Tennessee plumber 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
Limited Licensed Plumber applicants must pass the LLP trade examination.
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
The LLP license covers work below $25,000 per project in municipalities using state Fire Prevention permits or inspections. General maintenance below $500 is exempt.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license is only required by plumbers performing work in a municipality utilizing the Division of Fire Prevention for permits or inspections and covers work less than $25,000 per project. Note that general maintenance work that is less than $500 is exempt from the LLP license.Official source
Agency guidance
A contractor license is required when the total project is $25,000 or more; plumbing subcontractors also require a contractor license when their portion is $25,000 or more.
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. 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.Official source
Agency guidance
The contractor application fee is $250.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The fee for an initial application is $250.Official source
Agency guidance
Contractor applicants must provide general liability insurance based on their monetary limit and 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 source
Agency guidance
Plumbing contractor CMC-A and full mechanical CMC examinations require board preapproval with a $50 request fee.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Pre-approval is required by the Board to take the plumbing CMC-A or full mechanical CMC exam. Request approval by emailing a completed Pre-Approval Request Form to [email protected]. This form can be found on the Forms and Downloads page. There is a $50 fee associated with this request.Official source
Agency guidance
LLP renewal costs $50 and is submitted through CORE.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
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, $50Official 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
Limited Licensed Plumber applicants must pass the LLP trade examination.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The LLP license is issued to individuals passing the LLP trade exam.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$75.00
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Complete the “Initial Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) Application” online at core.tn.gov.
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Complete the “Initial Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) Application” online at core.tn.gov.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The LLP license is issued to individuals passing the LLP trade exam.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license is only required by plumbers performing work in a municipality utilizing the Division of Fire Prevention for permits or inspections and covers work less than $25,000 per project. Note that general maintenance work that is less than $500 is exempt from the LLP license.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. 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.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
Pre-approval is required by the Board to take the plumbing CMC-A or full mechanical CMC exam. Request approval by emailing a completed Pre-Approval Request Form to [email protected]. This form can be found on the Forms and Downloads page. There is a $50 fee associated with this request.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
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, $50Official 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
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 (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.