[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6461640,"mediaKeyId","5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd","parentId",5823572,"title","Licensing board approves applicant with past felony after Fresh Start review; denies separate preapproval","audioSeconds",873,"startMs",361000,"endMs",1234000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd&start=361&end=1234","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd/thumbnail_361000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461640/Tennessee/Licensing-board-approves-applicant-with-past-felony-after-Fresh-Start-review-denies-separate-preapproval","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461640-6c8122b67350952f3f97078a924bcf96/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657714&Signature=EZA2v0ITVlLy4paueIqHUITMTMGg-8HFzKkW1n-k8JC0lVlnMKoa2Cv282FZ9S-e9wZFj6zrF07ayu9XCyEIkttdKESngY7SHvJjWC~-LchCNTb-TS3H0J2nmAZOGV9nvKw9XEfPkd2zJydBs7QHU2V~TFNubGalbN6kh5eKhmEEZrdHgOdhCJJOc-PkNtri1zQST4pj9c8lpaWpXbJMVeEdK264O8AM5qWnNTh5wymV-9JLHiTL6IqsdEAGvdFz3OKKu-ASsd9cMYh2hydl90ctpLtqsxC0eUXU3FFpp8NXGdBZGo-WKHgQ8rrwS3a294awOrxK51N1rWSHmQOVXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Commerce & Insurance","date","2025-09-24T16:56:25.11Z","article","The Commerce & Insurance licensing board in Nashville approved a residential contractor license for applicant Chandler Beard on Sept. 23 after the board reviewed his 2013–2014 felony convictions and rehabilitation materials. The board discussed the decision under the Fresh Start Act standard the agency applies to applicants with criminal histories.

Legal counsel Kyle told the board that when deciding whether to deny or approve an application with prior convictions, the board must consider several factors \"pursuant to the Fresh Start Act,\" including the relationship between the nature of the crime and the occupation, whether the crime relates to the applicant's fitness to perform the trade, any evidence of rehabilitation and any applicable federal law. Kyle summarized the convictions in Beard's record as solicitation and especially aggravated exploitation of a minor, noting the convictions were from 2013–2014 and that Beard served roughly three months in jail and then was on probation for about 9 years and 9 months, which he said had ended.

Board members reviewed character letters and a written statement Beard provided. Beard's written statement, read into the record, said in part: \"I strive to approach every situation, be it business or personal with integrity and honor.\" After discussion, a member moved to approve Beard's residential license application; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Separately, the board considered a Fresh Start Act preapproval request from Sean Alvey, whose listed convictions include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and related offenses from 2022 and who remains on parole through October 2026. Counsel recommended denial of the preapproval because the convictions were recent, violent in nature and the board found the record lacked sufficient evidence of rehabilitation. Board members went through the Fresh Start factors (relationship of the crime to the occupation, the applicant's fitness, and evidence of rehabilitation) and concluded those factors weighed in favor of denying preapproval; the board proceeded accordingly.

The board did not adopt new, case-specific conditions in public that would limit Beard's scope of work in customers' homes, beyond the standard licensing requirements recorded in the application file. The transcript shows board members acknowledged sensitivity about allowing applicants with past sex-related convictions to work where children may be present and discussed the applicant's registration obligations.

The board's actions were procedural decisions on licensing eligibility under the Fresh Start Act; no criminal-justice determinations were made by the board itself. The transcript records discussion of the statutory factors and board members' votes; it does not show the board adopting any new written restrictions tied to these individual approvals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 23, 2025 Contractors Board meeting 9/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Commerce & Insurance licensing board approved a residential contractor license for an applicant who disclosed felony convictions more than a decade old after reviewing Fresh Start Act factors, and separately declined a preapproval request from an applicant still on parole for recent violent felonies.","taxTitle","Commerce & Insurance, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee","taxId",17379,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461625,"Board authorizes $6,000 consent-order settlement and warning in unlicensed-contractor case",1094,3478000,4572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd&start=3478&end=4572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd/thumbnail_3478000.jpg","/articles/6461625/Tennessee/Board-authorizes-6000-consent-order-settlement-and-warning-in-unlicensed-contractor-case","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461625-87c5c7409bcb68ae4c074fe7ec98574f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657714&Signature=drnqx-jv1tNCJnsKUQR7rlQlU1hp4r8tfnc1pHqPHdX8Ol0XcHjMcNUSQpQwPxoLGF0Hnhtm-bhMY0T2Ry2FYpHb7EoAAFd3C1D5proDGkZn9uPFjYMoUZiV3prradzyaoMn2AwWp5QuOqzc7VaVmEQ3jGvAnU9ufIPRothcD3~wLMhC1JctSHdfoGMh0miFn1~3yXSf5FuEo-S1gvhGuFI5sPMtm-KNai5CXtYBmlv0q200hI2FWB7c4eYFJdGT4HjreQXNb0EZWObZ5AkQcDCrwymMD4vT7X7P9r~4ZIyAzg6fqroJg~zENdvUkj5BnxOkBAKJntU~uAReN~FfQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce & Insurance licensing board authorized a $6,000 settlement offer and associated letter warning for a disciplinary case concerning alleged unlicensed contracting.

