How to get an HVAC license in Tennessee
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors licenses HVAC contractors in Tennessee. A state contractor license is required for HVAC work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor.
Who licenses HVAC work in Tennessee
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors official statement |
| Official lookup | Search HVAC licenses |
| When a license is needed | A state contractor license is required for HVAC work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor. source |
| License types | Cmc-C (HVAC), CMC (Full Mechanical) |
How to get licensed
- Apply to Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors as a CMC-C (HVAC) or CMC (Full Mechanical).
- Business and Law exam plus the CMC-C HVAC 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
HVAC requirements in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Fees |
Hiring an HVAC contractor?
See every official lookup in Tennessee, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need an HVAC license in Tennessee?
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors licenses HVAC contractors in Tennessee. A state contractor license is required for HVAC work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor.
- How do I check an HVAC license in Tennessee?
- The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for HVAC contractors in Tennessee. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does an HVAC 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).
- How much experience do you need for an HVAC license in Tennessee?
- The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested.
- How often does an HVAC 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
- General contractor license in Tennessee
- Electrical license in Tennessee
- Plumbing license in Tennessee
- Roofing license in Tennessee
- All Tennessee trades
HVAC license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.html
- https://search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov/
- https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/contractor.html
- https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/classification-outline.html
- https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0680/0680-01.20251118.pdf
- https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0680/0680-06.pdf
- https://tnboi.provexam.com/TNContractor
- https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/fees.html
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.