• The first step in the licensing process is to pass the exams. You will then submit an application to the state licensing board with documentation of your experience, financial information, and your passing test scores.
• Please note that the Tennessee Business and Law exam is also required to be passed to obtain your contractor’s license.
• Applicants must provide a letter of reference from a past client or inspector, as well as a list of relevant job descriptions with contract amounts with owner’s names/addresses. There are no specific years of experience required. However, the board does set the monetary limited based on experience when the level of experience is limited.
• The monetary limit (limit per contract) is based on 10 times the lesser of the net worth or working capital or experience. (Working capital is current assets minus current liabilities and net worth is total assets minus total liabilities).

  A reviewed financial statement is required for monetary requests of $1,000,000 or less. A CPA audited financial statement is required for monetary requests exceeding $1,000,000. To obtain an unlimited license, applicants must have over $300,000 in both net worth and working capital.

• All contractors with 1 or more employees are required to carry Worker’s Compensation insurance. Every applicant will be required to provide a certificate of insurance proving an adequate amount of liability insurance. The requirements are as follows: Monetary Limit Minimum Insurance Up to $500,000 -----$100,000 $501,000 to $1,500,000 -----$500,000 $1,501,000 to Unlimited -----$1,000,000

This license allows the holder to install and perform maintenance on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas piping, and geothermal HVAC equipment. The CMC-C license is required for candidates who need to pull permits for projects limited to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

To apply, contact the state of Tennessee at 1-615-741-8307. The application fee is $250. Applications must be submitted to the board by the 20th of the month prior to the month in which the board has their next meeting. The Board meets in January, March, May, July, September, and November.

Tennessee has a limited reciprocity agreement for several licenses with the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina for the trade exam. Candidates will still be required to pass the Tennessee Business and Law Management exam.

As of this time Tennessee doesn’t require continuing education for this license.

• The fee for the exam is $38.
• The Tennessee HVAC/Refrigeration exam has 100 questions and a time limit of 4 hours.
• A score of 73% is required. (73 correct)
• If the exam is failed 3 times, the applicant will have to interview with the board before retesting.

  Topics covered on the exam are electrical knowledge, motors and controls, piping (refrigeration, hydronic, steam, and process), heating and cooling principles and theory, heating and cooling equipment and components, refrigerants and refrigeration, fuel and LP gas, combustion air, chimneys, flues and vents, ducts, ventilation and exhaust, plumbing, load calculation, fire sprinkler, fire and smoke protection, and safety.

• To schedule your exam, contact PSI at 1-800-733-9267.

The references listed in the Right-Hand column are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with permanent index tabs) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-992-1910.

American Contractors offers a 6 hour seminar to prepare you for the Tennessee HVAC/Refrigeration license exam. In addition, we do currently offer a seminar to prepare you for the required Business and Law Management exam. Please contact us for additional information, 1-800-992-1910.