General Contractor / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee General Contractor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Oversees construction projects. Requirements vary significantly by state.

What the Tennessee data shows for General Contractors

Tennessee's path to general contractor licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Contractor License Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Tennessee folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Experience plus Exam".

Budget $200 to get started, plus $100 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle; processing typically runs about 8 weeks once your application is complete. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Tennessee, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Usually not reciprocal — state-by-state basis.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
31/100
General Contractor · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$236
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$99/yr
$198 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Experience plus Exam
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Contractor License Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$236
Renewal Fee
$198
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
8 wks
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years
Compare fees across all states for General Contractor →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for General Contractor All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for General Contractor in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee requires, passing an exam (State Contractor License Exam), and an initial fee of $236. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a General Contractor in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed general contractor in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my General Contractor license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
General Contractor licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Usually not reciprocal — state-by-state basis. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Tennessee licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Tennessee require a background check for General Contractor licensing? ▼
Yes, Tennessee requires a criminal background check as part of the general contractor licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
How much does it cost to get a General Contractor license in Tennessee? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Tennessee is $200. The renewal fee is $100 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 8 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does General Contractor license processing take in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, license processing for general contractors typically takes approximately 8 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this general contractor license

General Contractor in Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a general contractor-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Tennessee's general contractor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. General Contractor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state general contractor license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Tennessee's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Tennessee overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.