Browse Tennessee Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
Tennessee Commercial General Building Contractor (NASCLA) Exam Prep
Choose your access term:
Choose Plan & EnrollGetting your Tennessee contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Tennessee classification that requires a state board exam — currently 4 courses across Electrical, HVAC / Mechanical and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169. Many Tennessee classifications also require passing a separate Business & Law exam — and that course is included free with any trade course in your cart for the matching term.
Who licenses contractors in Tennessee
These are the Tennessee classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
| Building / General Contractor | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Tennessee board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Tennessee
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. Tennessee trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your Tennessee classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Tennessee test.
Tennessee contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Tennessee requires a contractor license (such as the BC Building Contractor classifications) for larger projects; confirm the current dollar threshold and the right classification for your work with the Board.
What exams does Tennessee require?
A Business and Law exam plus a trade/technical exam for your classification, both administered by PSI. Passing exam scores are valid for two years with the Board.
What is the passing score on the Tennessee Business and Law exam?
The Business and Law exam has 50 questions and you must answer at least 37 correctly – about 74% – within a two-hour time limit. Confirm the current question count and cut score for your trade exam in the PSI candidate information bulletin.
Are the Tennessee contractor exams open book?
Yes. The Tennessee exams are open book, and approved reference books may be tabbed and highlighted for use during the test, so fast reference navigation is the decisive skill.
How long should I study for the Tennessee exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.