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Tennessee HVAC License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC) (Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $200. The Mechanical Contractor - HVAC, Refrigeration & Gas Piping (Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $200. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details
Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC)

CMC · State license · Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing education
Not required
Deadline rule
Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
12 months after expiration to renew late; contracting while expired is not permitted.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $200
Late fee
About $20 per month late renewal penalty, up to 12 months (on top of about $200 renewal).
Reinstatement
Expired 12 months or more: must submit a new application and meet all initial licensure requirements; initial/reinstatement fee about $250.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
General liability insurance is required based on the monetary limit: at least $100,000 for limits up to $500,000, at least $500,000 for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000, and at least $1,000,000 for limits above $1,500,000 (Rule 0680-06-.02). Workers' compensation coverage or an exemption registration is also required. Renewal also needs a financial statement (CPA-compiled if the limit is above $1.5 million, a self-prepared balance sheet if below) and, for corporations and LLCs, proof of active status with the Secretary of State. From July 1, 2026 a Board-approved Contractors' Surety Bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit may be used instead of a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.
Reciprocity
Tennessee does not accept other states' licenses, but has a trade exam waiver agreement for Board contractor classifications with Alabama (general, electrical, residential, HVAC), Arkansas (commercial/residential building), Louisiana (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical), Mississippi (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical unlimited), North Carolina (residential/commercial building, electrical), Ohio (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), South Carolina (commercial only) and West Virginia (building, electrical, mechanical, masonry). The other state completes the License Verification form. The NASCLA National Commercial exam is also accepted. The Business and Law exam is still required.
Notes

Full mechanical classification covers HVAC and plumbing/piping categories. $25,000+ threshold.

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Mechanical Contractor - HVAC, Refrigeration & Gas Piping

CMC-C · State license · Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing education
Not required
Deadline rule
Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages).
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
12 months after expiration to renew late; contracting while expired is not permitted.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
About $200
Late fee
About $20 per month late renewal penalty, up to 12 months (on top of about $200 renewal).
Reinstatement
Expired 12 months or more: must submit a new application and meet all initial licensure requirements; initial/reinstatement fee about $250.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
General liability insurance is required based on the monetary limit: at least $100,000 for limits up to $500,000, at least $500,000 for limits of $500,001 to $1,500,000, and at least $1,000,000 for limits above $1,500,000 (Rule 0680-06-.02). Workers' compensation coverage or an exemption registration is also required. Renewal also needs a financial statement (CPA-compiled if the limit is above $1.5 million, a self-prepared balance sheet if below) and, for corporations and LLCs, proof of active status with the Secretary of State. From July 1, 2026 a Board-approved Contractors' Surety Bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit may be used instead of a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.
Reciprocity
Tennessee does not accept other states' licenses, but has a trade exam waiver agreement for Board contractor classifications with Alabama (general, electrical, residential, HVAC), Arkansas (commercial/residential building), Louisiana (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical), Mississippi (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical unlimited), North Carolina (residential/commercial building, electrical), Ohio (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), South Carolina (commercial only) and West Virginia (building, electrical, mechanical, masonry). The other state completes the License Verification form. The NASCLA National Commercial exam is also accepted. The Business and Law exam is still required.
Notes

Board classification CMC-C (also full CMC). A state license is required when the HVAC or mechanical portion of a project is $25,000 or more, including materials and labor. Below $25,000, check the city or county for local licensing.

How to renew

  1. 1Check your Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC) deadline: Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages).
  2. 2Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
  3. 3Renew online at https://access.cloud.commerce.tn.gov/portal/public
  4. 4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $200, but fees change.
  5. 5If you miss the deadline: About $20 per month late renewal penalty, up to 12 months (on top of about $200 renewal).
  6. 6Check your Mechanical Contractor - HVAC, Refrigeration & Gas Piping deadline: Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages).

Tennessee HVAC renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Tennessee HVAC license expire?

Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC): renews every 2 years. Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages). Mechanical Contractor - HVAC, Refrigeration & Gas Piping: renews every 2 years. Biennial. Renewal option appears in CORE within 90 days of expiration; board asks that renewals be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date (exact expiration date is printed on each license and is not fixed to a calendar date on the board's pages). Check with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Tennessee HVAC license need?

Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC): no CE required. Mechanical Contractor - HVAC, Refrigeration & Gas Piping: no CE required. Check with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Tennessee HVAC license?

12 months after expiration to renew late; contracting while expired is not permitted. Check with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Tennessee HVAC license?

Mechanical Contractor - Full (all CMC): About $200. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Tennessee HVAC license expires?

About $20 per month late renewal penalty, up to 12 months (on top of about $200 renewal). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Tennessee accept HVAC licenses from other states?

Tennessee does not accept other states' licenses, but has a trade exam waiver agreement for Board contractor classifications with Alabama (general, electrical, residential, HVAC), Arkansas (commercial/residential building), Louisiana (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical), Mississippi (residential, commercial, electrical, mechanical unlimited), North Carolina (residential/commercial building, electrical), Ohio (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), South Carolina (commercial only) and West Virginia (building, electrical, mechanical, masonry). The other state completes the License Verification form. The NASCLA National Commercial exam is also accepted. The Business and Law exam is still required. Check with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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