Tennessee follows the federal CARD Act baseline.
Federal context
Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009 and its implementing Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.20), gift certificates and most general-use and store gift cards sold in the United States must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issuance or last load. Federal law also restricts dormancy, inactivity, and service fees: a fee can generally be charged only if the card has been inactive for at least 12 months, the fee is disclosed, and no more than one fee is charged per month. State laws may add stronger consumer protections on top of this federal floor.
For a deeper federal explainer, see our CARD Act overview.
Expiration rules in Tennessee
Tennessee follows the federal five-year minimum.
Dormancy and service fees in Tennessee
Federal CARD Act limits apply.
Cash redemption for small balances
No state-mandated requirement.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E disclosures apply.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
Tennessee's unclaimed property statute may apply.
Enforcement and penalties
The Tennessee Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces state rules.
Recent updates
No material state-level changes.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
Tennessee compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in Tennessee. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Set expiration to five years or none.
- Disclose fees at sale.
- Maintain redemption records.
Frequently asked questions about Tennessee gift card law
Can a Nashville music venue sell concert-specific gift certificates?
Yes, with disclosed terms. Single-event certificates may have specific event tied to them but cash-equivalent gift certificates cannot expire short of five years.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.