Tennessee Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)

How Tennessee licenses contractors

Tennessee licenses contractors in classifications such as BC-A (Residential), BC-B (Commercial), and CE/MC trades. Applicants must provide experience affidavits, a reviewed or audited financial statement, pass the PSI trade exam (or NASCLA for BC-B), and pass the Tennessee Business & Law exam.

Expect humid summers, Mississippi River floods, and New Madrid seismic requirements. Exams stress slope stabilization, tornado shelter anchoring, and energy code details for mixed-humid climates.

Official source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

Tennessee contractor license types

Monetary limits equal ten times the working capital shown on the financial statement (minimum $150k for unlimited). A $100,000 bond or line of credit can supplement working capital.

What's on the Tennessee contractor exam

PSI centers are located in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Johnson City, and remote proctoring.

What Tennessee exam questions emphasize

• Tennessee Contractor's Reference Manual
• IBC/IRC structural, seismic, and tornado provisions
• Lien law (TCA 66-11) and prompt-pay requirements
• OSHA safety and TOSHA enforcement

Exam-day logistics

• Bring two IDs, approval letter, and the allowed references
• NASCLA transcripts must be sent directly to the Board
• Scores post immediately; submit financial statements and insurance for final approval

Trade-specific exam guides

If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the Tennessee general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.

• General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
• Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
• Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
• HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.

Tennessee code books & approved references (2026)

Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.

• NASCLA Contractor's Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - Tennessee Edition
• International Building/Residential Codes 2018
• Tennessee energy code
• Tennessee lien law (TCA 66-11)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 / TOSHA requirements

Fees & timeline for the Tennessee contractor license

• $250 application fee
• $57 PSI trade exam and $57 Business & Law exam
• Financial statement preparation or surety bond costs
• $100 license issuance fee
• Continuing education for electrical and mechanical trades

Use the All States hub for budgeting; confirm fees with the Board.

Tennessee Business & Law focus

The Business & Law exam covers licensing statutes, lien law, tax registration, insurance, and accounting.

• Know Title 62 licensing and disciplinary procedures
• Understand lien notice deadlines and retainage rules
• Register with the Department of Revenue and Department of Labor
• Maintain workers-comp, unemployment insurance, and drug-free workplace policies

Practice with our national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.

A focused 4-week study plan for the Tennessee exam

Because expect humid summers, Mississippi River floods, and New Madrid seismic requirements, this four-week outline targets what Tennessee field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.

1. Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: Tennessee Contractor's Reference Manual.
2. Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: IBC/IRC structural, seismic, and tornado provisions.
3. Week 3 — Business & Law. The Business & Law exam covers licensing statutes, lien law, tax registration, insurance, and accounting. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
4. Week 4 — Full simulations. PSI centers are located in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Johnson City, and remote proctoring. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.