Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for PI applicants?

1. Must be a US citizen or resident alien

2. Must have no history of violent crime

3. Must not have been declared incompetent by a court

4. Must possess good moral character

The correct answer is: Must have no history of violent crime

The requirement for private investigator applicants in Tennessee emphasizes maintaining public trust and safety, which includes ensuring that individuals permitted to work in this capacity possess good moral character, have not been declared incompetent by a court, and are either U.S. citizens or resident aliens. However, while a history of violent crime can certainly reflect on a candidate's character, the specific statutorily defined requirements do not explicitly include a prohibition based solely on past violent criminal history. This highlights that, while those with violent crime histories may be seen as less suited for the role, not having a history of violent crime is not a formalized requirement in the same manner as the other criteria listed. It's important to note that applicants still undergo background checks where such information could influence the approval process. Thus, this makes the option referring to the history of violent crime the correct choice for something that is not a formal requirement for obtaining a private investigator license in Tennessee.