Tennessee Contractor License Lookup: Verify Status, Classification and Project Limits
Use the Tennessee contractor license lookup before you accept a bid, sign a contract, pay a deposit or rely on a contractor’s license number. Tennessee’s public search lets you check regulated individuals and businesses and review current status, expiration and public disciplinary information.
For construction work, do more than match a name. Confirm the licensed entity, contractor classification, monetary limit, expiration date and any qualifying-agent information that matters to the project.
Quick Answer: How to Check a Tennessee Contractor License
Open Tennessee Commerce and Insurance’s License, Permit, Registration Search. Search by license number when you have it. The public tool also supports individual or business name, license type, city and Tennessee county searches.
Open the matching record and compare the exact legal business name, credential, status and expiration date. For contractor work, also check that the classification covers the job and that the license’s monetary limit is high enough for the project.
If you need to verify another type of Tennessee credential rather than a contractor license, use the Tennessee License Verification guide to identify the correct state lookup system.
Tennessee Contractor License Lookup: Step-by-Step
Use this workflow before a major home repair, commercial project, subcontractor approval, construction payment or permit decision.
Ask for the exact license number and legal business name
Do not rely only on a truck decal, website footer, proposal or the phrase “licensed and insured.” Ask which Tennessee license covers the work and the exact entity name under which it is issued.
Open Tennessee Verify Public Search
Use the state search rather than a private directory. Search by license number when possible. If the number is unavailable, search the legal individual or business name.
Match the licensed entity to the contract
The company or person named in your agreement should match the official record. A genuine license belonging to another entity does not prove that the company collecting your payment is licensed.
Check status and expiration
Review the current public status and expiration information. A previously issued license number should not be treated as current authority when the record is expired, inactive, revoked or otherwise unsuitable.
Confirm classification and monetary limit
A valid contractor license can still be wrong for a job. The classification controls the type of work; the monetary limit controls project size.
Check the qualifying agent when relevant
Tennessee provides a separate contractor and Qualifying Agent data dashboard. Use it when the contractor’s exam qualifier or company relationship matters to your verification.
Save dated verification proof
For a high-value project, save the date checked, legal name, license number, status, classification, monetary limit, expiration date and any disciplinary or follow-up issue.
What to Check on the Tennessee Contractor Record
| Field | Why it matters | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Legal business name | The license belongs to a specific business or individual. | The licensed entity matches the company signing the contract and receiving payment. |
| License number | It is normally the cleanest identifier when similar business names exist. | The number supplied by the contractor matches the official result. |
| Status | An old license number may still exist after the credential stops being usable. | The current state record is acceptable for the work being proposed. |
| Expiration | A long project can extend beyond the date you first checked. | The license is current and not being represented using an old certificate. |
| Classification | Classification defines what kind of work the contractor may bid and perform. | The classification fits the exact residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical, roofing or specialty work. |
| Monetary limit | Tennessee financially limits the project size covered by a contractor license. | The approved limit can support the complete project amount. |
| Public discipline | Formal action can affect a hiring or compliance decision. | Read the current official action rather than relying on online reviews or rumors. |
When a Tennessee Contractor License Is Required
The $25,000 threshold is the main statewide rule for contractors, but subcontractor trade, project amount, county and local requirements can change the credential that applies.
| Situation | Key rule | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Prime contractor | A Tennessee contractor license is required before contracting, bidding, offering to engage or negotiating price for projects of $25,000 or more. | Verify the contractor before accepting the bid or contract. |
| Construction manager or consultant | Licensing applies when the total project value is $25,000 or more. | Do not assume a management-only role falls outside contractor licensing. |
| Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing subcontractor | When contracting directly with a contractor, the applicable license is required when that portion of the project is $25,000 or more, including materials, equipment and labor. | Compare the subcontract amount, classification and monetary limit. |
| Masonry subcontractor | Masonry licensing applies when the masonry portion reaches $100,000 or more. | Do not automatically apply the $25,000 trade threshold to masonry. |
| Residential home improvement | Covered residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999 requires a Home Improvement license in counties that adopted the law. | Verify project value and county before assuming no state credential is required. |
| Electrical or plumbing under $25,000 | LLE, LLP or local requirements can apply depending on the jurisdiction. | Contact the city or county codes office before work begins. |
The Tennessee Home Improvement license requirement for covered $3,000–$24,999 residential remodeling currently applies in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties.
