Tennessee HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: Contractor License, CMC-C (HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping) classification · Issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance).

❄️ HVACTN ✔ Verified 2026-09-30

In Tennessee, HVAC contractors must hold the Contractor License, CMC-C (HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping) classification, issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Tennessee

Follow these steps to earn your Contractor License, CMC-C (HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping) classification. Every figure is verified against the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is evaluated with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CMC-C trade exam is the core competency requirement.
Pass the HVAC/Mechanical (CMC-C) trade exam and Tennessee Business and Law exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: General liability insurance required (proof at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published for the full Contractor license. Property damage: Covered under the general liability policy. Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees; a certificate of coverage or an approved exemption is required at renewal.
Clear the background check. No statewide fingerprint-based background check for the Contractor license.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Monetary-limit financial statement required: the limit is the lesser of 10x net worth or 10x working capital. A self-prepared statement is accepted for monetary limits up to $1,500,000; above $1,500,000 a CPA/LPA reviewed statement is required (acceptable up to $3,000,000) and an audited statement above $3,000,000 (an unlimited license also requires $300,000+ in both working capital and net worth).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) — $250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20) application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: Variable; the Board reviews applications at its scheduled meetings.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years.

For the general path in every state, see the HVAC guide →

Tennessee HVAC contractor license lookup

To confirm an HVAC contractor is properly licensed in Tennessee — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov database →

License types

Contractor License - CMC-C (HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping) — Required before bidding or contracting any HVAC/mechanical project where the total cost is $25,000 or more. HVAC is a subcategory of the Mechanical (CMC) classification; the full CMC covers plumbing, HVAC and fire sprinkler.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is evaluated with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CMC-C trade exam is the core competency requirement.
Application fee	$250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20)
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	$200
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Continuing education	None required by the Board
Bond required	No statewide contractor surety bond is required for the full Contractor license.
Liability insurance	General liability insurance required (proof at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published for the full Contractor license
Property damage	Covered under the general liability policy
Workers' comp	Required if you have employees; a certificate of coverage or an approved exemption is required at renewal
Background check	No statewide fingerprint-based background check for the Contractor license.
Credit requirement	Monetary-limit financial statement required: the limit is the lesser of 10x net worth or 10x working capital. A self-prepared statement is accepted for monetary limits up to $1,500,000; above $1,500,000 a CPA/LPA reviewed statement is required (acceptable up to $3,000,000) and an audited statement above $3,000,000 (an unlimited license also requires $300,000+ in both working capital and net worth).
Reciprocity	Tennessee's trade-exam waiver for HVAC/mechanical (CMC-C) applies with Alabama (HVAC), Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia (mechanical), Ohio (HVAC), and South Carolina for commercial HVAC only. The waiver covers only the trade exam, not the Business and Law exam, and does not replace a Tennessee license. · compare all states
Processing time	Variable; the Board reviews applications at its scheduled meetings.

What a Tennessee hvac license costs

Application fee	$250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20).
License fee	Included in the application fee.
HVAC/Mechanical (CMC-C) trade exam	$53 per exam, whether a first attempt or a retake.
Tennessee Business and Law exam	$53.
Surety bond	No statewide contractor surety bond is required for the full Contractor license.
Renewal fee	$200.
Renewal period	Every 2 years.

Exams

HVAC/Mechanical (CMC-C) trade exam	Provider: Prov (took over from PSI on July 1, 2026) · Passing: 73% (the Board's published passing standard for every contractor exam) · Fee: $53 per exam, whether a first attempt or a retake
Tennessee Business and Law exam	Provider: Prov (took over from PSI on July 1, 2026) · Passing: 73% · Fee: $53

Renewing a Tennessee HVAC contractor license

The Contractor License, CMC-C (HVAC, Refrigeration and Gas Piping) classification renews on a fixed cycle set by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years
Renewal fee	$200
Continuing education	None required by the Board
Where to renew	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance)

Local / municipal notes

The state CMC license preempts local mechanical exams for the licensed scope.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Tennessee hvac license cost?

Application: $250 (application and initial license; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0680-01-.20). License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: $200.

How do I look up a hvac license in Tennessee?

Search the official license database at search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do hvacs in Tennessee need a surety bond?

No statewide contractor surety bond is required for the full Contractor license.

What experience is required for a Tennessee hvac license?

Tennessee sets no fixed statutory number of years; experience is evaluated with the financial statement when setting the monetary limit. Passing the CMC-C trade exam is the core competency requirement.

Is insurance required for hvacs in Tennessee?

Liability: General liability insurance required (proof at application and each renewal); no fixed minimum dollar amount is published for the full Contractor license. Property damage: Covered under the general liability policy. Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees; a certificate of coverage or an approved exemption is required at renewal.

How long does it take to get a Tennessee hvac license?

Processing time: Variable; the Board reviews applications at its scheduled meetings.

Is a background check required for hvacs in Tennessee?

Background check: No statewide fingerprint-based background check for the Contractor license.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a Tennessee hvac license?

Credit requirement: Monetary-limit financial statement required: the limit is the lesser of 10x net worth or 10x working capital. A self-prepared statement is accepted for monetary limits up to $1,500,000; above $1,500,000 a CPA/LPA reviewed statement is required (acceptable up to $3,000,000) and an audited statement above $3,000,000 (an unlimited license also requires $300,000+ in both working capital and net worth).

How often must a Tennessee hvac license be renewed?

Every 2 years. Continuing education: None required by the Board.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-30 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) before applying. This is not legal advice.