Tennessee HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$364
- License types
- CMC-C — Mechanical / HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor
- Experience
- 3 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Law exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocity with Alabama, Georgia, and several southeastern states for HVAC
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
- Notes
- $25,000 project exemption — projects under that threshold don't require a contractor license.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$364
- License types
- Plumbing Contractor (Board for Licensing Contractors) + individual plumber licenses (TSBPE)
- Experience
- 3 years
- Exam
- State plumbing exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No formal reciprocity — verify with board
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors + State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- Verify with board
- Initial cost
- ~$364
- License types
- Electrical Contractor
- Experience
- 3 years
- Exam
- NEC-based exam
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No formal reciprocity — verify with board
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
Tennessee licenses HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors. Individual plumber credentials are issued separately by the State Board of Plumbing Examiners. All three trades renew annually.
Tennessee has a $25,000 project exemption — work below that threshold doesn't require a state contractor license, though local rules may still apply. The state offers HVAC reciprocity with Alabama, Georgia, and several other southeastern states.
TradesIQ tracks Tennessee license renewals, CE hours, bonds, and insurance certificates in one dashboard — with automated reminders before anything lapses.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
Tennessee
Full Tennessee guide →- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$364
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$364
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors + State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- Verify with board
- Cost
- ~$364
- Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.