What Is a Tennessee LMC Licensed Masonry Contractor?

LMC is Tennessee's contractor classification for larger masonry projects.

The current Prov examination description says the classification covers masonry systems and related components in residential, commercial, and industrial construction.

Work can include:

• Brick masonry.
• Concrete masonry units, or CMU.
• Concrete block walls.
• Stone masonry.
• Glass block.
• Architectural masonry.
• Masonry veneer.
• Retaining walls.
• Masonry chimneys.
• Fireplaces.
• Reinforced masonry.
• Masonry repair and restoration.
• Mortar and grout systems.

Review Tennessee's Contractor Classification Outline before deciding which masonry classification your business needs.

The $100,000 Masonry Rule

Most people hear that Tennessee requires a contractor license at $25,000 and naturally assume the exact same threshold applies to every masonry subcontract.

Masonry has an important special rule.

That requirement applies when the masonry contractor is:

• The prime contractor.
• A subcontractor working for a general contractor.

For subcontractors, the $100,000 amount relates to the total masonry portion, including materials and labor.

Do not remove materials from the calculation just because someone else purchases them. Tennessee looks at the value of the applicable portion of the project.

LMC vs. BC-9 Masonry

Tennessee separates smaller masonry work from larger masonry work.

If you expect your company to perform large commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential masonry packages, LMC is usually the more important classification to pursue.

Step 1: Choose the Business That Will Hold the License

Tennessee issues its contractor license to the approved business entity.

That may be:

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

Corporations, LLCs, and applicable partnerships must meet Tennessee Secretary of State registration requirements.

Make sure the legal business name is consistent on your contractor application, insurance, financial statement or surety bond, and Secretary of State documentation.

Masonry walls appreciate straight lines. Licensing paperwork does too.

Step 2: Select the Qualifying Agent

Tennessee calls the person designated to qualify the business through the required examination a Qualifying Agent, or QA.

The QA may generally be:

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

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

Tennessee does not require the same person to take both the trade exam and Business and Law. Different qualifying individuals may handle the two examinations when the Board's requirements are satisfied.

Step 3: Document Your Masonry Experience

Tennessee reviews construction experience as part of the contractor application and monetary-limit process.

The current public LMC testing requirements do not list the special pre-exam experience approval used for CMC and CMC-A. However, your application should still show that the business and its qualifying people have experience supporting the LMC classification and requested project limit.

Useful experience can include:

• Brick construction.
• Concrete block installation.
• Structural CMU walls.
• Stone masonry.
• Glass block.
• Masonry veneer.
• Reinforced masonry.
• Mortar selection and placement.
• Grouting.
• Lintels and openings.
• Retaining walls.
• Chimneys and fireplaces.
• Masonry restoration.
• Plan reading.
• Quality control.
• Scaffolding and masonry safety.

Step 4: Register for the LMC Exam Through Prov

New Tennessee contractor exam scheduling moved to Prov beginning July 1, 2026.

Select:

Unlike Full Mechanical CMC and Plumbing CMC-A, LMC does not currently require special Board preapproval before scheduling.

Candidates can use the Prov Tennessee Contractor exam portal for current scheduling information.

Step 5: Understand the Current LMC Trade Exam

The current Tennessee LMC exam contains:

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

Two hours for 70 questions gives you an average of about one minute and 43 seconds for each question.

That is enough time to use your reference books, but not enough time to begin a personal relationship with every chapter.

Learn the books before the clock starts.

Step 6: Know the LMC Exam Breakdown

Safety is currently the largest individual section with eight questions.

Plan Reading, Concrete Block, and Brick each contribute seven questions.

The exam is fairly balanced, so this is not a test where studying one chapter very hard can rescue everything else.

Step 7: Get the Current LMC Exam Books

Prov currently lists four primary references:

• International Building Code, 2021.
• International Residential Code, 2021.
• Study Guide for Masonry Contractors, 2nd Edition, 2014.
• Repair and Restoration.

Prov also maintains an alternate-reference list containing certain materials previously approved by PSI. Those transition references are currently allowed through January 1, 2027.

For a coordinated book option, review the Tennessee LMC Licensed Masonry Contractor Book Package.

