HVAC Contractor License Cost Tennessee

Direct answer (47 words): The HVAC contractor license cost in Tennessee typically includes a $250 state application fee plus two Prov exams at $53 each ($106 total). You must also carry general liability insurance (minimum $100,000 for smaller limits) and maintain it for renewal ($200 every two years). TDCI; Prov CIB; Fees.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-09

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance – Board for Licensing Contractors (classification: CMC‑C – Mechanical HVAC/Refrigeration). Source; Classification outline.
Application fee	$250 initial application (biennial license). TDCI; Fee schedule; Rule 0680‑01‑.20.
Exam fees	Prov administers exams (effective July 1, 2026). $53 per exam for Tennessee Contractor Business & Law and $53 for CMC‑C trade exam ($106 total). TDCI exam info; Prov CIB.
Experience/reference	Letter of Reference attesting to construction experience is required with the application (client/employer/code official; not a family member). TDCI.
Financials or bond	CPA-reviewed (≤$3M limit) or audited (>$3M) financial statement; OR, beginning July 1, 2026, a Contractors’ Surety Bond equal to at least 50% of the requested monetary limit. TDCI.
Insurance	General Liability required based on monetary limit (minimum $100,000 when license limit ≤$500,000; higher tiers for larger limits) and Workers’ Compensation or valid exemption. TDCI; Renewal page; Rule 0680‑06‑.02.
Minimum age	No specific statutory age requirement stated for contractor licensure; entity must be legally able to contract. Legislative summary.
Renewal	$200 every 2 years; late fee $20 per month (up to 12 months). Maintain insurance and business registration. Fee schedule; Rule 0680‑01‑.20; Renewal page.
Scope & threshold	State contractor license (CMC‑C) required to contract or subcontract HVAC/mechanical work when the HVAC portion is $25,000+ (includes labor, materials, equipment). TDCI.

How to get an HVAC contractor license in Tennessee (cost-focused)

1. Confirm you need CMC‑C — If you’ll contract HVAC/mechanical work of $25,000 or more, you must hold the state CMC‑C classification. Source.
2. Budget your core costs — Plan for the $250 application and two Prov exams at $53 each ($106). Add insurance premiums and any CPA or surety bond expense tied to your requested monetary limit. Prov CIB; Fees.
3. Meet financial/insurance requirements — Provide a CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement (or a Contractors’ Surety Bond equal to ≥50% of your limit, available 7/1/2026). Obtain General Liability (≥$100,000 for small limits) and Workers’ Comp or exemption. TDCI; Rule 0680‑06‑.02.
4. Pass the exams — Take and pass the Tennessee Contractor Business & Law exam and the CMC‑C trade exam with Prov ($53 each; open‑book). Exam info; Prov CIB.
5. Assemble documents — Complete the online Initial Contractor Application, attach exam score reports, Letter of Reference, proof of insurance, financials or bond, and entity/Secretary of State records. Pay $250. TDCI.
6. Receive license with monetary limit — The Board assigns a monetary limit based on 10× the lesser of working capital or net worth (plus experience). Keep insurance active at the tier that matches your limit. TDCI.
7. Renew on time — Renew every two years ($200) and avoid $20/month late penalties; keep GL and Workers’ Comp (or exemption) current. Fees; Renewal.

HVAC contractor license cost in Tennessee: what you’ll actually pay

State-paid fees are predictable: $250 to apply and $53 each for the Business & Law and CMC‑C exams ($106). Your variable costs are insurance and the financial review or surety bond sized to your monetary limit. For example, contractors licensing under a ≤$500,000 limit must show at least $100,000 in General Liability coverage. Fees; Prov CIB; Rule 0680‑06‑.02.

CMC‑C scope, thresholds, and exam details

The CMC‑C classification covers HVAC/Refrigeration (and gas piping/solar HVAC) and is required whenever the HVAC portion of a contract is $25,000 or more (prime or subcontract). Exams are open‑book via Prov, $53 per attempt, and scores are typically available immediately. Classification outline; TDCI; Prov CIB.

Insurance and financial requirements for Tennessee HVAC contractors

Your GL minimum is tied to your licensed monetary limit (e.g., ≥$100,000 when the limit is ≤$500,000), and Workers’ Compensation is required unless you qualify for and maintain an exemption. You must submit a CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement or, from July 1, 2026, a Contractors’ Surety Bond equal to at least 50% of the requested limit. TDCI; Rule 0680‑06‑.02.

Renewal costs and ongoing compliance

Renew every two years for $200 and keep insurance current; late renewal accrues $20 per month (up to 12 months). Update Secretary of State registration and maintain your monetary limit support (financials or bond) at renewal. Fees; Renewal.

Compare Tennessee license costs across trades

Budgeting across multiple licenses? Our Tennessee private investigator resources explain how state fees and proof requirements differ by occupation—use them to benchmark timelines and hidden costs as you plan. See this Tennessee private investigator license cost guide and our step‑by‑step how to get a Tennessee PI license for process and fee contrasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total state fee to get a Tennessee HVAC (CMC‑C) license?

Expect $250 for the application, plus $106 for testing (two Prov exams at $53 each). This excludes your insurance premium, CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement cost, or the optional surety bond alternative available from July 1, 2026. Fees; Prov CIB; TDCI.

Do I need a Tennessee HVAC license for jobs under $25,000?

At the state level, the contractor license (CMC‑C) is required when the HVAC portion is $25,000 or more. Below $25,000, state contractor licensure isn’t triggered, but local permitting and other licenses (e.g., business tax, home improvement in certain counties) may apply. Always check local rules. TDCI.

What insurance limits are required for a new CMC‑C license?

General Liability must match your monetary limit tier (minimum $100,000 when your licensed limit is ≤$500,000; higher tiers apply for larger limits). Workers’ Compensation is required unless you maintain a qualifying exemption. Proof is required at application and renewal. Rule 0680‑06‑.02; Renewal.

Is there a minimum age to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Tennessee?

The Board does not list a specific age requirement in statute; applicants must be legally able to contract and meet all licensing, financial, examination, and insurance requirements. Legislative summary; TDCI.

How much does it cost to renew a Tennessee HVAC contractor license?

The renewal fee is $200 every two years. Late renewals incur $20 per month (up to 12 months). You must maintain required insurance and business registrations to renew. Fees; Rule 0680‑01‑.20; Renewal.

If you want a fast, accurate checklist tailored to your business, License Navigator can map your Tennessee HVAC license costs, forms, and deadlines—start your plan today.