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State files updated Oct 27, 2026
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Tennessee contractor licenseRequirements, cost, exam

Tennessee licenses general contractors through the TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance). License required to bid or contract for projects of $25,000 or more as a prime contractor or construction manager.1

Tennessee · general contractor

State license required

Experience
Experience is required to support the monetary limit.2
Exam
Tennessee Business and Law exam for all new applicants plus a trade exam for certain classifications.3
Bond
No bond is required to obtain a contractor license.1
Insurance
General liability by monetary limit: up to $500,000 limit needs $100,000 coverage.2
Fees
Initial application $250 (also reinstatement or change of ownership).4
Renewal
License is issued for 2 years.5

TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance)

How do you get a Tennessee contractor license?

  1. Check that you need a license

    License required to bid or contract for projects of $25,000 or more as a prime contractor or construction manager.1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    Experience is required to support the monetary limit.2

  3. Apply to the board$250

    Initial application $250 (also reinstatement or change of ownership).4

    TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance) site
  4. Pass the exam

    Tennessee Business and Law exam for all new applicants plus a trade exam for certain classifications.3

    What's on the exam
  5. File the bond and insurance

    No bond is required to obtain a contractor license. General liability by monetary limit: up to $500,000 limit needs $100,000 coverage.1

    Tennessee bond and insurance rules
  6. Get the license, then renew

    License is issued for 2 years.5

    Renewal and CE

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Tennessee

Which license class do you need in Tennessee?

Building Construction (BC) classifications: BC (full), BC-A residential up to 4 units and 3 stories, BC-A/r restricted residential (limit $125,000), BC-B commercial, BC-b(sm) small commercial (to $1,500,000), BC-C industrial.6

Does Tennessee have license reciprocity?

No reciprocity: you cannot operate on another state's license.1

Do you need workers' comp?

Workers' compensation required unless the applicant has no employees and has an exemption or Construction Services Provider registration with the Secretary of State.2

Tennessee insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): who needs a license (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): experience (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  3. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): exam (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): fees (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  5. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): renewal (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance): license classes (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)
  7. TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance) (tn.gov, 2026-10-27)