{"id":6976,"date":"2026-06-04T16:18:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T16:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/?p=6976"},"modified":"2026-06-04T16:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T16:18:32","slug":"tennessee-contractor-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/tennessee-contractor-license\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Contractor License: Complete 2026 Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!--\nYOAST META BLOCK\nfocus_keyphrase: tennessee contractor license\nyoast_title: Tennessee Contractor License: 2026 Guide\nmeta_description: Tennessee contractor license rules for 2026: the $25,000 threshold, classifications, PSI exams, financial statement limits, fees, and 2-year renewal.\n--><br \/>\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {\n  var sels = ['.entry-header','.page-header','article > h1:first-child','.entry-footer'];\n  sels.forEach(function(s){document.querySelectorAll(s).forEach(function(el){el.style.display='none';});});\n  var el = document.querySelector('.sw-a');\n  while (el && el !== document.body) {\n    el.style.maxWidth='100%'; el.style.width='100%'; el.style.padding='0'; el.style.margin='0';\n    el.style.float='none'; el.style.flex='0 0 100%';\n    el = el.parentElement;\n  }\n  document.body.style.marginTop='0'; document.body.style.paddingTop='0';\n});\n<\/script>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700;800&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<!-- 02 Article Template (v5 State Contractor License Guide, threshold model). 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ol{max-width:760px;margin:0 auto 20px;}.sw-a .sw-a__body ul li,.sw-a .sw-a__body ol li{margin-bottom:8px;}\n\/* WCAG AA eyebrow contrast fix - appended *\/\n.sw-a__eyebrow,.sw-l__eyebrow,.eyebrow{color:#1d4ed8!important;}\n<\/style>\n<p><script>\n(function(){\n  try{\n    var b=document.body;\n    if(b && b.classList){b.classList.add('single-post');}\n  }catch(e){}\n})();\n<\/script><\/p>\n<article class=\"sw-a\">\n<section class=\"sw-a__hero\">\n<div class=\"sw-a__inner\">\n<p class=\"sw-a__breadcrumb\">Blog &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; Contractor Licensing Guides<\/p>\n<p>    <span class=\"sw-a__eyebrow\">Tennessee &middot; Licensing Guide<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>Tennessee Contractor License: Complete 2026 Guide<\/h1>\n<p class=\"sw-a__subtitle\">Everything you need to clear the $25,000 threshold, pass the PSI exams, set your monetary limit with a financial statement, and renew. Sourced directly from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and Title 62, Chapter 6 of the Tennessee Code.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sw-a__meta\">\n      <span>SimplyWise Editorial Team<\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"sw-a__dot\"><\/span><br \/>\n      <span>Updated June 4, 2026<\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"sw-a__dot\"><\/span><br \/>\n      <span>14 min read<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p class=\"sw-a__trustline\">Verified against the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors pages (license requirements, fees, exam info, renewal, home improvement), the PSI candidate bulletin, and T.C.A. Title 62, Chapter 6.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sw-a__hero-figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1508450859948-4e04fabaa4ea?w=1400&#038;h=700&#038;fit=crop&#038;q=80&#038;auto=format\" alt=\"Tennessee contractor license holders working on a multi-story building construction site\" loading=\"eager\"><br \/>\n    <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sw-a__tldr\">\n<div class=\"sw-a__tldr-box\">\n<div class=\"sw-a__tldr-label\">Tennessee licensing roadmap<\/div>\n<div class=\"sw-a__tldr-body\">\n<ol>\n<li>Confirm the trigger. A state Contractor license is required before you bid or offer a price on any project of $25,000 or more (materials and labor combined).<\/li>\n<li>Pick your path. The full Contractor license (exams plus a reviewed financial statement) for most work, or the Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A\/r) for residential work under $125,000 without the trade exam.<\/li>\n<li>Pass the PSI exams. The Tennessee Business and Law exam for every applicant, plus a trade exam for most classifications, scored at 73 percent to pass.<\/li>\n<li>Submit a reviewed or audited financial statement from a licensed CPA that sets your monetary limit per project.<\/li>\n<li>File the initial Contractor application in CORE with the $250 fee, plus a $10,000 surety bond if you are applying for a Home Improvement license instead.<\/li>\n<li>Receive your license, then renew every 2 years for $200 with 8 hours of continuing education for residential classifications.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sw-a__body\">\n<div class=\"sw-a__inner\">\n<h2 id=\"how-it-works\">What is a Tennessee contractor license and who needs one?<\/h2>\n<p>A Tennessee contractor license is issued by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors<\/a>, part of the Department of Commerce &amp; Insurance, under <a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/tennessee\/title-62\/chapter-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title 62, Chapter 6 of the Tennessee Code<\/a>. Tennessee is a threshold state: a state Contractor license is required before you bid, negotiate, or offer a price on any project of <strong>$25,000 or more<\/strong>, including all materials and labor, when acting as a prime (general) contractor, a construction manager, or a subcontractor performing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work; the masonry threshold is <strong>$100,000 or more<\/strong> (per <a href=\"https:\/\/support.commerce.tn.gov\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/209639597-Subcontractors-Who-is-Required-to-be-Licensed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the Board&#8217;s who-is-required-to-be-licensed guidance<\/a> and T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-102). Every applicant takes the PSI <strong>Business and Law<\/strong> exam, most classifications add a <strong>trade<\/strong> exam, and both are scored at <strong>73 percent<\/strong> to pass. A reviewed or audited financial statement from a licensed CPA sets your <strong>monetary limit<\/strong> (the maximum size of a single project you can take), calculated as roughly 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth. The initial Contractor application fee is <strong>$250<\/strong>, the license renews every <strong>2 years<\/strong> for <strong>$200<\/strong>, and the Board reports issuance takes 4 to 6 weeks once a complete application is filed. Separately, a <strong>Home Improvement<\/strong> license covers residential remodeling from <strong>$3,000 to $24,999<\/strong> in nine designated counties, and acting as a contractor without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor under T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-120.