Contractor License Exam Prep
BC-A Residential · BC-B Commercial · NASCLA Accredited · HVAC · Electrical · Plumbing
Exam Prep Overview
Contractor license exams reward more than trade experience. The right plan helps you understand the application sequence, organize approved references, practice open-book navigation, and choose the prep format that matches the license you are pursuing.
American Contractors Exam Services can help match your Tennessee license path to seminars, online classes, required books, practice exams, or custom training so you are not guessing when it is time to apply, study, or schedule the exam.
State Licensing Overview
Find contractor license exam prep resources for Tennessee, including BC-A, BC-B, NASCLA courses, required books, application support, and custom training options.
Tennessee contractor exams are administered by PSI for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. The Business and Law exam is required for most new applicants, and trade exams apply to many classifications including building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, fire sprinkler, and masonry.
Tennessee Business and Law is open book and based on the NASCLA Tennessee Contractors Guide. For open-book exams, speed of navigation matters as much as knowing the material, which is why American Contractors Exam Services emphasizes tabs, index practice, and timed drills.
Tennessee accepts NASCLA for qualifying contractor paths, but NASCLA is not a license by itself. Applicants still need to satisfy Tennessee application, business law, financial, insurance, and board-review requirements.
License Classifications
Use these rows to jump into the matching prep path. Final classification scope should always be verified with the board before bidding or applying.
| Class | License Path | Typical Scope | Price | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC-A | Residential Contractor | Residential construction, remodeling, repair, and related residential project scopes. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| BC-A,b | Residential / Small Commercial Contractor | Residential work plus small commercial construction within Tennessee cost limits. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| BC-B | Commercial Contractor | Commercial building, alteration, repair, demolition, and related project management. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| BC-C | Industrial Contractor | Industrial buildings and structures used for production and services. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| BC | Residential / Commercial / Industrial Building Contractor | Combined building classification when the work crosses residential, commercial, and industrial categories. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| B&L | Business and Law Management | Business and Law is required for most Tennessee contractor classifications. | $195.00 | Prep options |
| CE | Electrical Contractor | Electrical contracting classifications and exam prep paths. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| LLE | Limited License Electrician | Electrical work under Tennessee limited-license thresholds, subject to local code-office rules. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| CMC | General Mechanical Contractor | Mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, gas piping, and related classifications. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| CMC-C | HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor | Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and related mechanical scopes. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| CMC-A | Mechanical Plumbing Contractor | Plumbing, non-medical gas piping, and related mechanical plumbing scopes. | $595.00 | Prep options |
| LLP | Limited License Plumber | Limited plumbing work under Tennessee cost thresholds, subject to county and local requirements. | $595.00 | Prep options |
| LMC | Licensed Masonry Contractor | Masonry classification with Tennessee-specific threshold rules. | Custom | Prep options |
| Specialty | Specialty Trades | Roofing, environmental, municipal utility, highway, heavy construction, and other specialty scopes. | Custom | Prep options |
Exam Details
Building classifications pair business law knowledge with trade-specific project management, estimating, code, safety, and reference-book navigation. The correct prep path depends on whether you are pursuing residential, commercial, industrial, or combined classifications.
| Vendor | PSI Exams |
|---|---|
| Reference style | Open book with approved references only |
| Typical passing score | 73% on many Tennessee contractor exams; verify the current CIB |
Open-book does not mean easy. Students still need to know which book to use, how the index is organized, and how to find answers under time pressure. American Contractors Exam Services seminars are built around reference navigation, tab strategy, and repeated practice questions.
| Allowed materials | Only the references listed in the current PSI bulletin |
|---|---|
| Best prep focus | Book navigation, formulas, scope recognition, and timed practice |
Application Walkthrough
Confirm the license classification, qualifying agent, experience, and entity setup needed for your Tennessee application.
Prepare ownership details, experience, references, proof of insurance, and CPA-prepared financial statements when required.
Tennessee lists a $250 application fee and issues contractor licenses for two years after approval.
Tennessee states license issuance commonly takes 4 to 6 weeks. Do not bid or contract before the license is issued.
Use the waiting period to attend American Contractors Exam Services prep, tab books, and run timed practice exams.
Use PSI scheduling instructions after authorization or once your exam path is confirmed.
Bring only approved references and use your book-navigation plan during the test.
Track renewal, monetary limits, classification scope, insurance, and any future board updates.
Seminars
American Contractors Exam Services offers in-person classroom seminars and live instructor-led webinars for Tennessee contractor license exams. In-person classes are the best fit when you want focused time away from the jobsite, direct instructor feedback, hands-on reference-book navigation, tabbing guidance, and timed practice before test day. Choose your license class below to review dates and register.
License Category
A Masonry subcontractor must be licensed with an "LMC" classification to bid or to be listed on the outside of bid envelope as a Licensed Masonry Contractor (LMC) when the masonry portion is $100,000 or more (including materials and labor).
