Tennessee Contractor License Lookup: Verify License & Classification

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Tennessee contractor lookup · classification · permits · 2026

Verify the License, Classification, Monetary Limit and Qualifying Agent — Not Just the License Number

The Tennessee Contractor License Lookup is most useful when you connect the live credential to the exact business signing the contract, its authorized classification, monetary limit, qualifying agent and local permit authority.

For applicants, this page also covers Tennessee’s July 2026 Prov exam transition, new financial-statement surety-bond alternative, CORE application workflow, reciprocity, BC-A/r, renewal, insurance, local registration and public-contract opportunities.

Official License Lookup Official State Application Official Board Complaint
Independent resource: ContractorsBoard.org is not the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, CORE, Prov, a local permit office, surety company or contractor referral service. Live government records control license status and eligibility.
Do not miss these

Three Tennessee Changes That Make Older Contractor Guides Unsafe in 2026

1. Prov replaced PSI for new exam scheduling

Beginning July 1, 2026, Prov became the Tennessee Board’s new contractor exam provider. PSI can still administer certain appointments that were already scheduled during the transition through September 2026.

2. New surety-bond financial option

Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants/licensees may use the Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond option instead of a CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement when current conditions are met. The bond generally must be at least 50% of the requested monetary limit.

3. Old application PDF has stale process details

The official legacy application packet still contains PSI-era references and an older Board-meeting deadline workflow. Current online guidance now says ordinary applications are processed in order received and no longer use the old regular submission-deadline system.

Freshness rule: use the official PDF for detailed form/document preparation, but use the current live Board page for changed exam-provider, financial-option, online-processing and other 2026 instructions.
Official action center

Official Tennessee Links — and Exactly What to Do After Opening Them

These are task links, not a generic directory. Each card explains what information to collect before opening the government page and what action to take next.

Official Public License Search

Prepare first: exact company name, license number and total contract value.

After opening:
1. Search the exact license/business.
2. Open the matching result.
3. Check status and expiration.
4. Match the company to the contract.
5. Note credential information.
6. Continue to classification, monetary-limit and QA checks on this page.
Open Official License Search

Contractor & Qualifying Agent Dashboard

Useful when you want to identify the person currently connected to the contractor as QA.

After opening:
1. Use the dashboard filters.
2. Locate the contractor.
3. Select the relevant visual/record.
4. Choose View Data from the tooltip where needed.
5. Sort/search the underlying table.
6. Keyboard users can tab into a visual and use Shift+Enter to access View Data.
Official Contractor & QA Data

CORE Licensing Account

Use for: new application, renewal and credential-management transactions.

After opening:
1. Create/log into CORE.
2. Choose the appropriate Apply/Renew action.
3. Use the exact licensed business name.
4. Upload clearly labeled supporting documents.
5. Pay the applicable fee.
6. Monitor CORE for deficiencies and Board requests.
Open Official CORE

Classification Outline

Classification answers “what type of work?” while monetary limit answers “how large a project?”

After opening:
1. Identify BC, LMC, HC, HRA, MU, CMC, CE or Specialty.
2. Locate the exact subclassification.
3. Read the scope.
4. Check whether a trade exam applies.
5. Compare every major line item in the proposed project with that scope.
Official Classification Outline

Current 2026 Contractor Application Steps

Use this as the controlling application overview rather than relying solely on a saved PDF.

After opening:
Work through Testing → Financial Responsibility → Letter of Reference → Insurance → Contractor Affidavit → Entity Registration → CORE. Check the July 2026 exam and surety-bond updates before preparing the packet.
Current Contractor Application Steps

Official Complaint

Use for suspected unlicensed activity, licensing-law violations or contractor conduct within the Board’s regulatory authority.

After opening:
1. Identify the respondent.
2. Enter the license number when known.
3. Upload contract/proposal.
4. Add payment evidence.
5. Add communications, photos and permit records.
6. Submit.
7. Save the confirmation email and complaint number.
Official Board Complaint

Forms & Downloads

Use for reciprocity, QA changes, financial forms, insurance guidance, BC-A/r revisions and 2026 bond forms.

After opening:
Search by the transaction you are completing—not by a similar filename. Verify the form date and title before downloading. For the July 2026 financial alternative, use the Board’s own Contractors’ Surety Bond form.
Official Forms & Downloads

2026 Exam Information

Use the live Board page to avoid old PSI scheduling instructions.

After opening:
1. Match the exam to your classification.
2. Check whether Board pre-approval is required.
3. Open the current Prov Candidate Information Bulletin.
4. Confirm current books/references and ID rules.
5. Use the current Prov scheduling route.
Official Exam Information

Renewal & Reinstatement

Use this before assuming an expired license can simply pay a fee and become current.

After opening:
Check contractor vs Home Improvement vs LLE/LLP → identify the grace period → prepare financial and insurance documents → renew in CORE → check the public license after processing.
Official Renewal Instructions
Primary intent

How to Verify a Tennessee Contractor License Correctly

A license number alone does not tell you whether the company can legally handle your exact project. Use this sequence before signing, paying a large deposit or allowing work to begin.

Copy the license number and exact company name

Take them directly from the bid or proposed contract. Also record the complete project price and project address.

Open Tennessee’s official public license search

Use the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance public database rather than Google snippets, contractor ads or lead-generation directories.

Search the exact contractor

Use the license number where possible. If searching by name, make sure the result is the exact legal entity rather than a similarly named company.

Check status and expiration

Tennessee’s public search provides current status/expiration information. Do not treat an old certificate as proof of current authority.

Match the licensed entity to your contract

The company signing the contract, issuing invoices and receiving payment should clearly match the licensed entity.

Confirm the classification

Use Tennessee’s current Classification Outline to make sure the credential covers the actual residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical, utility, roofing or other work being offered.

