TennesseeHB 1709114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 20; Title 23; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 42; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 46; Title 47; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 57; Title 59; Title 60; Title 62; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69; Title 70; Title 71 and Chapter 463 of the Public Acts of 2025, relative to the regulation of professions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.

Most licenses require citizen or qualified alien

Many state licenses, permits, and certificates now require you to be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.” Agencies must apply this rule when deciding eligibility. Some applications also require you to submit proof of status. Examples include insurance producer licenses and various other professional permits and certificates. People who do not meet or document status cannot get these credentials.

Service provider registration adds citizenship checks

To register or be licensed as a provider under the state’s consumer‑protection chapter, you must be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.” Before accepting an out‑of‑state license or registration, the state must confirm the other state checked your status or will verify it now. Providers who cannot meet or document status cannot register or be licensed.

Alcohol licenses for citizens or verified students

Alcohol industry licenses and permits now go only to U.S. citizens, “qualified aliens,” or people with a valid J‑1 or F‑1 student visa. The Alcoholic Beverage Commission must verify J‑1/F‑1 visas. People without one of these statuses cannot get these alcohol credentials.

Citizenship or qualified alien for most licenses

The law requires most professional and educator licenses to go only to U.S. citizens or “qualified aliens” under § 4-58-102. Boards must verify that status, including before they accept an out-of-state license. Some applications must include proof of status, including those under §§ 53-14-105(b) and 68-135-103. If the state gets a § 4-1-609 report that your status is no longer valid, your license is revoked. The board must notify you, and you can apply again if you later qualify. Doctors may still be eligible if they have applied for a valid work visa. If you meet the status rule and all other qualifications, the board cannot deny your license for those reasons. Most parts take effect when this act becomes law and apply to new applications and renewals. One piece, § 63-1-181(c), begins July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. if HB 1711/SB 2108 becomes law.

Court reporter licenses add citizenship checks

To get a court reporter license, you must be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.” You must pass one of these exams: RPR, CVR, or AAERT certified reporter and transcriber. You must file a signed, sworn application on the state form. Licenses last two years and include a license number. Licensed court reporters may give oaths for reporting without being a notary.

Health and EMS licenses add status checks

Some health and emergency services licenses or certificates now require you to meet the statewide rule: be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.” If you meet that rule and all other qualifications, boards cannot deny a Title 63 license. These checks now apply to certain health and EMS credentials when you apply.

New age and training rules for health licenses

To take the dispensing optician exam, you must be at least 18, of good moral character, and either finish two years of the school course or have three years of supervised training (or an equivalent). Applicants under § 63-5-110 must also be at least 18 and be of good moral character and reputation. These rules set clear age and training steps before you can sit for an exam or be licensed.

Teacher credentials add citizenship checks

To use a specific teacher endorsement exemption, you must be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.” For certification by reciprocity, the State Board of Education must confirm another state checked your status or will verify it itself. You may need to show documents to use reciprocity.

Deletes clauses in several licensing laws

The law deletes specific numbered clauses in multiple Tennessee licensing statutes in Titles 4, 62, and 63. The removed text is not provided here. Agencies and licensees must follow the amended code. Practical effects depend on what was removed.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mark Cochran
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Rebecca K Alexander
Republican • House
Fred Atchley
Republican • House
Clark Boyd
Republican • House
Rush Bricken
Republican • House
Gino Bulso
Republican • House
Ed Butler
Republican • House
Kip Capley
Republican • House
Michele Carringer
Republican • House
Scott Cepicky
Republican • House
John Crawford
Republican • House
Tandy Darby
Republican • House
Elaine Davis
Republican • House
Clay Doggett
Republican • House
Rick Eldridge
Republican • House
Jeremy Faison
Republican • House
Andrew Farmer
Republican • House
Monty Fritts
Republican • House
Ron M. Gant
Republican • House
Johnny Garrett
Republican • House
Rusty Grills
Republican • House
Michael Hale
Republican • House
David B. Hawk
Republican • House
Esther Helton-Haynes
Republican • House
Gary Hicks
Republican • House
Gary Hicks
Republican • House
Timothy Hill
Republican • House
Dan Howell
Republican • House
Chris Hurt
Republican • House
Justin Jones
Democrat • House
Kelly Keisling
Republican • House
Sabi 'Doc' Kumar
Republican • House
Justin Lafferty
Republican • House
William Lamberth
Republican • House
Michael Lankford
Republican • House
Tom Leatherwood
Republican • House
Mary Littleton
Republican • House
Aron Maberry
Republican • House
Pat Marsh
Republican • House
Brock Martin
Republican • House
Brock Martin
Republican • House
Jake McCalmon
Republican • House
Debra Moody
Republican • House
Jerome Moon
Republican • House
Bill Powers
Republican • Senate
Kevin D. Raper
Republican • House
Jay D. Reedy
Republican • House
Shane Reeves
Republican • Senate
Tim Rudd
Republican • House
Iris Rudder
Republican • House
Lowell Russell
Republican • House
Rick Scarbrough
Republican • House
Cameron Speaker Sexton
Republican • House
Paul Sherrell
Republican • House
William Slater
Republican • House
John Stevens
Republican • Senate
Tom Stinnett
Republican • House
Bryan Terry
Republican • House
Chris Todd
Republican • House
Kevin Vaughan
Republican • House
Todd Warner
Republican • House
Dawn White
Republican • Senate
Dave Wright
Republican • House
Jason Zachary
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 190 • No: 53

House vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 2 4/22/2026

Yes: 70 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/21/2026

Yes: 26 • No: 6

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 70 • No: 20

House vote • 4/16/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2026

HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Yes: 17 • No: 4

House vote • 2/18/2026

HOUSE BUSINESS AND UTILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor.
5/7/2026
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/6/2026House
Signed by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/30/2026House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026House
H. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 70, Nays 21 PNV 0
4/22/2026House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0730)
4/21/2026House
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0844)
4/21/2026House
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - HA1245)
4/21/2026House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 70, Nays 20, PNV 0
4/21/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/21/2026House
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/21/2026House
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/21/2026Senate
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/21/2026Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1020)
4/21/2026Senate
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA1033)
4/21/2026Senate
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
4/21/2026Senate
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
4/14/2026House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
4/14/2026House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
3/18/2026House
Action def. in Commerce Committee to 3/18/2026
3/11/2026House
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026House
Action def. in Commerce Committee to 3/11/2026
3/4/2026House
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026House
Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026House

Bill Text

HA0730 (Substitute)
4/21/2026
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
HA0844
PDF
HA1245
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA1020
PDF
SA1033
PDF

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