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 |
| Est. Initial Total | $107 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| CE application | $250 |
| CE exam (2 parts) | $114 |
| CE renewal | $200 |
Renewal: $50 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
LLE Exam
CE Business & Law
CE Electrical Trade
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredElectrician Exam Secrets Study GuideFull review of the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and safety practices for the journeyman and master electrician exams — concept breakdowns and practice questions built for a first-try pass.See the study guide →Set up the business before you apply in Tennessee
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Tennessee. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→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.
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
You're licensed in Tennessee as an electrician — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLE Board issues the LLE (Limited) / CE (Electrical Contractor); the business that invoices Tennessee customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Tennessee does not require a surety bond for this license — LLE: not required. CE: may be required based on financial statement.
Carry general liability insurance.
Tennessee does not set a general liability minimum for this trade, but most permits and commercial customers ask for proof of GL cover. LLE: no state insurance requirement. CE: GL required (scaled to limit). Workers comp for 1+ construction employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck electrician businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years at $50.
Other licenses in Tennessee
- General Contractor license in Tennessee
Statewide license required · $364 in initial government fees · BLC
- Plumber license in Tennessee
Statewide license required · $132 in initial government fees · BLC/LLP
- HVAC Technician license in Tennessee
Statewide license required · $364 in initial government fees · BLC
- Roofing Contractor license in Tennessee
Statewide license required · $307 in initial government fees · BLC
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.
Next steps
You know the requirements for electricians in Tennessee— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BLC/LLE