Tennessee HVAC License Requirements (2026)

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TBLC) regulates HVAC, mechanical, and refrigeration contracting statewide under T.C.A. Title 62 Chapter 6. Tennessee uses the CMC (Mechanical) classification, which covers HVAC, refrigeration, and process piping, and a CMC-A subclassification for plumbing. HVAC contractors are licensed as business entities with a monetary limit set by a CPA-prepared financial statement. Any HVAC project, regardless of dollar value, requires a TBLC license. The federal EPA Section 608 Technician Certification is also required for any technician handling refrigerants. All HVAC contractor applicants pass a PSI trade exam and the Business and Law exam at 73%.

Governing Authority

Under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62 Chapter 6 (Contractors Licensing Act of 1994); Rules of the Board Chapter 0680, Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Department of Commerce and Insurance (TBLC) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. TBLC licenses general and specialty contractors statewide, sets monetary limits based on CPA-reviewed financial statements, administers the PSI examination program, and conducts disciplinary proceedings under T.C.A. Title 62 Chapter 6.

Official portal: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractor.html
Address: 500 James Robertson Parkway, Davy Crockett Tower, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-8307

Eligibility Requirements

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Tennessee residency requirement.

Good moral character

TBLC reviews fitness for licensure on every application. Prior license revocations in any state are grounds for denial.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Disqualifying conditions

Mechanical or refrigerant-handling fraud convictions
Felonies involving dishonesty within the past ten years
Prior mechanical contractor license revocations in any U.S. jurisdiction

Experience & Education Matrix

The applicant must document and verify at least 3 years of three or more years of practical HVAC and mechanical experience for the qualifying individual, demonstrated through completed projects of comparable scope and value to the requested monetary limit. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records to support the claim, as the board can request proof for any period within its lookback window.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

TBLC Reference Letter forms from prior owners, engineers, or licensed mechanical contractors
Project list with addresses, dollar values, and dates for the past five years
W-2 statements, 1099 records, or business tax returns covering the qualifying period
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification card
Approved HVAC apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

HVAC technology or mechanical engineering technology coursework from an accredited institution may substitute for a portion of the experience requirement at the discretion of the Board.

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC under contract to TBLC. All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

PSI Tennessee Business and Law Examination — open book — 50 questions, 140 minutes, passing score 73%
PSI Tennessee CMC Mechanical Trade Examination — IMC, ASHRAE, refrigeration, and Tennessee-specific rules — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 73%

Examination fee: $57 per PSI exam part paid on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually after a 24-hour wait by paying a new $57 fee. Each application remains valid for one year from filing.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

Minimum general liability of $500,000 combined single limit for the CMC classification. Higher limits are commonly required by owners and general contractors on commercial projects.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation insurance is mandatory for any HVAC contracting business with five or more employees under T.C.A. §50-6-902.

Additional financial requirements

A CPA-prepared financial statement is required at application. Compilation supports limits up to $1,500,000; a CPA review is required for limits up to $3,000,000; an audited statement is required for unlimited monetary limits.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$250
Examination	$114
Initial license	$250
Renewal (every 2 years)	$250

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Tennessee CMC Mechanical Contractor (HVAC, Refrigeration, and Plumbing scope) every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $250. Tennessee CMC mechanical licenses renew every two years on the anniversary date assigned at issuance.

Continuing education: Tennessee does not mandate continuing education hours for CMC renewal, but an updated CPA financial statement is required each cycle.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Tennessee HVAC License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Tennessee does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors reciprocity.
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board reciprocity for conditioned air.
Alabama	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–Alabama HVACR Contractors Board reciprocity.
Mississippi	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–Mississippi State Board of Contractors reciprocity.
South Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–SC Contractors Licensing Board reciprocity.
Louisiana	Trade exam waived	Bilateral TBLC–Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors reciprocity.

