Contractors and subcontractors working on projects that exceed $25,000 in the state of Tennessee are required to obtain a contractor's license from the Tennessee Board of Licensing Contractors.
Licensing Exam Requirements for Various Types of Contractors: Click here
Tennessee Contractors' Licensing Application, Process and Test Dates: click here
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Licensing Process and Problems: click here
Reciprocity Licensing for Other States
To obtain a Tennessee license without retaking the trade exam, a contractor may apply for a trade exam waiver by having one of the participating states (listed below), complete the attached “License Verification” form and returning it with their “Tennessee Contractor’s License Application”. Note: Some states charge a fee for completing.
Alabama (General, Electrical, Residential, and HVAC)
Arkansas (Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board)
Georgia (Commercial Building and Electrical)
Louisiana (Residential, Commercial, Electrical and Mechanical)
Mississippi (Residential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical (Unlimited)
North Carolina (Residential/Commercial Building); Electrical-pending (Eff. 7/25/2018)
Ohio (Electrical; Plumbing; and HVAC)
South Carolina
NASCLA (National Commercial Exam)
Reciprocity Exceptions and Other Requirements
The reciprocating state must be the applicant’s home/domiciled state; or licensed in one of the participating states and taken an exam comparable to Tennessee’s (e.g., if you’ve taken an exam with a state in which we do not have an agreement, you may need to take Tennessee’s trade exam). If there is not a trade exam required, there is no need to apply for reciprocity of an exam waiver. See a list of exams at: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/posts/ContClassificationOutlineWeb.pdf
Contractors with disciplinary action, open complaints or felony convictions are not granted a trade exam waiver. All applicants must pass the “Tennessee Business and Law” exam with PSI, along with completing the entire license application with all financial requirements, insurance, and Board review. (Note: A license is required prior to bidding, contracting or even making an offer to engage. Doing so is a violation of law and the may be held for six (6) months.)
Licensing Exam Requirements for Various Types of Contractors: Click here
Tennessee Contractors' Licensing Application, Process and Test Dates: click here
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Licensing Process and Problems: click here
Reciprocity Licensing for Other States
To obtain a Tennessee license without retaking the trade exam, a contractor may apply for a trade exam waiver by having one of the participating states (listed below), complete the attached “License Verification” form and returning it with their “Tennessee Contractor’s License Application”. Note: Some states charge a fee for completing.
Alabama (General, Electrical, Residential, and HVAC)
Arkansas (Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board)
Georgia (Commercial Building and Electrical)
Louisiana (Residential, Commercial, Electrical and Mechanical)
Mississippi (Residential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical (Unlimited)
North Carolina (Residential/Commercial Building); Electrical-pending (Eff. 7/25/2018)
Ohio (Electrical; Plumbing; and HVAC)
South Carolina
NASCLA (National Commercial Exam)
Reciprocity Exceptions and Other Requirements
The reciprocating state must be the applicant’s home/domiciled state; or licensed in one of the participating states and taken an exam comparable to Tennessee’s (e.g., if you’ve taken an exam with a state in which we do not have an agreement, you may need to take Tennessee’s trade exam). If there is not a trade exam required, there is no need to apply for reciprocity of an exam waiver. See a list of exams at: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/posts/ContClassificationOutlineWeb.pdf
Contractors with disciplinary action, open complaints or felony convictions are not granted a trade exam waiver. All applicants must pass the “Tennessee Business and Law” exam with PSI, along with completing the entire license application with all financial requirements, insurance, and Board review. (Note: A license is required prior to bidding, contracting or even making an offer to engage. Doing so is a violation of law and the may be held for six (6) months.)