At the Sept. 23 meeting, legal staff presented a complaint file and offered a settlement in which the respondent would pay $6,000 and receive a letter warning; staff recommended the consent order as an alternative to litigation. The board voted to authorize the settlement offer and related formal charges under Tennessee Code cited in the file; the transcript indicates the board set a short acceptance window (about two weeks was discussed, and staff also offered 30 days in another exchange) and authorized staff to proceed to litigation if the respondent did not accept the consent order.

Board members discussed whether the conduct represented a prime-contractor role or subcontractor activity and noted statutory definitions that exempt certain subcontractors (electrical and plumbing excepted) under Tennessee statute 6-5-501. Board members expressed concern about the broader pattern of homeowners using subcontractors and the regulatory limits on enforcement, but the board authorized the $6,000 settlement in the case on a vote recorded in the transcript.

Staff said if the respondent is later issued a license, the disciplinary action could appear on the disciplinary-history report. The action authorizes staff to pursue formal charges and offers the consent-order settlement; the transcript shows the board agreed to the settlement and to seek acceptance before initiating litigation if necessary.","The Commerce & Insurance board authorized a proposed consent order settling a complaint against an unlicensed contractor for $6,000 with a letter warning and a two-week response period; if the respondent declines, the board signaled it would proceed to litigation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461630,"Licensing staff outline shrinking reserves, propose combining funds and future fee changes",236,1944000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd&start=1944&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd/thumbnail_1944000.jpg","/articles/6461630/Tennessee/Licensing-staff-outline-shrinking-reserves-propose-combining-funds-and-future-fee-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461630-8588fc5e18506bed33b5694ddab2f252/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657714&Signature=KfeI6WXrTh2sRC1Grz6n76j2tjxpgyInBYFjNGs0NbTapJWWfhu0uMWR9iXSZK4hMXNaqdl2sKBUnx~08TqMPFbNgJz7AZVZ6QGUTrj2tCMqGo6dF9Jkh-~Rmjv3NzfanFQKKmWjywRBH~vyzuI4~mke~KTOQ21bC3HYWIMOSRW53J1zF-djngSkksGJjcqwJ6zmmkdJsgFsdAmY39Q1QaWao54~ZDaN291zOdDfhxjDWIIB~hXr3JE1kKQ7L4HkiSOlKEo2-s4R7pSy6yrpD7kX36Pvg8y8NUslX6MFnVi~o-EJoukh~O3evnKdQL0R2VdqUqthR1P~SZqIZpd7Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department staff told the Commerce & Insurance licensing board on Sept. 23 that the agency administers two distinct funds for contractor licensing — one for contractors and home improvement and a separate fund for limited license entities (LLE and LLP) — and that reserves are decreasing.

Staff presented a four-year revenue-and-expense summary and said combining the two funds into one could extend the funds' runway. Staff said, without combining the funds, the contractors and home-improvement fund \"could run out sometime in FY28\"; combined, the two funds would extend runway to about FY31–FY32. Staff stressed the department is not in immediate dire straits and that no fee change was adopted at the meeting, but that fee adjustments across the board should be considered in the near future.

Staff also said the department had previously contributed $250,000 yearly to a separate Go Build initiative but that the Department of Labor now funds that program, which had been one factor contributing to recent budget shortfalls. The department noted that some proposed rule changes to add fees on certain application types (a retrospective rulemaking hearing was mentioned) could have generated between about $75,000 and $100,000 in recent years if they had been in effect, but that such changes would not fully resolve the funding gap.

