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Industrial construction has demanding conditions regarding specialized structures and often entails major financial responsibility. As such, Tennessee requires businesses that bid or contract on these projects to hold an industrial contractor (BC-C) license. Obtaining this license opens the door to a wide range of building projects. 

What Does the BC-C Industrial Contractor License Cover? 

Tennessee contractor licenses have a variety of classifications, and the BC-C license specifically covers industrial construction. 

Once you obtain your license, you’ll be authorized to construct, alter, repair, and demolish buildings and other structures for industrial applications. Manufacturing plants, processing facilities, and related structures are all prime examples. 

A license is required for bidding, offering to perform, negotiating, or entering into projects at or above the $25,000 threshold. This threshold applies to total project value, including both materials and labor. By acquiring your license before engaging in these activities, you can avoid penalties and other enforcement actions. 

Exam Requirements to Obtain Your License 

There are two separate exams for the BC-C license. The first is the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law exam, which is common across most license classifications. There’s also the BC-C industrial contractor exam. A qualifying agent out of the company’s owners, officers, or full-time employees must complete the exams. 

Both exams are administered by Prov and cost $53 per attempt. Both are also open-book. The business and law exam has 50 questions, and the BC-C has 70. 

To pass these exams, you’ll need to correctly answer questions regarding building codes, safety compliance, estimating, plan reading, financial and risk management, labor law, and specific trades. 

Applying for Your Tennessee BC-C License 

Applications must be filed through Tennessee’s CORE system and require a $250 fee. To complete your submission, you’ll need to include a reference and proof of general liability and workers’ comp insurance. Corporations and LLCs must also register with the Secretary of State in advance. 

Additionally, you must specify a targeted monetary limit for projects with your application, which is typically approved at 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth. Limits up to $3 million can be supported with reviewed financial statements, while anything above that threshold will require audited statements. 

Maintaining Your License 

Once you receive your license, you’ll have to renew it every two years through the CORE system. You can submit your renewal request starting 90 days before your license expires, so it’s best to get that out of the way and pay the $200 fee well in advance. 

When renewing, you’ll need to gather updated financial, insurance, workers’ comp, and other records. Organizing your documentation ahead of time can save you a lot of trouble. Unlike many other contractors’ licenses, there’s no continuing education requirement for the BC-C classification. 

Get Ready for Your Licensing Exams 

With both the business and law and the BC-C exams to pass, applicants must possess specialized knowledge encompassing a wide range of topics.  

Studying for these exams can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Get ready to pursue your Tennessee industrial contractor (BC-C) license with a straightforward course from RocketCert.