General Contractor License Requirements in Tennessee
| Licensing Authority | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC) |
| License Type | BC-A (Residential) / BC-B (Commercial) / BC-C (Industrial) |
| Experience Required | Minimum 3 years of verifiable construction experience in the classification applied for. Must provide at least 1 reference letter. |
| Education Substitute | Engineering degree may reduce experience at Board's discretion. Limited License course available through TN community colleges for residential under $125,000. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Business & Law + Trade Exam (classification-specific) |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 8 hours every 2 years (BC-A residential only) |
| Processing Time | 4-6 weeks (Board meets every other month) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $250 |
| Exam Fee | $114 |
| Business & Law exam | $57 |
| Trade exam | $57 |
| Est. Initial Total | $478 |
Renewal: $200 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
Business & Law
50 questions3 hoursPass: 73%
Bidding proceduresContract managementLien lawsInsuranceTN contractor law (TCA Title 62)
Trade Exam (classification-specific)
100 questions5 hoursPass: 73%
Building codesConstruction methodsSafetyMaterials
Exam provider: PSI
License Tiers
BC-A (Residential)
Single-family, up to 4 units, up to 3 stories
Exam: Required
BC-B (Commercial)
Commercial and public buildings
Exam: Required
BC-C (Industrial)
Industrial construction
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
- License required for projects $25,000+
- Financial statement required: reviewed CPA (under $1.5M) or audited CPA (over $1.5M)
- Monetary limit = 10x working capital or 10% of net worth (whichever is less)
- NASCLA exam scores accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee requires a statewide general contractor license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Tennessee?
The estimated initial cost is $364, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: BLC