Check the monetary limit

Tennessee contractor licenses carry a maximum project amount. Compare the total project/contract with the contractor’s approved monetary limit.

Check the Qualifying Agent

Use the official Contractor & Qualifying Agent dashboard when you need to confirm which QA is associated with the licensed business.

Review public discipline

Use the regulatory disciplinary-action reports and contact the Board for questions about complaint history when appropriate.

Verify the local permit and contractor registration

A state license does not replace Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga or county permit/inspection requirements.

Official Tennessee License Search Official Contractor & QA Dashboard Regulatory Board Disciplinary Actions

How to Read a Tennessee Contractor License Record

Field What to verify Why it matters Stop / investigate if
Status Current state status and expiration. A historical record is not enough. Expired, inactive or unclear.
Licensed entity Exact company contracting and accepting payment. The business entity holds the license. Another person/company wants payment.
Classification Scope covers the work. A license in one area does not automatically cover unrelated construction. Project scope exceeds credential.
Monetary limit Project value is within approved authority. Tennessee financially limits contractor project size. Bid exceeds approved limit.
Qualifying Agent Associated QA when applicable. The QA establishes required qualification/examination credentials. Claimed QA cannot be connected to entity.
Local permit Permit record for project address. Licensing and permitting are separate. Contractor asks owner to pull a permit to avoid licensing requirements.

Tennessee Contractor Record Match Checker

Answer from official records. This independent tool does not access Tennessee’s databases and does not verify a contractor itself.

Complete the checks using live government records.
Lookup troubleshooting

What if the Tennessee Contractor Does Not Appear in the Search?

  • Re-enter the full license number exactly as supplied.
  • Search the legal entity rather than only a DBA, salesperson or trade name.
  • Check whether the project is actually under a Home Improvement, LLE, LLP or local-license regime rather than a full contractor license.
  • Use the QA dashboard if the only name you have is the individual qualifying the company.
  • Ask the contractor which exact entity will sign the contract and receive payment.
  • Do not accept a license belonging to an unrelated company as proof of authority.
  • Contact the Board at 615-741-8307 when the record cannot be reconciled.
No search result is not proof by itself that someone is violating the law. The correct credential can depend on project value, trade and local jurisdiction. Resolve the credential type before making that conclusion.
Who qualifies the company?

Tennessee Qualifying Agent Rules Homeowners and Applicants Should Understand

The contractor license is issued to the entity. The QA is the individual who qualifies the company for required examination/classification purposes.

Who can be QA?

The QA may be an owner, officer or qualifying full-time employee. When a QA has no ownership or limited ownership, Tennessee can require the Board’s Power of Attorney form.

Can one QA qualify multiple companies?

Current Board customer-service guidance places restrictions on a full-time employee QA serving multiple licenses and provides additional flexibility where the person owns the required majority interest in multiple companies.

QA leaves the company: Board guidance requires the licensee to report the change and designate a replacement within the applicable statutory period. Current renewal guidance states the classification can become invalid if a replacement QA is not designated within three months.
Dashboard workflow: open Contractor & QA Data → filter by company/license → select the record → open View Data → compare the QA relationship with the company → if a recent change is not clear, contact the Board before relying on the old relationship.
Credential resolver

Contractor, Home Improvement, LLE or LLP? Tennessee’s Dollar Thresholds

Project / role State credential route Threshold / key rule Next check
Prime contractor Contractor license $25,000 or more total project cost. Classification + monetary limit + local permit.
Construction manager / consultant Contractor license $25,000 or more total project. Do not assume “consultant” title avoids contractor law.
Electrical subcontractor Contractor license Electrical portion $25,000+. Under $25K check LLE/local program.
Plumbing subcontractor Contractor license Plumbing portion $25,000+. Under $25K check LLP/local program.
Mechanical / HVAC subcontractor Contractor license Applicable trade portion $25,000+. Confirm CMC/CMC-C and local code requirements.
Roofing subcontractor Contractor license Roofing portion $25,000+. Verify classification scope.
Masonry subcontractor LMC / appropriate contractor license Masonry portion $100,000+. Check classification for lower-value masonry scope.
Residential remodeling Home Improvement $3,000–$24,999 in participating counties. Check county list below.
Limited electrical LLE Generally under $25,000 where the state LLE system applies. Ask local building authority whether local licensing controls.
Limited plumbing LLP Generally under $25,000 where the state LLP system applies. Confirm local permit/license requirements.
Do not divide a project into artificial smaller contracts to avoid licensing or monetary-limit requirements.
Sub-to-sub contracts are a special Tennessee issue. Current Board customer-service guidance contains additional licensing rules when a subcontractor contracts with another subcontractor. When the contracting chain is not owner → prime → first-tier subcontractor, confirm the exact structure with the Board.

Tennessee Credential Starting-Point Helper

This is a routing aid, not a legal determination. Local rules and special subcontracting arrangements can change the answer.

Enter the project details.
Residential remodeling

Tennessee Home Improvement License: Exactly Which Counties Use It?

A state Home Improvement license applies to qualifying residential remodeling from $3,000 through $24,999 in the following counties:

Bradley

State Home Improvement law adopted.

Davidson

Includes Nashville; Metro permits/registration also apply.

Hamilton

Includes Chattanooga/Hamilton County.

Haywood

State Home Improvement law adopted.

Knox

Includes Knoxville area.

Marion

State Home Improvement law adopted.

Robertson

State Home Improvement law adopted.

Rutherford

State Home Improvement law adopted.

Shelby

Includes Memphis/Shelby County.

