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How to get a plumber license in Tennessee

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Tennessee plumbing licenses, pulled from official TN sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) — Limited Licensed Plumber
  • State journeyman license: No (Tennessee has no statewide journeyman plumber license. The state issues a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for many projects under $25,000 and contractor plumbing classifications (CMC/CMC-A) for $25,000+. Local governments often require their own journeyman/master plumber licenses for permits.)
  • Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP): Photo ID and SSN. Proof of at least 1 year of plumbing experience, or proof of a Tennessee local plumbing license/exam score. Pass the LLP trade exam (or qualify for the local-exam/license waiver described on the Board page). Felony/complaint disclosures may require full Board review.
  • Exam: see below, via Prov / PSI registration path listed on Board LLP pages (confirm current vendor in CORE)
  • Code edition: LLP trade exam references Tennessee plumbing/code materials published for the exam (confirm current CIB before you schedule). Local exams use the municipality’s adopted plumbing code.

Requirements by license

Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)

ExperiencePhoto ID and SSN. Proof of at least 1 year of plumbing experience, or proof of a Tennessee local plumbing license/exam score. Pass the LLP trade exam (or qualify for the local-exam/license waiver described on the Board page). Felony/complaint disclosures may require full Board review.Source: tn.gov · as of · Overview: tn.gov
ExamProv / PSI registration path listed on Board LLP pages (confirm current vendor in CORE). 40-question plumbing trade exam. Law allows waiver of the exam only with proof of a prior local Tennessee plumbing license or exam score from a TN county/municipality — no out-of-state exam waivers.Source: tn.gov · as of
Fees
  • Initial LLP application (2-year license): $75
  • Renewal: $50
Source: tn.gov · as of · Process/fee details also on tn.gov and Board fees/renewal pages. Late: Board materials describe a short grace with monthly late fee before reapplication.
RenewalEvery 2 years. Renew in CORE within about 90 days before expiration. Board renewal materials describe a short post-expiration grace (months) with a monthly late fee; after that grace you reapply as new.Source: tn.gov · as of · Confirm current late-fee dollars on tn.gov / CORE before you renew.
CE to renewNo fixed CE-hour requirement found on the LLP application/process pages we checked. Confirm with the Board or CORE when you renew.Source: tn.gov · as of

Plumbing contractor (CMC / CMC-A classification)

ExperienceA Board contractor license with a plumbing classification is required for projects $25,000 or more (materials + labor rules apply). Separate from LLP; contractors must still meet any local license/permit rules.Source: tn.gov · as of
ExamBoard contractor exam path (see Contractor Licensing). Follow the Board’s contractor licensing exam and financial requirements for the plumbing classification you need.Source: tn.gov · as of
FeesSet locally / not listedSource: tn.gov · as of · Contractor fee table is separate from LLP — use the Board fees page; do not reuse LLP dollars.
RenewalPer contractor license term. Contractor renewals follow the Board contractor renewal/grace rules (distinct from LLP).Source: tn.gov · as of
CE to renewConfirm any CE with the Board for your contractor classification.Source: tn.gov · as of

License types in Tennessee

  • Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)
  • Plumbing contractor classifications (CMC / CMC-A) for projects $25,000+
  • Local journeyman / master plumber licenses where required
Source: tn.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

LLP exam is not reciprocal with other states. Out-of-state plumbers still need Tennessee experience/local-exam proof or the LLP exam. Local cities set their own reciprocity.Source: tn.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Tennessee have a statewide journeyman plumber license?

No. The state issues a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for many projects under $25,000 and contractor plumbing classifications for $25,000+. Cities often require local plumber licenses.

What do you need for an LLP?

At least 1 year of plumbing experience (or a TN local plumbing license/exam score), the LLP exam or waiver, and a $75 application for a 2-year license.

Already licensed? See Tennessee plumber license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.