What Does a Tennessee CMC-C Contractor Do?

CMC-C is a mechanical specialty classification focused on HVAC and refrigeration work.

The current examination description includes work involving:

• Heating systems.
• Air-conditioning systems.
• Ventilation systems.
• Commercial refrigeration equipment.
• Ductwork.
• Exhaust systems.
• HVAC controls.
• Heat pumps.
• Gas piping related to HVAC equipment.
• Refrigeration piping.
• Geothermal HVAC systems.
• Solar thermal HVAC systems.

This can make CMC-C a strong classification for contractors whose business is focused specifically on heating, cooling, refrigeration, and related mechanical systems.

CMC-C vs. Full CMC Mechanical Contractor

If your business is centered on HVAC and refrigeration, CMC-C may provide the classification you need without taking the broader Full Mechanical exam.

If your plans also include plumbing, process piping, fire protection, boiler construction, or other mechanical categories, review the full Tennessee Contractor Classification Outline before choosing your exam.

Does CMC-C Require Exam Preapproval?

No special Board preapproval is currently listed for the CMC-C trade exam.

This is an important difference from Tennessee's:

• CMC Full Mechanical Contractor exam.
• CMC-A Plumbing Contractor exam.

Those two examinations currently require Board authorization before scheduling.

CMC-C candidates can generally follow Prov's regular self-registration process.

When Is a Tennessee HVAC Contractor License Required?

Tennessee generally requires contractor licensing before bidding, offering, negotiating, or contracting for work when the applicable project reaches $25,000 or more.

Mechanical and HVAC subcontractors are specifically included in Tennessee's contractor licensing framework.

The project amount generally includes:

• Labor.
• Materials.
• Equipment.
• Other applicable project costs.

The proper license should be active before you bid or enter the regulated contract.

Review the Tennessee contractor licensing requirements before offering work.

Step 1: Choose the Business Entity

Tennessee issues the contractor license to the approved business entity.

That entity may be:

• A sole proprietor.
• A partnership.
• A corporation.
• An LLC.

Corporations, LLCs, and applicable partnerships must be properly registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Keep the exact legal business name consistent on your contractor application, financial documents, insurance certificate, surety bond if used, and Secretary of State records.

Step 2: Select Your Qualifying Agent

Tennessee calls the person who qualifies the company for the required contractor examination the Qualifying Agent, or QA.

The QA may generally be:

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

A qualifying individual without the required ownership relationship may need Tennessee's Power of Attorney form.

Tennessee also allows different qualifying individuals to take the trade examination and Business and Law examination in qualifying situations.

Step 3: Document Your HVAC and Refrigeration Experience

Tennessee reviews construction experience when deciding whether to grant a classification and monetary limit.

Board application guidance has historically indicated that approximately three years of relevant experience is preferred.

Useful CMC-C experience may include:

• Heating-system installation.
• Air-conditioning installation and service.
• Commercial refrigeration.
• Refrigeration piping.
• Ductwork and air distribution.
• Ventilation and exhaust systems.
• HVAC controls.
• Heat pumps.
• Fuel gas systems serving HVAC equipment.
• Load calculations.
• Equipment selection.
• Electrical concepts related to HVAC equipment.
• Geothermal HVAC work.
• Jobsite safety.
• Estimating and supervision.

Tennessee's experience documentation asks for project amounts and scopes of work, so specific examples are much more useful than simply writing "worked in HVAC."

Step 4: Register for the CMC-C Exam Through Prov

Tennessee moved newly scheduled contractor exams to Prov beginning July 1, 2026.

When registering, choose:

Do not accidentally choose:

• CMC Full Mechanical Contractor.
• CMC-A Plumbing Contractor.
• CMC-D Fire Sprinklers and Fire Protection.

Visit Prov Tennessee Contractor Exams for current registration and scheduling.

Step 5: Understand the Current CMC-C Exam

The current Prov CMC-C HVAC / Refrigeration examination has:

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

Two hours for 100 questions gives you an average of about 72 seconds per question.

That means knowing HVAC is only half the battle. You also need to know where information lives in your reference books.

Spending four minutes looking for one duct question feels much longer when the exam clock is watching.

Step 6: Know the Current CMC-C Exam Breakdown

Air Distribution and Venting is the largest single subject with 23 questions.

Piping adds another 14 questions, while Fuel Gas Systems, HVAC Equipment, and Refrigerants and Oils each contribute 10.

Those five areas alone make up 67% of the examination.

