{"id":21715,"date":"2026-01-26T12:01:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/?p=21715"},"modified":"2026-01-26T12:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:01:35","slug":"tennessee-updates-debt-resolution-license-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/tennessee-updates-debt-resolution-license-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Updates Debt Resolution License Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of Tennessee\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/publications.tnsosfiles.com\/acts\/114\/pub\/pc0287.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debt Resolution Services Act (DRSA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, anyone offering debt resolution services in Tennessee must apply for a new license in 2026. <\/span><b>The Tennessee Department of Commerce &amp; Insurance (TDCI) now regulates debt resolution licensing.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes took effect on <\/span><b>January 1, 2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue reading to learn how to remain compliant this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Were These Changes Introduced?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previously, the Tennessee Uniform Debt Management Services Act (UDMSA) regulated all debt settlement services. However, it focused on traditional debt management models and was too broad to address debt settlement negotiations effectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new DRSA establishes a dedicated framework that <\/span><b>enhances consumer protections by setting stricter standards for providers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This reduces deceptive and fraudulent debt resolution practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Needs a License?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance requires a license for <\/span><b>providers that offer debt resolution services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as debt negotiation, credit counseling, and debt settlement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you may be exempt if you fall under any of these categories:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Licensed Tennessee attorneys providing debt resolution services within an attorney-client relationship<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Account service providers performing only account administration functions<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Banks<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Certified public accountants<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Qualifying nonprofit entities<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Creditors negotiating on their own behalf<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Government officers\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Employees of a licensee who do not perform any direct debt resolution services<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Note: <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existing licenses issued under the Uniform Debt Management Services Act are valid only for non-debt resolution activities. You must obtain a new license from the TDCI before you can offer debt resolution services.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Are the New Licensing Requirements?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new Tennessee debt resolution licensing process is similar to the previous requirements under the UDMSA. To apply, you\u2019ll need to submit the following materials through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/core.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CORE licensing system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial statements from the past two fiscal years<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Copy of your consumer agreement forms and fee schedules<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Evidence of accreditation or certification by an approved independent accrediting body or national trade group<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>$50,000 surety bond<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fingerprinting and background checks for executive officers<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All licenses are valid for two years. However, you\u2019ll typically need to renew your surety bond annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did My Surety Bond Amount Change?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance <\/span><b>still requires a $50,000 surety bond for all applicants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A debt management services provider bond protects consumers from unfair or deceptive debt management practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Do I Get a TN Debt Resolution Bond?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must purchase your bond from an authorized surety company. As an online agency, SuretyBonds.com works with the top surety providers in Tennessee to find you the best pricing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply online for your free <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/states\/tennessee\/debt-management-services-provider-license-bond\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tennessee debt resolution bond quote<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Qualified applicants typically pay just $750\u2013$1,000.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next Steps<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since these changes are already in effect, you must comply with the new license requirements as soon as possible to avoid penalties and delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For any questions, refer to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/news\/2026\/1\/5\/new-licensing-requirements-consumer-protections-for-tn-consumers-through-debt-resolution-services-act.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TDCI website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or call 1 (800) 308-4358 to speak with one of our surety experts.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As part of Tennessee\u2019s Debt Resolution Services Act (DRSA), anyone offering debt resolution services in Tennessee must apply for a new license in 2026. The Tennessee Department of Commerce &amp; Insurance (TDCI) now regulates debt&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":21716,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tennessee-Updates-Debt-Resolution-Provider-License-Requirements.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Allie Webb","author_link":"https:\/\/www.suretybonds.com\/blog\/author\/alliesuretybonds-com\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Tennessee Updates Debt Resolution License Requirements | Surety Bond Insider<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In 2026, Tennessee debt resolution providers have new licensing requirements under the Department of Commerce and Insurance.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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