For the purpose of these rules, the definitions, terms, and words set forth below shall apply and shall have the following meanings given:

1. (1) “Board” means the Board of Professional Bondsmen or its assigned designee.
2. (2) “Director” means the Executive Director of the Board.
3. (3) “Company,” “Professional Bonding Company” and “Professional Bondsman Company” mean a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged for profit in the business of furnishing bail, making bonds or entering into undertakings, as surety, in criminal proceedings, or for the appearance of persons charged with any criminal offense or violation of law or ordinance punishable by fine, imprisonment or death, before any of the courts of this state, including municipal courts or securing the payment of fines, judgments or damages imposed and of costs assessed by those courts upon preliminary or final disposition thereof.
4. (4) “Court” means any court in this state, including municipal courts, where the appearance of persons charged with any criminal offense or violation of law may be secured upon the issuance of bail.
5. (5) “Department” means the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
6. (6) “Professional Bondsman” means any person, agent, representative, or employee of a company, or those acting for the company, whether with or without compensation or salary, if the individual engages in any of the undertakings listed in the definition of a company. An individual acting as a bounty hunter without providing any other services as a bail bondsman is not covered by this definition.
7. (7) “Licensee” means a professional bonding company or a professional bondsman.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 40-11-301 and 40-11-321. Administrative History: Emergency rules filed December 26, 2025; effective through June 24, 2026. New rules filed March 19, 2026; effective June 17, 2026.