Tennessee Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: Contractor License, BC classification (Roofing is building category 21, includes gutters and vinyl siding) · Issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance).

🏠 RooferTN ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In Tennessee, roofers must hold the Contractor License, BC classification (Roofing is building category 21, includes gutters and vinyl siding), 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 roofer in Tennessee

Follow these steps to earn your Contractor License, BC classification (Roofing is building category 21, includes gutters and vinyl siding). 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 evaluated with the financial statement to set the monetary limit.
Pass the Building (BC) trade exam covering the roofing category 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 roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer 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 - BC (Building Construction), Roofing category — Roofing is not its own classification code; it is a building category under the BC classification (category 21: 'Roofing - includes gutters and vinyl siding'). A Contractor license is required before bidding or contracting roofing work where the total cost is $25,000 or more.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is evaluated with the financial statement to set the monetary limit.
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, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina 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

Building (BC) trade exam covering the roofing category	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 Roofer exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Roofing under $25,000 may instead fall under a local Home Improvement license in the 9 Home Improvement counties. Confirm the building-category designation with the Board when applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Tennessee roofer 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 roofer 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 roofers 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 roofer license?

Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is evaluated with the financial statement to set the monetary limit.

Is insurance required for roofers 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 roofer 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.