Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
2026 guide to everything you need to know about contractor licensing in Tennessee.
715
Contractors in TN
659
Verified licenses
32 yrs
Avg. experience
10
Cities covered
Tennessee licensing board
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
License types in Tennessee
Contractor: BC-A (Unlimited)
No limit on project value
Contractor: BC-B (Limited)
Projects up to $750,000
Contractor: BC-b (Small)
Projects between $25,000 and $100,000
Home Improvement (HI)
Residential projects $3,000 to $25,000
Bond requirements
$10,000
Minimum surety bond
Surety bond varies by classification: $10,000 to $100,000
Insurance requirements
General liability insurance
Required. General liability required; amounts vary by license classification
Workers' compensation
Required when you have employees.
Penalties for unlicensed work
Class A misdemeanor; fines up to $2,500 and/or up to 11 months imprisonment; contracts may be voided
How to verify a license in Tennessee
1. Use the free verification tool
Search a database of 715 contractors in Tennessee by name, license number, or business name.
Verify a contractor now2. Check the official state board
Visit the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors for real-time license verification and disciplinary actions.
Visit Tennessee Board for Licensing ContractorsAdditional information
Required for projects valued at $25,000 or more (home improvement threshold is $3,000)
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee require a contractor license?+
Yes, Tennessee requires contractors to obtain a state license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. 4 license types are available depending on the scope of work.
What are the bond requirements for contractors in Tennessee?+
Tennessee requires a minimum surety bond of $10,000. Surety bond varies by classification: $10,000 to $100,000
What are the penalties for unlicensed contracting in Tennessee?+
Class A misdemeanor; fines up to $2,500 and/or up to 11 months imprisonment; contracts may be voided
Is insurance required for contractors in Tennessee?+
Yes, Tennessee requires contractors to carry insurance. General liability required; amounts vary by license classification
How do I verify a contractor's license in Tennessee?+
You can verify a contractor's license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors website at https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractor-board.html. You can also use our free license verification tool at vemra.ai/licensing/verify to search our database of 715 contractor profiles in Tennessee.
How many licensed contractors are there in Tennessee?+
Our database includes 715 contractor profiles in Tennessee, with 659 verified license numbers on file. The average contractor in Tennessee has 32 years of experience.