This license was put in effect January 1, 2011.
This contractor license covers the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of 1, 2, 3, or 4 family unit residences not exceeding 3 stores in height and accessory use structures in connection therewith. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
This license allows the holder to construct, remodel, repair, or improve 1, 2, 3, or 4 family unit residences not exceeding 3 stories in height and accessory use structures, as well as commercial construction up to $500,000 total cost per job. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
License Category
The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Exam eliminates the trade examination only for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an exam within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license, as well as passing the state specific Business Law exam.
This license is authorized to construct, erect, alter, repair or demolish any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public, including residential construction with more than four units or greater than three stories in height. They are also authorized to erect, alter, repair and demolish buildings or structures used for industrial production and services, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
This license is authorized to bid on and contract for the construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition of any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public including residential construction with more than four units or greater than three stories in height. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
This license allows the holder to erect, alter, repair, and demolish buildings or structures used for industrial production and service, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
Contractors holding this license may erect, alter, repair or demolish any residential home, commercial building for use by the general public, and buildings or structures used for industrial production and service, such as manufacturing plants. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
This license allows the holder to erect, remodel, repair, alter, or demolish any residential structure regardless of the number of units or number of stories. It also allows the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public. A license is required for jobs over $25,000.
This license allows the holder to construct, erect, alter, repair, or demolish any building or structure for use and occupancy by the general public the total cost of which does not exceed $500,000.
License Category
This seminar is designed for contractors, business owners, and project managers who want to better understand the financial side of running a construction business. Participants will learn how to track, analyze, and manage key business numbers — including labor costs, overhead, payroll expenses, profit margins, and cash flow — to make informed decisions that improve profitability and long-term stability.
Through practical examples and step-by-step instruction, you’ll learn how to calculate your true cost of doing business, set realistic markup and margin goals, and evaluate project performance using real financial data. Whether you’re managing a growing company or preparing for your contractor’s license exam, this course provides the tools and knowledge you need to confidently “know your numbers” and manage your business for profit and success.
TOPICS •
How to calculate and understand true labor costs, including payroll taxes and burden
• Identifying and managing overhead expenses that affect profitability
• Understanding markup vs. margin — and how to set each correctly
• Calculating gross and net profit for accurate job costing and business planning
• Determining break-even points and setting revenue goals
• Tracking and analyzing job performance using financial reports
• Creating budgets and forecasts to manage cash flow effectively
• Avoiding common financial mistakes that reduce profit and stability
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Lunch is included • Math for Contractors Seminar is recommended as a prerequisite
This 5.5 hour This seminar is designed for anyone preparing for a contractor licensing exam, as well as those working in construction, estimating, or project management who want to strengthen their accuracy, confidence, and efficiency in construction math and material take-offs. Participants will develop a solid understanding of the formulas, methods, and real-world applications used to calculate quantities for concrete, masonry, framing, drywall, roofing, and sitework. Through hands-on instruction and real-world examples, you’ll learn to perform accurate take-offs, interpret plans, and apply time-saving estimating techniques while avoiding common calculation errors. Whether you’re bidding a project, managing materials, or studying for your license exam, this course provides the tools and confidence needed to handle construction math with precision and ease.
TOPICS
• How to apply construction math formulas to real-world take-off examples
• Converting measurements between feet, inches, square feet, and cubic yards
• Calculating areas, volumes, and slopes for foundations, walls, slabs, and roofs
• Performing accurate material quantity take-offs for concrete, masonry, framing, drywall, roofing, and sitework
• Identifying and avoiding common errors in take-offs and estimates
• Practical shortcuts and calculator methods used by professional estimators
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Lunch is included • Spreadsheet files provided
This seminar is designed for anyone preparing for a contractor licensing exam, as well as those working in construction, estimating, or project management who want to strengthen their ability to read and interpret residential construction plans. Participants will develop a solid understanding of how to identify and extract critical information from drawings, including dimensions, symbols, elevations, sections, and details used throughout the building process.
Through hands-on instruction and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to follow a complete set of plans, read scales accurately, and connect drawings to materials, codes, and field applications. Whether you’re bidding a project, managing construction, or studying for your license exam, this course provides the tools and confidence needed to interpret residential construction plans with accuracy and ease.
TOPICS
• How to read and interpret residential construction plans with confidence
• Understanding plan organization, scales, symbols, and drawing conventions
• Identifying and interpreting floor plans, elevations, sections, and detail views •
Extracting accurate dimensions, quantities, and material information from drawings
• Recognizing key architectural, structural, and mechanical components
• Using plans for estimating, scheduling, and project coordination
• Connecting plan details to code requirements and construction practices
• Avoiding common plan-reading mistakes that lead to jobsite confusion or cost overruns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Lunch is included • Set of Plans included • Math for Contractors Seminar is recommended as a prerequisite
All Contractors are required by the state to pass this exam in addition to their trade exam in order to obtain a license.Some smaller, specialty licenses may be obtained by passing only the Business and Law contractor license exam. These smaller licenses do not have an exam of their own. Up to five (5) Specialty Licenses can be held under this license.