<\/p>\n<p>Every fact below traces to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors website, the PSI candidate bulletin, or Title 62, Chapter 6 of the Tennessee Code. Verify any figure against the source before you pay a fee.<\/p>\n<nav class=\"sw-a__toc\" aria-label=\"Table of contents\">\n<p class=\"sw-a__toc-label\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<p class=\"sw-a__toc-sublabel\">Jump to any section below<\/p>\n<ol class=\"sw-a__toc-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#requirements\">Do you need a Tennessee contractor license?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#types\">Classifications and license types<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#apply\">6-step application process<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#exam\">The PSI Business and Law plus trade exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#financial\">Financial statement and monetary limit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#costs\">Total cost and fees<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#timeline\">Timeline to licensure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#renewal\">2-year renewal and continuing education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#penalties\">Penalties for unlicensed work<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#insurance\">Insurance, bonds, and business setup<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#denials\">Common reasons applications stall<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#pitfalls\">Pitfalls to avoid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#bottom-line\">Bottom line summary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faqs\">FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"requirements\">Do you need a contractor license in Tennessee?<\/h2>\n<p>This is the question that decides everything else, and in Tennessee the answer turns on the dollar value of the project, not on whether the work is residential or commercial. Per the Board&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/support.commerce.tn.gov\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/209639597-Subcontractors-Who-is-Required-to-be-Licensed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">licensing guidance<\/a> and T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-102, you must hold a state Contractor license <strong>before<\/strong> you bid, offer to engage, or negotiate a price whenever the total cost of the project is <strong>$25,000 or more<\/strong>. The trigger applies to materials, equipment, and labor combined, and it applies before the contract is signed, so bidding an over-threshold job unlicensed is itself the violation.<\/p>\n<h3>The $25,000 threshold and the $100,000 masonry rule<\/h3>\n<p>A license is required for projects of $25,000 or more when you act as any of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Prime (general) contractor<\/strong> bidding or contracting directly with the owner of the project.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Construction manager<\/strong> when the value of the total project is $25,000 or more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Subcontractor<\/strong> contracting with another contractor (not the owner) to perform electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work, when that portion of the project is $25,000 or more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Masonry subcontractor<\/strong>, who must be licensed only when the masonry portion is <strong>$100,000 or more<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Roofing subcontractors have been required to hold a Contractor license since January 1, 2014, in addition to roofers acting as primes. The Board also notes that when a project has more than one subcontractor, a sub to a sub must also be licensed. Trades such as flooring, landscaping, fencing, and concrete are not required to be licensed when working as a sub, but the moment they bid directly to the owner on a $25,000-or-more job they are treated as a prime contractor and need the license.<\/p>\n<h3>Home Improvement license: the $3,000 to $24,999 residential lane<\/h3>\n<p>Below the $25,000 Contractor threshold, Tennessee runs a separate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/get\/home-improvement.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home Improvement license<\/a> for residential remodeling priced from <strong>$3,000 to $24,999<\/strong>. Home improvement is defined in T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-501(4)(A) and covers repair, replacement, remodeling, alterations, and additions to residential property, including driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, landscaping, fences, roofing, and painting. The Home Improvement license is not statewide. It applies only in counties that have adopted the law, currently <strong>nine counties<\/strong>: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby. A $10,000 surety bond and a $250 application fee are required.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sw-a__callout\"><strong>Quick gut check:<\/strong> If your project is $25,000 or more anywhere in Tennessee, you need the state Contractor license. If it is $3,000 to $24,999 of residential remodeling in one of the nine Home Improvement counties, you need the Home Improvement license. Below $3,000, or residential remodeling outside the nine counties, no state license is required (local permit rules still apply).<\/div>\n<h3>Residential, commercial, and the license that covers each<\/h3>\n<p>Unlike Michigan, which licenses only residential builders at the state level, Tennessee licenses residential, commercial, and industrial work through one Board using classification codes. A contractor working only on single-family homes carries the BC-A Residential classification; a contractor bidding commercial buildings carries BC-B or a combined classification; industrial work carries BC-C. The threshold is the same across all of them: $25,000 to require the license, then the classification and monetary limit define the scope and size of work you are authorized to take.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"types\">Tennessee contractor license classifications and types<\/h2>\n<p>The Board issues four distinct license programs, and within the main Contractor program it assigns classification codes that define the type of construction you can perform. Picking the right classification before you sit for exams saves a wasted trade exam and a modification request later.