How do I check a plumbing license in Tennessee?

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

How much does a plumbing 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)). $50 (Board pre-approval request fee to sit for the CMC-A plumbing or CMC full mechanical exam). $20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). $75 (Initial Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) application fee, for an individual doing plumbing work under $25,000 where the state issues permit).

How much experience do you need for a plumbing license in Tennessee?

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

How often does a plumbing 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 a plumbing license in Tennessee

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

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

Who licenses plumbing work in Tennessee

Credential	State license
Board	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors official statement
Official lookup	Search plumbing licenses
When a license is needed	A state contractor license is required for plumbing work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor. source
License types	CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping), CMC (Full Mechanical), Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)

How to get licensed

Apply to Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors as a CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) or CMC (Full Mechanical) or Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP).
Board page
Business and Law exam plus the CMC-A plumbing trade exam, which needs Board pre-approval. 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

Plumbing requirements in Tennessee

Plumbing: exam, experience, bond, insurance, renewal and feesSources 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
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 $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

Hiring a plumbing 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 a plumbing license in Tennessee?: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors licenses plumbing contractors in Tennessee. A state contractor license is required for plumbing work of $25,000 or more per project, including materials, equipment and labor.
How do I check a plumbing license in Tennessee?: The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors keeps the record for plumbing contractors in Tennessee. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
How much does a plumbing 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)). $50 (Board pre-approval request fee to sit for the CMC-A plumbing or CMC full mechanical exam). $20 (Late renewal penalty per month, up to 12 month). $75 (Initial Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) application fee, for an individual doing plumbing work under $25,000 where the state issues permit).
How much experience do you need for a plumbing license in Tennessee?: The Board considers whether the applicant has adequate experience in the classifications requested.
How often does a plumbing 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

Plumbing 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.