Plumbing Frequently Asked Questions

Effective January 1, 2006, a person who performs plumbing work must now be licensed as a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP), for projects less than $25,000. The legislature amended the law and allows those who were performing plumbing prior to January 1, 2006, to obtain the LLP license without an exam, if licensed by August 1, 2006.

Plumbers must submit evidence showing they performed plumbing as part of the application requirements. The application may be downloaded from our website at: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/forms/ContLLPAppWeb.pdf

The Board for Licensing Contractors, which is a division of the Regulatory Boards within the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Contractors interested in obtaining this license may contact the Board office for a Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) application by calling 800­544­7693 or (615) 532­3994, or you may fax your name and address to (615) 532­2868

1. A single residence homeowner performing work on homeowner’s own residence.
2. A person who is employed by a LLP or licensed plumbing contractor.
3. A person licensed in a municipality or county that issues license to perform plumbing work only in such municipality or county.
4. A contractor licensed with the Contractor’s Board with a MC or CMC (full mechanical) or CMC­A or MC­ A (plumbing) classification on their license.

1. One (1) year plumbing experience satisfactory to the Board and passing a LLP examination, unless applying for a license prior to August 1, 2006; or
2. One (1) year of plumbing experience and possession of a license issued by a Municipality or county provided the test required by such municipality or county is satisfactory to the Board. However, this license shall indicate that such person is not automatically permitted to work in any municipality or county which issues its own license to engage in plumbing work in such municipality or county.
3. Initial application fee: $75.00/two years; $50.00/Renewal for two years.

No. You must also obtain any local municipality’s or county’s license for a permit which may include paying any local licensing fees (which were in effect on the date the license was issued) and meet any other stricter testing and/or experience standards adopted by the local government as set forth in 62­6­406 (h).

Yes. Cities and counties may adopt and enforce stricter testing and/or experience requirements for a person to engage in plumbing work within the jurisdiction of such municipality or city or county.

Yes. Prior to August 1, 2006, the Board may issue a license as a limited licensed plumber to any person without an examination, if such person makes application to the Board and provides evidence that such person has been engaged in plumbing work in this state and that all fees relative to the operation of such applicant’s plumbing work have been paid to the appropriate agencies. After August 1, 2006, the Board may also waive the exam if the plumber submits proof (exam scores, local license or wallet card) showing the plumber has passed a plumbing examination with the municipality, city, or county and held their local license. However, this license does not automatically permit work in any municipality, city or county which issues its own license to engage in plumbing work in such municipality, city or county.

After August 1, 2006, plumbers must take the LLP exam with PSI, Inc. and their information is available online at: www.psiexams.com or contact our office and we will mail you the information or download from our website at: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.html

No. However, if a municipality or county already provides plumbing inspection services, then such plumbing inspections shall be continued and provided by such municipality or county. The Board will formulate an inspection program within five (5) years after January 1, 2006 to provide inspections services to those municipalities and counties who do not provide plumbing inspection services.

No. The law states the LLP cannot use the appellation or be designated as a “contractor”.

To become licensed as a plumbing contractor and approved to perform plumbing projects in excess of $25,000 and work in any municipality without an additional examination, you must complete the licensing requirements outlined in the “Contractor’s Application” which may be downloaded from our website at: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/contractors/forms/BLC-OnlineApplicationResource.pdf

Counties having a population according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census of not less than nor more than:

More information is available at: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.html