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How the guarantee works →Tennessee camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in Tennessee, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in Tennessee
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | State permit | Department of Health rules define a day camp as a type of organized camp, and every organized camp needs a Department of Health permit.Source: Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health, Chapter 1200-01-05, Organized Camps (F and Gs), Tennessee Secretary of State (rules of the Tennessee Department of Health). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State permit | Resident camps are a type of organized camp, and no organized camp may operate without a permit from the Department of Health.Source: Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 110, Organized Camps, Tennessee Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in Tennessee
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health | Issues organized camp permits and inspects every organized camp at least once every six months.Source: Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health, Chapter 1200-01-05, Organized Camps (F and Gs), Tennessee Secretary of State (rules of the Tennessee Department of Health). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Care Services | Licenses child care agencies and decides exemption requests, including registrations from exempt camp programs.Source: Procedures for Requesting an Exemption from Licensure, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- A school-age camp program running only in summer under 90 days a year, or only during school breaks, can be exempt from child care licensing.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- An exempt camp program must be registered with the Department of Human Services and have written approval before it offers services.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- A program not caring for five or more unrelated children for three or more hours a day is not subject to child care licensing.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Registered recreational programs, such as sports or martial arts, can be exempt if no child attends over seven hours a day or seven consecutive weeks.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- YMCA programs for school-age children that meet the listed criteria are exempt from child care licensing.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Boys and Girls Club programs for school-age children that meet the listed criteria are exempt from child care licensing.Source: 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- A privately owned hunting, fishing or other camp used only by the owner and guests is not an organized camp.Source: Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 110, Organized Camps, Tennessee Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- A church campsite without permanent structures or hookups, used only for occasional member weekend or overnight camping, is not an organized camp.Source: Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 110, Organized Camps, Tennessee Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-110-101 et seq.
Organized CampsTennessee Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026. - Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-01-05
Organized Camps (F and Gs)Tennessee Secretary of State (rules of the Tennessee Department of Health). Checked November 2, 2026. - Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-503
Programs and facilities exempt from licensingTennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health, Chapter 1200-01-05, Organized Camps (F and Gs)Tennessee Secretary of State (rules of the Tennessee Department of Health). Checked November 2, 2026.
- Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 110, Organized CampsTennessee Department of Health. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Procedures for Requesting an Exemption from LicensureTennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
- 71-3-503. Programs and facilities exempt from licensing amended effective July 1, 2025Tennessee Department of Human Services. Checked November 2, 2026.
About this page
We read each source above on an official government site on November 2, 2026. Each fact links to the page it came from.
Rules change, and local rules can add to them. Confirm with the agency before you open or change a program.
This page is a summary of public rules. It is not legal advice, and Bloomily does not file license applications.
Camp licensing in other states
- Alabama
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Arizona
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Arkansas
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- California
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Colorado
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Connecticut
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Delaware
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Florida
Day camps: no state license. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Georgia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Idaho
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Illinois
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Indiana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Kentucky
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Louisiana
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Maine
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Maryland
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- Massachusetts
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Michigan
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Mississippi
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Missouri
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Montana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Nebraska
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: no state license.
- Nevada
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Hampshire
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Jersey
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- New York
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- North Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Ohio
Day camps: state registration. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Oregon
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- South Carolina
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- South Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Texas
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Vermont
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Washington
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state registration.
- West Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Wisconsin
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
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