Current Home Improvement application checklist

  • $10,000 surety bond or an accepted alternative form of financial responsibility.
  • Photo ID and Social Security number.
  • General liability insurance.
  • Workers’ compensation compliance.
  • Secretary of State entity registration where applicable.
  • Residential remodeling experience.
  • Initial application in CORE.
  • Current application fee: $250.
After opening the official Home Improvement page: confirm the property county → confirm project is remodeling rather than new construction → total labor + materials → read the five requirement sections → open CORE → choose Initial Home Improvement Contractor Application → upload bond/insurance/entity documents → pay $250 → verify issued status before contracting.
Official Home Improvement Requirements
Under-$25K trades

Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) and Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)

LLE — Limited Licensed Electrician

The state LLE credential is generally designed for electrical projects under $25,000 in jurisdictions using the state Division of Fire Prevention electrical-permit/inspection system instead of their own local licensing program.

Current initial fee: $50.

Before applying: call the local building authority for the project address. If that jurisdiction issues its own electrical license, determine whether the state LLE is applicable or whether the local credential controls.
Official LLE Requirements

LLP — Limited Licensed Plumber

The LLP covers qualifying plumbing projects under $25,000 where the state program applies. Current Board guidance contains a limited general-maintenance exemption for work below $500.

Current initial / reinstatement fee: $75.

Before applying: verify whether the municipality has its own plumbing credential/inspection program → confirm project value → open the LLP application → complete current Prov exam requirements → apply in CORE.
Official LLP Requirements
Scope authority

Tennessee Contractor Classifications — What the Letters Actually Mean

Classification Primary scope Useful practical check
BC Full building: residential, commercial and industrial. Covers BC-A, BC-B, BC-C and Board-listed building categories.
BC-A Residential one- through four-family residences generally not over three stories plus accessory structures. Do not treat as full commercial building authority.
BC-A/r Restricted single-family residential. Maximum monetary limit $125,000; no 10% tolerance; no joint venture.
BC-B Commercial / public occupancy and larger residential buildings. Use for commercial building work within monetary limit.
BC-b(sm) Small commercial building. Current Classification Outline states monetary limit cannot exceed $1.5 million.
BC-C Industrial buildings and structures. Match industrial-production/service structure scope.
LMC Licensed masonry contractor. Important at the $100,000 masonry subcontract threshold.
HC Heavy construction. Infrastructure/heavy-project class, not ordinary residential GC label.
HRA Highway, railroad and airport. TDOT prequalification is a separate layer.
MU Municipal and utility construction. Water/sewer/utility/site scopes depend on subcategory.
CMC Full mechanical contracting. Full CMC exam requires Board pre-approval.
CMC-A Plumbing. Board pre-approval required before applicable exam.
CMC-C HVAC. Verify trade exam and project value.
CE Electrical contracting. Separate alarm/fire systems regulation may apply to specialty systems.
Building subcategories matter too. Tennessee’s building framework includes numerous specialty categories such as roofing, painting, demolition, excavation, landscaping and swimming pools. An applicant seeking only limited building subcategories should use the current classification outline rather than guessing from a generic “GC” label.
Financial authority

How Tennessee Calculates a Contractor’s Monetary Limit

The Board generally starts with approximately 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth, then considers experience and other licensing requirements.

$150,000 requested

A basic financial starting point is at least $15,000 in both working capital and net worth, subject to the Board’s full review.

Unequal financials

If working capital is $10,000 and net worth is $200,000, the lesser $10,000 figure is the limiting starting point—approximately $100,000 before other Board considerations.

Unlimited

Current Board guidance states that Unlimited requires at least $300,000 in both working capital and net worth plus sufficient experience.

10% bid tolerance: the standard framework generally permits limited bidding tolerance above the displayed monetary limit, but this is not a permanent increase to the license. BC-A/r receives no standard 10% tolerance.
Licensing violations can affect more than discipline. Tennessee Board resources warn that bidding/contracting without the required license, outside the proper classification or beyond authorized limits can create bidding, civil-penalty and contract/lien consequences. Resolve the license before bidding rather than trying to repair the issue afterward.

Non-Binding Tennessee Monetary-Limit Estimator

This calculator only demonstrates the Board’s general “10 × lesser of working capital or net worth” concept. It does not calculate an approved license limit.

Enter both amounts.
Current 2026 process

How to Apply for a Tennessee Contractor License

Choose the classification before buying exam materials

Use the Classification Outline to determine whether you need Business & Law only, a trade exam, Board pre-approval or the BC-A/r course route.

Complete the required exam or waiver route

Beginning July 1, 2026, use Prov for newly scheduled Board contractor exams unless you fall within the PSI transition rules for an appointment already scheduled.

Choose a financial-responsibility route

Use the appropriate CPA financial statement or evaluate the new July 2026 Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond alternative.

Prepare the Letter of Reference

The reference can come from a past client/employer familiar with your construction work or a code official who inspected it. Board guidance says a family member cannot serve as the reference.

Obtain general liability and workers’ compensation documentation

Match insurance to the exact legal entity being licensed. Workers’ compensation exemption documentation must be supplied when applicable.

Complete the Contractor’s Affidavit

Required qualifying agents, owners, partners, members, principal officers and major stockholders must complete/sign/notarize the affidavit as applicable.

Register the business entity

Corporations, LLCs and other entities must satisfy Tennessee Secretary of State requirements and maintain consistent entity naming across application, insurance and financial records.

Submit through CORE

Upload the application documents, pay the current $250 initial fee and monitor the CORE account for deficiency requests.

Do not bid while the required license is pending

For ordinary projects where contractor licensing is required before bidding, an application under review does not authorize bidding or contracting.

Current processing improvement: current Tennessee Customer Service Center guidance says ordinary applications are processed in the order received and the old regular Board-meeting application submission deadlines are no longer used. The current processing goal is approximately 30 days for complete applications, but incomplete applications can take longer.
Application stays open for a limited period. Current customer-service guidance describes a six-month application period. Respond to deficiency requests promptly rather than assuming the application remains open indefinitely.

