How do I check an electrician license in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in Tennessee. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.

How much does an electrician license cost in Tennessee?

$250 (Initial contractor license application fee). $200 (Contractor license renewal fee). $53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). $20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). $50 (Initial Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) application fee, for an individual doing electrical work under $25,000 where the state issues permit).

How much experience do you need for an electrician license in Tennessee?

The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested.

How often does an electrician license renew in Tennessee?

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).

How to get an electrician license in Tennessee

Edited by John Voll. Last verified October 6, 2026.

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors licenses electrical contractors in Tennessee. A state contractor license is required for electrical work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor.

Who licenses electrical work in Tennessee

Credential	State license
Board	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors official statement
Official lookup	Search electrical licenses
When a license is needed	A state contractor license is required for electrical work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor. source
License types	CE (Electrical), Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)

How to get licensed

Apply to Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors as a CE (Electrical) or Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE).
Board page
Business and Law exam plus the CE electrical trade exam. 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

Electrical requirements in Tennessee

Electrical: exam, experience, bond, insurance, renewal and feesSources 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
Fees	$250 (Initial contractor license application fee). source $200 (Contractor license renewal fee). 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

Hiring an electrical contractor?

See every official lookup in Tennessee, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.

How to verify a contractor license in Tennessee

Questions

Do you need an electrician license in Tennessee?: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors licenses electrical contractors in Tennessee. A state contractor license is required for electrical work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor.
How do I check an electrician license in Tennessee?: The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in Tennessee. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
How much does an electrician license cost in Tennessee?: $250 (Initial contractor license application fee). $200 (Contractor license renewal fee). $53 (Exam fee paid to Prov, per exam (Business and Law and any trade exam are separate exams)). $20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). $50 (Initial Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) application fee, for an individual doing electrical work under $25,000 where the state issues permit).
How much experience do you need for an electrician license in Tennessee?: The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested.
How often does an electrician license renew in Tennessee?: 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).

Other trades in Tennessee

Electrical license in other states

Sources

This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.