<\/p>\n<h3>The four license programs<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sw-a__comparison-scroll\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">License program<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Covers<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Threshold \/ scope<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Contractor<\/td>\n<td>Prime, sub, and construction-management work across building, electrical, and mechanical classifications<\/td>\n<td>$25,000 or more per project ($100,000 for masonry)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Home Improvement<\/td>\n<td>Residential remodeling in nine adopting counties<\/td>\n<td>$3,000 to $24,999 residential<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)<\/td>\n<td>Electrical projects under the Contractor threshold<\/td>\n<td>Less than $25,000 electrical<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)<\/td>\n<td>Plumbing projects under the Contractor threshold<\/td>\n<td>Plumbing below the Contractor threshold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Contractor classification codes<\/h3>\n<p>Within the Contractor program, the Board groups classifications into building, electrical, and mechanical families. The most common building classifications are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>BC<\/strong> &ndash; Combined Residential \/ Commercial \/ Industrial Contractor (the broad building license).<\/li>\n<li><strong>BC-A<\/strong> &ndash; Residential Contractor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>BC-B<\/strong> &ndash; Commercial Contractor; <strong>BC-b<\/strong> &ndash; Small Commercial Contractor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>BC-C<\/strong> &ndash; Industrial Contractor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>BC-A, b (sm)<\/strong> &ndash; Combined Residential \/ Small Commercial (projects less than $750,000).<\/li>\n<li><strong>CE<\/strong> &ndash; Electrical Contractor; <strong>CE-A, H<\/strong> &ndash; High Voltage Electrical Contractor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>CMC<\/strong> &ndash; Full Mechanical Contractor; <strong>CMC-A<\/strong> &ndash; Mechanical Plumbing; <strong>CMC-C<\/strong> &ndash; HVAC \/ Refrigeration; <strong>CMC-D<\/strong> &ndash; Fire Sprinklers and Fire Protection.<\/li>\n<li><strong>LMC<\/strong> &ndash; Licensed Masonry Contractor (projects $100,000 or more).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sw-a__callout\"><strong>Common pitfall:<\/strong> The plumbing (CMC-A) and full mechanical (CMC) trade exams require Board pre-approval before you can schedule them, and that pre-approval carries a $50 fee. Email a completed Pre-Approval Request Form to the Board before you book either exam, or PSI will turn you away at the test center.<\/div>\n<h3>The Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A\/r)<\/h3>\n<p>Tennessee offers a lighter on-ramp for small residential contractors. Instead of taking the BC-A Residential trade exam and the Business and Law exam, a residential contractor who wants to perform work costing <strong>less than $125,000<\/strong> may complete a Limited License course through a Tennessee community college or vocational school. The contractor must still meet every other application requirement, including the financial statement that sets the monetary limit, and the BC-A\/r carries no 10 percent monetary tolerance and does not permit joint ventures. To lift the limit above $125,000 and remove the restriction, the contractor takes the full examinations and submits a reviewed financial statement.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"apply\">How to get a Tennessee contractor license: the 6-step process<\/h2>\n<p>Most applicants who prepare well move through the path in a few months, and the Board reports that license issuance takes 4 to 6 weeks once a complete application is on file. Every step below references the Board&#8217;s published process, with statute and rule citations inline so you can verify any requirement directly.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"sw-a__steps\">\n<li>\n<h3>Confirm your classification and monetary limit target<\/h3>\n<p>Decide whether you need a residential (BC-A), commercial (BC-B), combined (BC), electrical (CE), or mechanical (CMC) classification, and estimate the monetary limit you need based on the largest single project you intend to bid. The classification sets which trade exam you sit, and the monetary limit drives how much working capital and net worth your financial statement must show. Map every type of work you intend to perform before you commit, because adding a classification later means another trade exam and a modification request.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Take the PSI exams (Business and Law plus trade)<\/h3>\n<p>Register through PSI and pass the Tennessee Business and Law exam, required for every applicant, plus the trade exam for your classification where one applies. Both are scored at 73 percent to pass and the exams are open-book. Up to two people may sit the exams for a company, and the Qualifying Agent who registers with PSI must be an owner, full-time employee, or officer. Scores are typically valid for two years.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Obtain a reviewed or audited financial statement<\/h3>\n<p>Engage a licensed CPA or LPA to prepare a reviewed financial statement (for monetary limits of $3,000,000 or less) or an audited statement (for limits exceeding $3,000,000), following GAAP and dated less than 12 months before you apply. The statement must be in the exact name and mode of operation of the entity to be licensed. Your monetary limit is calculated as 10 times the lesser of your working capital or net worth, plus required experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Gather experience, references, and insurance<\/h3>\n<p>Document the construction experience for your classification, assemble the required references, and obtain a Certificate of Insurance. If your financial statement shows a deficiency for the limit you want, prepare a Guaranty Agreement or a Line of Credit to supplement working capital. Personal or parent-company guarantors can backstop the entity&#8217;s financials, and a personal financial statement from an owner can be self-prepared.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>File the initial application in CORE with the $250 fee<\/h3>\n<p>Submit the initial Contractor application online through your CORE account with the $250 application fee, the passing PSI exam scores, the reviewed or audited financial statement, your experience and references, and the Certificate of Insurance. Corporations and LLCs must show active status with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Increases requested within the first year of licensure require special Board permission under Rule 0680-01-.14(4).