Tennessee Application Packet Checker

Mark only items actually prepared:
Use this as a preparation aid only.
Official PDF intelligence

The Long Tennessee Contractor Application PDF Is Useful — but Some Instructions Are Now Stale

The Board’s detailed official contractor application packet is still valuable for understanding the paperwork relationship among the entity, QA, financial statement, reference, insurance, affidavits and supporting documents.

Do not copy the PDF’s old PSI/deadline instructions blindly. The packet predates the July 1, 2026 Prov transition and new surety-bond financial option. It also contains an older Board-meeting submission deadline workflow that has been superseded by current online customer-service guidance.

What the PDF is still especially useful for

PDF topic Useful practical detail 2026 action
Entity consistency License is issued in the exact name/mode of operation supported by financial, insurance and organizational documents. Make company naming identical across CORE, SOS, COI and financial records.
QA QA is the person qualifying the licensed entity and may be owner or qualifying employee/officer. Prepare Power of Attorney if current ownership/employee rules require it.
Reference One construction reference is required under the current application workflow. Use past client/employer/code official; not family.
Insurance COI needs the correct entity, policy information and coverage amounts. Do not upload only an invoice/binder as proof of active coverage.
Financial worksheet Explains the 10× lesser-of-working-capital/net-worth monetary-limit concept. Use current financial rules and 2026 bond option before paying for a report.
Upload organization Separates financials, insurance, reference, exam/waiver, experience and corporate documents. Upload readable files under the correct CORE categories.
Official Detailed Contractor Application PDF Compare With Current 2026 Application Page
Major 2026 change

Tennessee Financial Statement vs Contractors’ Surety Bond — and Three Bonds People Confuse

Traditional CPA route

Requested monetary limit Traditional initial-license financial route
$3 million or less Reviewed financial statement prepared by a properly licensed independent CPA/LPA under current Board requirements.
Over $3 million Audited financial statement.
Unlimited Applicable financial documentation plus at least $300,000 in both working capital and net worth and sufficient experience.
July 1, 2026 alternative: the Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond can be used instead of the CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement when current requirements are satisfied. The Board says the bond must be at least 50% of the requested monetary limit.

Do not confuse these three Tennessee bonds

Bond Purpose Amount / key distinction
2026 Contractors’ Surety Bond Alternative to otherwise required CPA reviewed/audited financial statement. At least 50% of requested monetary limit using Board-approved form.
Bond used instead of Guaranty Agreement Separate financial-support mechanism under Board rules. Current contractor page references $500,000, or $1 million for Unlimited, in the Board-required format. It is not the same as the new 50% financial-statement alternative.
Home Improvement surety bond Home Improvement credential requirement. $10,000, subject to accepted alternatives listed by the Board.
Before buying a bond: identify which of the three rules applies → open Forms & Downloads → use the exact Board form → give the surety the licensed entity name exactly as it will appear in CORE → confirm amount and obligee → do not substitute a generic contractor bond.
Official Tennessee Bond / Financial Forms
Exact current tiers

Tennessee Contractor General Liability Minimums

Contractor monetary limit Board-listed minimum general liability coverage
Up to $500,000 $100,000
$500,001–$1,500,000 $500,000
$1,500,001–Unlimited $1,000,000

Certificate of Insurance quality check

  • Named insured matches the exact licensed entity.
  • Policy number is displayed.
  • Effective and expiration dates are current.
  • Coverage limit meets the Board requirement for the monetary limit.
  • Board certificate-holder information is completed where required.
  • Workers’ compensation coverage or applicable exemption is handled separately.
Insurance PDF age: Tennessee still posts an official insurance-resource PDF containing the contractor GL tiers, but applicants should compare any older PDF with the current live application/renewal page before filing.
Official Insurance Resource PDF
Exam transition

2026 Tennessee Contractor Exams: Use Prov, Not an Old PSI-Only Guide

Current rule: Prov became the Board’s new exam provider beginning July 1, 2026. Candidates who already had certain PSI appointments scheduled during the transition may keep those appointments, with PSI continuing already-scheduled testing through September 2026.

Standard exam logic

  • All ordinary new contractor applicants take Tennessee Business & Law.
  • Some classifications require a separate trade examination.
  • The same individual does not necessarily have to take both Business & Law and trade exams.
  • The company may have up to two people take each examination under current Board guidance.
  • Contractor examinations are open-book.
  • Passing exam results are generally recognized by the Board for two years.
  • Full CMC Mechanical and CMC-A Plumbing require Board pre-approval before scheduling.
  • The current pre-approval transaction has a $50 fee.
Correct 2026 exam workflow: choose classification → check whether trade exam applies → if CMC/CMC-A, obtain Board pre-approval first → open current Exam Information → open Prov Candidate Information Bulletin → confirm books/references, identification and scheduling rules → schedule through current Prov route → save the passing score for the CORE application.
Official 2026 Exam Information
Out-of-state applicant

Tennessee Reciprocity: Trade-Exam Waiver, Not Automatic Licensing

An out-of-state license does not authorize Tennessee contracting. Tennessee’s reciprocity arrangements waive eligible trade examinations; the applicant must still obtain the Tennessee license.
State Current Customer Service Center waiver categories
AlabamaGeneral, Electrical, Residential, HVAC
ArkansasCommercial / Residential Building
GeorgiaElectrical
LouisianaResidential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical
MississippiResidential, Commercial, Electrical, Mechanical (Unlimited)
North CarolinaResidential / Commercial Building, Electrical
OhioElectrical, Plumbing, HVAC
South CarolinaCommercial board: Building, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing
West VirginiaResidential, Commercial, Industrial Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Masonry
Official-source discrepancy worth checking before you skip an exam: Tennessee’s April 10, 2026 Customer Service Center reciprocity guidance lists Georgia Electrical and states that Tennessee accepts both the NASCLA National Commercial and Electrical exams. The main contractor application page currently omits Georgia from its shorter list and mentions NASCLA National Commercial. Because exam waivers are classification-specific, confirm your exact waiver with the Board before relying on either summary.

