What Is a Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor?

The BC-A classification is Tennessee's primary residential building contractor classification.

It covers construction involving:

• One-family residences.
• Two-family residences.
• Three-family residences.
• Four-family residences.
• Residential buildings not exceeding three stories.
• Related accessory-use structures.

This can include new home construction, additions, major residential remodeling, structural work, framing, roofing, foundations, and the coordination of the many trades needed to complete a residential project.

A BC-A contractor is not personally licensed to perform every specialty trade. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other regulated work may require properly licensed subcontractors when Tennessee licensing thresholds and laws apply.

Review the Tennessee Contractor Classification Outline for the current official scope.

BC-A Is Not the Same as BC-A/r

Tennessee has two residential classifications whose names look similar enough to cause plenty of confusion.

BC-A/r also does not receive the normal 10% monetary-limit tolerance and cannot be used for joint ventures.

If you plan to build larger residential projects or want the regular residential classification without the BC-A/r restrictions, BC-A is usually the classification you are looking for.

When Is a Tennessee Contractor License Required?

Tennessee generally requires a contractor license before bidding, offering to engage, negotiating a price, or contracting for a project of $25,000 or more.

This threshold is especially important for prime contractors who contract directly with the property owner.

A contractor license can also be required for:

• Construction managers.
• Construction consultants.
• Certain regulated subcontractors.
• Residential general contractors working directly for owners.

Do not wait until after winning a $200,000 home contract to investigate licensing. Tennessee expects the proper license to exist before the bidding and contracting stage.

Step 1: Decide Who Will Be the Qualifying Agent

Tennessee contractor licenses are issued to the business entity, which might be a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, or LLC.

The person who qualifies the business for the BC-A classification is known as the Qualifying Agent, or QA.

The QA is usually the person who passes the required trade examination for the company.

Depending on the business structure, the QA may be:

• An owner.
• A partner.
• An officer.
• A qualifying full-time employee.

A Power of Attorney may be required when the QA is not the majority owner.

Step 2: Build Residential Construction Experience

Tennessee reviews the experience of contractor applicants and the qualifying agent.

The Board's application guidance has traditionally stated that it prefers about three years of experience.

Your experience should match the classification you are requesting.

For BC-A, useful experience includes:

• Residential estimating.
• Plan reading.
• Scheduling.
• Site preparation.
• Footings and foundations.
• Concrete.
• Masonry.
• Wood framing.
• Roof systems.
• Doors and windows.
• Interior and exterior finishes.
• Subcontractor supervision.
• Residential code compliance.
• Project management.
• Construction safety.

Experience on projects similar in size to the monetary limit you request can also matter when the Board evaluates your application.

In other words, asking for authority to contract on very large projects while showing experience only on very small jobs may lead to questions. Licensing boards are annoyingly good at noticing arithmetic.

Step 3: Pass the Tennessee Business and Law Exam

New Tennessee contractor applicants normally must pass the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law examination.

Under the current Prov bulletin, the exam contains:

• 50 questions.
• 2-hour time limit.
• 73% passing score.
• $53 examination fee.
• Open-book format.

Current subject areas include:

• Business organization.
• Licensing.
• Estimating and bidding.
• Contracts.
• Project management.
• Risk management.
• OSHA safety.
• Financial management.
• Labor law.
• Tax law.
• Lien law.

The current listed reference is the Tennessee Business and Law Study Guide for Contractors, 4th Edition, 2024.

You can review the Tennessee Business and Law reference from 1 Exam Prep.

Step 4: Pass the BC-A Residential Contractor Trade Exam

The BC-A trade examination is the main residential construction test.

Tennessee changed exam vendors in 2026. Beginning July 1, new contractor examination scheduling moved to Prov.

The current Prov BC-A examination contains:

• 100 questions.
• 3-hour time limit.
• 73% passing score.
• $53 exam fee.
• Open-book format.

Step 5: Know What Is on the BC-A Exam

The current BC-A outline spreads its 100 questions across residential construction subjects.

