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How to become a licensed general contractor in Tennessee. State-level licensing required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $305. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$305
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
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
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#46 of 51
Cost
#26 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$58,450
25th percentile
Median
$71,840
-9% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$83,560
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
16,780 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+21% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$71,840
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$59,190
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$71,840
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Tennessee Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Tennessee Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Tennessee requires state-level contractor licensing. 4 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.