Electrician License Requirements in Tennessee
| Licensing Authority | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLE Board (BLC/LLE) |
| License Type | LLE (Limited) / CE (Electrical Contractor) |
| Experience Required | LLE: No formal minimum (exam-based). CE: 3 years verifiable electrical experience + 1 reference letter. Apprenticeship (4 years / 8,000 hours + 576 classroom hours) satisfies CE experience. |
| Exam Required | Yes — LLE Exam + CE Business & Law + CE Electrical Trade |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 2-4 weeks (LLE) / 4-6 weeks (CE) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Exam Fee | $57 |
| CE application | $250 |
| CE exam (2 parts) | $114 |
| CE renewal | $200 |
| Est. Initial Total | $671 |
Renewal: $50 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
LLE Exam
40 questions2 hoursPass: 73% (CE) / 72.5% (LLE)
National Electrical Code
CE Business & Law
50 questions3 hoursPass: 73% (CE) / 72.5% (LLE)
CE Electrical Trade
100 questions5 hoursPass: 73% (CE) / 72.5% (LLE)
Exam provider: PSI
License Tiers
LLE (Limited Licensed Electrician)
Projects under $25,000. No formal minimum experience required — exam serves as competency gate.
Exam: Required
CE (Electrical Contractor)
Projects $25,000+. 3 years verifiable experience required.
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 9 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
alabamaTrade exam waiver for General, Electrical, Residential, HVAC. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
arkansasTrade exam waiver for Commercial Building only. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
georgiaTrade exam waiver for Commercial and Electrical. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
louisianaTrade exam waiver. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
mississippiTrade exam waiver. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
north carolinaTrade exam waiver for Residential, Commercial, Electrical. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
south carolinaTrade exam waiver for General. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
virginiaTrade exam waiver. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
west virginiaTrade exam waiver. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
Notes
- Fees shown are for LLE tier — CE tier costs significantly more
- LLE is unique to Tennessee — allows electrical work under $25K without full contractor license
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a electrician license in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee requires a statewide electrician license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLE Board.
How much does a electrician license cost in Tennessee?
The estimated initial cost is $107, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BLC/LLE