Tennessee · Snapshot open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14

Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-1-106: Judges to be lawyers - Exceptions

(a) In addition to the qualifications provided for judges by the Constitution of Tennessee, Article VI, §§ 3 and 4, judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, court of criminal appeals, chancery courts, circuit courts, criminal courts, and courts exercising the jurisdiction imposed in one (1) or more of the chancery courts, circuit courts, or criminal courts shall be learned in the law, which must be evidenced by the judge: (1) Being authorized to practice law in the courts of this state; (2) Being in good standing with the board of professional responsibility; and (3) Not having been publicly censured by the board of professional responsibility or suspended or disbarred from the practice of law within the ten (10) years preceding the judge's term of office for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; provided, that this subdivision (a)(3) does not apply to those serving in a judicial position as of October 1, 2022. (b) (1) This section shall not apply to courts of general sessions in counties of this state having a population according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census as follows: not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000 (2) This section shall not apply to judges of the county courts nor to chairs of county courts in the various counties of this state except in those counties where such judges or chairs exercise general criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by the criminal and circuit courts, jurisdiction of purely civil cases in which a jury is provided for, except insanity proceedings and condemnation of land proceedings, and jurisdiction to hear and determine divorce cases. (c) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) to the contrary, this section shall apply to any county having a population of not less than two hundred eighty-seven thousand seven hundred (287,700) nor more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred (287,800), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state
according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state. (d) Notwithstanding any other public or private act, law or charter provision, subsection (a) shall also apply to judges of city courts of all cities of this state having a population in excess of one hundred sixty thousand (160,000), according to the federal census of 1980 or any subsequent federal census. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1120, s 1, eff. 10/1/2022. Acts 1961, ch. 283, § 1; 1965, ch. 85, § 1; 1965, ch. 336, § 1; 1973, ch. 312, § 1; 1974, ch. 521, § 1; T.C.A., § 17-119; modified; Acts 1983, ch. 180, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 201, § 1.
(a) In addition to the qualifications provided for judges by the Constitution of Tennessee, Article VI, §§ 3 and 4, judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, court of criminal appeals, chancery courts, circuit courts, criminal courts, and courts exercising the jurisdiction imposed in one (1) or more of the chancery courts, circuit courts, or criminal courts shall be learned in the law, which must be evidenced by the judge: (1) Being authorized to practice law in the courts of this state; (2) Being in good standing with the board of professional responsibility; and (3) Not having been publicly censured by the board of professional responsibility or suspended or disbarred from the practice of law within the ten (10) years preceding the judge's term of office for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; provided, that this subdivision (a)(3) does not apply to those serving in a judicial position as of October 1, 2022.
(1) Being authorized to practice law in the courts of this state;
(2) Being in good standing with the board of professional responsibility; and
(3) Not having been publicly censured by the board of professional responsibility or suspended or disbarred from the practice of law within the ten (10) years preceding the judge's term of office for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; provided, that this subdivision (a)(3) does not apply to those serving in a judicial position as of October 1, 2022.
(b) (1) This section shall not apply to courts of general sessions in counties of this state having a population according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census as follows: not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400...................
19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000 (2) This section shall not apply to judges of the county courts nor to chairs of county courts in the various counties of this state except in those counties where such judges or chairs exercise general criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by the criminal and circuit courts, jurisdiction of purely civil cases in which a jury is provided for, except insanity proceedings and condemnation of land proceedings, and jurisdiction to hear and determine divorce cases.
(1) This section shall not apply to courts of general sessions in counties of this state having a population according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census as follows: not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000
not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400...................
19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000
not less than
nor more than
4,000....................
4,500
4,700....................
4,800
4,900....................
4,950
5,100....................
5,200
5,250....................
5,300
5,900....................
6,000
6,250....................
6,300
7,250....................
7,300
7,800....................
7,825
8,000....................
8,400
8,400....................
8,500
8,500....................
8,600
9,500....................
9,571
10,600....................
10,700
11,500....................
11,511
11,512....................
11,525
11,850....................
11,900
11,900....................
11,950
12,170....................
12,200
12,500....................
12,600
13,000....................
13,500
14,300....................
14,400
15,400....................
15,500
16,100....................
16,200
17,000....................
17,500
18,000....................
18,500
18,800....................
18,850
19,000....................
19,100
19,100....................
20,000
21,000....................
21,100
21,450....................
21,500
21,500....................
21,600
22,200....................
22,300
24,200....................
24,240
25,500....................
25,600
26,950....................
27,000
27,650....................
27,700
28,600....................
28,650
30,400....................
30,500
39,100....................
39,200
41,550....................
41,600
42,150....................
42,200
250,000....................
300,000
(2) This section shall not apply to judges of the county courts nor to chairs of county courts in the various counties of this state except in those counties where such judges or chairs exercise general criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by the criminal and circuit courts, jurisdiction of purely civil cases in which a jury is provided for, except insanity proceedings and condemnation of land proceedings, and jurisdiction to hear and determine divorce cases.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) to the contrary, this section shall apply to any county having a population of not less than two hundred eighty-seven thousand seven hundred (287,700) nor more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred (287,800), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state.
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) to the contrary, this section shall apply to any county having a population of not less than two hundred eighty-seven thousand seven hundred (287,700) nor more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred (287,800), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state.
ccording to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state.
(d) Notwithstanding any other public or private act, law or charter provision, subsection (a) shall also apply to judges of city courts of all cities of this state having a population in excess of one hundred sixty thousand (160,000), according to the federal census of 1980 or any subsequent federal census.

