HVAC licenses in
Tennessee
Tennessee licenses some HVAC contractors statewide and leaves the rest to cities and counties.
Official search run by Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) at search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov.
What the license should say
In Tennessee you'll see one of these on an HVAC contractor's card, bid or truck:
- Contractor license, HVAC (CMC-C) classification
- Business entity licensed for HVAC projects of $25,000 or more.
- Contractor license, Full Mechanical (CMC) classification
- Business entity licensed for plumbing and HVAC projects of $25,000 or more.
Hiring a company, not a person?
A state contractor license with the CMC-C or CMC classification is required for HVAC projects of $25,000 or more; there is no state limited license for smaller HVAC jobs, which are regulated locally.
Doing it yourself
Under Rule 0680-01-.22 a person who owns property and builds or improves a single residence for their own individual use, not for the public, resale or rent, needs no contractor license; local codes offices set permit rules for HVAC work under $25,000.
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in Tennessee (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in Tennessee, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about an HVAC contractor (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.