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Receive your license and confirm your scope<\/h3>\n<p>The Board reports issuance takes 4 to 6 weeks after a complete application is filed. Once issued, your license shows your classification or classifications and your monetary limit per project. From there you can bid and contract within your classification up to your assigned limit (plus the standard 10 percent monetary tolerance, which does not apply to the BC-A\/r restricted license). Track your renewal date so you do not work on an expired license.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"exam\">The PSI exams: Business and Law plus a trade exam<\/h2>\n<p>PSI administers all Tennessee Board exams. Every applicant takes the <strong>Business and Law<\/strong> exam, and depending on your classification you may also take a <strong>trade<\/strong> exam. You can confirm which classifications require the trade exam in the Board&#8217;s Classification Outline. The exams are open-book, and scores are typically valid for two years.<\/p>\n<h3>Business and Law (50 questions, 73 percent, 140 minutes)<\/h3>\n<p>Per the PSI candidate bulletin, the Tennessee Business and Law Management exam is <strong>50 questions<\/strong> with a passing score of <strong>73 percent (37 items correct)<\/strong> over <strong>140 minutes<\/strong>. It covers regulatory and statutory requirements, business organization, contracts, project management, accounting and finance, insurance, bonds, and liens. Because the exam is open-book, candidates who organize the Tennessee Edition Business &amp; Law reference manual with tabs tend to clear it more comfortably than those who try to recall answers from memory.<\/p>\n<h3>Trade exams (73 percent to pass)<\/h3>\n<p>The trade exam is classification-specific. Per the PSI bulletin, the BC-A Residential and the combined BC building trade exams run <strong>100 questions<\/strong> at <strong>73 percent (73 items)<\/strong> over <strong>300 minutes<\/strong>, while mechanical and plumbing trade exams run up to <strong>110 questions<\/strong> at <strong>73 percent (81 items)<\/strong> over <strong>295 minutes<\/strong>. The same person who sits Business and Law is not required to also sit the trade exam, so a company can split the two among up to two qualified people. The plumbing (CMC-A) and full mechanical (CMC) exams require Board pre-approval and a $50 fee before scheduling.<\/p>\n<h3>Exam fees and reciprocity<\/h3>\n<p>Per the candidate bulletin, each Tennessee exam portion (Business and Law, or a trade portion) costs <strong>$57<\/strong>, and the NASCLA accredited exams (Commercial Building Contractor or the Electrical trade exam) cost <strong>$125<\/strong> each. Tennessee does not let you operate on another state&#8217;s license, but it maintains trade-exam-waiver agreements with several states, so an actively licensed contractor from a reciprocal state may waive only the trade exam, never the Business and Law exam. Tennessee also accepts the NASCLA National Commercial exam.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"financial\">The financial statement and your monetary limit<\/h2>\n<p>The financial statement is what makes Tennessee a threshold-and-limit state rather than a simple pass-the-exam state. After the exam, the Board uses your financials to set the <strong>monetary limit<\/strong>: the maximum dollar value of any single project or contract you can take. There is no cap on the number of projects you can run at once, provided you do not split one project into phases to dodge the limit.<\/p>\n<h3>How the monetary limit is calculated<\/h3>\n<p>Per the Board&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/get\/contractor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">license requirements page<\/a>, the monetary limit equals <strong>10 times the lesser of your working capital or net worth<\/strong>, plus required experience. The Board&#8217;s own example: a $150,000 limit requires $15,000 in both working capital and net worth. Because the limit keys off the lesser of the two figures, a contractor with $10,000 in working capital and $200,000 in net worth is held to a $100,000 limit. To reach an <strong>unlimited<\/strong> monetary limit, an applicant must show <strong>$300,000<\/strong> in both working capital and net worth, plus required experience.<\/p>\n<h3>Reviewed vs audited financial statements<\/h3>\n<p>The statement must be prepared by a licensed CPA or LPA, follow GAAP, and be less than 12 months old when you apply. The level of statement depends on the limit you seek:<\/p>\n<div class=\"sw-a__comparison-scroll\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Monetary limit sought<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Statement level required<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Preparer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Up to $125,000 (residential, BC-A\/r)<\/td>\n<td>Financial statement supporting the limit (BC-A\/r waives the exam, not the financials)<\/td>\n<td>Licensed CPA \/ LPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$3,000,000 or less<\/td>\n<td>Reviewed financial statement<\/td>\n<td>Licensed CPA \/ LPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>More than $3,000,000<\/td>\n<td>Audited financial statement<\/td>\n<td>Licensed CPA \/ LPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Renewal under $1,500,000<\/td>\n<td>Self-prepared balance sheet<\/td>\n<td>Contractor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Renewal over $1,500,000<\/td>\n<td>Compiled financial statement<\/td>\n<td>Licensed CPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Guaranty agreements and lines of credit<\/h3>\n<p>If your financial statement falls short of the limit you want, the Board accepts two fixes: supplement the reviewed or audited statement with a Line of Credit to raise working capital, or submit the statement with a Guaranty Agreement. A personal guarantor must attach a personal financial statement (which can be self-prepared); a parent-company guarantor attaches the parent&#8217;s statement. All such indemnities expire at license renewal, and do not extend beyond two years.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"costs\">Total cost of a Tennessee contractor license in 2026<\/h2>\n<p>Most applicants complete the state-and-exam side of a Tennessee Contractor license for roughly <strong>$400 to $600<\/strong>, with the larger variable cost being the CPA-prepared financial statement and first-year insurance. The figures below come directly from the Board&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/fees.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fee schedule<\/a> and the PSI candidate bulletin.