Tennessee Commercial Contractor License
A Comprehensive Guide to Get One
If you’re planning on doing any commercial construction work in Tennessee, you’ll need to ensure you have a valid commercial contractor license. You are not supposed to act as a general or specialty contractor without the required license. The state’s appropriate skills and approved qualifications are insufficient to get a license. You must take and pass an examination conducted by the licensing board and show financial responsibility. Depending on the value of the project, you’ll need to provide a surety bond or proof of workers’ compensation insurance. You may qualify for a license if you’re an out-of-state contractor, but you’ll need to meet additional requirements.
The Basic Requirements for Getting Your License
To get a Tennessee commercial contractor license, you must:
– Be at least 18 years old.
– Submit a completed application, including the $300 fee
– Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
– Show financial responsibility, which can be met by providing a surety bond or workers’ compensation insurance
– Pass the business and law examination
How to Take Your Continuing Education Courses
If you renew your license, you’ll need to take two hours of continuing education (CE) courses. These must be board-approved and cover business management, law, or project development and management topics. You can find a list of approved providers on the board’s website or from Rockercert. Courses must be taken within two years before renewing your license.
Taking Your Exams
You’ll need to take two exams to get your Tennessee commercial contractor license: business, law, and trade. The business and law exam covers general business knowledge and state-specific contracting laws. The trade exam covers the specific area of construction you plan to work in, such as plumbing or electrical. You can find more information about the exams on the board’s website, including study materials.
You must register for your exams 10 days in advance and pay the $60 fee. Exams are offered year-round at testing centers around the state. You’ll need to score at least 70% on each exam. You can retake the exams after 30 days if you don’t pass.
Getting the Bond Before You Start Running Your Business
Any Tennessee citizen who wants to run a contracting business within the state must first obtain a commercial contractor license bond. The surety bond is a requirement of the state’s contractor licensing board and protects consumers from financial loss if a contractor fails to uphold their end of a contract. When applying for a contractor license, applicants must submit a completed application, the required fee, and the surety bond. The bond amount will depend on the license application type, but it must be at least $25,000.
Applying for an Out-of-State License
If you’re a licensed contractor in another state, you may be able to get a Tennessee contractor license without taking the business and law examination. You’ll need to submit a completed application, the required fee, and documentation that proves you’re currently licensed and in good standing in your home state. You must also show that your home state’s licensing requirements are equal to or greater than Tennessee’s. If your home state doesn’t have a contractor licensing board, you’ll need to take and pass the business and law examination.
The Bottom Line
To work as a commercial contractor in Tennessee, you’ll need to get a license from the state’s contractor licensing board. The process involves submitting a completed application, the required fee, and passing a business and law examination. You’ll also need proof of financial responsibility, which can be met by getting a surety bond or workers’ compensation insurance. If you’re already licensed in another state, you may be able to get a Tennessee contractor license without taking the business and law examination.
