Tennessee Plumber Licensing FAQs

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Tennessee?

• Limited License Plumber (LLP)
• Contractor-Plumbing
  • CMC-A: Mechanical Plumbing
  • CMC: Full Mechanical

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Tennessee?

Individuals who perform any plumbing work in Tennessee must have a license.

Limited License Plumber (LLP)

• The total cost is less than $25,000; (amount includes materials and labor, unless supplied by the owner (cannot be supplied by the prime/general contractor). [See Rule 0680-1-.13]
• Location of the project; check with the local government in the city and county's Local Codes Enforcement office to see if the LLP is accepted for permits and inspections, or if they have their own local plumbing journeyman/Contractor license required.
  • A “Business” tax license may also be required by local government

A state Contractor license with a plumbing (CMC or CMC-A) classification is required to perform projects $25,000 or more and they would not be required to obtain a separate state license as a LLP. However, they must obtain whatever local licenses are required by local government or the code enforcement, for permits and inspections. The LLP exam is not reciprocal with other states license exams. The Division of Fire Prevention adopts codes and their law covers residential inspections for LLP's for some local governments without code enforcement agencies.

Contractor

A Contractor's license is required prior to contracting (bidding, offering to engage, or negotiating a price) for projects $25,000 or more, when acting as one of the following: 

• Prime (General) Contractor – Bidding or contracting directly with the “owner” of the project;
• Subcontractor – Contracting directly with any contractor (not to the owner) to perform projects when the total cost of that portion on the project is *$25,000 or more, for the following (includes all materials, equipment, and labor):
  • Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, HVAC, and **Roofing; and
  • Masonry when *$100,000 and up
• Construction Management – When the value of the total project is $25,000 or more.

The individual passing the exam on behalf of the licensed entity is considered the Qualifying Agent (QA). The license does not necessarily belong to the QA unless they are also the owner of the entity, as the license may be issued to a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or LLC. The license belongs to the owner of the business entity providing the financial statement, insurance, etc., and the license is issued in the exact name as on the financial statement.

*Masonry subcontractors must be licensed as a contractor when the project is $100,000 or more.

**Roofing subcontractors must be licensed as a contractor, effective January 1, 2014, in addition to performing work currently as a prime, for projects $25,000 or more.

Does Tennessee have reciprocal licensing with other states?

Tennessee has a reciprocal agreement with Ohio for plumbers.

Reciprocal agreements do NOT allow using another state's license in Tennessee, but provides a trade exam waiver, only.

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in Tennessee?

LLP

• Application: $75
• Exam: $57
• Renewal: $50

Contractor

• Exam:
  • One Portion: $57
  • Two Portions: $114
• Application: $250
• Renewal: $200

When do I need to renew my Tennessee plumbing license?

Licenses expire every two years by the date on your license.

You must renew your plumbing contractor license by 30 days prior to the date listed on your license.

Renewals are mailed 90 days prior to expiration date; required to be renewed 30 days prior to expiration.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Tennessee?

To renew your license, you will need to submit an LLP renewal application. This is available to mail to the licensure board or can also be completed online.

Find links to renewal options here.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Tennessee?

At this time, Tennessee doesn't require continuing education for plumbers.

My Tennessee plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

If your license is more than 90 days expired, you will have to submit a new application with the state of Tennessee.

1. Meet minimum state requirements:
   1. Have at least 1 year plumbing experience or proof of a local license
2. Take and pass the LLP trade exam
3. Complete and submit an application for licensure along with applicable fees

• Application: $75
• Exam: $57
• Renewal: $50

• 135 minute time limit
• 40 questions
• Open book exam
• 73% requirement to pass

Topics include:

• General knowledge and math
• General requirements
• Water supply and distribution
• Fixtures including water heaters
• Drain, waste and vent systems, including indirect and special waste
• Traps, cleanouts, and interceptors
• Isometric analysis
• Gas appliances and piping
• OSHA safety

Includes:

• Tennessee Contractor Exam Prep Program
• Tennessee Fuel Gas Exam Prep
• Comprehensive Code Review
• Basic & Advanced Plumbing Math
• Isometric Theory & Plan Review
• Tennessee Exam Bulletin Breakdown

Bonus Materials

• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• Video Hands-On Practical Copper Project

• Chattanooga
• Jackson
• Johnson City
• Knoxville
• Memphis
• Nashville

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

Failing candidates will have the option to review their examination for a fee. You may retake the exam for the same fee of $57.

1. Complete an application for pre-approval for the exam
2. Take and pass the plumbing contractor exam
3. Submit a completed application for licensure along with applicable fees

Allow 4-6 weeks for board review & approval after receipt of application

• Exam:
  • One Portion: $57
  • Two Portions: $114
• Application: $250
• Renewal: $200

The Tennessee plumbing contractor exam has two portions. Contractors must pass a trades exam and a business & law exam.

CMC-A Exam (Trades Portion)

• 295 minute time limit
• 110 questions
• Open book exam
• 73% requirement to pass

Topics include:

• General knowledge and math
• General requirements
• Water supply and distribution
• Fixtures including water heaters
• Drain, waste and vent systems, including indirect and special waste
• Traps, cleanouts, and interceptors
• Isometric analysis
• Gas appliances and piping
• OSHA safety

Business and Law Management Portion

• 140 minute time limit
• 50 questions
• Open book exam
• 73% requirement to pass

Topics include:

• Licensing requirements
• Estimating and bidding
• Business organization and financial management
• Tax laws
• Labor laws
• Project management and lien laws
• Contracts
• Risk management

Environmental and safety

• Administration
• Definitions
• General Regulations
• Plumbing Math
• Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply & Distribution
• Sanitary Drainage
• Indirect and Special Waste
• Vents
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Storm Drainage
• Appendices
• Hands-On Practical Application

• Chattanooga
• Jackson
• Johnson City
• Knoxville
• Memphis
• Nashville

You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the test.

The plumbing industry is often changing. As a professional plumber, it is important to keep your industry knowledge up to date so you can make practical decisions for your business. Professional development courses are designed to help you sustain and improve your plumbing industry knowledge.

Whether you are looking for information on new avenues for your business, want to brush up on best practices, or are just interested in learning about a particular topic, professional development is for you!

No. Unlike continuing education, which is required by your licensing body to maintain your license, professional development is not required and is considered supplemental learning.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.