Tennessee Code Title 17. Judges and Chancellors § 17-2-303

(b)(1) If the supreme court, at its discretion, determines that a former justice or judge is physically and mentally capable of performing valuable judicial service on a continuing basis and that the justice's or judge's service will promote the effective administration of justice, then the supreme court shall cause an appropriate commission to be issued under its seal for the period provided in subsection (c); provided, that such commission shall be issued only to a former justice or judge who left the justice's or judge's most recent term of judicial service in good standing with the board of judicial conduct or any successor to the board.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(3), no such commission shall be issued to any former justice or judge who, during the justice's or judge's most recent term of judicial service, sought reelection or retention but was defeated in the reelection or retention bid.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(2), if the election following the most recent term of judicial service for a judge in a state court of record results in the judge not being reelected, the judge is authorized to be issued a commission if the judge has been elected at least twice and served at least two (2) full eight-year terms.