All Roll Calls
Yes: 190 • No: 53
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.
Sponsored By: Mark Cochran, Mark (Republican)
Became Law
Professions and Occupations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 9 costs, 1 mixed.
Many professional licenses need legal status
For many state and professional licenses, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. This covers licenses and registrations under Titles 37, 43, 44, 45, 47, 60, 62, 68, and 71. Examples include aeronautics instructors, animal‑ and agriculture‑related licenses, finance and provider registrations, and some health and safety permits. If you lack eligible status, you cannot apply for or receive these credentials.
New rules for court reporters
To be a licensed court reporter, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien and pass one of three national exams (NCRA RPR, NVRA CVR, or AAERT certified electronic reporter and transcriber). Applications must be signed and sworn on state forms. Your license number is valid for two years. You do not need to be a notary to give oaths while working as a court reporter.
Out-of-state licenses need status check
Before Tennessee accepts an out‑of‑state license, certificate, or registration, officials must verify that you are a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. They must confirm the other state did the check or verify your status themselves. No acceptance can happen until that check is complete.
Health licenses require legal status
Under the state’s health boards, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien to get or keep most licenses. Physicians can qualify if they show proof they applied for a valid U.S. work visa. Boards must verify that status when they accept an out‑of‑state license. If a report under § 4-1-609 is filed, the license is revoked at once; you may reapply after you gain eligible status. This revocation rule takes effect July 1, 2026 if HB 1711/SB 2108 becomes law. If you meet § 63‑1‑181 and all other rules, the board cannot deny your license. The dental hygiene board can license any qualified applicant; old citizen‑only wording is removed. Dispensing opticians must be 18 or older, be of good character, and meet school or supervised‑training requirements. Two related health licenses now follow the same § 63‑1‑181 eligibility rules.
Student visa holders can get alcohol permits
You can get alcoholic beverage licenses or permits if you are a U.S. citizen, a qualified alien (§ 4-58-102), or you hold a valid J-1 or F-1 student visa. The alcoholic beverage commission must verify J-1 or F-1 status for visa holders.
Citizenship checks for licenses and teachers
To get the license covered by state law § 47-26-1004, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien (defined in § 4-58-102). For out-of-state teaching certificates, the state board must confirm your U.S. citizenship or qualified-alien status. The board can accept the other state’s check or verify your status itself.
Court urged to limit law licenses
The law asks the Tennessee Supreme Court to set bar rules that limit law licenses to U.S. citizens or qualified aliens. This change is not automatic; the court must act to adopt it.
Educator licenses require legal status
To get an educator license, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. To use the listed endorsement exemption, you must also meet that status. Applicants without eligible status cannot receive these educator credentials.
Industry licenses need legal status
For certain industry licenses and certificates, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. This covers drug and device, explosives and fireworks, vehicle dealer, insurance producer, and mining programs. Without eligible status, you cannot get or keep these credentials.
Dentistry licenses require age 18 and character
To qualify under the dentistry licensing section (§ 63-5-110), you must be at least 18 and of good moral character and reputation. Applicants under 18 or who fail the character test do not qualify.
Proof of status now required
When you apply under § 53‑14‑105 or § 68‑135‑103, you must provide documents that prove U.S. citizenship or qualified‑alien status. Without proof, your application can be denied.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mark Cochran, Mark
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rebecca K. Alexander, Rebecca K.
Republican • House
Fred Atchley, Fred
Republican • House
Clark Boyd, Clark
Republican • House
Rush Bricken, Rush
Republican • House
Gino Bulso, Gino
Republican • House
Ed Butler, Ed
Republican • House
Kip Capley, Kip
Republican • House
Michele Carringer, Michele
Republican • House
Scott Cepicky, Scott
Republican • House
John Crawford, John
Republican • House
Tandy Darby, Tandy
Republican • House
Elaine Davis, Elaine
Republican • House
Clay Doggett, Clay
Republican • House
Rick Eldridge, Rick
Republican • House
Jeremy Faison, Jeremy
Republican • House
Andrew Farmer, Andrew
Republican • House
Monty Fritts, Monty
Republican • House
Ron M. Gant, Ron M.
Republican • House
Johnny Garrett, Johnny
Republican • House
Rusty Grills, Rusty
Republican • House
Michael Hale, Michael
Republican • House
David B. Hawk, David B.
Republican • House
Esther Helton-Haynes, Esther
Republican • House
Gary Hicks, Gary
Republican • House
Gary Hicks, Gary
Republican • House
Timothy Hill, Timothy
Republican • House
Dan Howell, Dan
Republican • House
Chris Hurt, Chris
Republican • House
Justin Jones, Justin
Democrat • House
Kelly Keisling, Kelly
Republican • House
Sabi 'Doc' Kumar, Sabi 'Doc'
Republican • House
Justin Lafferty, Justin
Republican • House
William Lamberth, William
Republican • House
Michael Lankford, Michael
Republican • House
Tom Leatherwood, Tom
Republican • House
Mary Littleton, Mary
Republican • House
Aron Maberry, Aron
Republican • House
Pat Marsh, Pat
Republican • House
Brock Martin, Brock
Republican • House
Brock Martin, Brock
Republican • House
Jake McCalmon, Jake
Republican • House
Debra Moody, Debra
Republican • House
Jerome Moon, Jerome
Republican • House
Bill Powers, Bill
Republican • Senate
Kevin D. Raper, Kevin D.
Republican • House
Jay D. Reedy, Jay D.
Republican • House
Shane Reeves, Shane
Republican • Senate
Tim Rudd, Tim
Republican • House
Iris Rudder, Iris
Republican • House
Lowell Russell, Lowell
Republican • House
Rick Scarbrough, Rick
Republican • House
CameronSpeaker Sexton, Cameron
Republican • House
Paul Sherrell, Paul
Republican • House
William Slater, William
Republican • House
John Stevens, John
Republican • Senate
Tom Stinnett, Tom
Republican • House
Bryan Terry, Bryan
Republican • House
Chris Todd, Chris
Republican • House
Kevin Vaughan, Kevin
Republican • House
Todd Warner, Todd
Republican • House
Dawn White, Dawn
Republican • Senate
Dave Wright, Dave
Republican • House
Jason Zachary, Jason
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
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
Pub. Ch. 955
5/18/2026Effective date(s) 07/01/2026, 05/07/2026
5/18/2026Signed by Governor.
5/7/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/6/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026HouseH. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 70, Nays 21 PNV 0
4/22/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0730)
4/21/2026HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0844)
4/21/2026HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - HA1245)
4/21/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 70, Nays 20, PNV 0
4/21/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/21/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/21/2026HouseReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/21/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/21/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1020)
4/21/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA1033)
4/21/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
4/14/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
4/14/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
3/18/2026HouseAction def. in Commerce Committee to 3/18/2026
3/11/2026HousePlaced on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026HouseAction def. in Commerce Committee to 3/11/2026
3/4/2026House
Bill Text
HA0730 (Substitute)
4/21/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0844
HA1245
Introduced
SA1020
SA1033
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