Look at the real project value and work scope. Creating separate phases or contracts should not be treated as a safe way to avoid Tennessee licensing or monetary-limit rules.
Tennessee Contractor Classifications: Match the License to the Work
Tennessee issues a contractor license with both a classification and monetary limit. Classification answers what work the contractor can perform; monetary limit addresses the project value the license can support.
| Classification | Typical scope | Verification point |
|---|---|---|
| BC | Full building construction covering residential, commercial and industrial building work and recognized building subcategories. | Check current status and monetary limit. |
| BC-A | Residential building work involving qualifying one-, two-, three- and four-family residences and accessory structures. | Confirm the project is within residential scope. |
| BC-A/r | Restricted single-family residential classification. | The monetary limit cannot exceed $125,000 and the classification does not receive the normal 10% bid tolerance. |
| BC-B | Commercial building construction, including qualifying public-use and larger residential buildings. | Match the commercial work and project amount. |
| BC-C | Industrial buildings and structures used for industrial production or service. | Confirm the exact industrial scope on the license. |
| CE | Electrical contracting. | For applicable $25,000+ electrical work, verify the electrical classification and monetary limit. |
| CMC / CMC-A / CMC-C | Mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration and related mechanical classifications. | Use the exact mechanical subclassification required by the work. |
| LMC | Licensed Masonry Contractor. | The special masonry threshold becomes important when the masonry portion reaches $100,000. |
Why the Tennessee Contractor Monetary Limit Matters
Compare the whole job to the limit
The contractor’s monetary limit is not a company-size ranking. It controls the project value the license is authorized to support under Tennessee’s rules.
Both fields must fit
A contractor can have an active license and still be wrong for your project if either the classification or monetary limit does not fit the proposed work.
BC-A/r has special limits
The restricted BC-A/r classification cannot exceed a $125,000 monetary limit and does not receive the standard 10% bid tolerance.
Ask: “Does this exact legal company hold the right classification, and does the monetary limit cover this exact project amount?” That is a better verification question than simply asking whether the contractor is licensed.
How to Verify a Tennessee Contractor’s Qualifying Agent
The Qualifying Agent, or QA, is the person designated to satisfy the applicable examination qualification for the licensed contractor entity. Tennessee publishes contractor and QA data separately from the general license search.
You need the company’s qualification relationship
The QA dashboard can help when checking which qualifying agents are associated with a licensed contractor, especially for applicant, compliance or company-change questions.
A QA is not another company’s license
The entity on the contract still needs to match the licensed contractor. A qualifying agent associated with one company should not be used as proof that another business is licensed.
Important Tennessee Contractor Licensing Updates for 2026
Prov became the trade exam provider
New contractor exam scheduling beginning July 1, 2026 moved to Prov. Tennessee’s current exam guidance says Prov administers the contractor examinations and all new contractor applicants take the Tennessee Business and Law exam, with trade exams required for applicable classifications.
Contractors gained a surety-bond option
Tennessee now allows the Board-approved Contractors’ Surety Bond option as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or CPA-audited financial statement for the applicable licensing path. The bond must equal at least 50% of the requested monetary limit.
Physical license certificates stopped being mailed
The Department states that contractor, Home Improvement, LLP and LLE physical certificates are no longer mailed. Licensees can access and print their license through CORE.
Tennessee Contractor License Renewal: Current Rules
Contractor renewal becomes available in CORE within 90 days of expiration. Tennessee recommends submitting the renewal at least 30 days before the expiration date to reduce the risk of working on an expired credential.
CORE opens within 90 days
The renewal option appears in the licensee’s CORE account during the 90-day period before expiration.
Submit at least 30 days early
The Board recommends filing renewal at least 30 days before expiration.
12 months for contractor renewal rights
The contractor license has a 12-month renewal grace period with a $20 late fee for each month. After 12 months, a new license application is required.
Document requirements change with the limit
Current renewal guidance calls for a self-prepared balance sheet when the monetary limit is $1.5 million or less and a compiled financial statement from a licensed CPA when the limit exceeds $1.5 million.