How to request the waiver

Identify the Tennessee classification

Do not start with “I am licensed in Alabama.” Start with the exact Tennessee credential you need.

Confirm the source-state classification is covered

Reciprocity is not a blanket state-to-state agreement covering every trade.

Download Tennessee’s License Verification / Trade Exam Waiver form

Complete the applicant section.

Send it to the source licensing board

The other state verifies the license, status, classification, QA/exam history and other requested information.

Submit the completed verification with the Tennessee application

The waiver replaces only the eligible trade-exam requirement. Tennessee Business & Law and other application requirements can remain.

Current Reciprocity Guidance Official Reciprocity Form
Alternative residential route

BC-A/r Restricted Residential License: When the Course Route Helps

BC-A/r can be valuable for an applicant focused on restricted single-family residential construction who does not need a higher project limit.

BC-A/r feature Current rule
Exam alternative Approved Tennessee Limited License course may be used instead of standard BC-A trade and Business & Law exams.
Maximum monetary limit $125,000.
10% tolerance Not available.
Joint ventures Not permitted under the restricted license.
Other application requirements Still apply.
Removing restriction Requires applicable exams and current financial-responsibility requirements for the requested revision.
License maintenance

Tennessee Contractor Renewal, Late Renewal, CE and Retirement

The CORE renewal option generally becomes available around 90 days before expiration. Tennessee recommends submitting at least 30 days before expiration.

Renewal item Current rule
Contractor renewal fee $200.
Grace period 12 months after contractor license expiration.
Late fee $20 per month during contractor grace period.
Expired 12+ months Ordinary renewal no longer applies; reapplication/reinstatement is required.
Limit ≤$1.5M Current renewal page uses self-prepared balance-sheet documentation.
Limit >$1.5M Current renewal page requires compiled CPA financial statement.
Insurance Current GL certificate plus workers’ compensation/exemption documentation as applicable.
Corporation / LLC Maintain active Tennessee Secretary of State status.

Residential Continuing Education

8 hours: the current contractor renewal page states that BC-A and BC-A/r licensees subject to the residential CE requirement complete eight hours of approved Residential Continuing Education with the biennial renewal. The QA completes the applicable CE for the licensed entity.

Retirement instead of active renewal

Tennessee allows a contractor license not being used for contracting to be placed into retirement rather than maintained as active.

  • Current retirement fee: $25 per year.
  • Retirement can continue up to seven consecutive years before the Board’s reset requirement.
  • Current fee page lists a $200 reset every seven years.
  • A retired contractor license cannot be used to bid or contract.
  • Insurance/ordinary active financial documents are not required merely to place the license into retirement.
  • Use the Board’s current instructions when bringing the license back to active status.
Renewal workflow: log into CORE → choose Renew during the available window → upload current financial document → GL COI → WC/exemption → SOS status if applicable → RCE if required → pay $200 → after processing, search the public database and confirm the new expiration/status.
Official Renewal / Reinstatement Approved Residential CE
Special applicant routes

Hardship Review, Military Exemption and Criminal-History Applicant Resources

Hardship Request

Tennessee’s hardship process is reserved for Initial General Contractor Applications and Monetary Limit Increase Requests. It cannot be used simply to rush an ordinary renewal.

Owner—not contractor—must explain:
project/location → nature of hardship → why the normal process must be rushed → why this particular contractor is needed rather than one already licensed → bid/needed date.

Military / Military-Spouse Temporary Exemption

An eligible active-duty service member or spouse stationed in Tennessee may qualify for temporary recognition while transitioning from a qualifying out-of-state credential to Tennessee licensure.

CORE steps:
CORE → Apply → search Armed Forces → select the profession → upload active-duty orders + Certificate of Good Standing → submit. Tennessee licensure must then be pursued by the applicable deadline.

Fresh Start / Criminal History

Tennessee’s Fresh Start framework provides protections for applicants with criminal-history issues and generally requires the licensing authority to evaluate whether a conviction is directly related to the occupation and other statutory factors rather than applying an automatic blanket denial.

Special-Case Licensing Resources
Official Hardship Guidance Official Military Exemption
Free Board help current as of August 31, 2026: Tennessee’s public meeting calendar lists a “Build Your Future: Applying for and Managing Your Contractor License” webinar for September 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM Central. Recheck the live meeting calendar for the current Webex details before joining.
Current Board Meetings & Webinars
Licensing beyond the contractor board

Tennessee Business License / Tax Registration Is a Separate Requirement

A Board for Licensing Contractors credential does not automatically satisfy Tennessee business-tax licensing.

Business activity Current Tennessee business-license rule
More than $3,000 but less than $100,000 gross receipts Generally a $15 minimal activity license from the applicable county and/or municipal clerk.
$100,000 or more Standard business license and applicable Department of Revenue business-tax registration/filing.
New business registration fee Current Revenue guidance lists a separate $15 local business-license registration fee for each applicable new business location/jurisdiction.
Contractor operating in additional jurisdictions Contractor-specific business-tax rules can require additional local licensing when receipts cross the applicable jurisdictional threshold.
Business-license workflow: determine business location and jurisdictions → review Revenue registration → use TNTAP where state business-tax registration is required → contact the county/municipal clerk for the local $15 license → do not confuse the local business license with the Tennessee contractor license.
Tennessee Business Tax Registration & Licensing
Local permit desk

Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga Contractor Registration & Permits

A state license is not the final step. Before work starts, verify which city/county has jurisdiction over the project address, then register the contractor and obtain applicable permits.