License Category
This license allows the candidate to pull electrical permits and subcontract components of the project when the electrical portion constitutes at least 60% of the total project cost.The Electrical Contractor may perform electrical work for buildings and structures, all types of low voltage work, electrical sings, burglar and security systems, fire detection, electrical temperature controls, roadway lighting, attenuators and signalization. This license does not allow high voltage electrical work; a separate license is need for high voltage work.
This license allows high voltage (over 600 volts) electrical work including but not limited to transmission lines and substations.
This license covers electrical work under $25,000 per job. The LLE is not accepted in counties having a codes office, which performs their own inspections (such as Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, etc), licensing, and testing. Please contact your local codes office for their requirements.
License Category
The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) has partnered with several industry stakeholders to create one nationally recognized accredited trade examination for electricians. Through administering state agencies, NASCLA offers (3) different open book electrical trade examinations through the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program. They are Electrical Contractors (Master/Unlimited Electricians), Journeyman Electricians and Residential Electrical Contractors (Residential Electricians).
The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Exam eliminates the trade examination only for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an exam within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license, as well as passing the state specific Business Law exam.
License Category
This is a broad license that covers HVAC, Refrigeration, Gas Piping, Plumbing, Solar HVAC, Process Piping, Sprinklers and Fire Protection, Insulation of HVAC Systems, Pollution Control, Pneumatic Tube Systems, Pneumatic Temperature Control, and Boiler Construction and Repair.***NOTE***: The state of Tennessee recognizes this license to allow the contractor to hook-up to the Electrical Disconnect, however many jurisdictions within the state do not. Check with your City/County Codes Official for complete code requirements.
This license allows the holder to install and perform maintenance on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas piping, and geothermal HVAC equipment. The CMC-C license is required for candidates who need to pull permits for projects limited to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
License Category
A Practical, Hands-On Course for the Florida Plumbing Contractor Exam
Understanding how to read and draw plumbing isometrics is one of the most critical skills required to pass the Florida Plumbing Contractor Examination and accounts for 25% of the overall score. This 2-day seminar is designed to take students from basic linework and symbols all the way to fully developed isometric drawings that reflect real-world plumbing systems. Whether a student has never drawn an isometric before or simply needs to sharpen their exam-day accuracy and speed, this course breaks the process into simple, repeatable steps used by licensed plumbing professionals throughout the industry.
A Limited License Plumber means any person who performs any plumbing work and non-medical gas piping work that has a total cost less than $25,000. The following counties DO NOT require a State LLP license to do work under $25,000 (Benton, Decatur, Dickson, Giles, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Humphreys, Lake, Lawrence, Lewis, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley). Other local licensing may be required in these counties.
This license permits the installation, alteration, remodeling or repair of any plumbing or non-medical gas piping. A license is needed for jobs where the total cost is in excess of $25,000.
License Category
This license allows the installation and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems and fire protection equipment.
License Category
This 4 hour class will cover the steps to getting your Tennessee Contractor’s license. Our Senior Application Processor will cover experience needed, financial qualifications, insurance, etc. In just a few hours you will have a clear understanding of what is required by the state to get your license.
Study Materials
These required-reference bundles are tied to Tennessee contractor exam paths. Review every matching bundle below, then open the bundle page to confirm included books, editions, pricing, and add-all ordering.
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee Licensed Masonry Contractor (LMC) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Residential Contractor (BC-A) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial Contractor (BC-A,b) seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor seminar
Required books for Tennessee Commercial and Industrial Contractor (BC-B, C) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Commercial Contractor (BC-B) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Industrial Contractor (BC-C) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Residential, Commercial and Industrial Building Contractor (BC) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Residential/Commercial Contractor (BC-A, B) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Small Commercial Contractor (BC-b) seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee Business and Law seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee Electrical Contractor (CE) seminar
Required books for Tennessee High Voltage Electrical Contractor (CE-A, H) seminar
Required books for Tennessee Limited License Electrician (LLE) seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for NASCLA Accredited National Electrical Contractor seminar
Required books for NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee General Mechanical Contractor (CMC) seminar
Required books for Tennessee HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor (CMC-C) seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee Limited License Plumber seminar
Required books for Tennessee Mechanical Plumbing (CMC-A) seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Tennessee Fire Sprinkler and Fire Protection Contractor seminar
Reciprocity and NASCLA
Reciprocity usually means a trade exam waiver, not permission to operate with another state license. Verify the exact waiver rules with the board before relying on an out-of-state license.
FAQ