General liability and workers’ compensation
Renewal documentation includes the applicable general liability and workers’ compensation proof or accepted exemption documentation.
BC-A and BC-A/r continuing education
BC-A and BC-A/r contractors must complete eight hours of continuing education with each biannual renewal and upload proof with the CORE renewal.
Tennessee Contractor Licensing Fees
| Credential / transaction | Current fee | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor initial / reinstatement / ownership change | $250 | Applies to the contractor application transaction. |
| Contractor renewal | $200 | Renew through CORE when the renewal option becomes available. |
| Contractor late renewal | $20 per month | Applies during the contractor’s 12-month grace period. |
| Home Improvement initial / reinstatement / ownership change | $250 | The Home Improvement credential has separate project and county rules. |
| Home Improvement renewal | $200 | Home Improvement renewal has a shorter three-month grace period. |
| LLE initial | $50 | The state LLE does not replace local requirements where the jurisdiction uses its own licensing system. |
| LLE renewal | $50 | Local permit and inspection rules still matter. |
| LLP initial / reinstatement | $75 | Use the LLP route only when it applies to the jurisdiction and project. |
| LLP renewal | $50 | Check local requirements before assuming the state LLP is sufficient. |
State Contractor License vs Local Permits and Local Licensing
State licensing does not replace permits
A valid Tennessee contractor license does not eliminate city or county building permits, inspections or local codes requirements.
LLE is not accepted everywhere
For smaller electrical projects, local jurisdictions may accept Tennessee’s LLE credential or may use their own electrician licensing requirements. Check locally before work starts.
LLP depends on local jurisdiction
The Limited Licensed Plumber credential applies only where the local system recognizes that route. Always check the city or county codes office.
A Tennessee Secretary of State business registration shows that a business entity exists. It does not prove the business holds the contractor classification and monetary limit required for regulated construction work.
Before Hiring a Tennessee Contractor: Verification Checklist
- Exact legal contractor or company name.
- Official Tennessee license number.
- Current status.
- Expiration date.
- Classification matching the work.
- Monetary limit supporting the project amount.
- Qualifying Agent relationship when relevant.
- Local permit and business-license requirements.
- Public disciplinary information requiring review.
- Date the official record was checked.
- A license number printed on a business card.
- An old paper or digital certificate.
- An online marketplace profile.
- The phrase “licensed and insured.”
- A business registration alone.
- A license held by a different company.
- An unrelated classification.
- Online ratings instead of official status.
For a significant project, compare multiple bids, check references, put scope and payment terms in writing, keep payment records and document work progress. License verification is one part of contractor due diligence, not a workmanship guarantee.
How to Check Discipline or File a Tennessee Contractor Complaint
License verification and complaint handling are different tasks. A current license does not guarantee workmanship, and a complaint does not automatically prove wrongdoing.
Read the official action
Tennessee provides public disciplinary information for regulated professionals. Review the actual action, date and current license status rather than relying on a short search label.
Use TDCI for suspected violations
TDCI accepts complaints involving unfair or deceptive business practices, suspected unlicensed activity, misconduct and possible violations of contractor laws or rules.
The Board is not private legal counsel
TDCI states that the office cannot provide legal advice or represent private individuals seeking refunds or reimbursement. Regulatory enforcement and private financial recovery are different processes.
No Tennessee Contractor License Result? Try These Fixes
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| License number returns nothing | The number may be wrong or entered in the wrong licensing system. | Confirm the number with the contractor and search the legal business name. |
| Business name returns several records | Common name, DBA or several related entities. | Use the exact legal entity, license number, city or county to narrow the result. |
| Business exists but contractor license is missing | Business registration and contractor licensing are separate. | Ask for the actual Tennessee contractor license number and verify it through TDCI. |
| Project is below $25,000 | A Home Improvement, LLE, LLP or local credential may apply instead. | Check project type, county and city/county licensing rules. |
| Out-of-state contractor has no Tennessee record | Another state’s license does not authorize Tennessee contracting. | Require the appropriate Tennessee license. Trade-exam waiver agreements do not replace Tennessee licensure. |
| Contractor says renewal is pending | Renewal may be processing or may still have outstanding requirements. | Recheck the official public record before relying on the license for current regulated work. |
If You Are Applying for a Tennessee Contractor License
Applicants often arrive at a license-lookup page because their own record is not yet active. The Tennessee contractor application involves testing, financial qualification, insurance and business documentation.
