Tennessee Contractor License and Building Codes

State of Tennessee Contractor & Building Information

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Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
A Tennessee contractor’s license is required before bidding or offering a price, for projects $25,000 and up, including materials and labor, as a prime (general) contractor; and also subcontractors performing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing and masonry are also required to be licensed as a contractor, when the total portion on the project is $25,000 or more; masonry, when $100,000 or more. In addition, a sub to a sub would need to be licensed whenever there are more than one (1) subcontractors on the project. Reciprocal agreements do NOT allow using another state’s license in Tennessee, but provides a trade exam waiver, only.
For more information visit: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

National Association of State Contractor’s Licensing Agencies (NASCLA)
Tennessee Board for Licensing General Contractors

Check a Tennessee Contractor License
To check to see if an electrician is licensed, or to check the status of an Electrical Contractor in the State of Tennessee go to: Tennessee License Search and Verification

Tennessee ICC International Code Council Building Codes
For Tennessee ICC Building Code information visit: Tennessee ICC Building Codes.

Tennessee Building Codes Enforcement
The Codes Enforcement section enforces statewide adopted fire and building construction safety codes and standards to afford a reasonable degree of safety to life and property from fire and hazards incident to the design, construction, alteration, and repair of buildings or structures.
For complete building code information visit: Tennessee Building Codes.

Tennessee Residential Permits
Example: The State Residential Building Code Enforcement Program applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. A building permit must be purchased online or at a local Issue Agent. The cost of the building permit is based on the estimated cost of construction. A permit is not required for the installation of a manufactured or modular home, however a permit is needed if there will be custom site work that is a part of exiting the home such as a deck, patio or stoop.
Inspections are performed by state contracted inspectors. Inspections are performed of the foundation prior to pouring, the framing/rough-in construction and the final construction.
For complete information visit: Tennessee Building Permits.

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Tennessee Electrical Codes

NEC® National Electrical Code Adoption: 2011
In August 2016 the Tennessee State Building Code adopts 2012 International Building Code which references the 2011 NEC.

Please Note: Due to the nature of the electrical code adoption process, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy of this information. Please notify us of any changes you may be aware of.

Tennessee Energy Codes

The Tennessee Energy Code is adopted and required by the Tennessee Energy Office. This code sets minimum energy efficient buildings.
For more information visit: Tennessee Building Energy Codes Program.

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