Tennessee Contractor License Application

Where to Submit Your Application

Tennessee offers an online contractor license application through the CORE portal at core.tn.gov. The Board for Licensing Contractors under the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) manages the intake; for an online filing, documents such as exam scores and financial statements are uploaded through CORE.

You can submit the application online through CORE or use the Board's application package for a mailed submission. In either case, keep the application and supporting documents together so the Board can review the file.

Documents You Need Before Starting

Gather everything before you log in. Incomplete applications are the single biggest cause of delays, and the Board will hold your file until every item arrives. Here is the full checklist:

• Passing exam scores from Prov (Tennessee's exam provider as of July 1, 2026). If you tested through PSI before the transition, scores from the grace period through September 2026 are accepted.
• CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement prepared in the exact legal name of the applying entity — or a notarized Contractors' Surety Bond (the new alternative under Public Chapter 1039, effective July 2026) equal to at least 50% of your requested monetary limit.
• Letter of Reference completed by a past client, employer, or code official who has inspected your work. Family members cannot serve as references, but out-of-state references are accepted.
• Contractor's Affidavit signed and notarized by all applicable individuals, including the qualifying agent.
• Proof of corporate registration in good standing with the Tennessee Secretary of State (your articles of organization for an LLC, or corporate charter).
• Certificate of General Liability insurance meeting the minimum for your requested monetary limit.
• Certificate of Workers' Compensation insurance — or proof of exemption registration if you qualify.

If your qualifying agent is not an owner of the business, you also need a Power of Attorney (Form POA) granting them authority to act on the company's behalf.

The $250 Application Fee

The initial contractor application fee is a flat $250, paid through CORE at submission. This fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

For a full breakdown of all licensing costs — exam fees, insurance, CPA reviews, and local registrations — see our Tennessee contractor license cost guide.

What Happens After You Submit

The Board meets on a regular schedule to review applications. A complete, error-free submission typically receives approval within four to six weeks. During that window, the Board may:

• Approve outright if everything checks out. You receive your license number and can begin contracting immediately.
• Request additional documentation if something is missing or doesn't match. A name discrepancy between your Secretary of State filing and your insurance certificate is a common flag.
• Schedule a Board interview if your application includes prior criminal convictions, consumer complaints, or a history of unlicensed contracting activity.

A Board interview does not automatically mean denial — it means the Board wants to hear your explanation before voting. But it does add weeks or months to your timeline.

Common Reasons Applications Get Rejected or Delayed

Name mismatches are the most frequent problem. Your legal entity name must appear identically across every document: Secretary of State registration, CPA financial statement, insurance certificates, surety bond, and the CORE application itself. Even small differences — "LLC" versus "L.L.C.", or a missing DBA — can trigger a hold.

Expired financial statements also cause rejections. The Board requires your CPA-reviewed or audited statement to reflect a recent fiscal period. If months pass between your CPA preparing the statement and you finishing the rest of the application, the financials may need updating.

Missing qualifying agent documentation is another common gap. If the qualifying agent does not hold ownership in the entity, the Power of Attorney form must be on file before the Board will review the application.

After Approval: Local Registration Still Required

A state contractor license grants you the legal authority to bid and contract for work across Tennessee. But before you break ground in any specific city or county, you still need local business licenses and building permits from the municipal or county codes office.

Nashville requires a separate registration with Metro Codes, including a $40,000 Metropolitan Permit Bond. Memphis uses the Develop 901 portal. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements — check our guides on Nashville contractor license requirements and Memphis contractor license requirements for the specifics.

The Tennessee General Contractor License Guide walks through the entire sequence from entity formation through local registration, with checklists and document templates for each phase.

See more Tennessee guides →