Plumber licenses in
Tennessee
Tennessee licenses some plumbers 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 a plumber's card, bid or truck:
- Contractor license, Plumbing (CMC-A) classification
- Business entity licensed for plumbing projects of $25,000 or more.
- Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP)
- Individual licensed by exam for projects under $25,000 in municipalities that use the state Division of Fire Prevention for permits and inspections.
Hiring a company, not a person?
A state contractor license with the CMC-A classification is required for plumbing projects of $25,000 or more; smaller jobs need an LLP in state-inspected areas or a local license where the city or county licenses plumbers.
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, and general maintenance plumbing under $500 is exempt from the LLP license (T.C.A. 62-6-403).
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 a plumber (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.