How to get a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license in Tennessee

Tennessee plumber licenses

Tennessee issues 2 plumber credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Tennessee plumber license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

How to apply

Apply online

core.tn.gov¹⁴

Renewal

Renew online

access.cloud.commerce.tn.gov⁵

From another state

Who needs a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license

Plumbing work under $25,000 per project in jurisdictions where the state Division of Fire Prevention handles plumbing permits or inspections. LLP holders may not call themselves contractors without a contractor license.¹

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

• General maintenance work under $500 does not need the LLP.¹
• Plumbing portions of $25,000 or more need a Board contractor license with the Plumbing (CMC-A) or full Mechanical (CMC) classification instead.⁴

Requirements for a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Exam

LLP trade exam¹
Given by: Prov¹
Exam waived: No out-of-state trade exam waiver for the LLP.⁴

Social Security number

Photo ID and Social Security Number required.¹

How much a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license costs

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Prov¹, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Schedule and pass the LLP trade exam with Prov (exam cost paid to Prov).²
2. Before working, confirm with the city or county whether it accepts the LLP or requires a local license.¹

Renewal and continuing education

How often

Every 2 years²

When it expires

Expires every two years on the last day of the month of issue; renew in CORE (option appears 90 days before expiry); the rule asks for renewal at least 30 days before expiry.²

Renewal fee

$50⁶

Moving to Tennessee with a license from another state

These are the routes the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors publishes for the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license. The other plumber licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Contractor license, Mechanical classification CMC-A (Plumbing)

Mechanical contracting sub-classification A: plumbing and gas piping (the full CMC adds HVAC and other mechanical work).³

Requirements

Experience

Experience adequate for the Plumbing (CMC-A) classification, shown through the experience sheet and a reference letter; the Board must pre-approve applicants before the plumbing exam.⁴

Exam

Tennessee Business and Law exam⁴
Given by: Prov (from July 1, 2026; PSI before)⁷
Open book⁷
Time limit: Exam scores typically valid two years.⁷

Exam

Plumbing (CMC-A) trade exam (or full Mechanical CMC exam)⁴
Given by: Prov⁷
Exam waived: Trade exam waiver for contractors actively licensed for plumbing in Ohio or (commercial only) South Carolina, via the other state's License Verification form. Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia are listed for "Mechanical"; whether that covers plumbing is not stated.⁴

Background check

Background check required⁴
Applicants disclosing convictions or complaints interview with the Board.⁴

Insurance

General liability by monetary limit: at least $100,000 (limit up to $500,000), $500,000 (limit $500,001-$1,500,000), $1,000,000 above that; plus workers’ compensation unless exempt.⁴

Business requirements

A qualifying agent (owner, partner, 20%+ stockholder, LLC manager/member, or full-time employee with power of attorney) passes the exams for the firm.³

Business requirements

CPA/LPA reviewed (limits up to $3,000,000) or audited (over $3,000,000) financial statement under 12 months old; from July 1, 2026 a surety bond of at least 50% of the requested limit may replace it.⁴

Business requirements

Monetary limit per project = 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth (unlimited needs $300,000 of both), with a 10% tolerance.⁴

Business requirements

Entities register with the Secretary of State; a business tax license for each city/county of operation.⁴

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Email the Pre-Approval Request Form to the Board ($50) to be approved for the plumbing CMC-A (or full mechanical CMC) exam; the qualifying agent then registers with Prov and passes the Business and Law exam and the trade exam (or gets a trade exam waiver).⁴
2. Get a CPA/LPA reviewed or audited financial statement (or, from July 1, 2026, the Contractors’ Surety Bond).⁴
3. Gather the reference letter, certificate of general liability insurance, workers’ comp proof and notarized Contractor’s Affidavit; register the entity with the Secretary of State.⁴
4. Apply online in CORE ("Initial New Contractor Application") with the $250 fee; attend a Board interview if asked.⁴ core.tn.gov⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee

$200³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20⁵ (per month late, up to 12 months (rule: 10% of the renewal fee per month))

If it expires

12-month grace period with $20/month late fee; after 12 months reapply as new.⁵
Renewal needs a CPA-compiled statement for limits over $1.5 million, otherwise a self-prepared balance sheet; plus liability insurance and workers’ comp proof.⁵

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)Check with the local government first: it may accept the LLP or require its own local license for permits and inspections.¹

Contractor license, Mechanical classification CMC-A (Plumbing); full Mechanical CMC covers plumbing and HVACCities and counties cannot make a state CMC licensee or its employees pass a local exam, but a city/county business tax license is needed where you operate.³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• T.C.A. § 62-6-403 (as named by the Board) and the Limited Licensed Plumbers’ Act of 2004, T.C.A. Title 62, Ch. 6, Part 4
• Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-04 (Limited Licensed Plumbers)
• Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-4-.03
• T.C.A. Title 62, Chapter 6
• Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-01 (Licensing), incl. 0680-01-.16 classification MC (CMC), sub-class A Plumbing and Gas Piping
• Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20
• Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0680-06 (General Liability Insurance)

Rule changes since January 2024

• July 1, 2026: Prov replaced PSI as exam provider.⁷

Common questions

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