Carpentry, estimating, concrete, roofing, and code knowledge make up a large part of the examination.

Do not study only the things you personally perform in the field. General contractors are expected to understand how the entire residential project fits together.

Step 6: Get the Correct BC-A Exam Books

The current Prov bulletin lists several primary references for the Tennessee BC-A examination.

The current core list includes:

• International Building Code, 2021.
• International Residential Code, 2021.
• Residential Home Builder Study Guide.
• OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926.

During Tennessee's transition from PSI to Prov, the bulletin also allows certain previously PSI-approved alternate references through January 1, 2027.

After that transition period, Prov states that only its recommended references will be permitted.

You can review the Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor Complete Book Package.

Step 7: Prepare Your Open-Book References Correctly

Tennessee contractor examinations are currently open book, but Prov has specific rules for how references may be prepared.

Current rules allow:

• Highlighting.
• Permanent tabs attached to important pages.
• Approved reference books listed for your examination.
• A simple four-function calculator.

Current rules prohibit:

• Handwritten notes in reference books.
• Moveable tabs.
• Post-it notes.
• Photocopied pages inserted into books.
• Photocopied versions of references.
• Unapproved exam-prep guides or practice examinations in the testing room.

Books are inspected before testing.

If your exam strategy depends on hiding twelve pages of notes behind a sticky tab labeled "Definitely Not Notes," it may be time for a new strategy.

Step 8: Practice Residential Code Navigation

An open-book contractor exam is really two tests at once.

First, it tests what you know.

Second, it tests how quickly you can find what you do not know.

Practice locating information involving:

• Building planning.
• Foundation requirements.
• Floor construction.
• Wall construction.
• Roof and ceiling construction.
• Means of egress.
• Stairways.
• Fire-resistant construction.
• Energy-related requirements.
• Structural connections.
• Weather protection.
• Chimneys and fireplaces.
• Mechanical concepts.
• Plumbing concepts.
• Electrical concepts.

Learn which reference is most likely to contain the answer before you start flipping pages.

Step 9: Practice Estimating and Plan Reading

Estimating and plan reading currently make up 13 questions on the BC-A exam.

Practice:

• Reading dimensions.
• Calculating areas and volumes.
• Interpreting floor plans.
• Reading elevations.
• Understanding sections and details.
• Estimating concrete.
• Estimating framing material.
• Estimating roofing.
• Understanding construction sequencing.

A contractor needs to know not only how the house is built, but also how much material the house is going to eat before it is finished.

Step 10: Study OSHA Safety

The current BC-A outline includes 8 OSHA safety questions.

Review subjects such as:

• Fall protection.
• Ladders.
• Scaffolds.
• Excavation safety.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Material handling.
• Power tools.
• Jobsite hazards.

OSHA questions should not be treated as bonus questions. Eight points can be very friendly or very unfriendly depending on whether you prepared for them.

Step 11: Use Timed Practice Exams

The current BC-A examination gives you three hours for 100 questions.

That averages about 1 minute and 48 seconds per question.

That makes efficient book navigation extremely important.

A useful study routine is:

1. Study one exam subject.
2. Complete practice questions on that subject.
3. Look up every missed answer.
4. Identify which book contains the rule.
5. Practice reaching that section faster.
6. Repeat weak topics.
7. Complete full timed practice sessions.

You can review the Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor Online Exam Prep Course from 1 Exam Prep.

Step 12: Schedule Through Prov

Beginning July 1, 2026, new Tennessee contractor exam scheduling moved to Prov.

BC-A candidates generally do not need Board preapproval before scheduling the contractor examinations. The main current preapproval exceptions involve the CMC and CMC-A mechanical/plumbing examinations.

Prov currently offers:

• Testing centers throughout the United States.
• Tennessee testing locations.
• Remote testing through Examroom for eligible candidates.

Each Tennessee contractor examination currently costs $53.

Review the current Prov Tennessee Contractor testing information before scheduling.

What Happens If You Fail the Exam?