Where this section sits in the code

TN Code
Title 17
Chapter 1

according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state. (d) Notwithstanding any other public or private act, law or charter provision, subsection (a) shall also apply to judges of city courts of all cities of this state having a population in excess of one hundred sixty thousand (160,000), according to the federal census of 1980 or any subsequent federal census. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1120, s 1, eff. 10/1/2022. Acts 1961, ch. 283, § 1; 1965, ch. 85, § 1; 1965, ch. 336, § 1; 1973, ch. 312, § 1; 1974, ch. 521, § 1; T.C.A., § 17-119; modified; Acts 1983, ch. 180, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 201, § 1.

(1) Being authorized to practice law in the courts of this state;

(2) Being in good standing with the board of professional responsibility; and

(3) Not having been publicly censured by the board of professional responsibility or suspended or disbarred from the practice of law within the ten (10) years preceding the judge's term of office for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; provided, that this subdivision (a)(3) does not apply to those serving in a judicial position as of October 1, 2022.

(b) (1) This section shall not apply to courts of general sessions in counties of this state having a population according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census as follows: not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400...................

19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000 (2) This section shall not apply to judges of the county courts nor to chairs of county courts in the various counties of this state except in those counties where such judges or chairs exercise general criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by the criminal and circuit courts, jurisdiction of purely civil cases in which a jury is provided for, except insanity proceedings and condemnation of land proceedings, and jurisdiction to hear and determine divorce cases.

(1) This section shall not apply to courts of general sessions in counties of this state having a population according to the federal census of 1960 or any subsequent federal census as follows: not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400.................... 30,500 39,100.................... 39,200 41,550.................... 41,600 42,150.................... 42,200 250,000.................... 300,000

not less than nor more than 4,000.................... 4,500 4,700.................... 4,800 4,900.................... 4,950 5,100.................... 5,200 5,250.................... 5,300 5,900.................... 6,000 6,250.................... 6,300 7,250.................... 7,300 7,800.................... 7,825 8,000.................... 8,400 8,400.................... 8,500 8,500.................... 8,600 9,500.................... 9,571 10,600.................... 10,700 11,500.................... 11,511 11,512.................... 11,525 11,850.................... 11,900 11,900.................... 11,950 12,170.................... 12,200 12,500.................... 12,600 13,000.................... 13,500 14,300.................... 14,400 15,400.................... 15,500 16,100.................... 16,200 17,000.................... 17,500 18,000.................... 18,500 18,800.................... 18,850 19,000.................... 19,100 19,100.................... 20,000 21,000.................... 21,100 21,450.................... 21,500 21,500.................... 21,600 22,200.................... 22,300 24,200.................... 24,240 25,500.................... 25,600 26,950.................... 27,000 27,650.................... 27,700 28,600.................... 28,650 30,400...................

not less than

nor more than

4,000....................

4,500

4,700....................

4,800

4,900....................

4,950

5,100....................

5,200

5,250....................

5,300

5,900....................

6,000

6,250....................

6,300

7,250....................

7,300

7,800....................

7,825

8,000....................

8,400

8,400....................

8,500

8,500....................

8,600

9,500....................

9,571

10,600....................

10,700

11,500....................

11,511

11,512....................

11,525

11,850....................

11,900

11,900....................

11,950

12,170....................

12,200

12,500....................

12,600

13,000....................

13,500

14,300....................

14,400

15,400....................

15,500

16,100....................

16,200

17,000....................

17,500

18,000....................

18,500

18,800....................

18,850

19,000....................

19,100

19,100....................

20,000

21,000....................

21,100

21,450....................

21,500

21,500....................

21,600

22,200....................

22,300

24,200....................

24,240

25,500....................

25,600

26,950....................

27,000

27,650....................

27,700

28,600....................

28,650

30,400....................

30,500

39,100....................

39,200

41,550....................

41,600

42,150....................

42,200

250,000....................

300,000

(2) This section shall not apply to judges of the county courts nor to chairs of county courts in the various counties of this state except in those counties where such judges or chairs exercise general criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by the criminal and circuit courts, jurisdiction of purely civil cases in which a jury is provided for, except insanity proceedings and condemnation of land proceedings, and jurisdiction to hear and determine divorce cases.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) to the contrary, this section shall apply to any county having a population of not less than two hundred eighty-seven thousand seven hundred (287,700) nor more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred (287,800), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) to the contrary, this section shall apply to any county having a population of not less than two hundred eighty-seven thousand seven hundred (287,700) nor more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred (287,800), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.

(2) Subdivision (c)(1) shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of any county to which it may apply. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the county legislative body and shall be certified by such officer to the secretary of state.

ccording to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census.

(d) Notwithstanding any other public or private act, law or charter provision, subsection (a) shall also apply to judges of city courts of all cities of this state having a population in excess of one hundred sixty thousand (160,000), according to the federal census of 1980 or any subsequent federal census.

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