Contractor licensing by state
How to Get a Contractor License in Tennessee
Tennessee requires a state license for every trade we track. Tennessee issues one main contractor license, which costs $250 to start and needs two exams, Tennessee Business and Law plus Trade exam for classifications that require one. Of the 10 trades we could rate, concrete flatwork is the easiest to get licensed for and plumbing the hardest.
The Tennessee contractor license
| License | Contractor license (Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors), required for projects of $25,000 or more |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC work, landscape irrigation, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition |
| Fee | $250 (initial license; renewal is $200) |
| Exam | Tennessee Business and Law exam (open book); Trade exam for classifications that require one (for example BC-A, CMC-A, CMC-C, CE). Given by Prov (PSI for exams already scheduled before July 1, 2026). |
| Experience | Experience is required for every classification; the amount is not confirmed here. |
| Renewal | $200 at renewal. |
How to apply
- Pick the classification from the Board's outline.
- Pass the Business and Law exam and any trade exam (CMC-A and CMC exams need Board pre-approval and a $50 fee).
- Apply with the financial statement and insurance documents and pay $250.
The $25,000 threshold applies to prime contractors and construction managers; subcontractors need a license for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing portions of $25,000 or more and for masonry portions of $100,000 or more. For jobs from $3,000 to $24,999, a Home Improvement license ($250) is required in certain counties; the Board's 2026 materials list Bradley, Davidson, Haywood, Hamilton, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby. Smaller electrical and plumbing jobs are covered by the Limited Licensed Electrician and Limited Licensed Plumber licenses where local governments require them.
State license requirements for each trade in Tennessee
| Foundation repair | BC-5 Foundations | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | BC-A Residential | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
| Roofing | BC-21 Roofing, for roofing of $25,000 or more | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
| Plumbing | CMC-A Plumbing and Gas Piping | $250 | Business and Law exam | None listed | Moderate · 25 |
| Electrical | CE Electrical | $250 | Business and Law exam | None listed | Moderate · 25 |
| HVAC | CMC-C HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping | $250 | Business and Law exam | None listed | Moderate · 25 |
| Irrigation | BC-33 Irrigation | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
| Concrete flatwork | BC-19 Concrete | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
| Drainage and detention | BC-28 Excavation or BC-13 Site and Subdivision Development | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
| Demolition | BC-31 Demolition | $250 | Tennessee Business and Law exam | None listed | Easy · 20 |
Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.
Trades ranked from easiest to hardest in Tennessee
- Concrete flatwork, easy (20)
- Demolition, easy (20)
- Drainage and detention, easy (20)
- Foundation repair, easy (20)
- General contracting, easy (20)
- Irrigation, easy (20)
- Roofing, easy (20)
- Electrical, moderate (25)
- HVAC, moderate (25)
- Plumbing, moderate (25)
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| License | BC-5 Foundations (building sub-category) or BC-A Residential, for projects of $25,000 or more; Home Improvement license for $3,000 to $24,999 in the listed counties |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
BC-5 Foundations is a building sub-category; up to five sub-categories need no trade exam, only the Business and Law exam and experience. Heavy construction has HC-3 Foundation Construction, Pile Driving, Foundation Drilling and Stabilization.
The city or county building department issues the permit and decides whether engineered drawings are needed.
- Under $3,000, no state license; $3,000 to $24,999 needs the Home Improvement license in listed counties.
- At $25,000 or more, get the BC-5 Foundations sub-category (Business and Law exam) or BC-A.
- Pull the local permit.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline; TN how to get a contractor license.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| License | BC-A Residential (one to four family, up to three stories); BC-A/r restricted residential up to $125,000 with an approved course instead of exams |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
BC-A/r has no 10 percent bid tolerance and no joint ventures.
Permits come from the city or county.
- Pass the Business and Law and BC-A exams (or the BC-A/r course).
- Apply and pay $250.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Roofing
| License | BC-21 Roofing, for roofing of $25,000 or more (including subcontractors) |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
Roofing is an exception to the subcontractor rule; both prime and roofing subcontractor may need a license at $25,000.
Reroof permit rules are set by the city or county.
- Pass the Business and Law exam.