The current Prov bulletin is fairly forgiving about retesting.

Candidates who fail may currently:

• Retake the examination as many times as necessary.
• Register again without a mandatory waiting period.
• Pay the regular $53 examination fee for each new attempt.

Candidates who fail at least twice and score within 10 points of the 73% passing score may also qualify to request an exam review under Prov's current rules.

The goal, of course, is not to become incredibly experienced at taking the same exam. Use every missed question to improve your study plan.

Step 13: Prepare Your Financial Qualification

Passing both exams is only part of Tennessee contractor licensing.

Every contractor license also receives a monetary limit.

This is the maximum amount you may contract for on an individual project, subject to Tennessee's applicable rules.

The Board considers factors such as:

• Working capital.
• Net worth.
• Experience.
• The classification requested.
• The size of projects previously completed.

Tennessee traditionally determines a monetary limit using financial information, with the lesser of working capital or net worth playing a major role.

For current applications using financial statements:

• A CPA-reviewed statement is generally required for requested limits of $3 million or less.
• A CPA-audited statement is generally required for limits above $3 million.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee also introduced a Contractors' Surety Bond option that may be used as an alternative to the traditional reviewed or audited financial statement when the requirements are met.

If using the surety bond route, review the latest Board instructions carefully because the required bond amount is tied to the requested monetary limit.

Step 14: Obtain the Required Insurance

Tennessee contractor applicants must provide proof of general liability insurance.

The amount of coverage required depends on the contractor's monetary limit.

Workers' compensation insurance is also required when applicable, unless the business qualifies for and properly documents an exemption under Tennessee law.

Make sure the insured business name matches the legal name being licensed.

Small differences in business names can create surprisingly large paperwork problems.

Step 15: Register Your Business Correctly

If your contractor business is operating as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other entity that must register with Tennessee, make sure the business is properly registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

The name should match across:

• The contractor application.
• Financial documents.
• Surety documents when used.
• General liability insurance.
• Secretary of State registration.

Consistent names make the licensing process much smoother.

Step 16: Submit the Tennessee Contractor Application

After you have your examinations, experience, business documents, financial qualification, and insurance organized, submit the contractor license application to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

Tennessee currently allows online licensing through its CORE system.

The current initial contractor application fee is $250.

The application may require:

• Business information.
• Ownership information.
• Qualifying Agent information.
• Exam score reports.
• Experience documentation.
• Professional references.
• Financial documentation or qualifying surety bond.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation documentation or exemption.
• Secretary of State registration when applicable.
• Required affidavits and disclosures.

Use the Tennessee Contractor Licensing page for the current application instructions.

Step 17: Wait Until the License Is Issued

Passing both examinations does not mean you are already a Tennessee licensed contractor.

The Board must review and approve the contractor application.

Prov sends official exam information to the Board, but the current bulletin also instructs candidates to keep and include their score reports when applying.

Tennessee BC-A Exam Prep Resources

A structured study plan can help you organize the books, trade topics, code questions, and Business and Law material.

How Long Is the Tennessee Contractor License Valid?

Tennessee contractor licenses are generally issued for a two-year period.

The current contractor renewal fee is $200.

Renewal documentation can include:

• Updated financial information.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation documentation or exemption.
• Active Secretary of State status for applicable entities.

The type of financial information required at renewal depends partly on the contractor's monetary limit.

Review the Tennessee Contractor Renewal page before each renewal.

Does Tennessee Offer Reciprocity?

Tennessee has trade-exam waiver agreements with certain states and accepts qualifying examination arrangements under its reciprocity rules.

Reciprocity in Tennessee generally means a trade-exam waiver.

It does not mean you can arrive from another state and immediately start bidding Tennessee residential projects.

Reciprocal applicants still need to:

• Apply for the Tennessee contractor license.
• Meet financial requirements.
• Meet insurance requirements.
• Provide licensing verification.
• Meet Board experience requirements.
• Obtain the Tennessee license before contracting.