Business and Law plus trade exam when required
All new contractor applicants take the Tennessee Business and Law exam. Some classifications also require a trade examination. Prov handles new exam scheduling in 2026.
Financial statement or current surety-bond route
The requested monetary limit is tied to financial qualification. Tennessee’s 2026 rules also provide a Board-approved surety-bond option for the applicable application path.
Reference, insurance and affidavit
Initial licensing requires supporting items such as a construction reference, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation proof or exemption and the Contractor’s Affidavit.
Secretary of State status when applicable
Corporations, LLCs and other applicable entities must satisfy the required Tennessee business-entity registration or authority requirements.
$250 initial contractor fee
The Board’s current fee schedule lists $250 for an initial contractor application, reinstatement or ownership change.
Trade-exam waiver is not automatic licensure
Tennessee has trade-exam waiver agreements with certain states, but a contractor still must obtain the required Tennessee license before performing Tennessee work that requires licensure.
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Contact Information
| Contact | Details | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | 615-741-8307 | Contractor, Home Improvement, LLE and LLP licensing questions. |
| Board email | contractors.home-improvement@tn.gov | General licensing and program questions. |
| Regulatory Boards Division | 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243 | State regulatory-board office and correspondence. |
| TDCI main line | 615-741-2241 | Department routing when the correct program is unclear. |
Check the current Board page and whether your task can be completed through CORE. Tennessee has moved many licensing transactions online, and physical contractor license certificates are no longer mailed.
Official Tennessee Contractor License Resources
Use these government resources for the final lookup, application, renewal, classification, complaint or license-management action.
Tennessee Contractor License Lookup FAQs
How do I look up a Tennessee contractor license?
Use Tennessee Commerce and Insurance’s public License, Permit, Registration Search. Search by license number when available, or search by the legal individual or business name. Open the matching record and confirm the name, status, expiration, classification and monetary limit.
When is a Tennessee contractor license required?
A Tennessee contractor license is generally required before contracting, bidding, offering to engage or negotiating a price for projects of $25,000 or more. Separate rules apply to certain subcontractors, masonry work, Home Improvement contractors, LLE and LLP credentials.
Can I search a Tennessee contractor by license number?
Yes. Tennessee’s public search includes a license-number option. A license number is normally the cleanest identifier when several companies or individuals have similar names.
What should I verify besides Active status?
Check the exact licensed entity, classification, monetary limit, expiration date, Qualifying Agent information when relevant and any public disciplinary information. An active license may still be wrong for a project if the scope or limit does not fit the work.
What does a Tennessee contractor monetary limit mean?
The monetary limit controls the project value that the contractor license is authorized to support under Tennessee’s licensing rules. It is separate from classification, which determines the type of work the contractor can perform.
Does Tennessee require a Home Improvement license for projects below $25,000?
For covered residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999, a Home Improvement license is required in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties. Local requirements may also apply.
Can an out-of-state contractor work in Tennessee with another state’s license?
No. An out-of-state license does not itself authorize Tennessee contracting. Tennessee has trade-exam waiver agreements with certain states, but the contractor still must obtain the appropriate Tennessee license before performing work that requires it.
How much does a Tennessee contractor license renewal cost?
The current contractor renewal fee is $200. A contractor renewed within the 12-month grace period is also charged a $20 late fee for each month. After 12 months, the contractor must reapply under initial-license requirements.
How do I check a Tennessee contractor’s Qualifying Agent?
Use the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors’ public Contractor & Qualifying Agent Data dashboard. It provides searchable information connecting licensed contractors with their qualifying agents.
What should I do if no Tennessee contractor license result appears?
Confirm the license number and legal business name, try the official business-name search, and determine whether the work is regulated through the full contractor license, Home Improvement, LLE, LLP or local licensing rules. An out-of-state license should not be used as a substitute for required Tennessee licensure.
Verify the License Before the Bid, Deposit or Contract
Start with Tennessee’s official public search and match the exact contractor or business. Then check status, expiration, classification and monetary limit before relying on the credential. For projects below $25,000, also confirm whether Home Improvement, LLE, LLP or local permit and licensing rules apply.