New Legislation Proposed To Prohibit Illegal Aliens From Professional Licensure In Tennessee

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Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

New Tennessee legislation has been filed that would prohibit illegal aliens from obtaining professional licensures in certain fields.

House Bill 1709 (HB1709), sponsored by State Representative Mark Cochran, would no longer allow illegal aliens to become licensed contractors, realtors, and educators, along with other career fields.

Cochran says the proposed legislation is intended to provide protection for those who are working legally in the country.

“Tennesseans have been very clear about what they want. They want enforcement on illegal immigration. They don’t want their state as any type of harbor of illegal immigrants,” Cochran stated.

In order to obtain licensure in the affected areas, individuals would have to a United States citizen or a qualified alien. If they are unable to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, they would be required to show proof that they have applied for “a valid visa that would authorize such person to work in the United States under federal law.”

“It doesn’t target anyone who is in this country, legally and lawfully. And so, so certainly, if you’re here on any kind of work visa, you know that’s a lawful, legal resident,” Cochran s aid.

In 2022, Governor Bill Lee signed an amended caption bill into law that opened the door for illegal aliens to obtain professional and commercial licenses. At the time, supporters claimed that the new law only applied for those who were “legally within the United States, and legally authorized to work.”

Governor Lee Signs Bipartisan Bill Opening Door For Non-U.S. Citizens To Receive Professional Licenses In TN

However, it actually provided a way for those who are technically illegal immigrants under DACA or Temporary Protected Status to work in those fields.

New legislation was passed in 2024 to repeal the 2022 law, with an amendment that restored state law’s previous language regarding professional license eligibility.

State Law “Repealed,” Non-U.S. Citizens No Longer Eligible To Receive Professional & Commercial Licenses In Tennessee

HB1709 has been assigned to the Business and Utilities Subcommittee and is scheduled to be heard on February 18th, 2026. (contact information can be found below.)

Companion Senate Bill 1901 (SB1901), sponsored by State Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta-D15) has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

If passed, the law would go into effect immediately and would apply to “licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, or registrations applied for or renewed on or after that date.”