Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial Contractor License

A residential/small commercial contractor’s services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one, two, three, or four family unit residences that do not exceed three stories in height and to the construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition of any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public including residential construction with more than 4 units or great than 3 stories in height where the project does not exceed $750,000. This license excludes all electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work.

A contractors License in Tennessee is required for projects that exceed $25,000.

• Anyone seeking to become a contractor in Tennessee is required to sit for two exams, business and law and the trade.
• Please note that the Limited Licensed Electrician and the Limited Licensed Plumber classifications do NOT require the business and law exam to be passed.
• Workers Compensation is required.

General liability insurance requirements are based on your monetary limit.

• If your monetary limit is up to $500,000, you will need to provide $100,000 coverage.
• If your monetary limit is $500,001 – $1,500,000, you will need to provide $500,000 coverage.
• If your monetary limit is greater than $1,500,000 you will need to provide $1,000,000 coverage.

An application for licensure can be obtained from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors by calling 1-800-544-7693. The licensing and application fee is $250.00.

• The testing company is PSI (1-800-733-9267)
• 100 questions and an 5 hour time limit
• 73% is required to pass the exam
• The exam fee is $53 for one portion, $106 fee for two portions.
• Topics on the exam include sitework, footings, and foundation; concrete and concrete reinforcement; masonry; carpentry; metals; roofing; associated trades; general code; plan reading and estimating; and OSHA safety

The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.

• International Building Code, 2012
• International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings 2018
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Carpentry and Building Construction
• The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction
• Roofing Construction and Estimating
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Gypsum Construction Handbook
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
• ACI 530/530.1-11 OR ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
• ACI 318-11 OR ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

Online Training: The program takes you through each one of the reference books that the exam is based on showing you exactly what to highlight. After your highlighting is completed with each book, you have the option take an online practice test to reinforce concepts presented. Also, there is an extensive math and plans analysis portion. The program is narrated.

There are no requirements for continuing education as of this time.

Tennessee has limited reciprocity agreement with the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.