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Boiler Operator License
Total cost: $50-$75
Governing Authority
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Boiler and Elevator Inspection
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
1
License Grades
Yes
Exam Required
$50-$75
Total Initial Fees
Annual
Renewal Period
No
CE Required
You must be at least 18 years old. Verify all eligibility requirements with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Boiler and Elevator Inspection.
Education: Must demonstrate knowledge of boiler operation. Experience: Documented experience required. Approved programs: Employer-provided or approved training.
Tennessee offers 1 license grade: Boiler Operator Permit. Each grade covers different boiler types and capacities. Choose the grade that matches the equipment you will operate.
Written examination covering boiler operation and safety Administered by Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Passing score: 70%. Based on ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Exam fee: $25. Retake policy: May retake after additional study.
Submit your application to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Boiler and Elevator Inspection. License fee: $25. Total initial fees: $50-$75.
Renew your license annual. Renewal fee: $25.
Total startup cost for boiler operator licensing
License Fee
$25
Tennessee boiler operator license fee
Exam Fee
$25
Examination fee
Renewal Fee
$25
Renewal fee per cycle
Total estimated initial costs including license and exam fees
Tennessee boiler operator licensing overview
Mostly verifiedRequired
State License
1
License Grades/Classes
18+
Minimum Age
License Grades / Classes
Boiler Operator Permit
Required for operating high-pressure boilers in Tennessee
Experience: Demonstrated competency in boiler operation
Boiler Types: High-pressure steam boilers
Boiler operator licensing requirements vary significantly by state. Some states require multiple grades of licenses based on boiler size and pressure rating, while others do not require a state-level license at all. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code provides the national standard for boiler safety. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.
Not sure if you need a boiler operator license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education, experience, and training requirements
Mostly verifiedEducation Required
Must demonstrate knowledge of boiler operation
Experience Required
Documented experience required
Apprenticeship
Not Required
Training Programs
Employer-provided or approved training
Boiler operator training typically combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Many states require a combination of formal education and documented operating experience before licensure. The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) and industry associations offer additional training and certification programs.
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Examination requirements and details
Mostly verifiedExam Required
Yes
Exam Provider
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Passing Score
70%
Exam Details
Written examination covering boiler operation and safety
Retake Policy
May retake after additional study
Applicable Codes & Standards
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Boiler operator examinations typically cover ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, boiler operation principles, safety procedures, and state-specific regulations. Some states use examinations from the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE), while others administer their own exams.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Boiler Operator Exam Prep Materials
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Insurance and bonding requirements
Mostly verifiedInsurance Required
No
Bonding Required
No
Most states do not require individual boiler operators to carry personal insurance or bonding. Employers typically carry workers' compensation and general liability insurance that covers boiler operations. Facilities with boilers are generally required to have boiler and machinery insurance.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Fee Tennessee boiler operator license fee | $25 |
Exam Fee Examination fee | $25 |
Renewal Fee Renewal fee per cycle | $25 |
Total Initial Fees Total estimated initial costs including license and exam fees | $50-$75 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal requirements and ongoing obligations
Mostly verifiedAnnual
Renewal Period
Not Required
Continuing Education
N/A
CE Hours per Cycle
Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
Renewal requirements vary by state. Most states that license boiler operators require annual or biennial renewal. A few states require continuing education to maintain licensure. Failure to renew on time may result in lapse of license and the need to retake examinations.
Tennessee's boiler operator program is managed alongside elevator inspection through the Department of Labor.
Tennessee requires operators of high-pressure boilers to hold a permit.
The Boiler and Elevator Inspection section administers the program.
There is no interstate compact for boiler operators.
Boiler Operator requirements in nearby states
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Boiler Operator Schools in Tennessee
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Study guides and practice tests for boiler operator licensing exams.
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Boiler Operator requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Boiler and Elevator Inspection, March 2026.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Boiler Operator license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Boiler Operator license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Tennessee requires boiler operators to hold a state license. 1 license grade(s) are available for different boiler types and capacities. Boiler safety in Tennessee is overseen by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Boiler and Elevator Inspection.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.