<\/p>\n<h3>State and exam fees<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sw-a__comparison-scroll\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Fee item<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Amount (2026)<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Source<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Contractor initial \/ reinstatement \/ ownership change<\/td>\n<td>$250<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Contractor renewal (every 2 years)<\/td>\n<td>$200<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Contractor late renewal penalty (per month, up to 12 months)<\/td>\n<td>$20<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Home Improvement initial<\/td>\n<td>$250<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule \/ HI page<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Home Improvement renewal<\/td>\n<td>$200<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>PSI exam, per portion (Business and Law, or trade)<\/td>\n<td>$57<\/td>\n<td>PSI candidate bulletin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>NASCLA exam (Commercial Building or Electrical)<\/td>\n<td>$125<\/td>\n<td>PSI candidate bulletin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Plumbing \/ mechanical exam pre-approval<\/td>\n<td>$50<\/td>\n<td>Board license requirements page<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mode of operation change<\/td>\n<td>$100<\/td>\n<td>Board fee schedule<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Other initial and ongoing costs<\/h3>\n<p>Beyond Board and PSI fees, budget for the <strong>reviewed or audited financial statement<\/strong> from a CPA (commonly several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the limit and the entity), optional <strong>exam prep<\/strong> through a Board-licensed provider, <strong>general liability insurance<\/strong>, <strong>workers&#8217; compensation<\/strong> once you cross the state employment threshold, and the <strong>$10,000 surety bond<\/strong> required for a Home Improvement license. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal for residential classifications) and the Tennessee Edition Business &amp; Law reference manual round out the recurring costs. <strong>Total estimated state and exam cost: roughly $400 to $600, plus the CPA financial statement and first-year insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"timeline\">Timeline to get licensed in Tennessee<\/h2>\n<p>The Board reports that license issuance takes <strong>4 to 6 weeks<\/strong> after a complete application is filed. Before that, the longest phases are exam preparation and getting the CPA financial statement prepared. A well-prepared applicant who already has a reviewed financial statement in hand can move from passing exams to license in roughly two months. Applicants who need to retake an exam, who wait on a CPA, or who must cure a financial deficiency with a Guaranty Agreement typically take three to five months end to end. Because PSI exam scores are valid for about two years, there is little risk of scores expiring during a normal application, but a long gap between the exam and the application can still cost you a retest.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"renewal\">2-year renewal and continuing education<\/h2>\n<p>A Tennessee Contractor license renews every <strong>2 years<\/strong>. The renewal option appears in your CORE account once you are within 90 days of the expiration date, and the Board recommends filing at least 30 days early so you do not end up working on an expired license. The renewal fee is <strong>$200<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Continuing education for residential classifications<\/h3>\n<p>Per the Board&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/renewal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">renewal page<\/a>, BC-A and BC-A\/r contractors must complete <strong>8 hours of continuing education with every two-year renewal<\/strong> and upload the certificate of completion when filing in CORE. The renewal also asks for an updated financial statement: a renewal for a limit under $1,500,000 can use a self-prepared balance sheet, while a renewal for a limit over $1,500,000 needs a compiled financial statement prepared by a licensed CPA. Corporations and LLCs must show active status with the Secretary of State.<\/p>\n<h3>Late renewal, reinstatement, and retirement<\/h3>\n<p>The renewal grace period is <strong>12 months<\/strong>, during which a <strong>$20 per month<\/strong> late fee applies. After a license has been expired for 12 months or longer, you must file a new license application and meet every initial requirement again. Reinstatement after a lapse carries an $80 fee (a $50 application fee plus a $30 late penalty). A license can also be retired for $25 per year for up to seven years, with a $200 reset fee every seven years to keep it in retirement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sw-a__callout\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Set a calendar reminder ahead of your two-year expiration and confirm your contact details in CORE. A renewal filed inside the 12-month grace window still costs $20 per month in late fees, and a lapse past 12 months forces a full new application, financial statement and all.<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"penalties\">Penalties for unlicensed contracting in Tennessee<\/h2>\n<p>Tennessee enforces its threshold with criminal and civil penalties. Per <a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/tennessee\/title-62\/chapter-6\/part-1\/section-62-6-120\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-120<\/a>, any person, firm, or corporation that engages or offers to engage in contracting without the required license, or that violates the terms of a license, <strong>commits a Class A misdemeanor<\/strong>. The same statute makes it a Class A misdemeanor to <strong>accept a bid in excess of $25,000 from an unlicensed contractor<\/strong>, so the exposure runs to owners and general contractors who hire unlicensed help, not just to the unlicensed contractor. A Tennessee Class A misdemeanor carries a maximum of 11 months and 29 days of confinement and a fine of up to $2,500 under T.C.A. \u00a7 40-35-111.<\/p>\n<p>The Board may also impose a <strong>civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense<\/strong> against anyone who engages in unlicensed contracting or violates a license, and it can issue citations carrying a civil penalty of no less than $50 and no more than $1,000 per violation. On top of that, T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-136 makes unlicensed contracting an unfair or deceptive practice under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, which opens a private right of action for any consumer who suffers a loss. An owner building a residence for personal use is exempt from the misdemeanor for hiring an unlicensed contractor.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"insurance\">Insurance, bonds, and setting up your business<\/h2>\n<p>Tennessee&#8217;s financial-responsibility model leans on the reviewed financial statement and, where applicable, a guaranty or bond rather than a single statewide surety bond for every Contractor license. The Home Improvement license is the clear exception, with a mandatory bond.