Area Official portal What to do after opening Local help
Nashville / Davidson County Metro E-Permits Confirm property jurisdiction → register contractor with Metro Codes → obtain E-Permit account credentials → apply for eligible building/trade permit → pay fees → request/schedule inspection → monitor inspection status. Only registered licensed contractors can establish the contractor E-Permit account. Codes: 615-862-6500
Permit issuance / contractor registration: 615-862-6517
800 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN 37210
Memphis / Shelby County Develop 901 Create Develop 901 account → register contractor license → search the property/project → submit planning, zoning, construction, sign, fire or trade application as applicable → upload documents → pay → schedule construction inspections → use Project Locator to review permit activity. 901-636-6500
125 N Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
City of Knoxville State Contractor Registration Complete City state-contractor registration → create/use the permit portal account → associate the City registration with the account → submit permit/plans → upload revisions → pay invoices → schedule inspections. 865-215-4311
Plans Review & Inspections
400 Main Street, Suite 475, Knoxville, TN 37902
City of Chattanooga Registered Licensed Contractor Open application → click Apply through OpenGov → create free account if needed → register Tennessee licensed contractor → approved contractor information can auto-populate on Building Permit applications → proceed to appropriate residential/commercial permit. Contractor/trade registration: 423-643-5884
Current local registration fee: $0
Unincorporated Hamilton County Hamilton County Building & Zoning Register account → activate account from confirmation email → log in → apply for permit → valid licensed contractors can pay permit fees online → monitor application and inspections. Check spam/junk if the activation email does not appear. 423-209-7860

Nashville inspection numbers worth saving

Nashville tip: have the Metro permit number ready before calling for an inspection. Registered contractors can schedule through E-Permits.

Chattanooga commercial permit fees — real local cost data

Commercial construction valuation Current Chattanooga published building-permit fee
$1,000 or less No fee unless inspection is required; then $40 per inspection.
$1,001–$50,000 $25 for first $1,000 + $5.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction.
$50,001–$100,000 $306.75 for first $50,000 + $4.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction.
$100,001–$500,000 $544.25 for first $100,000 + $3.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction.
$500,001+ $2,044.25 for first $500,000 + $2.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction.
Verify Current Chattanooga Commercial Permit Fees
Local & state business benefits

Procurement, Small-Business and Contractor Opportunity Programs

These are not license-fee rebates. They are government procurement, supplier, small-business or technical-assistance programs that can create opportunities after the contractor is properly licensed and registered.

Nashville Small Business Reserve

Metro Nashville’s Business Assistance Office operates a Small Business Reserve program. Certain Metro procurements under $250,000—including qualifying construction and professional-service contracts—may initially be reserved for approved small businesses when program conditions are met.

Action: register as Metro supplier → complete applicable small-business documentation/certification → monitor procurement opportunities → check whether a solicitation is identified as Small Business Reserve.
Nashville Business Assistance Office

Memphis 2026 SBE Program

Memphis adopted Ordinance No. 5959 on June 23, 2026 updating its Small Business Enterprise program. Current SBE certificate holders are being required to re-certify under the updated structure.

Action: open City Business → review current SBE eligibility/re-certification → complete supplier registration → monitor solicitations separately. Do not assume an old SBE certificate remains sufficient after the 2026 change.
Memphis SBE / Business Resources

Knoxville Supplier Outreach

Knoxville actively solicits small-business participation and maintains a searchable Supplier Outreach Directory for vendors, contractors and subcontractors.

Action: register as vendor → choose free/basic bid-notification access where offered → identify construction/service classifications accurately → monitor addenda yourself because notification delivery is not guaranteed.

Purchasing: 865-215-2070

Knoxville Supplier Outreach

Chattanooga — Free Contractor Registration

Chattanooga currently lists no fee for its Registered Licensed Contractor application used to auto-populate contractor data on city building-permit applications.

Action: register through OpenGov before the first permit → use the licensed entity information → confirm approval before attempting permit filing.

Chattanooga Small Business Resource Center

Local business support includes the City’s SBRC plus connections to the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and Tennessee APEX Accelerator.

SBRC: 332 E Martin Luther King Blvd, Chattanooga
423-643-7369

TN SBDC Chattanooga: 423-756-8668

TN APEX Accelerator: 615-532-4914

State of Tennessee Supplier Portal

Contractors wanting state procurement opportunities should register as suppliers through Edison. You may browse some opportunities before registration, but supplier registration is required for award and notifications.

Prepare before registration: accurate hand-signed W-9 → SDDA Access form → remittance-address documentation if applicable → EIN/TIN → correct UNSPSC commodity codes.

Edison Helpdesk: 615-253-4758

State Supplier Information
State supplier timing: Tennessee’s current Supplier FAQ says registration commonly takes about 7–10 business days. After approval you receive a Supplier ID needed for Edison access. Register before a bid deadline rather than waiting for award day.
Browser detail that can save troubleshooting time: Tennessee currently states that the Edison Supplier Portal is tested with Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge; Safari is not currently supported.
How to get useful State bid alerts: register supplier → obtain Supplier ID → create Edison access → add all relevant UNSPSC commodity codes → enable/monitor sourcing notifications → update supplier profile at least every 90 days → still check the public ITB/RFP pages because email should not be your only deadline control.
Current Tennessee Invitations to Bid Edison Supplier Registration FAQ
Important procurement exception

TDOT Contractor Bidding Has a Special License-Timing Rule

Do not apply this TDOT exception to private construction. The Tennessee Contractors Board’s normal rule requires the license before bidding/contracting when the licensing law applies. TDOT currently publishes a separate procurement-specific rule for its prime-contractor lettings.

TDOT requires prime bidders—other than specified mowing/litter categories—to obtain the appropriate Tennessee contractor license. However, TDOT’s current bidding instructions state that a bidder may submit a TDOT proposal without the license and remain eligible for consideration for 21 days after proposals are opened. If the required license is not obtained within that TDOT period, the bidder is treated as non-responsive.

