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.

Tennessee Qualifying Agent: Complete Guide to TN Contractor Licensing

Tennessee requires contractors performing work above $25,000 to hold a state contractor license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Every licensed company must designate a Qualifying Agent who meets the board's requirements.

Tennessee License Classifications

Tennessee issues several contractor license classifications:

• BC-A (Unlimited), Building construction with no monetary limit
• BC-B (Limited), Building construction with monetary limitations
• BC-r (Residential), Residential construction only
• Electrical Contractor, Licensed through the Board for Licensing Contractors
• Plumbing Contractor, Licensed through the Board for Licensing Contractors
• HVAC Contractor, Mechanical contractor licensing
• Specialty Classifications, Including demolition, masonry, steel erection, and others

Qualifying Agent Requirements

Tennessee's Qualifying Agent must:

• Pass the required examination for the license classification
• Demonstrate at least four years of construction experience in a supervisory capacity
• Be at least 18 years old
• Submit to a background check
• Be designated as the company's qualifier on the license application

Who Can Be the Qualifying Agent, and the Power of Attorney Rule

Tennessee lets a licensed company designate an owner, an officer, or a full-time employee as its Qualifying Agent. The QA is the person who takes the Board's exams for the entity and whose experience anchors the application.

The detail most applicants miss: if the QA is not a majority owner, for example a full-time employee with no ownership, or someone under a 20% ownership interest, the Board requires a notarized Power of Attorney signed by the owner and attached to the application, authorizing the QA to bind the company. And the license itself belongs to the entity that provides the financial statement, not to the QA personally.

That structure is exactly why Tennessee works cleanly for the W-2 qualifying agent model: the state explicitly contemplates a full-time-employee QA, and the Power of Attorney form is the mechanism that makes it official. If your company needs a Tennessee QA, see hiring a qualifying agent; the Board's QA add/change form also lets an existing licensee add or replace its QA without re-forming the company.

Key Tennessee Rules

• The $25,000 threshold applies to the total contract price, including materials and labor
• The QA must notify the board within 30 days of leaving the company
• Tennessee requires a financial statement demonstrating the company's financial capacity
• The board meets regularly to review applications and compliance matters
• Continuing education is required for license renewal

Trade-by-trade Tennessee licensing guides

Tennessee licenses each trade at the $25,000 contractor threshold. For step-by-step requirements, exams, and fees by trade, see our guides on the Tennessee electrician license, the Tennessee plumbing license, and the Tennessee HVAC license.

Tennessee Market Opportunities

Tennessee offers strong construction opportunities:

• Nashville is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country
• Major commercial development in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville
• Healthcare construction (Nashville is the healthcare capital of the US)
• Automotive manufacturing facilities creating industrial construction demand
• Growing data center market

Get Licensed in Tennessee

The Licensing Company has deep roots in Tennessee contractor licensing. We have Qualifying Agents available across all TN license classifications and can typically match you with a qualified professional quickly.

Book a free license consultation to discuss your Tennessee licensing needs.