SPEC SHEET · TN · HVAC
Tennessee HVAC technician license requirements
The answer
Tennessee licenses HVAC/mechanical work at the CONTRACTOR level: any HVAC/mechanical project of $25,000 or more requires the state contractor license (Business & Law exam + trade exam via Prov, open-book). There is no separate technician license — HVAC subcontracts of $25,000+ require the contractor license (CMC mechanical classifications; exam pre-approval needed).Your paths to the license
Start as a technician (EPA 608)
Below $25,000 per project Tennessee requires no state license — get EPA 608 certified, train on the job or via a program, and check local city rules.
Contractor license at $25,000+
For $25,000+ work: pass the Tennessee Business & Law exam plus the trade exam (Prov; open-book; valid 2 years), submit a financial statement setting your monetary limit, and pay $250. A Qualifying Agent (owner/officer/full-time employee) takes the exams for the company.
Trade-exam waiver from 6 states
You cannot operate on another state's license, but Tennessee WAIVES the trade exam for active licensees from: Alabama (HVAC), Louisiana (Mechanical), Mississippi (Mechanical Unlimited), Ohio (HVAC), South Carolina (Commercial HVAC), West Virginia (Mechanical). NASCLA National Commercial exam is also accepted. (Waivers apply to Contractors only — not LLE/LLP.)
License levels in Tennessee
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / technician | No state license for employees; train through apprenticeships or on the job. | — |
| Under-$25,000 HVAC work | No state license required below the $25,000 threshold (local rules may apply); EPA 608 still required for refrigerants. | — |
| Licensed Contractor (HVAC/mechanical) | Required at $25,000+ (prime or subcontract); Business & Law + trade exam, financial statement, $250 initial / $200 renewal. | $250 |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Contractor initial / renewal | $250 / $200 |
The exam
| Provider | Prov (from July 2026; previously PSI) |
| Open book | Yes |
| Fees | Exam fees paid to Prov; CMC/CMC-A mechanical-plumbing exams need $50 Board pre-approval |
| Notes | Exams valid 2 years; up to 2 people may test per company. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: Trade-exam waiver only — you still apply for the Tennessee license with Business & Law exam and financials. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Contractor licenses renew at $200 (late penalty $20/month); LLE/LLP renew at $50.
Federal layer: EPA Section 608 certification is required federally for refrigerant work.
Watch out: Cities may run their own licensing instead of the state LLE/LLP program — always check locally. · Your monetary limit is set by your financial statement; exceeding it is a violation.
Official sources for this page
Tennessee HVAC technician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed HVAC technician in Tennessee?
Tennessee licenses HVAC/mechanical work at the CONTRACTOR level: any HVAC/mechanical project of $25,000 or more requires the state contractor license (Business & Law exam + trade exam via Prov, open-book). There is no separate technician license — HVAC subcontracts of $25,000+ require the contractor license (CMC mechanical classifications; exam pre-approval needed).
What does the Tennessee HVAC technician license cost?
Published fees: Contractor initial / renewal $250. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does Tennessee have HVAC technician license reciprocity?
Yes — verified agreements cover licensees from: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia. Trade-exam waiver only — you still apply for the Tennessee license with Business & Law exam and financials.
How often does the license renew?
Contractor licenses renew at $200 (late penalty $20/month); LLE/LLP renew at $50.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Tennessee's actual routes.