Step 7: Get the Correct CMC-C Exam References

The current Prov bulletin identifies these primary examination references:

• International Mechanical Code, 2018.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 21st Edition.
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 9th Edition.
• Residential Comfort System Installation Standards Manual, 8th Edition.
• OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926.

Prov currently allows older or newer editions of the same listed reference, but the exam is scored according to the edition identified in the official bulletin.

Certain references approved under the previous PSI program are also permitted during the transition period through January 1, 2027.

For reference options, review the Tennessee CMC-C HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor Book Package.

Step 8: Prepare Your Open-Book References Correctly

Prov encourages candidates to organize their approved references before testing.

Current rules allow:

• Highlighting.
• Permanent tabs attached to important pages.
• Authorized examination references.

Current rules prohibit:

• Handwritten notes.
• Moveable or repositionable tabs.
• Post-it notes.
• Photocopied pages added to books.
• Photocopied versions of reference books.
• Unauthorized practice materials in the testing room.

For prepared books, review the Tennessee CMC-C Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package.

Step 9: Focus on Air Distribution and Venting

Air Distribution and Venting accounts for 23 questions, making it the largest part of the current examination.

Review:

• Duct systems.
• Air distribution.
• Supply and return air.
• Exhaust systems.
• Ventilation requirements.
• Duct installation.
• Airflow concepts.
• Mechanical ventilation.
• Venting of appliances.

Learn to move quickly between the mechanical code and HVAC reference material.

Step 10: Study HVAC and Refrigeration Piping

Piping accounts for another 14 questions.

Study topics such as:

• Refrigerant piping.
• Liquid lines.
• Suction lines.
• Discharge lines.
• Pipe materials.
• Pipe sizing concepts.
• Supports and protection.
• HVAC-related mechanical piping.

Refrigeration piping is one of those topics where "close enough" and "correct" may live surprisingly far apart.

Step 11: Study Refrigerants and Oils

Refrigerants and Oils account for 10 questions.

Review:

• Refrigeration cycles.
• Refrigerant properties.
• Pressure-temperature relationships.
• Charging concepts.
• System evacuation.
• Refrigeration oils.
• Recovery concepts.
• Environmental requirements.

The two technical refrigeration references should become familiar study tools, not decorative objects on the desk.

Step 12: Understand EPA Section 608 Certification

The Tennessee CMC-C contractor license and EPA Section 608 technician certification are separate requirements.

Federal EPA rules require technicians who perform regulated work that could release refrigerants, including maintenance, service, repair, and disposal of covered appliances, to hold the appropriate Section 608 certification.

Depending on the equipment being serviced, certification may be:

• Type I.
• Type II.
• Type III.
• Universal.

Many HVAC/R professionals pursue Universal certification because it covers all three equipment categories after the required exams are passed.

Review EPA Section 608 Technician Certification requirements if your work involves regulated refrigerants.

Step 13: Study Fuel Gas Systems

Fuel Gas Systems account for 10 questions.

CMC-C includes gas piping associated with HVAC equipment, so study:

• Fuel gas piping.
• Pipe sizing.
• Appliance connections.
• Shutoff valves.
• Combustion air.
• Venting.
• Clearances.
• Equipment installation.

Be careful not to confuse CMC-C's HVAC-related gas piping authority with every other mechanical or plumbing classification.

Step 14: Study HVAC Equipment and Controls

HVAC Equipment contributes 10 questions, while HVAC Controls adds five.

Review equipment such as:

• Furnaces.
• Air conditioners.
• Heat pumps.
• Packaged units.
• Refrigeration systems.
• Air handlers.
• Condensing units.
• Thermostats.
• Control circuits.
• Safety controls.

Electrical Concepts only accounts for two dedicated questions, but electrical knowledge also supports motors, controls, compressors, and equipment troubleshooting.

Step 15: Practice Load Calculations

Load Calculations account for five questions.

Understand the basic principles that affect heating and cooling loads, including:

• Building size.
• Insulation.
• Windows and doors.
• Orientation.
• Occupancy.
• Internal heat gains.
• Outdoor design conditions.
• Air infiltration.

Equipment sizing matters both on the exam and in real life. Bigger is not automatically better. An oversized system can create a different collection of problems.

Step 16: Study OSHA Safety

OSHA Safety currently accounts for six questions.

Review construction safety topics involving:

• Ladders.
• Scaffolds.
• Fall protection.
• Electrical hazards.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Power tools.
• Material handling.
• General construction safety.

Six questions can become very important when the passing line is 73%.

Step 17: Use Timed Practice Exams

A good CMC-C preparation plan should build both knowledge and speed.

