Second Chance Occupational Licensing Reform in Tennessee

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In Tennessee, state law often prevents ex-offenders from working in occupations that require a license, even if they have served their time and the crime was nonviolent.

Nearly 1 in 3 Tennessee have a criminal record.

Over 14,000 Tennesseans are released from prison each year and reenter society.

46% of ex-offenders in Tennessee are arrested again in three years following their release, often because of a failure to reintegrate into society and find a job.

Recidivism costs Tennessee more than $40 million annually.

Former inmates who stay employed for one year post-release are 35% less likely to commit another crime compared to those who don't have a job.

Nearly 1 in 5 jobs in Tennessee requires a license.

States with more barriers to occupational licensing experienced a 9% increase in recidivism rates.

States with fewer barriers experienced a 2.5% decrease in recidivism rates.

Tennessee policymakers should support occupational licensing reforms that create a path for ex-offenders without a history of violent felonies or sexual offenses to earn a license, such as:

• Extend the state’s ban on blanket criminal history bans to include all licenses.
• Require licensing boards to consider the age of the ex-offender when the crime was committed, personal character references, and other materials during the application process.
• Prevent licensing boards from denying a license based on vague “good moral character” or “moral turpitude” requirements.
• Prevent licensing boards from denying a license to an ex-offender due to a crime committed many years ago for which the threat of recidivism is low.
• Block licensing boards from denying a license to an ex-offender based on their criminal records unless the crime is directly related to the occupation.
• Prevent licensing boards from denying a license to an applicant based on an arrest that did not lead to a conviction of a crime.