Tennessee general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
Tennessee Business and Law exam, plus a trade exam for applicable classifications.
Renewal
Renewals should be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date to avoid working on an expired license.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
A contractor license is required before contracting or bidding on projects of $25,000 or more as prime contractor, specified subcontractor or construction manager/consultant.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
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.Official source
Agency guidance
The BC-A/r limited residential route allows a Tennessee community college or vocational-school course instead of both exams for work below $125,000, subject to the assigned monetary limit.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Instead of taking the BC-A Residential Trade Exam and the Business & Law Exam, residential contractors who wish to perform work costing less than $125,000 (based on a financial statement) may complete a Limited License course through a Tennessee community college or vocational school.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
Official agency page
Check the qualifications
Exam
Tennessee Business and Law exam, plus a trade exam for applicable classifications.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee “Business and Law” exam, and a trade exam is required for certain license classifications.
Official sourceExperience
Provide a reference from a past client, employer or code official who knows the applicant's construction work; family members cannot provide the reference.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
It must be completed by a past client or employer who can speak to your construction experience, or by a code official who has inspected your work. The reference does not need to be a Tennessee resident, but it cannot be a family member.
Official sourceInsurance
General liability coverage based on monetary limit; workers' compensation unless exempt.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
General Liability insurance is required based on your monetary limit. Workers’ Compensation insurance is also required, unless proof of exemption is provided.
Official sourceBond
From July 1, 2026, a Board-approved surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit may replace a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
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.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$250.00
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The fee for an initial application is $250.
Official sourceExam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Complete the “Initial New Contractor Application” online at core.tn.gov.
Official source
Reciprocity
Participating-state agreements waive a trade exam only; they apply to Board contractor licenses and not Home Improvement, LLE or LLP programs.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
You may apply for a trade exam waiver by having one of the participating states listed below complete the License Verification form found on the Forms and Downloads page and return it with your application. 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).Official source
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee “Business and Law” exam, and a trade exam is required for certain license classifications.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
It must be completed by a past client or employer who can speak to your construction experience, or by a code official who has inspected your work. The reference does not need to be a Tennessee resident, but it cannot be a family member.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
General Liability insurance is required based on your monetary limit. Workers’ Compensation insurance is also required, unless proof of exemption is provided.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
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.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Renewals should be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date to avoid working on an expired license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
You may apply for a trade exam waiver by having one of the participating states listed below complete the License Verification form found on the Forms and Downloads page and return it with your application. 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).Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Complete the “Initial New Contractor Application” online at core.tn.gov.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
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.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Instead of taking the BC-A Residential Trade Exam and the Business & Law Exam, residential contractors who wish to perform work costing less than $125,000 (based on a financial statement) may complete a Limited License course through a Tennessee community college or vocational school.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (2)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.