Tennessee generally requires a CE electrical contractor license for projects of $25,000 or more, including labor, materials and equipment. CE is the electrical contractor classification. The standard application requires a trade exam, a Business and Law exam, financial and insurance documents, and a $250 application fee. Get the license before bidding or contracting.
Apply through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Smaller projects may require an LLE or a local license, depending on where you work.
CE contractor or LLE?
The CE license is a contractor credential for a business. The Board assigns a monetary limit that controls the size of the projects that business can undertake.
The Limited Licensed Electrician, or LLE, is a different path for work below $25,000 in jurisdictions that accept it. An LLE isn’t a substitute for local licensing everywhere. Read the LLE guide if that’s the work you plan to do.
For example, a $28,000 electrical contract doesn’t become an LLE job because only $18,000 is labor. Materials and equipment count too. Don’t split a project into smaller contracts to avoid licensing requirements.
Which exams do CE applicants take?
Schedule the electrical trade and Tennessee Business and Law exams through Prov, the provider for new scheduling since July 1, 2026. The standard exam requirements are:
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing score | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE Electrical Contractor Theory | 100 | 5 hours | 73% | $53 |
| Tennessee Contractor Business and Law | 50 | 2½ hours | 73% | $53 |
The CE electrical exam uses the 2017 NEC. Business and Law uses the NASCLA Tennessee 4th edition. Read the full reference list and book rules before ordering. See our Tennessee Business and Law guide for that part of the preparation.
If you qualify for a trade-exam waiver, get the Board’s approval before skipping that exam. You must still complete the Tennessee application and meet its Business and Law requirement.
Prepare for the Tennessee electrical trade exam
Learn to find answers in the code book, work through calculations and practice for test day.
Tennessee LLE and CE exams use the 2017 NEC. Also study for any required state business-and-law exam.
Who takes the exam for the company?
The qualifying agent is the owner, officer or full-time employee who takes the required exam for the business. Name that person on the application and provide the Board’s required documentation of their role.
The trade and Business and Law examinations don’t have to be taken by the same person. Decide who will qualify the business before registering, and keep the application and exam records consistent.
What else goes in the application?
- Business registration documents matching the entity being licensed.
- Experience and reference documentation.
- Required financial evidence for the requested monetary limit.
- General liability coverage and workers’ compensation coverage or an applicable exemption.
- Exam results or approved waiver documentation.
- The contractor application and $250 initial application fee.
The Board now provides a surety-bond option as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. Effective July 1, 2026, that option requires a Board-approved bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit. Choose the financial-statement or bond route before assembling your application.
What should you budget?
The standard two exams plus the initial application total $356 before books, prep, insurance, financial-statement or bond costs, and business registration expenses. Retakes add cost. Your actual application path may differ if the Board approves a waiver.
Build the paperwork while you study. Passing the exam is one step, and you must wait for the license before undertaking work that requires it.
Common questions
Can my out-of-state license replace the Tennessee application?
No. An eligible reciprocity agreement may support a trade-exam waiver. You still apply for Tennessee approval.
Does the CE license have an unlimited dollar limit automatically?
No. The monetary limit is assigned through the licensing process. Request a limit that fits your planned contracts and supporting documentation.
References checked October 25, 2026. Confirm the current bulletin for your exam date.