1. Study one major subject at a time.
2. Answer practice questions.
3. Look up every missed question.
4. Identify the correct reference.
5. Practice finding that information faster.
6. Mix code and technical questions.
7. Practice calculations.
8. Complete full 100-question timed simulations.

For structured preparation, review the Tennessee CMC-C HVAC / Refrigeration Online Exam Prep Course.

Step 18: Pass Tennessee Business and Law

New contractor applicants generally also need the separate Tennessee Contractor Business and Law examination.

The current Prov bulletin lists:

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

Major topics include:

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

The listed reference is the Tennessee edition of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 4th Edition.

HVAC equipment may be complicated, but one badly written contract can still outperform it.

Step 19: Understand Your Monetary Limit

Every Tennessee contractor license receives a monetary limit.

Your CMC-C classification determines what type of work you may perform.

Your monetary limit controls the maximum amount of an individual project or contract you may generally undertake.

Under Tennessee's traditional financial qualification method, monetary limits are generally calculated at up to 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth, together with experience and Board review.

Tennessee currently provides a 10% tolerance for most contractor monetary limits, except the restricted BC-A/r classification.

Step 20: Meet Tennessee's Financial Requirements

Under Tennessee's traditional initial-application financial route:

• Requested limits of $3 million or less require a CPA-reviewed financial statement.
• Requested limits above $3 million require a CPA-audited financial statement.
• The statement must generally be less than 12 months old.
• The financial statement must be prepared in the exact name and business structure being licensed.

An applicant seeking an Unlimited monetary limit under the traditional route must show at least $300,000 in working capital and $300,000 in net worth, along with sufficient experience and Board approval.

Step 21: Consider Tennessee's 2026 Surety Bond Option

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee added another financial qualification method.

Contractors may use a qualifying continuous Contractors' Surety Bond instead of the required CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement when all current requirements are satisfied.

The qualifying bond must generally equal at least 50% of the monetary limit requested.

• $500,000 requested limit: at least $250,000 bond.
• $1,000,000 requested limit: at least $500,000 bond.
• $1,500,000 requested limit: at least $750,000 bond.
• $3,000,000 requested limit: at least $1,500,000 bond.

Review the current Tennessee Contractor Forms before choosing your financial method.

Step 22: Obtain General Liability Insurance

Tennessee requires general liability insurance based on the contractor's monetary limit.

• Up to $500,000 monetary limit: at least $100,000 coverage.
• $500,001 through $1,500,000: at least $500,000 coverage.
• $1,500,001 through Unlimited: at least $1,000,000 coverage.

Your customer, general contractor, property owner, or project contract may require much higher coverage than Tennessee's licensing minimum.

The insured business name should match the entity applying for the CMC-C license.

Step 23: Address Workers' Compensation Requirements

Contractor applicants must also provide workers' compensation coverage when required or appropriate exemption documentation.

Depending on the business, this can involve:

• Workers' compensation insurance.
• A qualifying Construction Services Provider exemption.
• Other documentation accepted under Tennessee requirements.

Make sure the exemption actually applies to your ownership, employees, and project situation.

Step 24: Submit the Tennessee Contractor Application

Passing CMC-C and Business and Law does not automatically issue a contractor license.

Tennessee currently uses the CORE licensing system for the initial contractor application.

The current initial application fee is $250.

Your application may include:

• Business entity information.
• Qualifying Agent information.
• CMC-C trade exam score.
• Business and Law exam score.
• HVAC and refrigeration experience.
• Project history.
• Letter of Reference.
• Financial statement or qualifying surety bond.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation or exemption documentation.
• Secretary of State records when applicable.
• Required affidavits and disclosures.

Tennessee requires the Letter of Reference to come from a past client, employer, or code official who can speak to your construction experience. It cannot be supplied by a family member.

Do Not Contract Until the License Is Issued

Passing your exams is a big accomplishment, but you are not finished yet.

Before bidding regulated HVAC or refrigeration work, verify that the active Tennessee license shows:

• The correct business name.
• The CMC-C classification.
• The correct monetary limit.
• An active license status.

Does Tennessee Offer HVAC Reciprocity?

Tennessee has trade-exam waiver agreements with several jurisdictions.

Current agreements include HVAC or mechanical classifications from certain states, including:

• Alabama.
• Louisiana.
• Mississippi.
• Ohio.
• South Carolina.
• West Virginia.

The exact classification and license status matter.

How Long Is a Tennessee CMC-C License Valid?

Tennessee contractor licenses generally operate on a two-year renewal cycle.

The current renewal fee is $200.