- Apply for BC-21.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Plumbing
| License | CMC-A Plumbing and Gas Piping (jobs of $25,000 or more); Limited Licensed Plumber for smaller jobs where the local government uses it |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
| Fee | $250 (contractor license; Limited Licensed Plumber is $75) |
| Exam | Business and Law exam; CMC-A trade exam (Board pre-approval and $50 fee required). Given by Prov. |
Local governments may license plumbers separately.
Plumbing permits come from the city or county.
- Get Board pre-approval for the CMC-A exam ($50).
- Pass the trade and Business and Law exams.
- Apply and pay $250.
Difficulty 25, moderate (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline; TN fees.
Electrical
| License | CE Electrical (jobs of $25,000 or more); Limited Licensed Electrician for smaller jobs |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
| Fee | $250 (contractor license; Limited Licensed Electrician is $50 every two years) |
| Exam | Business and Law exam; CE trade exam. Given by Prov. |
A Limited Licensed Electrician may not advertise as a contractor.
Ask the city or county which office issues electrical permits.
- Pass the CE and Business and Law exams.
- Apply and pay $250.
Difficulty 25, moderate (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
HVAC
| License | CMC-C HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping (jobs of $25,000 or more) |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
| Exam | Business and Law exam; CMC-C trade exam. Given by Prov. |
Mechanical permits come from the city or county.
- Pass the CMC-C and Business and Law exams.
- Apply and pay $250.
Difficulty 25, moderate (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Irrigation
| License | BC-33 Irrigation (building sub-category), for projects of $25,000 or more |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
No trade exam for up to five building sub-categories; the Business and Law exam and experience still apply.
Ask the city and water utility about irrigation and backflow rules.
- Pass the Business and Law exam.
- Apply for BC-33 if any job reaches $25,000.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| License | BC-19 Concrete (building sub-category), for projects of $25,000 or more |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
Highway and municipal concrete paving has its own HRA and MU sub-categories.
Ask the city or road owner what permit work at the street needs.
- Pass the Business and Law exam.
- Apply for BC-19.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| License | BC-28 Excavation or BC-13 Site and Subdivision Development; HRA-A or MU-C Grading and Drainage, for projects of $25,000 or more |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
MU-C Grading and drainage needs no trade exam. Stormwater permit rules are not covered here.
Grading and stormwater approvals come from the city or county.
- Pass the Business and Law exam.
- Apply for the grading or excavation sub-category.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Demolition
| License | BC-31 Demolition (building) or HC-4 Demolition and Movement of Structures (heavy), for projects of $25,000 or more |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
Asbestos notice rules are not covered here.
Demolition permits come from the city or county.
- Pass the Business and Law exam.
- Apply for BC-31.
Difficulty 20, easy (exams 15, fees 5).
Checked October 18, 2026 against TN classification outline.
Exams for a Tennessee license
| Tennessee Contractor Business and Law | Prov, for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | $53 | $53; no waiting period and no limit on attempts | Open book | 50 | 2.5 hours | 73% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee trade exams (CE, CMC-A and CMC-C shown) | Prov, for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | $53 | $53; no waiting period and no limit on attempts | Open book | 100 (CE, CMC-A, CMC-C) | 5 hours (CE, CMC-A, CMC-C) | 73% |
| Tennessee CMC-A Plumbing Contractor | Prov, for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | $53 | $53; no waiting period and no limit on attempts | Open book | 100 | 5 hours | 73% |
| Tennessee CE Electrical Contractor | Prov, for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | $53 | $53; no waiting period and no limit on attempts | Open book | 100 | 5 hours | 73% |
| Tennessee CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor | Prov, for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | $53 | $53; no waiting period and no limit on attempts | Open book | 100 | 5 hours | 73% |
Tap a column to sort. Each exam name opens the provider's bulletin or exam page. A blank cell is a fact not confirmed from the provider, and the linked bulletin has the full rules.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin, August 18, 2026; Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors exam information.
Official sources
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, how to get a contractor license
- Tennessee contractor classification outline
- Board for Licensing Contractors, fees
- Board for Licensing Contractors, exam information
- Board for Licensing Contractors webinar slides (2026)
Licensing pages for nearby states cover Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.