Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-8-216: Examination by commissioner

(a) The commissioner shall visit and examine each licensee as frequently as the commissioner deems it necessary or expedient. On the occasion of every visit and examination, the commissioner shall, in company with one (1) or more of the officers of the licensee, if requested by the licensee, be given free access to every part of the office or place of business and to the assets, securities, books, papers and records of the licensee.

(b) If, in the commissioner's opinion, it is necessary for a thorough examination of a licensee, the commissioner may retain one (1) or more accountants, attorneys, appraisers, or other third parties to assist the commissioner in the examination. Within ten (10) days after receipt of a statement from the commissioner, the licensee shall pay or reimburse the fees, costs and expenses of any third parties retained by the commissioner under this subsection (b).

(c) The commissioner shall also have the power to examine or cause to be examined subsidiary corporations of BIDCOs subject to the commissioner's supervision under this part.

(d) Any examination under this section may be made by any person or persons designated by the commissioner, and in that case, all the powers vested in the commissioner by this section shall be possessed by the person or persons so designated. The commissioner shall furnish to each examiner a commission under the signature of the commissioner and official seal of the department, which the examiner shall exhibit to the officer or officers of the BIDCO proposed to be examined as the examiner's authority for making the examination.