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Skilled trades offer a career path that many people find attractive. You can earn a good living offering contracting, electrical, plumbing, and other services that residential and commercial clients need. You could also own and operate your own business.

However, Tennessee requires licensing for skilled trades. If you want to work as a general contractor, you must first obtain a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. 

How does the licensing process work, and what types of work can you accept as a contractor?

What Types of Work Can General Contractors Perform?

In the state of Tennessee, licensed contractors can participate in a wide range of professional activities. As a general contractor, you can accept jobs in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

You may contract for construction jobs involving the building, alteration, or repair of occupancy structures, as well as their demolition. You can also perform construction work involving manufacturing plants or other industrial facilities. In addition, this license covers electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work up to $25,000. 

In other words, general contractors may bid for a fairly comprehensive scope of work.

Requirements to Become a General Contractor

To qualify for a general contractor license, you must first meet certain criteria. You’ll start by submitting a completed, signed, and notarized application package. This should include a letter of reference detailing your work/trade experience as well as financial statements prepared by a CPA/PA.

You’ll also need to provide proof of both workers’ compensation and general liability insurance suited to your monetary license limits. Finally, you’ll have to pass the required state exams to show competency in your field.

Exams Needed to Obtain a License

In order to obtain a residential/commercial/industrial contractor license in Tennessee, you’ll have to pass a trade exam and the Business Law exam. The Residential Contractor exam is an open-book test consisting of 100 questions. This exam covers topics like:

• Sitework, footings, and foundation
• Concrete and concrete reinforcement
• Masonry
• Carpentry
• Metals
• Roofing
• Associated trades
• General code, plan reading, and estimating
• OSHA safety

You will have 300 minutes to complete the test and you must answer a minimum of 73 questions correctly to pass. 

The Business Law exam, designed to ascertain your knowledge of business and labor, is an open-book test featuring 50 questions covering subjects like:

• Licensing requirements
• Estimating and bidding
• Business organization and financial management
• Tax laws
• Labor laws
• Project management and lien law
• Contracts
• Risk management
• Environmental and safety

You’ll be given 140 minutes to complete this exam and you must answer at least 37 questions correctly to pass.

The Best Way to Prepare for Exams

Preparation is essential if you want to pass your exams. Your best chance to succeed is with a state-approved exam prep program. If you’re a working professional, you’ll appreciate a program that offers convenient, 24/7 online access for self-paced learning and courses designed by industry experts and educators.

Are you ready to obtain your general contractor license in Tennessee? Contact RocketCert today to sign up for your exam prep program.