<\/p>\n<h3>Surety bonds<\/h3>\n<p>The Home Improvement license requires a <strong>$10,000 surety bond<\/strong> (or other financial responsibility such as a cash or property bond or an irrevocable Letter of Credit). For the main Contractor license, a bond can be used in place of a Guaranty Agreement when the financial statement shows a deficiency; the Board&#8217;s bidding guidance references larger bond amounts, such as $500,000 or $1,000,000, used to support higher or unlimited monetary limits. Confirm the exact bond requirement for your classification and limit with the Board before you apply.<\/p>\n<h3>General liability insurance and workers&#8217; compensation<\/h3>\n<p>A Certificate of Insurance is part of the Contractor application package, so general liability coverage is effectively required to license. Workers&#8217; compensation is governed separately by Tennessee law: construction-industry employers are generally required to carry workers&#8217; compensation once they have employees, and the Tennessee Bureau of Workers&#8217; Compensation administers the requirement. Confirm your obligation with the Bureau before your first hire, because the construction industry has stricter coverage rules than most other Tennessee businesses.<\/p>\n<h3>Forming the business entity<\/h3>\n<p>Most Tennessee contractors operate through an LLC or corporation, and the financial statement and license must be issued in the exact legal name and mode of operation of that entity. Corporations and LLCs must register and maintain active status with the <a href=\"https:\/\/tncab.tnsos.gov\/business-entity-search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tennessee Secretary of State<\/a>, and the Board verifies active status at both application and renewal. A change in majority ownership, a merger, or a reorganization requires you to reapply for licensure and pay a $250 ownership-change fee.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"denials\">Common reasons a Tennessee application stalls<\/h2>\n<p>The Board reviews each application before issuing, and a handful of recurring issues send applications back. Knowing them upfront saves a review cycle.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>A financial statement that does not support the requested limit.<\/strong> The most common stall. Applicants ask for a monetary limit their working capital and net worth do not support, since the limit is 10 times the lesser of the two. The fix is to lower the requested limit, add a Line of Credit to raise working capital, or attach a Guaranty Agreement from an owner or parent company.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wrong or expired statement level.<\/strong> A reviewed statement is required for limits of $3,000,000 or less and an audited statement above that. Submitting a compilation when a review is required, or a statement older than 12 months, triggers a hold. The statement must also be in the exact entity name and mode of operation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Missing the trade exam pre-approval.<\/strong> The plumbing (CMC-A) and full mechanical (CMC) trade exams require Board pre-approval and a $50 fee before scheduling. Applicants who book those exams without pre-approval lose the exam slot and delay the file.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wrong classification for the work planned.<\/strong> Applicants who sit a residential trade exam but intend to bid commercial work find the classification does not authorize the job. Each classification change is a modification request with its own exam or reciprocal trade-exam waiver, so map every type of work before testing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inactive entity status.<\/strong> Corporations and LLCs must show active status with the Secretary of State at application and at renewal. An administratively dissolved entity stalls the file until it is reinstated.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bidding before licensure.<\/strong> Because the license must be in hand before you bid or negotiate a price on a $25,000-or-more job, applicants who have already bid work can find that the underlying activity was itself a violation. Wait for issuance before bidding over-threshold jobs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"pitfalls\">Common pitfalls to avoid<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond the application stage, four pitfalls trip up licensed Tennessee firms during day-to-day operations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bidding before the license issues.<\/strong> Per T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-120, the violation is bidding, offering, or negotiating a price on a $25,000-or-more project without the license, not just performing the work. Wait until the license is in hand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exceeding your monetary limit.<\/strong> The limit is per project, with a 10 percent tolerance (none for the BC-A\/r restricted license). Splitting one project into phases to stay under the limit is expressly prohibited. If your work is growing, request a monetary increase in CORE with a current reviewed or audited statement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Working in the wrong classification.<\/strong> A BC-A residential license does not authorize commercial bidding, and the masonry threshold and roofing-sub rules are easy to overlook. Confirm both your classification and the threshold before you bid outside your usual lane.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Letting continuing education or renewal lapse.<\/strong> BC-A and BC-A\/r contractors owe 8 CE hours per two-year cycle, and a missed renewal slides into the 12-month grace window at $20 per month before forcing a full new application. Track both each cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"bottom-line\">Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>Tennessee is a threshold state: the state Contractor license is required before you bid any project of $25,000 or more ($100,000 for masonry), while residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999 in nine counties needs the separate Home Improvement license. The path is consistent regardless of classification: pass the PSI Business and Law exam plus a trade exam at 73 percent, submit a reviewed or audited financial statement that sets your per-project monetary limit, and file the initial application in CORE with the $250 fee. Plan a few months, budget roughly $400 to $600 in state and exam fees plus the CPA statement and first-year insurance, and renew every 2 years for $200 with 8 CE hours for residential classifications. Get the classification and monetary limit right the first time and you hold a license that works statewide.