It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
The board publishes a searchable dashboard of Tennessee contractors and their qualifying agents, with license verification details. source Each contractor license carries a monetary limit, the most it may contract for on any single project, so check the limit against the size of your job. source A contractor may exceed its monetary limit by up to 10%, except on a Restricted Residential (BC-A/r) license. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (BC-A (Residential) or BC-B (Commercial) or BC-C (Industrial) or Home Improvement). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above Contractor license required for projects of $25,000 or more. source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
The Board may dismiss a complaint against a Home Improvement contractor filed more than one year after the contract date, so complain promptly. source File complaints about unlicensed work or misconduct with the Department of Commerce and Insurance online. source The department disciplines licenses but does not get refunds for homeowners; it points to private counsel or the Division of Consumer Affairs mediation program. source
Homeowner protections in Tennessee
Home Improvement contractors carry a $10,000 surety bond for homeowners damaged by a breach of a home improvement contract. source
A Home Improvement contractor must show its name and license number in print, TV and radio ads. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in Tennessee.
Apply to Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors as a BC-A (Residential) or BC-B (Commercial) or BC-C (Industrial) or Home Improvement.
Business and Law exam plus a trade exam for the BC-A residential, BC-B commercial or BC-C industrial classification. source
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Post a optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Carry general liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Pay the initial contractor license application fee: $250. source
Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read). source
Business and Law exam plus a trade exam for the BC-A residential, BC-B commercial or BC-C industrial classification. source
Experience
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Bond
Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Insurance
General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Renewal
2 years (Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read)). source
Reciprocity
No license reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be used in Tennessee, but a trade exam waiver is available for building licenses held in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina (commercial) or West Virginia, and the NASCLA commercial exam is accepted. source
$53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). source
$20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). source
ElectricalSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Business and Law exam plus the CE electrical trade exam. source
Experience
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Bond
Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Insurance
General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Renewal
2 years (Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read)). source
Reciprocity
No license reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be used in Tennessee, but a trade exam waiver is available for electrical licenses held in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina (commercial) or West Virginia. source
$53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). source
$20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). source
$50 (Initial Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) application fee, for an individual doing electrical work under $25,000 where the state issues permit). source
PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Business and Law exam plus the CMC-A plumbing trade exam, which needs Board pre-approval. source
Experience
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Bond
Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Insurance
General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Renewal
2 years (Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read)). source
Reciprocity
No license reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be used in Tennessee, but a trade exam waiver is available for plumbing licenses held in Ohio or South Carolina (commercial). source
$53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). source
$50 (Board pre-approval request fee to sit for the CMC-A plumbing or CMC full mechanical exam). source
$20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). source
$75 (Initial Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) application fee, for an individual doing plumbing work under $25,000 where the state issues permit). source
HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Business and Law exam plus the CMC-C HVAC trade exam. source
Experience
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Bond
Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Insurance
General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Renewal
2 years (Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read)). source
Reciprocity
No license reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be used in Tennessee, but a trade exam waiver is available for HVAC or mechanical licenses held in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina (commercial) or West Virginia. source
$53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). source
$20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). source
RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Business and Law exam only; the BC-21 roofing subcategory has no trade exam. source
Experience
The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested. source
Bond
Optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit, accepted since July 1, 2026 as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. source
Insurance
General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000 ($500,000 coverage for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000 and $1,000,000 above that), plus workers compensation unless exempt. source
Renewal
2 years (Contractor license renews every two years (the board site describes a bi-annual renewal and says indemnities expire at renewal, not to exceed two years; the statute itself was not read)). source
Reciprocity
No license reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be used in Tennessee, but a trade exam waiver is available only where a trade exam is required, and roofing has none, so out-of-state roofers still take the Business and Law exam. source
$53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). source
$20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). source
Questions
Does Tennessee require a contractor license?
Yes, in most cases Tennessee requires a state license for general contractors. Contractor license required for projects of $25,000 or more. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors issues it as one of several credentials, such as BC-A (Residential), BC-B (Commercial) or BC-C (Industrial).
How do I look up a contractor license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for general contractors in Tennessee. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in Tennessee.
How do I look up a plumbing license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for plumbing contractors in Tennessee.
Does Tennessee have an HVAC license?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for HVAC contractors in Tennessee.
Do roofers need a license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for roofing contractors in Tennessee.