Tennessee plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Tennessee plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,873 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Tennessee?
| Who licenses them | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally |
|---|---|
| License types | Contractor license - Plumbing (CMC-A), Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) |
| When a license is required | Contractor license (CMC-A plumbing) required for plumbing work of $25,000 or more; LLP required for work under $25,000 only where the state Division of Fire Prevention issues permits/inspections (general maintenance under $500 exempt) |
For smaller jobs, many Tennessee cities and counties run their own plumbing licensing and permits, so check with your local codes office. Verify any state license at verify.tn.gov.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Tennessee?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Tennessee plumbing license lookup run by Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally.
- 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 plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally.
What plumbing licenses does Tennessee issue?
- Contractor license - Plumbing (CMC-A)
- Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)
How do you get a plumbing license in Tennessee?
Licenses are issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally. 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) for state licenses; many cities/counties license plumbers locally 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 plumbers are there in Tennessee?
The Census Bureau counted 1,873 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Tennessee in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Shelby County | 221 |
|---|---|
| Davidson County | 196 |
| Knox County | 169 |
| Hamilton County | 125 |
| Rutherford County | 90 |
| Wilson County | 61 |
| Sumner County | 61 |
| Montgomery County | 56 |
What do Tennessee homes mean for plumbing 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 plumber in Tennessee?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Tennessee licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.