Board members asked about the number of active licensees and new application volume; staff said there are about 35,000 active contractors statewide and that new applications and reinstatements have been rising, with 2025 year-to-date initial applications roughly at last year's total with three months remaining in the year.

Staff said any fee changes would require internal review, Attorney General review for constitutionality and legislative review; board members emphasized that any future rulemaking would require strong justification and advance notice to stakeholders.

No fee increases or rule changes were adopted at the Sept. 23 meeting; the discussion was recorded to inform future consideration of fund consolidation and potential fee adjustments.","Department staff told the Commerce & Insurance board that two licensing funds are drawing down reserves and proposed combining them to extend runway; board members were alerted that fee increases may be needed in coming years.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461635,"Board debates allowing multiple DBAs on a single contractor license, seeks guidance",956,2488000,3444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd&start=2488&end=3444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823572-819dc34531b583e94effa45206ee54fd/thumbnail_2488000.jpg","/articles/6461635/Tennessee/Board-debates-allowing-multiple-DBAs-on-a-single-contractor-license-seeks-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461635-a0c9565ab0c845313464a63ddefb809c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657714&Signature=iLa6vjmyCP4HkpH8vlU6K7jC1kO7hIK6ptrH82-GT6f1Q4NXQTqLFxIzGaMaSzOalSWDbqz1TnE55gyExdt69lvvY3iXg-h-GB6XCKhB59-KjWGbSSWQ0Mbe57K0L4zL7vsd3OEo3ppd~n98x0qu81qfSlwJbCKk-h4B6~C83tlcNnHCZh0JUKgXSNtTnvf~skAye9XHDDxtF6g9uyw1PQ7ArPEvXbJpbPMEb7p73Xod9OGWuQh7MFSLHdHcfcVpzGFMRCGohwVpwZTVoklGTo4GQdDauBbQ0gvuXa3bwJYaVCEl8gSjnEdolP-9pjCTOESQrk9TZVom1fsfI7GDmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce & Insurance licensing board discussed a recurring question on Sept. 23: whether a single licensed entity should be allowed to list more than one assumed name (doing-business-as or DBA) on a single contractor license.

Department staff told the board the secretary of state's office commonly allows multiple assumed names for a single LLC, but the board's rule requires a licensee to \"enter into contracts and operate relating to contracting business under the name in which it's licensed.\" Staff said one interpretation is that listing multiple DBAs on a license would be compliant if the company contracts under at least one of the names on the license; the opposing interpretation is that the rule exists to prevent public confusion and therefore the license should list only the name the entity will use to operate and contract under.

Board members raised examples and concerns about consumer confusion, permitting and enforcement: customers searching the license database might find a parent LLC name with two DBAs and be uncertain which name matches a particular contract or permit. One member said the most transparent approach is to require all assumed names the company uses to be listed on the license, while others said that would risk facilitating attempts to skirt the licensing process.

Members discussed limiting the number of DBAs on a license; staff said the licensing system has character limits on the license-name field and that state law permits multiple assumed names, but the board ultimately must decide what to allow on the license. A motion was made and seconded during the meeting to set the board's policy, and members asked staff to return with options and technical constraints (system character limits, statutory maximums or limits used by other states) before a final rule or vote was recorded in the public transcript.

The transcript does not record a final roll-call vote or an adopted rule on the issue during the Sept. 23 meeting; board members asked staff to research the maximum number of DBAs the database can display and to return with a proposal.

The discussion focused on transparency for consumers and code-enforcement officers and on enforcement practicality rather than on the underlying company-formation rules at the secretary of state's office.","The Commerce & Insurance board discussed whether one licensed entity should be allowed to list multiple assumed (DBA) names on a single contractor license, heard arguments about public transparency and permitting confusion, and left several implementation questions for staff follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Licensing board approves applicant with past felony after Fresh Start review; denies separate preapproval

Board authorizes $6,000 consent-order settlement and warning in unlicensed-contractor case

Licensing staff outline shrinking reserves, propose combining funds and future fee changes

Board debates allowing multiple DBAs on a single contractor license, seeks guidance