Tennessee Code Title 5. Counties § 5-1-126

(a) A county may require all persons prior to employment with such county to:

(b) Any costs incurred by the Tennessee bureau of investigation or the federal bureau of investigation, as appropriate, in conducting such investigations of applicants shall be paid by the county requesting such investigation and information; provided, that the county may require an applicant to pay such costs if the applicant is offered and accepts a position with such county. Payment of such costs is to be made in accordance with § 38-6-103.

(c) A county may establish the job titles or classifications to which the requirements of this section apply. Such classifications shall not supersede any mandatory fingerprint-based criminal history background requirements that may be applicable for any person who is seeking employment in a position in any program subject to licensure, approval or certification by any state agency.