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"resources\">Resources and next steps<\/h2>\n<p>Bookmark these for the application, renewal, or compliance questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors<\/a> &mdash; board home, news, and contact<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/get\/contractor.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to get a Contractor license<\/a> &mdash; exams, financial statement, monetary limit<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/get\/home-improvement.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home Improvement Contractor<\/a> &mdash; the $3,000 to $24,999 lane and county list<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/fees.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Board fee schedule<\/a> &mdash; current fees<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/commerce\/regboards\/contractors\/license\/renewal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Renewal and reinstatement<\/a> &mdash; the 2-year cycle and CE rule<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/support.commerce.tn.gov\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/209639597-Subcontractors-Who-is-Required-to-be-Licensed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Who is required to be licensed<\/a> &mdash; the $25,000 and $100,000 thresholds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a state-by-state overview, see our <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-get-general-contractor-license\/\">national general contractor license guide<\/a>. For another threshold-and-limit state, see our <a href=\"\/blog\/north-carolina-general-contractor-license\/\">North Carolina general contractor license guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sw-a__pull\">\n<blockquote><p>\n    Tennessee licenses by the dollar, not the trade. Cross $25,000 on a bid and you need the license first; your financial statement, not your years on the job, sets how big a project you can take.\n  <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>  <cite>SimplyWise Editorial<\/cite><br \/>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sw-a__faq\" id=\"faqs\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about the Tennessee contractor license<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-list\">\n<h3 class=\"sw-a__faq-cat\">Getting started<\/h3>\n<details>\n<summary>Do I need a contractor license in Tennessee?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>Yes, if your project is $25,000 or more. Tennessee is a threshold state: per T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-102 and the Board&#8217;s guidance, a state Contractor license is required before you bid, negotiate, or offer a price on any project of $25,000 or more (materials and labor combined) as a prime contractor, construction manager, or as an electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing subcontractor. Masonry subs need the license at $100,000 or more. For residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999 in the nine adopting counties (Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby), you need a Home Improvement license instead.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h3 class=\"sw-a__faq-cat\">Exams and financials<\/h3>\n<details>\n<summary>What exams do I need for a Tennessee contractor license and what score passes?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>Every applicant takes the PSI Tennessee Business and Law exam (50 questions, 73 percent to pass, 140 minutes), and most classifications add a trade exam (for example the BC-A residential trade exam is 100 questions, 73 percent to pass, 300 minutes). All Tennessee Board exams are scored at 73 percent and are open-book. The plumbing (CMC-A) and full mechanical (CMC) trade exams require Board pre-approval and a $50 fee before scheduling. Scores are typically valid for two years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How does Tennessee set my monetary limit?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>Your monetary limit, the maximum dollar value of any single project you can take, is calculated as 10 times the lesser of your working capital or net worth, plus required experience, based on a financial statement prepared by a licensed CPA or LPA. A reviewed statement is required for limits of $3,000,000 or less and an audited statement above that, dated less than 12 months before you apply. To reach an unlimited monetary limit you must show $300,000 in both working capital and net worth, plus experience. There is a 10 percent tolerance on the limit, except for the Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A\/r).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h3 class=\"sw-a__faq-cat\">Cost, renewal, and penalties<\/h3>\n<details>\n<summary>How much does a Tennessee contractor license cost in 2026?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>State and exam fees typically run about $400 to $600: the Contractor initial application fee is $250, each PSI exam portion (Business and Law or trade) is $57, and the NASCLA accredited exams are $125 each. Plumbing and mechanical trade exams add a $50 pre-approval fee. On top of that, budget for the CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement, general liability insurance, and (for a Home Improvement license) a $10,000 surety bond. Renewal is $200 every two years. Verify current fees on the Board fee schedule before applying.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How often do I renew a Tennessee contractor license?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>Every two years, for a $200 renewal fee. The renewal option appears in your CORE account within 90 days of expiration, and the Board recommends filing at least 30 days early. BC-A and BC-A\/r residential contractors must complete 8 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle and upload the certificate. The grace period is 12 months with a $20 per month late fee; after 12 months expired you must file a new application and meet every initial requirement again.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What happens if I contract without a Tennessee contractor license?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"sw-a__faq-answer\">\n<p>Per T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-120, engaging or offering to engage in contracting without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor, which in Tennessee carries up to 11 months and 29 days of confinement and a fine of up to $2,500 under T.C.A. \u00a7 40-35-111. Accepting a bid over $25,000 from an unlicensed contractor is also a Class A misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches owners and general contractors. The Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense, and T.C.A. \u00a7 62-6-136 makes unlicensed contracting an unfair or deceptive practice under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, opening a private right of action for harmed consumers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"sw-a__finalcta\">\n  <span class=\"sw-a__eyebrow\">After licensing<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>License first. Then bid every Tennessee job with a sharper estimate.