Tennessee electrician license & renewal

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

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Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)

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Complete the “Initial Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) Application” online

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The Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) license is only required by electricians performing work in a municipality utilizing the Division of Fire Prevention for permits or inspections and covers work less than $25,000 per project. Always first check with your local government to see if they accept the LLE license or if they have a local licensing requirement for permits and inspections.

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A contractor’s license is required before contracting, including bidding, offering to engage, or negotiating a price, for projects of $25,000 or more when acting as a prime contractor, certain subcontractor, or construction manager/consultant. A prime contractor is one who bids or contracts directly with the owner. Subcontractors must be licensed when contracting directly with a contractor, not the owner, to perform electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work when that portion of the project is $25,000 or more, including materials, equipment, and labor.

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Beginning July 1, 2026, Prov will begin administering the exams for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee “Business and Law” exam, and a trade exam is required for certain license classifications.

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The fee for an initial application is $50.

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Complete the “Initial New Contractor Application” online at core.tn.gov. The fee for an initial application is $250.

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You will see the option to renew in your CORE account once you are within ninety (90) days of your expiration date.

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LLE and LLP The grace period for renewal is 3 months. A $10/month late fee will be applied if renewed within the grace period. After a license has expired for 3 months or longer, you must submit a new license application (see “Reinstatement” below). 1. Renewal Application (CORE) 2. Fee, $50

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Note that the trade exam waiver agreement only applies to "Contractors" licensed with the Board. It does not apply to other license programs (Home Improvement, LLE, or LLP).

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b. Certificate of Insurance for General Liability c. Workers’ Compensation (or exemption registration, unless claiming the handyman exemption) d. Corporations and LLCs must provide proof of active status with the Secretary of State 3. Fee, $200

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The LLE license is issued to individuals passing the LLE trade exam. Trade Exam: Administered through Prov

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General Liability insurance is required based on your monetary limit. Workers’ Compensation insurance is also required, unless proof of exemption is provided.

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Surety Bond Option: Beginning July 1, 2026, contractors may use the new Contractors’ Surety Bond option as an alternative to submitting a CPA-reviewed or CPA-audited financial statement. The surety bond must be in an amount equal to at least 50% of the monetary limit requested. Applicants and licensees choosing this option must submit the Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond form.

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Renewals should be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date to avoid working on an expired license.

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You cannot operate in Tennessee with a license from another state. However, Tennessee has a trade exam waiver agreement with several states. If you are actively licensed in one of the states below, and the type of license you are requesting requires a trade exam, you may be able to obtain a trade exam waiver.

Verified 2026-10-24