TDOT prequalification happens before the proposal

  • Prime contractor must be TDOT prequalified and in good standing before a proposal form is issued.
  • Current TDOT instructions require the Prequalification Questionnaire at least 14 days before the letting.
  • Subcontractor prequalification can also be required before requested approval.
  • Use the classification required by the specific project—not merely any contractor credential.
  • TDOT requires electronic prime bids through Bid Express.
  • Beginning with the March 20, 2026 letting, TDOT moved to Bid Express Web Enhanced Bidding.
TDOT first-time bidder sequence: open Prequalification → complete current form → email as directed by TDOT → wait for Vendor ID/prequalification → create Bid Express setup → review letting-specific proposal → check contractor-license/classification requirement → submit electronic bid → if using TDOT’s 21-day license timing rule, complete Board licensure well before the 21-day response deadline.
TDOT Contractor Prequalification TDOT Official Bidding Requirements
Homeowner protection

Before Hiring a Tennessee Contractor: High-Value Checklist

  • Search the current state credential yourself.
  • Match the legal licensed entity with the contract and payment recipient.
  • Confirm classification against the complete scope.
  • Confirm project value against the monetary limit.
  • Check the QA where relevant.
  • Review public disciplinary information.
  • Verify GL and workers’ compensation rather than assuming the state record proves all insurance details.
  • Check Home Improvement licensing for $3,000–$24,999 residential remodeling in participating counties.
  • Check LLE/LLP/local trade licensing for smaller electrical/plumbing work.
  • Verify the building/trade permit at the project address.
  • Get multiple written bids using the same scope/material assumptions.
  • Put change orders, payment milestones, permit responsibility and completion terms in writing.
  • Keep invoices, checks, photographs, inspection records and communications in one project file.
Deposit guidance: Tennessee consumer-awareness material generally advises consumers to be cautious about paying more than roughly one-third of a project upfront and to put payment terms in writing. Treat that as consumer guidance—not a universal statutory deposit cap for every Tennessee contract.

Before digging

For excavation/site work, use Tennessee 811 before digging. Nashville’s current Codes contact information also directs users to Tennessee One Call at 811 or 800-351-1111 and advises advance notification before excavation.

Tennessee 811
Complaint & recovery routing

Contractor Complaint, Consumer Mediation or Civil Remedy? Use the Right Tennessee Route

Problem Starting route What that route can do
Unlicensed / classification / monetary-limit violation Board for Licensing Contractors complaint Regulatory investigation / discipline / enforcement within Board authority.
Licensed contractor conduct / warranty issue Board complaint Regulatory review; Board is not your private attorney or civil court.
Refund/payment dispute Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs mediation Informal written mediation process; not guaranteed recovery.
Permit/code violation Local building authority Permit, inspection and code enforcement.
Private damages / lien / contract dispute Appropriate private legal/court remedy Board does not act as private counsel or award ordinary civil damages.

Build the Board complaint packet

  • Exact contractor/legal entity.
  • License number if known.
  • Project address.
  • Signed proposal/contract.
  • Change orders.
  • Invoices and payment records.
  • Relevant texts/emails.
  • Photos/videos relevant to the allegation.
  • Permits and inspection/correction notices.
  • Short dated chronology instead of an unstructured narrative.
After submission: save the confirmation email and complaint number. Tennessee says the regulatory office cannot give private legal advice or represent an individual seeking a refund/reimbursement.

Separate Attorney General consumer mediation

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs offers an informal written complaint mediation process. After a complaint is processed, a consumer specialist sends it to the business and ordinarily requests a response within 21 days. If there is no response, a second notification can give the business another 14 days.

Public-record caution: consumer complaints can be subject to Tennessee public-records law. Avoid uploading unrelated Social Security numbers, full bank details or other sensitive information that is not needed to explain the dispute.
Official Contractor Regulatory Complaint Tennessee Consumer Affairs Mediation

Tennessee Contractor Problem Route Finder

This helper does not file a complaint or determine liability.
PDF & form desk

Official Tennessee Contractor Forms and PDFs — What Each One Is For

Official resource Use it for What to do after opening
Forms & Downloads Current master form library. Find exact transaction; check form date before saving.
Detailed Contractor Application Packet Entity/QA/financial/reference/insurance detail. Use form-detail sections; replace stale PSI/deadline instructions with current 2026 live guidance.
Contractor Renewal PDF Paper-renewal checklist / retirement details. Compare with current CORE renewal page before mailing.
License Verification / Trade Exam Waiver Reciprocity. Applicant fills first section → reciprocal board verifies → return completed verification with Tennessee application.
Power of Attorney Qualifying employee with required ownership relationship. Use Board form and notarize as instructed.
CMC / CMC-A Pre-Approval Before applicable full mechanical/plumbing trade exam. Complete current form → submit to Board → pay current $50 fee → wait for pre-approval before exam scheduling.
Contractors’ Surety Bond July 2026 financial-statement alternative. Use Board-approved exact form with surety; generally at least 50% of requested monetary limit.
Insurance Resource PDF GL/WC/document-preparation reference. Compare COI with current entity, monetary limit, policy dates and live Board requirements.
Hardship License Initial contractor application or monetary-limit increase with genuine project-owner hardship. Complete full underlying application first → obtain owner’s signed detailed hardship explanation → submit as instructed.
Board contact & location

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Phone, Email, Address & Google Map

What to have ready before calling

  • License or application number.
  • Exact legal business name.
  • Classification requested/currently held.
  • Project value or requested monetary limit.
  • Specific exam/reciprocity question.
  • Complaint number if following up on a complaint.

Current upcoming Board help / meeting dates

Date Current published item as reviewed Aug. 31, 2026
September 9, 2026 Build Your Future contractor licensing webinar, currently listed for 9:00 AM Central.
September 29, 2026 Board meeting currently listed for 9:30 AM in Nashville.
November 17, 2026 Board meeting currently listed for 9:30 AM in Nashville.
Meeting dates, Webex links and rooms can change. Open the live meeting calendar before traveling or planning an application around a meeting.
Current Board Calendar

Regulatory review: August 31, 2026

Tennessee-specific FAQs

Tennessee Contractor License Lookup FAQs

Where is the official Tennessee contractor license lookup?

