Tennessee contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Tennessee contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,638 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Tennessee?
| Who licenses them | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) |
|---|---|
| License types | Contractor license - Residential (BC-A), Contractor license - Commercial (BC-B), Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A/r), Home Improvement Contractor license |
| When a license is required | Contractor license required for projects of $25,000 or more; Home Improvement license required for residential remodeling of $3,000 to $24,999 only in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties |
Home Improvement licensees post a $10,000 surety bond (or equivalent) and carry general liability and workers' comp. Contractor licenses carry a monetary limit, so check that the job is within it.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Tennessee?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Tennessee contractor license lookup run by Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance).
What contractor licenses does Tennessee issue?
- Contractor license - Residential (BC-A)
- Contractor license - Commercial (BC-B)
- Restricted Residential Limited License (BC-A/r)
- Home Improvement Contractor license
How do you get a contractor license in Tennessee?
Licenses are issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Tennessee city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Tennessee?
The Census Bureau counted 1,638 residential remodelers with employees in Tennessee in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Davidson County | 204 |
|---|---|
| Knox County | 156 |
| Shelby County | 145 |
| Williamson County | 114 |
| Hamilton County | 106 |
| Rutherford County | 99 |
| Sumner County | 55 |
| Wilson County | 49 |
What do Tennessee homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Tennessee was built in 1986, 33% of households rent and 72% of homes are single-family houses. 31% of homes heat with utility gas and 63% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Tennessee?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Tennessee licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.