State Guide

Tennessee Business License

This guide covers Tennessee's general business license requirements — state-level registration, local city and county licenses, fees, and renewal timelines.

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Overview

Tennessee requires most businesses with gross receipts over $3,000 to obtain a Business License from the County Clerk in each county where they maintain a business location. The license is renewed annually.

Businesses must also register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for sales tax collection if they sell taxable goods or services.

Tennessee Business License (County Clerk)

Primary agencyCounty Clerk (in each Tennessee county)
Legal authorityTennessee Code Annotated § 67-4-704
Key noteTennessee County Clerk issues Business License annually. Standard license ($15) required for businesses with gross receipts between $3,000–$100,000; Minimal Activity License ($15) for under $3,000.

Initial Registration

Filing methodIn person at County Clerk's office
Agency fee$15 standard license; fee varies for some business types

Registration Renewal

Filing methodAnnual renewal at County Clerk's office
Agency fee$15 annually
Due dateOn or before business anniversary date

Local General Business Licenses

Tennessee cities may have additional local licensing requirements on top of the county business license.

Counties

Anderson CountyBedford CountyBenton CountyBledsoe CountyBlount CountyBradley CountyCampbell CountyCannon CountyCarroll CountyCarter CountyCheatham CountyChester CountyClaiborne CountyClay CountyCocke CountyCoffee CountyCrockett CountyCumberland CountyDavidson CountyDecatur CountyDeKalb CountyDickson CountyDyer CountyFayette CountyFentress CountyFranklin CountyGibson CountyGiles CountyGrainger CountyGreene CountyGrundy CountyHamblen CountyHamilton CountyHancock CountyHardeman CountyHardin CountyHawkins CountyHaywood CountyHenderson CountyHenry CountyHickman CountyHouston CountyHumphreys CountyJackson CountyJefferson CountyJohnson CountyKnox CountyLake CountyLauderdale CountyLawrence CountyLewis CountyLincoln CountyLoudon CountyMacon CountyMadison CountyMarion CountyMarshall CountyMaury CountyMcMinn CountyMcNairy CountyMeigs CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyMoore CountyMorgan CountyObion CountyOverton CountyPerry CountyPickett CountyPolk CountyPutnam CountyRhea CountyRoane CountyRobertson CountyRutherford CountyScott CountySequatchie CountySevier CountyShelby CountySmith CountyStewart CountySullivan CountySumner CountyTipton CountyTrousdale CountyUnicoi CountyUnion CountyVan Buren CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWeakley CountyWhite CountyWilliamson CountyWilson County

Cities & Townships

AlcoaBartlettBrentwoodBristolChattanoogaClarksvilleClevelandColumbiaCookevilleCrossvilleDicksonFranklinGallatinGoodlettsvilleGreenevilleHendersonvilleJacksonJohnson CityKingsportKnoxvilleLa VergneLebanonMaryvilleMemphisMillingtonMount JulietMurfreesboroNashvillePortlandShelbyvilleSmyrnaSpring HillSpringfieldWhite House

EntityEngine does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the issuing agency. Confirm with County Clerk (in each Tennessee county) →

Frequently Asked Questions

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