Tennessee Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Tennessee does not require a state-level license just to breed dogs, according to available sources. The state's original Commercial Breeder Act, found at Tennessee Code Annotated Title 44, Chapter 17, Part 7, expired and was not renewed, so its rules for commercial breeders are no longer in force. Some non-government guides say commercial breeders with 10 or more fertile female dogs must register with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, but this claim is not confirmed by an official government source and appears to trace back to the expired or proposed law, so it should be treated with caution. Breeders may still fall under the federal Animal Welfare Act: a USDA license is generally required if you have more than 4 breeding females and sell puppies sight-unseen or ship them to buyers in other states. One reference also notes that a retailer license concept applies where a non-breeder holds and sells 25 or more dogs or cats within a set period, though this is not confirmed as current state law by an official source.

Because Tennessee does not have an active state dog breeder license, there is no state application process to complete at this time. If you meet federal thresholds, you must apply through USDA APHIS; the agency's application page is at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply, and APHIS offers a Licensing and Registration Assistant to help you decide if you need a license. To confirm whether federal licensing applies, review USDA's guidance and answer the questions in the APHIS assistant tool. You should also contact your city or county animal control office, since local governments may require kennel permits, business licenses, or zoning approval. Available state sources do not list a state phone number or website for a breeder license because no such program is currently operating.

There is no current state dog breeder license fee in Tennessee because the state does not run an active licensing program. Available state sources do not specify any state application, license, or renewal fee for breeders. If you need a federal USDA license, fees are set under the Animal Welfare Act and are handled through APHIS. Local governments may charge their own permit or business-license fees, so check with your city or county for exact amounts.

Tennessee does not currently conduct state inspections of dog breeders because there is no active state licensing program. Breeders who hold a federal USDA license are subject to inspection by USDA APHIS under the Animal Welfare Act. Local kennel permits may also come with inspection requirements set by a city or county. Available state sources do not describe any current state-run inspection process for breeders.

Tennessee does not currently impose state-level record-keeping rules specifically for dog breeders, according to available sources. If you hold a federal USDA license, you must keep detailed records as required by the Animal Welfare Act regulations. These federal records can include information about the acquisition, sale, and transport of animals. Check the USDA APHIS regulations for the exact records and retention periods that apply to licensed breeders.

Because Tennessee has no active state breeder licensing law, there are no state license-violation penalties for breeders at this time. However, Tennessee's animal cruelty laws still apply, and humane society agents may seize mistreated animals and arrest people who violate the state's animal protection laws. Breeders who should be federally licensed but are not can face enforcement action from USDA APHIS under the Animal Welfare Act. Violating a local kennel permit or zoning rule can also lead to fines or other penalties set by the city or county.