Care and education Home-basedSide hustleOnline

How to start a tutoring business in Tennessee

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Tennessee asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In US dollars 12-minute read

To start$594–965Lean to full setup

Per month$3.2k–9.2kOnce established

Profit margin80–95%After insurance, software and card fees

First customer1–4 weeksFrom today

DifficultyEasy to start if you know your subject

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you know a subject well and like helping people learn

Tutoring needs almost no money to start: what you know, a quiet table or a laptop, and a way for parents to find you. Most students book a weekly session for a whole term, so a few good families keep your calendar full.

You'll like it if

You're strong in math, reading, science or test prep
You're patient and good at explaining
You're free after school and on weekends
You like seeing students improve week by week

Think twice if

You want to work during school hours only
Explaining the same idea three ways frustrates you
You don't enjoy working with kids or teens
You need steady income in the summer

02What it costs

From $594 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to start$594

What	Cost
Background checkA check on yourself that parents can see	$45
InsuranceFirst year of general liability	$240
Scheduling and billing appLesson calendar, reminders and invoices for three months	$0
Registering your businessThe state's fee to form an LLC in Tennessee	$300
Cards and flyersFor schools, libraries and community boards	$9
Total	$594

Once you're running: about $55 a month, plus about 5% of what you earn. Insurance and a scheduling app every month, plus card fees and materials for each session.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per session $45 $15$150

Sessions a week 20 145

Monthly costs $55 $0$220

Typical in Tennessee: $30–$75 per session, 5–30 sessions a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustle$920–1.9k

5–10 sessions a week after work

Full-time, on your own$3.2k–5.5k

20–30 sessions a week

With other tutors$5.5k–9.2k

You match students with tutors you hire

04Step by step

12 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Choose your subjects and students
1–2 days Free

Pick what you teach best and who you'll teach: grade levels, subjects and test prep. A clear focus is easier to sell.
- Your two or three best subjects
- Grade levels you'll take
- In person, online or both
2
Check the demand near you
2–3 days Free

See what local tutors and tutoring centers charge, and which subjects parents ask for in local groups.
- Search "tutor near me"
- Note 5 tutors and their rates
- Ask teachers what students struggle with
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Your own name works well for tutoring, or pick a simple business name. Make sure no one in Tennessee already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas, then check yours with TennesseeFind a name
4
Form your LLC in Tennessee
1–2 weeks $300 state fee

An LLC keeps your personal savings separate from the business. You file Articles of Organization with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
- Articles of Organization
- A registered agent
- An operating agreement
PressUp can file your LLC with the state for youForm your LLC
5
Get your EIN
Same day Free

The IRS's tax number for your business. You'll need it for a business bank account.
- Apply online with the IRS
- Open a business bank account
Apply for it along with your LLC filingAdd your EIN
6
Sort out sales tax in Tennessee
1–3 days Free

Tennessee's sales tax is 7%, and cities and counties add their own. Ask the Tennessee Department of Revenue whether what you sell is taxable.
- Check if your services are taxable
- Register for sales tax if needed
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability
- Professional liability
8
Get a background check
1 week $45

Parents feel better when they can see a recent check. Keep a copy ready to share.
- Run a check on yourself
- Gather references
- Keep copies of your qualifications
9
Set your rates and policies
1 day Free

Charge by the hour, with packages for weekly students and a higher rate for test prep. Write down your cancellation policy. See the prices below.
- Hourly and package rates
- Test prep pricing
- A 24-hour cancellation policy
10
Put your business online
1 day Included

Parents want to see your subjects, experience, rates and reviews, and book a first session without a phone call.
- Website with your subjects
- Online booking
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11
Get your first students
1–4 weeks Up to $90

Tell friends and neighbors, post in parent groups and let teachers know you're available. One happy family usually brings another.
- Parent groups and school boards
- Libraries and community centers
- Ask every family for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
12
Keep track as you grow
Ongoing Included

Keep each student's goals, progress notes and payments in one place, and bill families monthly.
- Student list and notes
- Monthly invoices
- Repeat bookings
Keep your customers and invoices in one place with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in TN

What Tennessee asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Articles of Organization (LLC)

Registers your business with the state.

The Tennessee Secretary of State$300+once

Annual report

Keeps your LLC in good standing with the state.

The Tennessee Secretary of State$300a year

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

IRSFree

Sales tax registration

Only if what you sell is taxable where you are: ask the state.

The Tennessee Department of RevenueFree

Home-business rules

If students come to your home, check what your area allows for parking and visitors.

Your city or countyVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Background checkOn yourself, to show parents

$30–$85Later

Scheduling and billing appPer month, one tutor

$16Later

Business cardsFor schools and parent groups

$9–$25Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Single session

$45 per session · 1 hour

Homework help or a set topic
Notes for parents
In person or online

Weekly plan

$170 per month · Four sessions a month

A set time every week
Progress notes each month
Priority for exam weeks

Test prep package

$510 per project · Eight sessions

Practice tests and review
A plan for each section
Strategies for test day

Private tutoring, per hour in TennesseeTypical: $25–$75

Average $45

$0$25$50$75$100

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

Parents search "math tutor near me". A free profile with reviews brings them straight to you.

Free

Parent groups

Local parent and school groups on Facebook are where families ask for tutor recommendations.

Free

Teachers and schools

Teachers are asked for tutor names all the time. Let them know what you teach.

Partnership

Reviews

Ask families after a good test result. A parent's review is your best ad.

With PressUp Reviews

Term-long plans

A set weekly time for the whole term keeps students improving and your income steady.

Repeat income

What a tutoring website needs, and how PressUp builds it

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Choose your subjects
Register your business
Get a background check

Week 2

Get ready

Set your rates and policies
Prepare a first-session plan
Set up online lessons

Week 3

Go live

Website with booking
Google Business Profile
Post in parent groups

Week 4

First students

Aim for 5 weekly students
Send progress notes
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to tutor in Tennessee?

Private tutoring usually needs no special license beyond registering your business. Teaching credentials help you charge more but aren't required. Many parents will ask for a background check.

Can I tutor online only?

Yes. Online tutoring lets you teach students anywhere, usually for a little less per hour than in person, with no travel time.

What subjects pay best?

Test prep, advanced math and sciences pay more than general homework help, because fewer tutors can teach them well.

What about summer?

Demand drops when school is out. Summer reading programs, test prep and next-year math refreshers fill some of the gap.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources