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General Contractor
Total cost: $305
Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$305
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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Residential contractor license for Tennessee. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $25,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Tennessee. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $25,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Tennessee licenses contractors by classification: BC-A (Building Contractor - Limited/Residential, projects $25K-unlimited), BC-B (Building Contractor - Commercial, requires NASCLA exam), BC-b (small commercial $25K-$750K). Also: BC-A/r no-exam pathway for residential-only ≤$750K with 4+ years experience.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $25,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Tennessee. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Building, Highway, Mechanical, Electrical, Residential, Specialty.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 4 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC
Passing Score
70-73%%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
BC-A (Building Contractor - Limited): State exam, 73% passing score. BC-B (Building Contractor - Commercial): Accepts NASCLA Accredited Examination for commercial work ONLY. BC-A/residential pathway has NO NASCLA option.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70-73%%
Administered By
PSI Services LLC
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$10,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 5 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Tennessee requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 5 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial application fee | $250 |
Exam Fee Per exam (NASCLA or state exam) | $55 |
License Fee Initial license fee; varies by contractor category | $150 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Application $250 + exam $55 | $305 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$200
Per 2-year renewal period
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement with specific states
Transfer Details
Tennessee has reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. NASCLA exam accepted for BC-B commercial license.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Tennessee accepts NASCLA for commercial (BC-B) ONLY — not residential. Has a no-exam BC-A/r pathway for experienced residential contractors. Reciprocity with 6 southern states. Home Improvement License required in 5 specific counties.
Tennessee threshold: $25,000 — projects under this amount do not require a state contractor license.
NASCLA exam accepted for BC-B (commercial) ONLY, not for BC-A (residential/building limited).
BC-A/r pathway: no-exam residential contractor license for ≤$750K projects with 4+ years documented experience.
Exam fee is $55 per attempt. Application fee is $250. Renewal is $200 every 2 years.
Home Improvement License required in Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, and Shelby counties for residential work $3,000-$25,000.
Reciprocity with AL, AR, LA, MS, NC, SC for licensed contractors.
Financial statement required: CPA-prepared for projects >$500,000.
As of Jan 2025, motor vehicle record (MVR) may be required. April 2025 building code updates apply.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Tennessee construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
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Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
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Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.