Contractors License Overview
- Virtually every aspect of construction is regulated at the State level.
- The Board for Licensing Contractors requires a contractor license for any project exceeding $25,000.00 and must be obtained prior to offering to engage, bid, or contract. This includes Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Environmental, Electrical and Mechanical.
- For additional licensing requirements including experience, financial and bonding requirements, exam information, reference books needed and reciprocity, please select the License link below.
- The NASCLA Accredited Commercial Exam is acceptable by Tennessee for the BC-B classification.
- *WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE EXEMPTIONS- EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2011*- owners, officers of a corporation, partners or members of an LLC may register with the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office to obtain an exemption from covering themselves from Workers’ Compensation insurance. More information is available from the law or see their website at: Construction Services Provider
- Roofing Subcontractors PC 355: Roofing subcontractors required to be licensed as a contractor. (Eff. 1/1/2014)
Tennessee Residential
Tennessee Licensed Masonry Contractor (LMC)
We offer custom training options for the Tennessee Licensed Masonry Contractor (LMC) training built around your schedule. Find out now what options we have available.
Explore Custom Training TodayA Masonry subcontractor must be licensed with an "LMC" classification to bid or to be listed on the outside of bid envelope as a Licensed Masonry Contractor (LMC) when the masonry portion is $100,000 or more (including materials and labor).
This license was put in effect January 1, 2011.
Tennessee Residential Contractor (BC-A)
This contractor license covers the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of 1, 2, 3, or 4 family unit residences not exceeding 3 stories in height and accessory use structures in connection therewith. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial Contractor (BC-A,b)
A Residential/Small Commercial contractor may construct, remodel, repair, or improve any one, two, three or four family unit residences, and accessory use structures in connection therewith. They may also contract for commercial work that does not exceed $1,500,000.00 per project. This includes any building structure for use by the general public, including residential construction with more than for (4) units or greater than three (3) stories in height.
A license is required for any job over $25,000.
Tennessee Commercial
NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor
The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Exam eliminates the trade examination only for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an exam within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license, as well as passing the state specific Business Law exam.
Tennessee Commercial and Industrial Contractor (BC-B, C)
This license is authorized to construct, erect, alter, repair or demolish any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public, including residential construction with more than four units or greater than three stories in height. They are also authorized to erect, alter, repair and demolish buildings or structures used for industrial production and services, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Commercial Contractor (BC-B)
A commercial building contractor is authorized to bid on and contract for the construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition of any building structure for use by the general public, including residential construction with more than four (4) units or greater than three (3) stories in height.
A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Industrial Contractor (BC-C)
This license allows the holder to erect, alter, repair, and demolish buildings or structures used for industrial production and service, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Residential, Commercial and lndustrial Building Contractor (BC)
Contractors holding this license may erect, alter, repair or demolish any residential home, commercial building for use by the general public, and buildings or structures used for industrial production and service, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Residential/Commercial Contractor (BC-A, B)
This license allows the holder to erect, remodel, repair, alter, or demolish any residential structure regardless of the number of units or number of stories. It also allows the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Tennessee Small Commercial Contractor (BC-b)
A small commercial contractor is authorized to bid on and contract for the construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition of any building structure for use by the general public, including residential construction with more than for (4) units or greater than three (3) stories in height where the monetary value of the project is $1,500,000.00 or less.
Tennessee Business and Law
Tennessee Business and Law
All Contractors are required by the state to pass this exam in addition to their trade exam in order to obtain a license. Some smaller, specialty licenses may be obtained by passing only the Business and Law contractor license exam. These smaller licenses do not have an exam of their own. Up to five (5) Specialty Licenses can be held under this license.
Tennessee Electrical
Tennessee Electrical Contractor (CE)
This license allows the candidate to pull electrical permits and subcontract components of the project when the electrical portion constitutes at least 60% of the total project cost.
The Electrical Contractor may perform electrical work for buildings and structures, all types of low voltage work, electrical sings, burglar and security systems, fire detection, electrical temperature controls, roadway lighting, attenuators and signalization. This license does not allow high voltage electrical work; a separate license is need for high voltage work.
Tennessee High Voltage Electrical Contractor (CE-A, H)
We offer custom training options for the Tennessee High Voltage Electrical Contractor (CE-A, H) training built around your schedule. Find out now what options we have available.
Explore Custom Training TodayThis license allows high voltage (over 600 volts) electrical work including but not limited to transmission lines and substations.
Tennessee Limited License Electrician (LLE)
This license covers electrical work under $25,000 per job. The LLE is not accepted in counties having a codes office, which performs their own inspections (such as Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, etc), licensing, and testing. Please contact your local codes office for their requirements.
Tennessee NASCLA
NASCLA offers a single exam to become licensed in 15 states. For more information click here.
Oregon - Nevada - Arizona - Utah - Louisiana - Florida - Arkansas - Alabama - Mississippi - Georgia - South Carolina - North Carolina - Virginia - Tennessee
NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor
The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Exam eliminates the trade examination only for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an exam within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license, as well as passing the state specific Business Law exam.
Tennessee HVAC and Mechanical
Tennessee General Mechanical Contractor (CMC)
This is a broad license that covers HVAC, Refrigeration, Gas Piping, Plumbing, Solar HVAC, Process Piping, Sprinklers and Fire Protection, Insulation of HVAC Systems, Pollution Control, Pneumatic Tube Systems, Pneumatic Temperature Control, and Boiler Construction and Repair.***NOTE***: The state of Tennessee recognizes this license to allow the contractor to hook-up to the Electrical Disconnect, however many jurisdictions within the state do not. Check with your City/County Codes Official for complete code requirements.Tennessee HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor (CMC-C)
This license allows the holder to install and perform maintenance on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas piping, and geothermal HVAC equipment. The CMC-C license is required for candidates who need to pull permits for projects limited to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.Tennessee HVAC Training and CEU
Tennessee Plumbing
Tennessee Limited License Plumber
A Limited License Plumber means any person who performs any plumbing work and non-medical gas piping work that has a total cost less than $25,000. The following counties DO NOT require a State LLP license to do work under $25,000 (Benton, Decatur, Dickson, Giles, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Humphreys, Lake, Lawrence, Lewis, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley). Other local licensing may be required in these counties.
Tennessee Mechanical Plumbing (CMC-A)
This license permits the installation, alteration, remodeling, or repair of any plumbing or non-medical gas piping. A license is needed for jobs where the total cost is in excess of $25,000.
Tennessee Low Voltage and Fire
Tennessee Fire Sprinkler and Fire Protection Contractor
We offer custom training options for the Tennessee Fire Sprinkler and Fire Protection Contractor training built around your schedule. Find out now what options we have available.
Explore Custom Training TodayThis license allows the installation and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems and fire protection equipment.
Tennessee Specialty Trades
Tennessee Contractor Pre-Licensing seminar
We offer custom training options for the Tennessee Contractor Pre-Licensing seminar training built around your schedule. Find out now what options we have available.
Explore Custom Training Today