Tennessee Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TBLC) issues a BC-A Solar Energy limited specialty contractor classification under T.C.A. §62-6-101 et seq. Any contractor performing solar work over $25,000 (materials and labor) must hold a TBLC license. Solar PV installers can also operate under the broader CE Electrical Contractor classification. Solar thermal water heating can be done under the BC-A Solar Energy or under the CMC-C Mechanical/Plumbing Contractor classification. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry standard but is voluntary in Tennessee.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors — Department of Commerce and Insurance (TBLC), which issues and polices it under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62 Chapter 6 (Contractors Licensing Act of 1994); Rules of the Board Chapter 0680. 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

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Tennessee residency requirement.

Good moral character

TBLC reviews criminal history under T.C.A. §62-6-114.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least three years of solar trade experience as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

TBLC Reference Letter forms signed by qualified verifiers
Certified financial statement
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (counts as experience)

Education substitution

NABCEP certification and a related degree count toward experience.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC (under contract to TBLC). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Tennessee BC-A Solar Energy Trade Examination — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 73%
Tennessee Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 73%

Examination fee: $57 per part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken individually.

Financial Security and Insurance

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

TBLC requires $100,000 commercial general liability minimum.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under T.C.A. §50-6 for any business with five or more employees in construction.

Additional financial requirements

TBLC requires a CPA-reviewed financial statement showing positive working capital. The monetary limit on the license is set at 10x working capital.

Fee Schedule

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

License Renewal

The Tennessee BC-A (Solar Energy) Limited Specialty Contractor or CE Electrical Contractor must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $250. TBLC licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: No state CE requirement.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Tennessee honors the NASCLA Accredited Examination toward this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Alabama	Trade exam waived	Limited TBLC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Limited TBLC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Limited TBLC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination and maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with several southeastern states.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document three years of solar experience. Compile reference letters from qualified verifiers.
Prepare a CPA-reviewed financial statement. TBLC sets the monetary limit at 10x working capital.
Submit the TBLC application. File with the $250 application fee.
Pass the trade and business and law exams at 73%. Both administered by PSI.
File the certificate of insurance. $100K CGL minimum.
Receive the BC-A Solar Energy license. TBLC issues the credential after the next monthly Board meeting.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Tennessee jurisdiction requires local permits.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to TBLC, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ Three years of documented solar experience
☐ CPA-reviewed financial statement
☐ TBLC application + $250 fee
☐ Pass trade and business and law exams at 73%+
☐ $100K commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ Local building and electrical permits per project

Common Application Pitfalls

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Tennessee Solar applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Forgetting the $25K threshold

Below $25K no TBLC license is required, but local permits still apply.

Skipping the financial statement

TBLC requires a CPA-reviewed financial statement and will not set a monetary limit without it.

Missing the monthly Board meeting

TBLC only issues licenses after the monthly Board meeting — file early.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any construction business with five or more employees.

Confusing BC-A with full general contractor

BC-A Solar Energy is a limited specialty — not a general contractor license.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
TBLC BC-A Solar Energy Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.
T.C.A. §62-6-101 et seq. — State of Tennessee. Statutory framework.

Other Tennessee Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Tennessee trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Tennessee have a solar license?

Yes. The BC-A Solar Energy limited specialty classification is dedicated to solar work over $25,000.

When is the license required?

For any solar project over $25,000 in materials and labor.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Tennessee.

How is the monetary limit set?

TBLC sets the monetary limit at 10x working capital from the CPA-reviewed financial statement.

Does Tennessee reciprocate?

Yes. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination and maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Alabama, Georgia, and NC.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-24 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-23