Tennessee requires a license for deferred-presentment business conducted online, by telephone, or other means when a consumer located in Tennessee is induced to enter the transaction. The definition includes a written agreement where a lender accepts a same-day check and holds it before deposit. Applying online does not itself place a transaction outside the state licensing system.
Tennessee law limits a deferred-presentment check to 31 days and caps the aggregate face value of covered outstanding checks at $500, with additional restrictions on the number of transactions. Renewals or consolidation into a new deferred-presentment loan are prohibited. Include checks with other providers in your total and read whether the agreement attempts to renew or replace an existing balance.
Tennessee’s Department of Financial Institutions provides a deferred-presentment license lookup and complaint route. Confirm the legal company name in its database, including for online offers. Save the agreement, receipts, and debit authorization; contact TDFI Consumer Resources if the lender appears unlicensed or terms conflict with disclosures.
Official reference: Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions — Deferred Presentment. Checked November 11, 2026.