructor has been separately and independently approved by the Commissioner to provide said training. A certified trainer will be responsible and accountable for the actions of his or her instructor.
10. (9) The nonrefundable fee for certification as a trainer shall be one hundred and sixty dollars ($160.00). The certification shall expire two (2) years after the date of issuance, and shall be renewable upon payment of the renewal fee.
11. (10) The nonrefundable, nonproratable fee for timely renewal of certification as a certified trainer is one hundred and sixty dollars ($160.00). “Timely renewal” means that all documentation and fees required for renewal have been received by the Department of Commerce and Insurance prior to the expiration of that certified trainer certification.
12. (11) A certified trainer’s certificate, or a copy thereof, shall be conspicuously displayed at the trainer’s business address.
13. (12) When a security guard/officer has successfully completed training for a less than lethal weapon listed in this rule, the trainer shall provide the security guard/officer with a card on which the trainer has certified that the security guard/officer has successfully completed the appropriate training required to carry the weapon.

14. (13) No certified trainer may conduct online training for security guards or security guard applicants for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the Act unless the training has been approved of by the Commissioner to be provided in an online format. A certified trainer who wants to provide online training must submit an application to the Commissioner that includes the following information and documentation:

    1. (a) The specific type of training that will be provided online;
    2. (b) The method, type, and provider for the online training;
    3. (c) The methods the trainer will use to ensure authenticity of who receives the training; and
    4. (d) Copies of the provided training or access to the course and examination.
15. (14) Any training requirements in T.C.A § 62-35-118 that are related to the classroom firearm training, using a silhouette target course, or active shooter training shall be completed in person and shall not be conducted in whole or in part in an online setting. Notwithstanding this requirement, a trainer may use a computer or other electronic means to administer any written examinations required for these trainings or electronic media to assist in providing in person training. Any additional trainings related to these requirements that exceeds the statutory minimum training requirements may be completed in whole or in part online or remotely at the discretion of the trainer.
16. (15) Any certified trainer who wants to add any of the classifications listed in (2)(g)1.–8. to his or her certification must complete an application to add the classification(s) to his or her certification, submit proof of his or her qualifications to provide training in each classification the trainer is applying to add to his or her certification, and pay a nonrefundable fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
17. (16) Any certified trainer who wants to add the classification listed in (2)(g)(9) to his or her certification must complete an application to add the classification to his or her certification, submit proof of his or her qualifications to provide training in the classification the trainer is applying to add to his or her certification, and pay a nonrefundable fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). A certified trainer who wishes to renew this certification shall pay a nonrefundable fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00), which shall be due upon expiration and renewal of the certified trainer’s certificate. This renewal fee will not be prorated.
18. (17) Any certified trainer who wants to add the classification listed in (2)(g) to his or her certification must submit a curriculum, class information, examination, and any additional information requested by the Commissioner, for review prior to being approved to provide this training. The Commissioner may audit any training course prior to approval or at any time after, at the Commissioner’s discretion.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-35-118, 62-35-118(a), 62-35-126, 62-35-129, and 62-35-129(b). Administrative History: Original rule filed November 17, 1987; effective January 1, 1988. Amendment filed October 21, 1988; effective December 5, 1988. Amendment filed July 19, 1990; effective September 2, 1990. Amendment filed January 30, 1997; effective April 15, 1997. Amendments filed March 21, 2025; effective June 19, 2025. Emergency rules filed December 26, 2025; effective through June 24, 2026. Amendments filed March 17, 2026; effective June 15, 2026.