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance currently provides its public professional-license search at search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov. Use the exact contractor or business and rely on the live state result rather than a third-party directory.

What should I verify besides the Tennessee contractor license number?

Confirm current status, exact licensed business, classification, monetary limit, qualifying agent where relevant, public disciplinary information and the local project permit.

At what amount is a Tennessee contractor license required?

A contractor license is generally required before bidding, offering to engage, negotiating or contracting when a prime contractor’s total project cost is $25,000 or more. Certain subcontractors, Home Improvement contractors, LLE/LLP licensees and local jurisdictions use different rules.

Which subcontractors have Tennessee’s $25,000 licensing threshold?

Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing subcontractors generally require contractor licensing when their portion reaches $25,000 or more. Masonry uses a $100,000 threshold for the masonry portion. Other contracting-chain rules can apply.

Which counties require a Tennessee Home Improvement license?

Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties currently apply the state Home Improvement license to qualifying residential remodeling from $3,000 through $24,999.

How much is the Tennessee contractor application fee?

The current initial contractor application fee is $250. Exam, insurance, financial-statement, surety-bond and local business-license expenses are separate.

How much is Tennessee contractor renewal?

The current contractor renewal fee is $200. The contractor license has a 12-month grace period with a current $20-per-month late fee. After the 12-month period, ordinary renewal no longer applies.

Who administers Tennessee contractor exams in 2026?

Prov became the Board’s new contractor examination provider beginning July 1, 2026. PSI can continue certain appointments that were already scheduled during the transition through September 2026.

Are Tennessee contractor exams open book?

Yes. Current Board exam guidance describes contractor examinations as open-book. Use the current Prov Candidate Information Bulletin for the exact allowed references and test-day rules.

What is Tennessee’s new Contractors’ Surety Bond option?

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee allows the Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond to be used as an alternative to the otherwise required CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement when current requirements are satisfied. The bond generally must equal at least 50% of the requested monetary limit.

Is the new 2026 surety bond the same as the Home Improvement $10,000 bond?

No. The July 2026 Contractors’ Surety Bond is a financial-statement alternative tied to the requested contractor monetary limit. The Home Improvement license has a separate $10,000 bond requirement or accepted alternatives.

How does Tennessee calculate a contractor monetary limit?

The Board generally starts with approximately ten times the lesser of working capital or net worth, together with experience and other licensing review. Unlimited authority requires additional financial strength; current Board guidance states at least $300,000 in both working capital and net worth plus sufficient experience.

How much general liability insurance does a Tennessee contractor need?

Current Board guidance lists minimum general liability coverage of $100,000 for monetary limits up to $500,000, $500,000 for $500,001 through $1,500,000, and $1,000,000 for monetary limits above $1,500,000 through Unlimited.

What is BC-A/r in Tennessee?

BC-A/r is the Restricted Residential Limited License. An approved limited-license course may replace the standard BC-A trade and Business & Law exams. The license cannot have a monetary limit over $125,000, receives no standard 10% bid tolerance and cannot be used in a joint venture.

Does Tennessee have contractor reciprocity?

Tennessee has trade-exam waiver agreements with specified states, but another state’s license does not itself authorize Tennessee contracting. The applicant must still obtain the Tennessee contractor license and satisfy remaining requirements.

Does Tennessee accept NASCLA?

Current April 2026 Tennessee Customer Service Center guidance says Tennessee accepts qualifying NASCLA National Commercial and Electrical examinations for applicable trade-exam waiver purposes. NASCLA does not itself create a Tennessee contractor license.

Can I bid while my Tennessee contractor application is pending?

For ordinary projects where the Board’s licensing-before-bidding rule applies, no. Tennessee requires the required contractor license before bidding or price negotiation. TDOT publishes a separate procurement-specific 21-day post-opening license rule for its prime-contractor lettings, which should not be generalized to private work.

Does Nashville require local contractor registration?

Yes for applicable permit activity. Metro Codes requires licensed contractors using online E-Permits to be registered. Metro Permit Issuance assists with contractor registration, bond, insurance and state-license information at 615-862-6517.

How do contractors use Memphis Develop 901?

Create a Develop 901 account, register the applicable contractor credential, search the project/property, submit construction or trade applications, upload documents, pay applicable fees and use the system to schedule inspections and review project records.

Does Chattanooga charge a local licensed-contractor registration fee?

Chattanooga’s current Registered Licensed Contractor page lists no fee for the registration used to auto-populate contractor information in Building Permit applications. Permit fees themselves are separate.

Does Tennessee have a contractor recovery fund like Nevada?

The Tennessee Board consumer resources reviewed for this guide do not provide a Nevada-style general contractor recovery-fund claim program. The Board’s role is regulatory. Consumers seeking a refund or damages may need a separate Consumer Affairs mediation or private civil remedy depending on the dispute.

What can the Tennessee Contractors Board do about a complaint?

The Board can investigate matters within its regulatory authority and pursue licensing discipline or enforcement where appropriate. It does not act as private legal counsel or a civil court awarding ordinary refunds or private damages.

The Best Tennessee Contractor Check Uses Four Systems, Not One

1. State public search: current credential and entity.

2. Classification + monetary limit: actual authority for your project.

3. QA / disciplinary information: qualification and regulatory history.

4. Local permit system: proof that the project itself is properly permitted and inspected.

Official License Lookup Official CORE Official Board Complaint
ContractorsBoard.org provides independent educational and navigation information. Tennessee state and local government authorities control current license status, classifications, monetary limits, application approval, exam eligibility, business licensing, permits, enforcement and disciplinary decisions.