The assistant commissioner may approve an independent accrediting organization if the assistant commissioner finds, based on the totality of the information provided, that the independent accrediting organization provides accreditation that is substantially equivalent to the accreditation provided by the independent accrediting or certifying organizations approved by the commissioner. Approval by the assistant commissioner shall be valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of approval, at which time the independent accrediting organization shall make a new request for approval. An independent accrediting organization shall provide the following information on a form approved by the assistant commissioner in its request for approval:

1. (1) The name of the independent accrediting organization;
2. (2) The phone number, mailing address and e-mail address—if applicable—of the independent accrediting organization;
3. (3) A list of other states that have approved the independent accrediting organization to provide accreditation of debt-management companies or similar organizations;
4. (4) The number of years that the independent accrediting organization has offered accreditation for debt-management companies or similar organizations;
5. (5) A complete list of the standards that accredited companies must meet; and
6. (6) Such other information as the assistant commissioner may request in order to determine that the independent accrediting organization is substantially equivalent to the accreditation provided by the independent accrediting or certifying organizations approved by the commissioner.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 47-18-5506 and 47-18-5532. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 28, 2016; effective January 26, 2017. Rule renumbered from 0780-08-01. Amendments filed March 17, 2026; effective June 15, 2026.