Tennessee Code Title 69. Waters, Waterways, Drains and Levees § 69-9-212

(a) The commission is hereby authorized to establish rules, regulations and procedures for the inspection and approval of motorboats carrying passengers for hire and for the licensing of the operators of such vessels, but this part shall not apply to any vessel that holds a valid certificate of inspection issued by the United States coast guard, or any federal agency successor to the coast guard.

(b) Any person holding a valid motorboat operator's license issued by the United States coast guard or any federal agency successor to the coast guard shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of this part.