Do I need a business license to do collections privately?

in the state of Tennessee, do i need to get a license to do collections privately? in other words i will be operating out of my home , using the phone to try to collect deliquent accounts for various people and companies.

Yes, you will need to meet qualifications and licensing requirements to perform 'Debt Collection' activities for 3rd parties in Tennessee.

For example, you (even as a single employee working from home) will have to meet the following:
"License Requirements:
T. C. A. 62-20-108 (a) (1) Every Collection Service shall have, for each location at which it conducts business, a location manager who has submitted an application on a form prescribed by the board, and has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that he/she has passed an examination approved by the board. An applicant must have (1) one year experience within a three year period of the date the examination in a business which is governedbby laws similar to those laws which govern a licensed collection service, including but not limited to, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act."

Here is a link to the regulatory agency involved:
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/collect.htm