- A state contractor license is needed for HVAC work of $25,000 or more, whether you are the prime contractor or a subcontractor. Below that the state contractor license does not apply.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- You show financial strength with a CPA reviewed or audited financial statement less than 12 months old. Starting July 1, 2026 you can instead post a contractor surety bond of at least 50% of the monetary limit you ask for.
- Renewal costs $200 and needs a financial statement or balance sheet, a general liability insurance certificate and workers comp proof or exemption registration. There is a 12-month grace period with a $20 monthly late fee.
Do you need a state license in Tennessee?
Tennessee licenses some HVAC work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
A state contractor license is needed for HVAC work of $25,000 or more, whether you are the prime contractor or a subcontractor. Below that the state contractor license does not apply.
HVAC jobs under $25,000 fall outside the state contractor license. Local permit offices and bid awarding authorities may also require insurance and bonding, and you need a business tax license for each city or county where you work.
Tennessee license types for HVAC work
Tennessee splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| CMC-C | HVAC, refrigeration and gas piping, including solar and geothermal HVAC |
| CMC | Full mechanical: plumbing plus HVAC. Needs board pre-approval before the exam |
Steps to get licensed in Tennessee
- Pick your classification (CMC-C for HVAC) and decide what monetary limit you need.
- Have your qualifying agent pass the HVAC trade exam and the Business and Law exam through Prov.
- Get a CPA reviewed or audited financial statement, or a contractor surety bond of at least half your limit.
- Line up general liability insurance at the required minimum and workers comp or an exemption.
- Get a reference letter from a past client, employer or code official.
- Apply online through the state portal and pay the $250 fee.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Contractor license, CMC-C (HVAC, refrigeration and gas piping).
Tennessee HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. CMC-C requires a trade exam. Starting July 1, 2026 the exams are given by Prov. The full CMC exam needs board pre-approval first.
Business and law exam. Yes. Every contractor applicant takes the open-book Tennessee Business and Law exam.
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Tennessee
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial application | $250 |
| Renewal | $200 |
| Pre-approval request for full CMC or plumbing exam | $50 |
| Late renewal penalty | $20 per month, up to 12 months |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability and workers comp (or a valid exemption) are required. Minimum general liability is $100,000 for a monetary limit up to $500,000, $500,000 for a limit of $500,001 to $1,500,000, and $1,000,000 above that.
Bond. You show financial strength with a CPA reviewed or audited financial statement less than 12 months old. Starting July 1, 2026 you can instead post a contractor surety bond of at least 50% of the monetary limit you ask for.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Renewal costs $200 and needs a financial statement or balance sheet, a general liability insurance certificate and workers comp proof or exemption registration. There is a 12-month grace period with a $20 monthly late fee.
Reciprocity. Tennessee waives the trade exam (not the Business and Law exam) for HVAC contractors licensed in Alabama, Ohio and South Carolina, and for mechanical contractors licensed in Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia.
Good to know in Tennessee
- Your monetary limit is about 10 times the lower of your working capital or net worth. An unlimited license needs $300,000 in both.
- A qualifying agent, who can be an owner, officer or full-time employee, takes the exams for the company.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for anyone who handles refrigerant.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for HVAC repair near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board for Licensing Contractors and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.