2026 exam-provider update: Tennessee changed testing vendors. Prov began administering the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors' exams on July 1, 2026, replacing PSI. Applicants already scheduled with PSI for a date after July 1 could keep that appointment, and PSI continued administering previously scheduled exams through September 2026. All new exam scheduling now goes through Prov. Exam fees are set by the Board and the testing vendor and change, verify current amounts with the Board or Prov before you schedule.

How to Get a Plumbing License in Tennessee (2026 Guide)

Government and exam fees in this guide are set by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and by Prov, the state's testing vendor, and are subject to change. Always confirm current amounts with the board or Prov before you apply.

Tennessee handles plumbing credentials differently from most states, and the dollar amount of the work you do decides which license you actually need. There is no single statewide "journeyman" or "master plumber" license issued by the state. Instead, the path forks at one number: $25,000. Understanding that split is the whole game, so let's walk it step by step.

The two-tier system: LLP vs. the contractor license

Tennessee plumbing work breaks into two state credentials, plus whatever your city or county requires on top.

Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP), for plumbing and non-medical gas piping work where the total project cost is less than $25,000. The LLP is administered by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. It is not a contractor's license, and an LLP holder cannot advertise or bid as a "contractor."

Contractor license with a plumbing classification, required before you bid or offer a price on any project of $25,000 or more (materials and labor combined) as the prime contractor. This is issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TBLC). The two relevant classifications are:

• CMC-A, Plumbing and Gas Piping Contractor: installation, alteration, remodeling, and repair of plumbing systems and non-medical gas piping.
• CMC, Full Mechanical Contractor: a broader classification covering plumbing, HVAC, and refrigeration. Requires board pre-approval before testing.

This $25,000 threshold mirrors how Tennessee handles the electrical trade. If you've looked into the Tennessee electrician license, the same logic applies: a limited license below $25,000, a full TBLC contractor license at $25,000 and above.

Path 1: The Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)

The LLP is the entry point for smaller residential and service work.

Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Document at least one year (around 2,000 hours) of plumbing experience.
• Pass the LLP trade exam.

The exam: The Tennessee LLP trade exam is open-book, 40 questions, with a 2-hour time limit and a passing score of 73%. Because the LLP is not a contractor license, you do not take the Business and Law Management exam, only the trade exam.

Fees: The LLP exam fee is $53 and the application fee is $75 (set by the board/Prov; verify current amounts).

Big caveat: An LLP license is not accepted everywhere. Many counties and cities have their own plumbing licensing or permit rules, and some won't recognize the LLP at all. Always confirm with your local government before you rely on it. (More on that state-vs-local split below.)

Path 2: The TBLC contractor license (CMC-A or CMC)

Once your projects hit $25,000 or more, the LLP is no longer enough, you need a full Tennessee contractor license.

Requirements for CMC-A / CMC:

• At least three years of verifiable plumbing experience, confirmed by a qualifying agent.
• Complete and submit the Tennessee Plumbing Exam Pre-Approval Request form before you can sit for the trade exam.
• Pass two Prov exams: the statewide Business and Law exam and the plumbing trade exam, each at 73%.
• Provide a Reviewed or Audited financial statement prepared by a licensed CPA or LPA in the exact name and mode of operation to be licensed.
• Carry general liability insurance and, if you have employees, workers' compensation.

The application fee for a CMC or CMC-A license is $250. The two Prov exams (Business and Law, and the plumbing trade exam) each carry their own Prov fee, verify the current amounts on Prov's site before you schedule, since the board and vendor adjust them periodically. For help with the scheduling logistics, see our guide on how to schedule a contractor exam with PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE, and on getting cleared to test, contractor exam approval by state.

The monetary limit, Tennessee's most misunderstood rule

Your Tennessee contractor license carries a monetary limit: the maximum value (including your cost of land and profit) of any single project or permit you may take on. That limit is set by the financial statement you submit, it is tied to your working capital and net worth. Underbuild the financial statement and you cap your own business; this is exactly the kind of detail worth getting right the first time.

Timeline: Applications are reviewed monthly. Submit by the 20th of the month, and the board typically approves complete applications within about 4 to 6 weeks.

Step-by-step: getting licensed in Tennessee

1. Decide your tier. Will you work under $25,000 (LLP) or at $25,000 and above (CMC-A/CMC)? If you intend to bid real contracting work, plan for the contractor license.
2. Log your experience. One year for the LLP; three verifiable years for the contractor license.
3. Get pre-approved (contractor path). File the plumbing exam pre-approval request before scheduling.
4. Pass your exams. LLP: trade exam only. Contractor: Business and Law plus the plumbing trade exam, both at 73%.
5. Prepare your financials (contractor path). Have a CPA prepare a reviewed or audited statement sized to the monetary limit you actually want.
6. Submit your application with proof of experience, exam results, financials, and insurance, by the 20th to make that month's review.
7. Confirm local requirements. Check the city and county where you'll work for separate licensing or permit rules.

How much does a Tennessee plumbing license cost?

The honest answer is: it depends on your path. The fixed government and vendor pieces are knowable, the LLP application is $75 with a $53 exam, and the contractor application is $250 plus the two Prov exam fees (all set by the board/Prov and subject to change, so verify before you pay). What's harder to predict is the cost of getting a CPA-reviewed financial statement, any local licensing, and your bond and insurance premiums, which depend on your business. For insurance and bonding specifics, see contractor insurance requirements by state and contractor bond requirements by state.

What if you can't meet the experience or exam requirement?

Here's the wall many growing plumbing businesses hit: the company is ready to bid $25,000-plus work, but no one on the team holds the three years of verifiable experience, or has the passing exam scores, to qualify the license. In Tennessee, the contractor license is held by a qualifying agent: a licensed individual who carries the credential and the responsibility for the company's work.

You cannot legally "rent" or borrow a license to get around this; Tennessee, like every state, treats that as fraud. (We explain why in detail in is it legal to rent a contractor license.) The legal alternative is to bring a qualifying agent onto your team as a W-2, full-time employee who holds a genuine role and real responsibility within your company. That's exactly what The Licensing Company does, we place qualifying agents as full employees, never as a percentage deal, flat fee, or per-project arrangement.

If your company needs a licensed plumber to qualify it in Tennessee, learn how the role works in our Tennessee qualifying agent guide and what a plumbing contractor qualifying agent does, or see how to hire a qualifying agent. To talk through your situation, visit our consultation packages.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tennessee have a journeyman or master plumber license? Not at the state level. Tennessee issues the LLP (under $25,000) and the TBLC contractor license (CMC-A or CMC, for $25,000 and up). Some cities and counties issue their own journeyman or master designations locally, so check where you plan to work.

Do I need a contractor license for plumbing work under $25,000? The state contractor license is required at $25,000 and above. Below that, the LLP applies, but your local jurisdiction may still require its own license or permit, so always confirm locally.

How long does it take to get licensed in Tennessee? After you pass your exams and submit a complete application by the 20th of the month, the board generally approves within about 4 to 6 weeks.

Who can hold the plumbing contractor license for my company? A qualifying agent with the required experience and passing exam scores. If no one in your company qualifies, you can hire a qualifying agent as a W-2 employee. Start with what is a qualifying agent.

The Licensing Company helps contractors get and keep their licenses across the country, including placing qualifying agents as full-time W-2 employees. Tennessee plumbing licensing is administered by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and the Department of Commerce and Insurance; verify all current fees and requirements with them before applying.