<\/h2>\n<p>Once your Tennessee Contractor license is in hand, every project starts with a winning estimate. SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a site photo or floor plan into a sourced material list and labor breakdown in seconds, built for licensed Tennessee contractors who want to price competitively without underbidding. Free to try.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sw-a__cta-buttons\">\n    <a class=\"sw-a__btn\" href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Try SimplyWise Cost Estimator, free<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Article\",\n  \"headline\": \"Tennessee Contractor License: Complete 2026 Guide\",\n  \"description\": \"Tennessee contractor license requirements for 2026: the $25,000 threshold, classifications, PSI exams, financial statement monetary limits, fees, and 2-year renewal.\",\n  \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"SimplyWise\"},\n  \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"SimplyWise\", \"logo\": {\"@type\": \"ImageObject\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/simplywise.com\/logo.png\"}},\n  \"datePublished\": \"2026-06-04\",\n  \"dateModified\": \"2026-06-04\",\n  \"image\": \"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1508450859948-4e04fabaa4ea?w=1400&h=700&fit=crop&q=80&auto=format\"\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Do I need a contractor license in Tennessee?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes, if your project is $25,000 or more. Tennessee is a threshold state: per T.C.A. 62-6-102 and the Board's guidance, a state Contractor license is required before you bid, negotiate, or offer a price on any project of $25,000 or more (materials and labor combined) as a prime contractor, construction manager, or as an electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing subcontractor. Masonry subs need the license at $100,000 or more. 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Scores are typically valid for two years.\"}},\n    {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does Tennessee set my monetary limit?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Your monetary limit, the maximum dollar value of any single project you can take, is calculated as 10 times the lesser of your working capital or net worth, plus required experience, based on a financial statement prepared by a licensed CPA or LPA. A reviewed statement is required for limits of $3,000,000 or less and an audited statement above that, dated less than 12 months before you apply. To reach an unlimited monetary limit you must show $300,000 in both working capital and net worth, plus experience. There is a 10 percent tolerance on the limit, except for the Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A\/r).\"}},\n    {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How much does a Tennessee contractor license cost in 2026?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"State and exam fees typically run about $400 to $600: the Contractor initial application fee is $250, each PSI exam portion (Business and Law or trade) is $57, and the NASCLA accredited exams are $125 each. Plumbing and mechanical trade exams add a $50 pre-approval fee. On top of that, budget for the CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement, general liability insurance, and (for a Home Improvement license) a $10,000 surety bond. Renewal is $200 every two years. Verify current fees on the Board fee schedule before applying.\"}},\n    {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How often do I renew a Tennessee contractor license?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Every two years, for a $200 renewal fee. The renewal option appears in your CORE account within 90 days of expiration, and the Board recommends filing at least 30 days early. BC-A and BC-A\/r residential contractors must complete 8 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle and upload the certificate. The grace period is 12 months with a $20 per month late fee; after 12 months expired you must file a new application and meet every initial requirement again.\"}},\n    {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What happens if I contract without a Tennessee contractor license?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Per T.C.A. 62-6-120, engaging or offering to engage in contracting without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor, which in Tennessee carries up to 11 months and 29 days of confinement and a fine of up to $2,500 under T.C.A. 40-35-111. Accepting a bid over $25,000 from an unlicensed contractor is also a Class A misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches owners and general contractors. The Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense, and T.C.A. 62-6-136 makes unlicensed contracting an unfair or deceptive practice under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, opening a private right of action for harmed consumers.\"}}\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n  \"itemListElement\": [\n    {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Blog\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/\"},\n    {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Contractor Licensing Guides\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/category\/contractor-licensing-guides\/\"},\n    {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Tennessee Contractor License\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/tennessee-contractor-license\/\"}\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blog &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; Contractor Licensing Guides Tennessee &middot; Licensing Guide Tennessee Contractor License: Complete 2026 Guide Everything you need to clear the $25,000 threshold, pass the PSI exams, set your monetary limit with a financial statement, and renew. Sourced directly from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and Title 62, Chapter 6 of the Tennessee Code. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[178],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-contractor-licenses"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Tennessee Contractor License: 2026 Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tennessee contractor license rules for 2026: the $25,000 threshold, classifications, PSI exams, financial statement limits, fees, and 2-year renewal.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/tennessee-contractor-license\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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