Check the Board's current reciprocal agreements before assuming your existing license qualifies.

A Simple Tennessee BC-A Contractor Roadmap

1. Choose BC-A rather than BC-A/r if you need the regular residential classification.
2. Choose the legal business entity that will hold the contractor license.
3. Identify the Qualifying Agent.
4. Build and document relevant residential construction experience.
5. Register for the Tennessee Business and Law exam.
6. Register for the BC-A Residential Contractor trade exam.
7. Study the current Prov examination references.
8. Prepare books using only approved highlighting and permanent tabs.
9. Practice estimating, plan reading, codes, framing, roofing, concrete, and OSHA.
10. Pass both examinations with at least 73%.
11. Prepare your financial statement or qualifying surety bond option.
12. Determine the monetary limit you are requesting.
13. Obtain general liability insurance.
14. Handle workers' compensation requirements or exemption.
15. Register the business with the Secretary of State when applicable.
16. Submit the Tennessee contractor application and $250 fee.
17. Receive Board approval.
18. Confirm BC-A and the correct monetary limit appear on the active license before bidding.

Helpful Tennessee BC-A Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions and answers about becoming a Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor.

Key Takeaways

• BC-A is Tennessee's regular residential contractor classification. It covers one-, two-, three-, and four-family residences not exceeding three stories, plus related accessory structures.
• Do not confuse BC-A with BC-A/r. The restricted BC-A/r license is limited to qualifying single-family projects and cannot have a monetary limit above $125,000.
• Tennessee changed exam providers in July 2026. The current Prov BC-A exam has 100 questions, a 3-hour limit, a 73% passing standard, and a $53 fee.
• New BC-A applicants also need Tennessee Business and Law. The current exam has 50 questions, allows two hours, and requires 73% to pass.
• Passing the exams is only part of licensing. You still need Board approval, relevant experience, financial qualification, insurance, a qualifying agent, and the proper Tennessee contractor license before bidding regulated work.

Final Thoughts Before You Start

Becoming a Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor is not just about proving you know how to build a house. Tennessee wants contractors who understand residential construction, project management, business responsibilities, financial limits, safety, and the rules that apply before a project ever reaches the jobsite.

Start by making sure BC-A is really the classification you need. If you plan to construct standard one- through four-family residential buildings up to three stories, BC-A is likely the right residential classification. If you only need a restricted single-family license for projects under the BC-A/r limits, the restricted route may be worth reviewing instead.

Next, identify the business that will actually hold the contractor license and the person who will serve as Qualifying Agent. Remember that exam scores belong to the individual test taker, but the contractor license is issued to the approved business entity.

Experience also matters. Build a strong record of residential construction work involving estimating, foundations, framing, roofing, finishes, code compliance, safety, scheduling, and project supervision. Tennessee reviews experience when deciding whether your requested classification and monetary limit make sense.

When you move into exam preparation, make sure you are studying for the current test instead of last year's test. Tennessee changed to Prov for newly scheduled contractor examinations beginning July 1, 2026. The current BC-A exam has 100 questions and only three hours, which makes reference navigation especially important.

Three hours sounds generous until question 42 sends you into the index of the wrong book.

Organize your current approved references, use permanent tabs where permitted, highlight important sections, and practice under a timer. Focus heavily on carpentry, estimating, code, concrete, roofing, foundations, OSHA, and the building systems included in the current exam outline.

Give the Business and Law exam its own study time too. Running a construction company requires more than knowing how walls stay upright. Contracts, taxes, licensing, estimating, liens, labor law, risk management, and financial management can cause very expensive problems when ignored.

Finally, remember that the examinations are only one part of the process. Your Tennessee contractor license also needs the proper financial qualification, monetary limit, insurance, business registration, application, qualifying agent, and Board approval.

When you are ready to organize your preparation, explore the Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor exam prep resources from 1 Exam Prep. A good study plan helps you know the books, understand the construction topics, manage the clock, and walk into the exam with something more useful than hope and an impressive collection of highlighters.