- BC - B, C - Commercial/Industrial Contractor
- BC - A, B (sm) - Combined Residential/Small Commercial Contractor
- BC - A, B - Combined - Residential/Commercial Contractor
- BC - C Industrial Contractor
- BC - B Small Commercial Contractor
- BC - B Commercial Contractor
- BC - A Residential Contractor
- BC - Combined - Residential/Commercial/Industrial Contractor
- CMC-D Mechanical Fire Sprinklers and Fire Protection Contractor
- CMC-C Mechanical HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor
- CMC Full Mechanical Contractor
- CMC-A Mechanical Plumbing
- National Standard Master Mechanical 670
- National Standard Residential Plumber 676
- National Standard Residential Mechanical Class C W32
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber W25
- National Standard Building Contractor
- National Standard Roofing Contractor/Subcontractor N14
- National Residential Fire Sprinkler Design and Installation W33
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) F11
- National Standard Master Plumber 672
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical W31
- National Standard Master Mechanical W29
- National Standard Master Plumber with Gas 674
- National Standard Residential Electrician 824
- National Residential Fire Sprinkler Design/Installation 680
- National Standard Master Electrician 701
- National Standard Residential Mechanical Class C 679
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber with Gas Piping 675
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber 673
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical 671
- National Standard Building Contractor (B) 615
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) 614
- National Standard Master Mechanical
- National Standard Shingle Roofing N15
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical N31
- National Standard Roofing Contractor/Subcontractor W14
- National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C)
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) W11
- F11 National Standard General Building
- F12 National Standard Building Contractor (B)
- F13 National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C)
- F13 National Standard Residential Building Contractor
- F16 National Standard Master Electrician
- F16 National Standard Master Electrician
- F17 National Standard Journeyman Electrician
- F17 National Standard Journeyman Electrician
- F18 National Standard Residential Electrician
- F24 National Standard Master Plumber
- G17 National Standard Journeyman Electrician
Construction Work Regulated?
Contracting is regulated at 4 various licensing levels based upon the type of work and cost of the total contract. A contractor's license is required for projects $25,000 or more as a prime (general). The only subcontractors required to be licensed as a contractor are those performing mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, and roofing. In addition, masonry subcontractors are also required to be licensed for projects $100,000 or more. A Home Improvement Contractor's license is required for projects from $3,000 to $24,999 in many counties. Other projects less than $25,000are typically regulated at the local government level; however, those without code inspection offices must obtain our state license as a Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) or the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP). The Board also regulates prelicensed exam course providers (cram schools).
Who Regulates Construction?
The Board for Licensing Contractors is a division of the Regulatory Boards within the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Licensing information and applications may be obtained from::Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-1150
(800) 544-7693 or (615) 741-8307/Fax (615) 532-2868
E-Mail: Carolyn.lazenby@tn.gov
https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/contractors-home-improvement
OTHER .. LICENSES REGULATED BY OTHER AGENCIES
Licenses relative to the construction industry are listed below with contact information:
Alarm System Contractors/Fire Sprinkler Contractors:
(Division of Regulatory Boards at: www.tn.gov/commerce/section/regulatory-boards)
Highway and Bridge Contractors:
(Department of Transportation at: www.tn.gov/tdot/section/tdot-constructiondivision)
Lead Based Paint Abatement/Asbestos/Soil and Remediation:
(Department of Environment and Conservation: https://www.tn.gov/environment/article/swlead-hazard-program)
LICENSING RESOURCES AND WEBSITE DIRECTORY
Board for Licensing Contractors: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/contractors-homeimprovement
Tennessee Roster License Search: http://verify.tn.gov/
Law: https://www.michie.com under resources, "Tennessee" and search Title 62, Chapter 6
Local Government Codes {City and County): http://tn.gov/local/
Rules and Regulations: https://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0680/0680.htm
Corporate Registration - Secretary of State: https://tn.gov/sos/bus_svc/index.htm
One Stop Business: https://tnbear.tn .gov/New Biz/
Requirements?
Contractor License (Projects $25,000 and up):a. Prime (bid directly with the owner);
b. Subcontractors (bid directly to the contractor) for Mechanical, Plumbing, HVAC,
Electrical and Roofing; Masonry for projects $100,000 or more;
c. Construction Managers
Contractors are required to be licensed prior to contracting, bidding or offering to
engage. Bidding requirements require listing their name (as licensed), license ID
number, classification and expiration date on the outside of the bid envelope along with the license information for the above subcontractors.
Licenses are issued in the name of the entry providing the financial statement, which
may be sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, or LLC. A License does not typically
belong to the qualifying agent (individual passing exam) unless they have ownership
(in lieu of being a full time employee or office).
Exam vendor is PSI Services, LLC. The Business and Law exam is required by all license applicants and trade exams for several classifications. A reciprocal agreement consists only as a trade exam waiver. Agreements exist with several state license agencies in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina (see website for a complete listing). In addition, the NASC LA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is accepted.
Each contractor's license is assigned a classification and monetary Iimit. Classifications range from Residential, Commercial and Industrial Building, as well as subcategories such as Landscaping, Excavation, Roofing, etc. In addition, construction involving work to perform Municipal Utility; Electrical; Mechanical (Plumbing/HVAC); Highway, Railroad and Airport; Heavy Construction; or Environmental projects. Specialties, such as Equipment Installation for Audio Video, Solar Panels, Cell Towers, etc.
Monetary limit is assigned by the Board and is based upon the CPA prepared financial statement's working capital and net worth, as we ll as experience. Review is required for a Limit of $1,500,000 or less and an audit is required for more than $1,500,000 to unlimited.
Proof of insurance is required for general liability and workers compensation. Bonding is not required to obtain a state contractor's license, but may be required forbidding or obtaining local permits and inspections. Contractor licenses must be approved by the Board which meets 6 times annually. An interview with the Board is not required unless there are complaints or felony violations. There is a "hardship" provision for those meeting the criteria to have a License issued prior to the next meeting of the Board. Application fee is $250 for a 2 year license. There are no Continuing Education (C EU) requirements. No set experience requirements, except for plumbing; 3 years.
Home Improvement License (Projects $3,000 to $24,999):
A Home Improvement license is required in the following 9 counties: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Marion, Knox, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby to perform remodeling.
a. No exam or Board review is required.
b. Must supply proof of insurance for general liability and workers compensation.
c. $10,000 surety bond (or another form of financial responsibility) is required.
d. Application fee is $250 for a 2 year License.
Limited Licensed Electrician - LLE (Projects less than $25,000): A Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) license is required unless in an area where municipalities have their own licensing agency with inspections. The Division of Fire Prevention oversees the inspections of these electricians.
a. The LLE trade exam is administered by PSI Services, LLC. No Business and Law exam is required.
b. There is NOT a requirement to show proof of insurance as part of obtaining a license; may at local.
c. Fee is $50 for 2 year license.
Limited Licensed Plumber- LLP (Projects less than $25,000): A Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license is required unless in an area where municipalities have their own licensing agency with inspections.
a. A LLP trade exam is required by PSI Services, LLC; no Business and Law exam is required.
b. There is NOT a requirement to show proof of insurance as part of obtaining a license; may at local.
c. Fee is $75 for 2 year license.
RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
State / Board/Agency
Alabama / Electrical, HVAC, General
Arkansas / General
Georgia / Commercial and Electrical
Louisiana / General
Mississippi / General
North Carolina / Residential and Commercial
Ohio / Electrical and Mechanical
South Carolina / General
National / NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
