• Anyone seeking to become a contractor in Tennessee is required to sit for two exams, business and law and the trade.

• Workers Compensation is required

• If your monetary limit is up to $500,000, you will need to provide $100,000 coverage.
• If your monetary limit is $500,001 - $1,500,000, you will need to provide $500,000 coverage.
• If your monetary limit is greater than $1,500,000 you will need to provide $1,000,000 coverage.

A residential/small commercial contractor’s services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one, two, three, or four family unit residences that do not exceed three stories in height and to the construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition of any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public including residential construction with more than 4 units or great than 3 stories in height where the project does not exceed $750,000. This license excludes all electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work.

Tennessee has limited reciprocity agreement with the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

There are no requirements for continuing education as of this time.

• The testing company is PSI (1-800-733-9267)
• 100 questions and an 4 1/2-hour time limit
• 73% is required to pass the exam
• The exam fee is $38.
• Topics on the exam include sitework, footings, and foundation; concrete and concrete reinforcement; masonry; carpentry; metals; roofing; associated trades; general code, plan reading and estimating; and OSHA safety.

The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.

• 2003 International Building Code
• 2003 International Residential Code
• OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926
• Carpentry and Building Construction
• Guide to Good Practice for Wood Trusses
• Contractors Guide to Quality Concrete
• Roofing Construction and Estimating
• Modern Masonry
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Gypsum Construction Handbook
• Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
• Manual of Construction with Steel Deck

We offer review for the Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial Contractor Exam through 1 ½ day seminar or in a home study/tutorial format. The fee for the class or study guide is $445. At class, students will receive a study guide includes sample questions, practice math problems, sample blueprints, and a highlighting guide for the approved references. For more information on either attending a seminar, or to order, contact our office at 1-800-952-0910.

Seminar Price: $445