Plumber License Requirements in Tennessee

Licensing Authority	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLP Board (BLC/LLP)
License Type	LLP (Limited) / CMC-A (Mechanical - Plumbing)
Experience Required	LLP: 1 year verifiable experience OR proof of local TN plumbing license. CMC-A: 3 years verifiable plumbing experience with Board pre-approval before exam.
Education Substitute	Apprenticeship program (4 years / 8,000 hours) satisfies CMC-A experience.
Exam Required	Yes — LLP Exam + CMC-A Business & Law + CMC-A Plumbing Trade
Bond Required	No
Insurance	General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees
Continuing Education	Not required
Processing Time	2-4 weeks (LLP) / 4-6 weeks (CMC-A)

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee	$75
Exam Fee	$57
Est. Initial Total	$132

Related & additional fees

Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.

CMC-A application	$250
CMC-A exam (2 parts)	$114
CMC-A renewal	$200

Renewal: $75 every 2 years

Exam Requirements

LLP Exam

40 questions2 hoursPass: 73%

CMC-A Business & Law

50 questions3 hoursPass: 73%

CMC-A Plumbing Trade

100 questions5 hoursPass: 73%

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.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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 · SponsoredPlumber's Exam Secrets Study GuideCovers plumbing code, systems, and installation for the journeyman and master plumber exams — organized topic reviews plus practice questions for a first-try pass.See the study guide →

Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms on the go.See the flashcards →

License Tiers

LLP (Limited Licensed Plumber)

Projects under $25,000. 1 year verifiable plumbing experience or local TN plumbing license.

Exam: Required

CMC-A (Mechanical - Plumbing)

Projects $25,000+. 3 years verifiable experience. Board pre-approval 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 LLP tier
LLP exam waiver available for holders of a prior local TN plumbing license
No out-of-state exam waivers for LLP

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a plumber license in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee requires a statewide plumber license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors / LLP Board.

How much does a plumber license cost in Tennessee?

The estimated initial cost is $132, including application, exam, and license fees.

What experience do I need for a plumber license in Tennessee?

LLP: 1 year verifiable experience OR proof of local TN plumbing license. CMC-A: 3 years verifiable plumbing experience with Board pre-approval before exam. Education substitute: Apprenticeship program (4 years / 8,000 hours) satisfies CMC-A experience.

What exams are required for a plumber license in Tennessee?

You must pass the LLP Exam and CMC-A Business & Law and CMC-A Plumbing Trade exams. A passing score of 73% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.

Does Tennessee have plumber license reciprocity?

Yes, Tennessee has reciprocity agreements with 9 states that may apply to plumbers. 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 a plumber license in Tennessee?

Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks (LLP) / 4-6 weeks (CMC-A) after submitting a complete application.

Is continuing education required for plumbers in Tennessee?

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

Next steps

You know the requirements for plumbers in Tennessee— here's how to actually pass and apply.

Pass the exam →What to study, prep courses, and first-try strategies for the contractor license exam.Plumber requirements in every state →Compare apprenticeship hours, exams, fees, and the full path to getting licensed.

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