Join the association
TIPA Membership
Three membership categories for licensed private investigators, investigative agencies, and legal professionals—each with annual or monthly billing.
Choose your membership category
Select the category that matches your role and your preferred billing interval. Every application is reviewed for eligibility before membership begins.
Individual Licensed Private Investigator
For individual private investigators who meet TIPA’s eligibility requirements, including current Tennessee licensure.
or $20 per month, billed monthly
Associate Legal Professional
For attorneys and other legal-industry professionals whose work relates to investigations, litigation, evidence, or legal support.
or $10 per month, billed monthly
Corporate Investigative Agency
For eligible investigative agencies that wish to participate in TIPA as an organization.
or $65 per month, billed monthly
How payment works. Your first membership payment is charged when you submit your application at checkout, and it is non-refundable. TIPA then reviews your eligibility. If you are not admitted, TIPA cancels your membership and you will not be charged again. If you are admitted, billing continues at the interval you chose until you cancel. Card details are entered only on the secure Squarespace checkout, never in TIPA’s own forms.
Compare
Membership at a glance
| Individual Investigator | Associate Legal Professional | Corporate Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual dues | $120 per year | $60 per year | $500 per year |
| Monthly dues | $20 per month | $10 per month | $65 per month |
| Who it’s for | Individual licensed private investigators | Attorneys and other legal-industry professionals | Investigative agencies joining as organizations |
| Eligibility review | Tennessee PI license details verified | Professional role and affiliation reviewed | Company license and designated representative reviewed |
| Directory | Eligible for the investigator directory after verification | Not listed as an investigator | Eligible for the agency directory after verification |
| Events & education | Member access where offered | Appropriate events where offered | Organizational participation where offered |
| Committees | Eligible to express interest | Eligible to express interest | Through the designated representative |
Corporate membership is an organizational membership. It does not automatically provide individual memberships to an agency’s employees unless the board adopts a policy that says so.
Benefits
What members can expect
TIPA is a young association, and we want members to know exactly what is available today and what is being built. Benefits marked Available are offered now; those marked Planned are in development and will be announced when ready.
- Available Membership in a statewide professional association of investigators and legal professionals
- Available Eligibility to express interest in committees and association initiatives
- Available Potential directory listing for verified individual and agency members, subject to directory policies
- Planned Member meetings and networking events across Tennessee
- Planned Educational sessions, workshops, and an annual conference
- Planned Member discussion of legislative and industry developments
- Planned Member resources and practice materials
The process
How to join
Choose a category and billing interval
Select individual, associate, or corporate membership, and annual or monthly billing.
Apply and pay at checkout
Start from the membership application page. The application questions are part of the secure checkout, and your first payment is charged when you submit. Individual applicants provide license details; agencies provide company and representative information.
Eligibility review
TIPA reviews each application, including Tennessee license status where applicable. Submitting an application does not by itself establish membership.
Decision
If you are admitted, membership begins and billing continues at your chosen interval until you cancel. If you are not admitted, TIPA cancels your subscription and you will not be charged again. The first payment is non-refundable.
Directory listing (optional)
Eligible members who request a listing submit their directory details for review and publication.
Policies
Billing, renewal, and cancellation
The terms below summarize TIPA’s proposed membership terms, which are pending formal adoption by the Board of Directors. Read the full membership terms.
- Billing intervals. Annual memberships are billed once per membership year; monthly memberships are billed each month at the monthly rate. The two are separate options—a monthly rate is never charged as an annual fee or the reverse.
- Renewal. Proposed: memberships renew at the end of each billing period unless canceled, with advance notice before an annual renewal.
- Cancellation. Proposed: members may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current paid period.
- Refunds. TIPA’s refund policy has not yet been adopted. Until it is, refund questions are handled individually through the contact form.
- Conduct. Members agree to follow the association’s code of conduct.
- Directory. Listings are subject to verification and the directory policies.
Membership questions
Does TIPA membership count as a license or certification?
No. Membership in TIPA is not a license, a government certification, or an endorsement. Private investigators in Tennessee are licensed by the Department of Commerce & Insurance. Membership also does not guarantee referrals or business.
Do I need a Tennessee license to join as an individual?
The individual category is intended for licensed private investigators. The application asks for your license number, issuing jurisdiction, and expiration date so the association can review eligibility. Investigators licensed in other states may contact TIPA to discuss eligibility.
I’m an attorney. Which category fits?
Attorneys and other legal professionals who are not joining as licensed investigators typically join as associate members. The category is not limited to attorneys—paralegals, litigation support professionals, and others whose work relates to investigations may also apply.
Does an agency membership cover our employees?
Corporate membership is an organizational membership with a designated representative. It does not automatically include individual memberships for employees unless the board adopts a policy that provides that benefit. Individual investigators at an agency may also apply in their own right.
Can I switch between monthly and annual billing?
Yes, subject to the adopted membership terms. Contact TIPA and the change will take effect at the start of your next billing period.
When will I be listed in the directory?
Directory listings are optional and are published after your membership is active, your eligibility is verified, and your listing details have been reviewed. See the directory disclaimer for how listings work.
Ready to apply?
Applications take a few minutes. Questions first? Call (629) 247-2100.