Tennessee Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Contractor License, CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) classification · Issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance).

🔧 PlumberTN ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In Tennessee, plumbers must hold the Contractor License, CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) 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 plumber in Tennessee

Follow these steps to earn your Contractor License, CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) 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; experience is weighed with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Board pre-approval is required before taking the CMC-A plumbing exam.
Pass the Plumbing (CMC-A) 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 at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published 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 plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber 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 - CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) — Required before bidding or contracting any plumbing project where the total cost is $25,000 or more. Plumbing is a subcategory of the Mechanical (CMC) classification; Board pre-approval is required to sit for the CMC-A plumbing exam.
Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) — Lower-tier credential for plumbing projects under $25,000. Accepted only where the local code-enforcement office recognizes it.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is weighed with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Board pre-approval is required before taking the CMC-A plumbing exam.
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 at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published 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

Plumbing (CMC-A) 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 Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

The plumbing exam requires Board pre-approval. The LLP is valid only where the local jurisdiction accepts it for permits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Tennessee plumber 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 plumber 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 plumbers 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 plumber license?

Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is weighed with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Board pre-approval is required before taking the CMC-A plumbing exam.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Tennessee?

Liability: General liability insurance required (proof at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published 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 plumber 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.