Tennessee Electrician License Reciprocity Guide
Yes. Tennessee has reciprocity with 6 states.
Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks. Always confirm details with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) before applying.
Reciprocal states (6)
| State | Classes covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AL · Alabama | Contractor | — |
| GA · Georgia | Contractor | — |
| LA · Louisiana | Contractor | — |
| MS · Mississippi | Contractor | — |
| NC · North Carolina | Contractor | — |
| OH · Ohio | Contractor | — |
Requirements checklist
- Licensed 1+ year in your home stateLicense must be current and in good standing.
- Reciprocal exam requiredReciprocity waives trade exam. TN Business & Law exam REQUIRED regardless. NASCLA Commercial Exam also accepted as alternative reciprocity path.
- Experience affidavitRequired with the application.
- Letter of good standingRequest one from your home-state board.
Tennessee is in the Southeast contractor reciprocity cluster (AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OH — 6 partners). NASCLA Commercial Exam is also accepted as an alternative reciprocity path. Business & Law exam ALWAYS required — reciprocity only waives the trade exam. Contact: Contractors.Home-Improvement@TN.Gov.
Fees
| License class | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor | Contact board | TN contractor license fees vary by classification and monetary limit — contact TN Board for Licensing Contractors for current schedule. |
How to apply in Tennessee
- Complete the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) reciprocal application — official application.
- Attach proof of 1+ year of licensure, your experience affidavit, and your letter of good standing.
- Submit to Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance), 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243.
- Questions? Call (615) 741-8307 (toll-free (800) 544-7693). Allow 6–12 weeks for processing.
Apprentice Registration
- Registration fee
- Contact board — TN does not require state-level apprentice registration for contractor path.
- Renewal
- Not published
- Employer requirements
- TN licenses electrical contractors at state level. Individual journeymen/apprentices work under contractor supervision without separate state registration.
1. Secure employment with a TN-licensed electrical contractor (BC-B or LLE) 2. No state apprentice registration required 3. Accumulate experience under contractor's supervision 4. Apply for LLE (Limited Licensed Electrician) or BC-B (Electrical Contractor) license when ready
TN's contractor-only structure matches the SE cluster pattern (see GA, NC, LA, MS, OH).
Moving from another state?
- Must re-register: No
- Out-of-state hours transfer: Yes
Out-of-state electricians work under TN-licensed contractors without state apprentice registration.
Apprentice rules change often — confirm with Tennessee before relying on this summary.
Coming from a non-reciprocal state?
Tennessee licenses electrical CONTRACTORS at state level (Limited Licensed Electrician "LLE" for smaller work + BC-B Electrical Contractor for larger work).
Non-reciprocal applicants must complete: - Financial requirements + insurance - Board application review - Trade exam via PSI - Tennessee Business and Law exam via PSI
Reciprocity via 6 partner states OR NASCLA Commercial Exam waives the trade exam only — Business & Law still required.
Local licensing notes
TN state contractor license covers Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and all TN cities. Some municipalities may have additional permitting.
Related
These states accept your Tennessee license: Louisiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama.
Current openings in Tennessee: Journeyman Electrician jobs · Apprentice Electrician jobs.
Licensed and ready for more? See which certifications unlock higher pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes. Tennessee has reciprocity agreements with 6 states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and 1 others.
How much does electrician reciprocity cost in Tennessee?
contractor: $0 (TN contractor license fees vary by classification and monetary limit — contact TN Board for Licensing Contractors for current schedule.)
How long does the Tennessee reciprocity process take?
Typical processing time is 6-12 weeks once the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance) receives a complete application with verification from your issuing state.
Do I need to take an exam to reciprocate my license into Tennessee?
Yes. Reciprocity waives trade exam. TN Business & Law exam REQUIRED regardless. NASCLA Commercial Exam also accepted as alternative reciprocity path.
Can I transfer apprentice hours to Tennessee?
Yes, with conditions. Out-of-state electricians work under TN-licensed contractors without state apprentice registration.
Licensed in Tennessee? See the full list of states that accept your license.
Last verified 2026-09-26 · Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce & Insurance). Reciprocity data is informational only and may be stale. Confirm with the destination state licensing board before applying.