Updated April 2026
Tennessee Contractor Licensing — Quick Facts
- State License Required?
- Yes
- Licensing Board
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
- Minimum Project Threshold
- $25,000 (general); $3,000 (home improvement)
- Surety Bond Required?
- Yes — $10,000 (home improvement/fire protection); $500,000 (GC limits under $1.5M); $1,000,000 (GC limits over $1.5M)
Home improvement contractors cannot do electrical or plumbing. General law exam required. Bond required if cannot provide Line of Credit or Guaranty Agreement. 2024 update: greater flexibility for fin
State-Specific Details
Home improvement contractors cannot do electrical or plumbing. General law exam required. Bond required if cannot provide Line of Credit or Guaranty Agreement. 2024 update: greater flexibility for financial statement types.
Tennessee requires contractors to hold a state license for projects exceeding $25,000 (general); $3,000 (home improvement) in labor and materials. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors oversees licensing, complaints, and disciplinary actions.
Step 1: Get the Contractor's License Number
Any legitimate contractor in Tennessee should readily provide their license number. It should appear on their business card, vehicle, website, and advertising. If a contractor refuses to share their license number, don't hire them.
Step 2: Verify the License
Visit the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors website to look up the contractor's license. We're working on adding Tennessee license data to our search tool — check our Tennessee page for updates.
When checking the license, verify:
- Status is "Active" — not expired, suspended, or revoked
- Name matches — the business name on the license should match who you're hiring
- Classifications cover your project — a plumbing license doesn't cover electrical work
- License won't expire during your project
Step 3: Check Bond and Insurance
Tennessee requires licensed contractors to carry a surety bond ($10,000 (home improvement/fire protection); $500,000 (GC limits under $1.5M); $1,000,000 (GC limits over $1.5M)). The bond protects consumers if the contractor violates state regulations or abandons a project. Ask the contractor for proof of their bond, and verify it through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Step 4: Check Complaint History
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors tracks complaints filed against licensed contractors. Before hiring, check if the contractor has any past disciplinary actions, complaints, or violations. Visit the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors website to check complaint history.
What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Tennessee puts you at risk:
- Your homeowner's insurance may not cover work done by unlicensed contractors
- You have limited legal recourse if the work is defective
- No surety bond to file claims against
- Unpermitted work can cause problems when selling your home
- No bond protection — the bond is your safety net
How to Report an Unlicensed Contractor in Tennessee
If you suspect a contractor is working without a license in Tennessee, report them to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Unlicensed contracting is typically a misdemeanor and carries fines and potential jail time.
Other States
Looking up a contractor in a different state? Visit our state-by-state contractor license lookup page to find the right verification tool for your state.