Renewal may require:

• Updated financial documentation or qualifying surety bond.
• Current general liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation coverage or exemption.
• Active Tennessee Secretary of State status when applicable.

Tennessee currently provides a 12-month contractor renewal grace period with a $20 monthly late fee. That grace period should not be treated as permission to keep contracting on an expired license.

Review the Tennessee Contractor Renewal requirements before your expiration date.

Tennessee CMC-C Exam Prep Resources

A Simple Tennessee CMC-C Licensing Roadmap

1. Confirm CMC-C matches your HVAC and refrigeration business goals.
2. Choose the legal business entity that will hold the license.
3. Select the Qualifying Agent.
4. Document relevant HVAC and refrigeration experience.
5. Register for the CMC-C exam through Prov.
6. Obtain the approved exam references.
7. Prepare the books according to Prov's open-book rules.
8. Focus heavily on air distribution, venting, and piping.
9. Study fuel gas, HVAC equipment, refrigerants, controls, loads, code, and OSHA.
10. Practice completing 100 questions within two hours.
11. Pass CMC-C with at least 73%.
12. Pass Tennessee Business and Law with at least 73%.
13. Choose the proper financial qualification method.
14. Request a monetary limit supported by your finances and experience.
15. Obtain general liability insurance.
16. Address workers' compensation requirements.
17. Complete business registration requirements.
18. Submit the initial application and current $250 fee.
19. Wait for Board approval and license issuance.
20. Verify CMC-C, your monetary limit, and active status before contracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

• CMC-C is Tennessee's HVAC / Refrigeration contractor classification. It covers qualifying heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation, ductwork, controls, HVAC-related gas piping, heat pumps, geothermal, and related work.
• CMC-C currently does not require the special Board exam preapproval required for CMC and CMC-A. Candidates generally register directly through Prov.
• The current CMC-C exam has 100 questions and a two-hour limit. It is open book, costs $53 per attempt, and requires 73% to pass.
• Air Distribution and Venting is the largest exam section. Piping, fuel gas, HVAC equipment, and refrigerants are also major subjects.
• Passing the exams is only part of licensing. The business must also satisfy Tennessee's experience, financial, insurance, Qualifying Agent, monetary-limit, and application requirements.

Final Thoughts Before You Start

Tennessee's CMC-C Mechanical HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor classification is a strong option for HVAC professionals who are ready to move into contractor-level work.

The classification covers much more than installing an air conditioner. It reaches heating, ventilation, air distribution, refrigeration systems, controls, heat pumps, HVAC-related gas piping, exhaust systems, geothermal systems, and related mechanical work.

Start by making sure CMC-C fits your business plan. If HVAC and refrigeration are your main focus, this classification may be exactly what you need. If you plan to perform a much wider range of mechanical contracting, compare it with Tennessee's Full Mechanical CMC classification before testing.

One helpful difference is that CMC-C currently does not require the special Board exam preapproval that applies to Full Mechanical CMC and CMC-A Plumbing. You can generally register through Prov and begin working toward the trade exam directly.

Do not underestimate the exam, though. One hundred questions in two hours is a quick pace. Air Distribution and Venting alone accounts for 23 questions, while Piping contributes another 14. Fuel gas, HVAC equipment, refrigerants, and oils are also major parts of the test.

Learn the references before exam day. An open-book exam rewards candidates who know which book contains the answer and where to look. It does not reward someone discovering the table of contents for the first time while 99 questions are still waiting.

Pay attention to reference editions too. Prov currently bases the examination on specific editions, even though it permits older or newer versions of the same approved reference. When editions disagree, the test is scored according to the version listed in the official bulletin.

If your work involves regulated refrigerants, remember that EPA Section 608 technician certification is separate from your Tennessee contractor license. Make sure the technicians performing covered refrigerant work have the certification required for the equipment they service.

Business and Law is another major part of the licensing path. Running an HVAC company means dealing with bids, contracts, employees, taxes, liens, insurance, project management, financial records, and licensing requirements in addition to compressors, ductwork, and refrigerant pressures.

After passing the exams, complete Tennessee's licensing paperwork carefully. Your business entity, experience, financial qualification, monetary limit, insurance, workers' compensation information, Qualifying Agent, reference, and affidavits all matter.

When you are ready to prepare, explore the Tennessee CMC-C Mechanical HVAC / Refrigeration Contractor resources from 1 Exam Prep. Good reference organization, strong HVAC fundamentals, timed practice, and a clear understanding of Tennessee's licensing process can make the road to becoming a licensed HVAC contractor much easier to manage.