Tennessee Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Contractor License, CE (Electrical) classification · Issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance).

⚡ ElectricianTN ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In Tennessee, electricians must hold the Contractor License, CE (Electrical) classification, issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Tennessee

Follow these steps to earn your Contractor License, CE (Electrical) classification. Every figure is verified against the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; the Board weighs the qualifying party's experience together with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CE trade exam is the core competency requirement.
Pass the Electrical (CE) trade exam and Tennessee Business and Law exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (General liability insurance required (proof submitted at application and each renewal); the Board does not publish a fixed minimum dollar amount for the full Contractor license), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. No statewide fingerprint-based background check for the Contractor license.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Monetary-limit financial statement required: the limit is the lesser of 10x net worth or 10x working capital. A self-prepared statement is accepted for monetary limits up to $1,500,000; above $1,500,000 a CPA/LPA reviewed statement is required (acceptable up to $3,000,000) and an audited statement above $3,000,000 (an unlimited license also requires $300,000+ in both working capital and net worth).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) — $250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: Variable; the Board reviews applications at its scheduled meetings.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years.

Tennessee electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Tennessee — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov database →

License types

Contractor License - CE (Electrical) — Required before bidding or contracting any electrical project where the total cost (labor, materials, equipment, profit) is $25,000 or more. Covers electrical work for residential, commercial and industrial projects statewide.
Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) — Lower-tier credential for electrical projects under $25,000. Accepted only where the local code-enforcement office recognizes it; check locally before applying.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; the Board weighs the qualifying party's experience together with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CE trade exam is the core competency requirement.
Application fee	$250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20)
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	$200
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Continuing education	None required by the Board
Bond required	No statewide contractor surety bond is required for the full Contractor license.
Liability insurance	General liability insurance required (proof submitted at application and each renewal); the Board does not publish a fixed minimum dollar amount for the full Contractor license
Property damage	Covered under the general liability policy
Workers' comp	Required if you have employees; a certificate of coverage or an approved exemption is required at renewal
Background check	No statewide fingerprint-based background check for the Contractor license.
Credit requirement	Monetary-limit financial statement required: the limit is the lesser of 10x net worth or 10x working capital. A self-prepared statement is accepted for monetary limits up to $1,500,000; above $1,500,000 a CPA/LPA reviewed statement is required (acceptable up to $3,000,000) and an audited statement above $3,000,000 (an unlimited license also requires $300,000+ in both working capital and net worth).
Reciprocity	Tennessee has trade-exam (exam-waiver) reciprocity agreements with several states — commonly Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina — but coverage varies by classification; confirm the current agreement with the Board.
Processing time	Variable; the Board reviews applications at its scheduled meetings.

Exams

Electrical (CE) trade exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: Not officially published by the Board · Fee: Set by PSI (exam vendor), subject to Board approval — recently about $57 per exam
Tennessee Business and Law exam	Provider: PSI · Passing: Not officially published by the Board · Fee: Set by PSI (exam vendor), subject to Board approval — recently about $57

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

The state CE license preempts local electrical exams. The LLE alternative is valid only where the local jurisdiction accepts it for permits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Tennessee electrician license cost?

Application: $250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20). License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: $200.

How do I look up a electrician license in Tennessee?

Search the official license database at search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in Tennessee need a surety bond?

No statewide contractor surety bond is required for the full Contractor license.

What experience is required for a Tennessee electrician license?

Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; the Board weighs the qualifying party's experience together with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CE trade exam is the core competency requirement.

Is insurance required for electricians in Tennessee?

Liability: General liability insurance required (proof submitted at application and each renewal); the Board does not publish a fixed minimum dollar amount for the full Contractor license Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees; a certificate of coverage or an approved exemption is required at renewal

How often must a Tennessee electrician license be renewed?

Every 2 years.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-19 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) before applying. This is not legal advice.