Tennessee maintains broad bilateral mechanical contractor reciprocity across the Southeast. The Business and Law exam is required even when the CMC trade exam is waived through reciprocity. The federal EPA 608 certification is recognized in every state and never needs to be re-tested.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares HVAC license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Earn the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. Federally required before handling any refrigerant. Type I, II, III, or Universal depending on equipment.
Choose the monetary limit. Decide the maximum project size you want assigned. The limit drives the CPA financial statement type required.
Designate a qualifying individual. The qualifier must be a full-time owner, officer, or W-2 employee with three or more years of practical HVAC experience.
Prepare the CPA financial statement. Compilation up to $1.5M, review up to $3M, audited statement for unlimited. Less than twelve months old at filing.
Submit the TBLC application packet. File with the application fee, financial statement, reference letters, project list, certificate of insurance, EPA 608 card, and entity formation documents.
Pass both PSI exams at 73%. Open-book 50-question Business and Law exam plus the 100-question CMC Mechanical trade exam. Both must clear 73%.
Receive the CMC license. TBLC issues the license at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting after the exams are passed and the file is complete.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with TBLC:

☐ EPA Section 608 Technician Certification card
☐ TBLC application with $250 fee and qualifying individual designation
☐ CPA-prepared financial statement (compilation, review, or audit) less than twelve months old
☐ Three reference letters from prior owners, engineers, or licensed mechanical contractors
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass certificate at 73%+
☐ PSI CMC Mechanical trade exam pass certificate at 73%+
☐ Certificate of insurance showing $500,000 GL and workers compensation coverage

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

International Mechanical Code (Tennessee-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Primary technical reference for the CMC trade exam. Open-book at the PSI test center.
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Tennessee edition — NASCLA. Required reference for the Business and Law portion of the exam.
ACCA Manual J, S, and D — Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Industry standard load calculation, equipment selection, and duct design references frequently referenced on the trade exam.

Common Filing Mistakes

Drawn from the board instructions and sources cited on this page, the pitfalls below are the ones most likely to slow down or sink a Tennessee HVAC application.

Skipping the EPA 608 certification

EPA Section 608 is a federal requirement and must be in hand before TBLC will issue a CMC license. Schedule the EPA test early since some providers have weeks-long backlogs.

Confusing CMC with CMC-A

CMC covers HVAC and mechanical scope; CMC-A covers plumbing. Contractors who plan to perform both must apply for both classifications and pay separate fees.

Filing a stale financial statement

TBLC rejects financial statements older than twelve months. Time the CPA engagement to land within the application window.

Underestimating the trade exam scope

The CMC trade exam includes IMC, ASHRAE, refrigeration cycle, load calculations, and Tennessee-specific rules. The 73% passing score is stricter than many neighboring states.

Missing the Board meeting cutoff

TBLC issues licenses at monthly Board meetings. Files completed after the cutoff date wait an extra month for approval. Plan accordingly when bidding.

Other Tennessee Trade Licenses

Should the HVAC path not apply, these other Tennessee trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Tennessee require an HVAC contractor license?

Always. HVAC and mechanical work has no dollar threshold under T.C.A. §62-6-102. Any HVAC project, regardless of cost, must be performed by a CMC-licensed contractor.

What does the CMC classification cover in Tennessee?

CMC Mechanical covers HVAC, refrigeration, process piping, ductwork, and related mechanical systems. A separate CMC-A subclassification covers plumbing scope. Some contractors hold both.

Is EPA Section 608 certification required?

Yes. Anyone handling refrigerant in Tennessee must hold a current EPA Section 608 Technician Certification under federal Clean Air Act §608. TBLC verifies the certification at application.

Does Tennessee reciprocate HVAC contractor licenses?

Yes. TBLC maintains bilateral CMC reciprocity with North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Tennessee Business and Law exam.

How often does the Tennessee CMC license renew?

Every two years. Renewal requires the $250 fee and an updated CPA financial statement of the same type as the original.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-25 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-23