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. View full reciprocity details — 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 an electrician license in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee requires a statewide electrician license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLE Board.

How much does an electrician license cost in Tennessee?

The estimated initial cost is $107, including application, exam, and license fees.

What experience do I need for an electrician license in Tennessee?

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.

What exams are required for an electrician license in Tennessee?

You must pass the LLE Exam and CE Business & Law and CE Electrical Trade exams. A passing score of 73% (CE) / 72.5% (LLE) is required. Exams are administered by PSI.

Does Tennessee have electrician license reciprocity?

Yes, Tennessee has reciprocity agreements with 9 states that may apply to electricians. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.

How long does it take to get an electrician license in Tennessee?

Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks (LLE) / 4-6 weeks (CE) after submitting a complete application.

Is continuing education required for electricians in Tennessee?

No, Tennessee does not currently require continuing education for electrician license renewal.

Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BLC/LLE