Step 8: Prepare the Open-Book References Correctly

Prov allows candidates to organize authorized exam references, but the rules matter.

Current preparation rules allow methods such as:

• Highlighting.
• Permanent tabs.
• Authorized reference books.
• A simple four-function calculator where permitted.

Avoid:

• Handwritten notes.
• Moveable tabs.
• Post-it notes.
• Loose inserted pages.
• Unauthorized practice material.
• Unapproved photocopied references.

Reference books can be inspected before the exam.

Step 9: Study Safety Seriously

Safety is currently the biggest individual LMC exam section with eight questions.

Masonry work can involve:

• Scaffolds.
• Fall hazards.
• Heavy masonry units.
• Material handling.
• Cutting equipment.
• Silica exposure.
• Ladders.
• Power tools.
• Wall stability.
• Overhead work.

Do not treat safety as the chapter you read while waiting for the test-center parking lot to open.

Step 10: Master Brick and Concrete Block

Brick and concrete block each contribute seven questions.

Review:

• Masonry unit types.
• Wall layout.
• Bond patterns.
• Joint types.
• Openings.
• Lintels.
• Flashing.
• Weep systems.
• Anchors and ties.
• Movement joints.
• Reinforcement.
• Workmanship.

Step 11: Understand Mortar and Grout

Mortar accounts for six questions and grout contributes four.

Study:

• Mortar types.
• Material proportions.
• Mixing.
• Joint finishing.
• Weather considerations.
• Grout placement.
• Grout consolidation.
• Reinforced cells.
• Bonding and workmanship.

Mortar may look like the quiet material between the blocks, but the exam does not treat it as background decoration.

Step 12: Study Reinforced Masonry

Reinforced Masonry currently contributes six questions.

Review concepts involving:

• Vertical reinforcement.
• Horizontal reinforcement.
• Lap splices.
• Grouted cells.
• Bond beams.
• Wall reinforcement.
• Placement tolerances.
• Structural masonry details.

Be comfortable reading masonry details from drawings and connecting those details to the code and trade references.

Step 13: Practice Plan Reading

Plan Reading contributes seven questions.

Practice identifying:

• Wall types.
• Dimensions.
• Openings.
• Elevations.
• Sections.
• Masonry details.
• Lintels.
• Reinforcement.
• Footing relationships.
• Material notes.

A contractor working on a six-figure masonry package should be comfortable reading more than the title block.

Step 14: Study Restoration and Cleaning

Restoration and Cleaning accounts for four questions.

Review:

• Repointing.
• Mortar-joint repair.
• Existing masonry evaluation.
• Cleaning methods.
• Historic masonry considerations.
• Repair materials.
• Damage prevention.

Restoration is not simply new masonry with older bricks. Existing materials can react very differently to cleaning and repair methods.

Step 15: Study Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance contributes six questions.

Contractors should understand:

• Material requirements.
• Inspection concepts.
• Workmanship standards.
• Mortar consistency.
• Grout placement.
• Reinforcement placement.
• Wall alignment.
• Construction tolerances.

A masonry wall can be strong, straight, and attractive, or it can become a very expensive lesson in quality control.

Step 16: Practice Under a Timer

Use a study plan that builds both knowledge and lookup speed.

1. Study one masonry subject at a time.
2. Answer practice questions without rushing.
3. Look up every missed answer.
4. Identify which book contains the answer.
5. Practice finding that section again.
6. Mix code and trade questions.
7. Practice plan-reading questions.
8. Complete 70-question practice sessions within two hours.

For a structured study program, review the Tennessee LMC Licensed Masonry Contractor Online Exam Prep Course.

Step 17: Pass Tennessee Contractor Business and Law

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

The current Prov bulletin lists:

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

Business and Law covers:

• 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.

Candidates can also review the Tennessee Business and Law Complete Pass Package.

Step 18: Understand Your Monetary Limit

Every Tennessee contractor license receives a Board-approved monetary limit.

The LMC classification determines the type of masonry work your company is authorized to perform.

The monetary limit determines the maximum amount of an individual project or contract the business may generally undertake.

Under the traditional financial qualification method, Tennessee generally calculates the monetary limit at up to 10 times the lesser of working capital or net worth, together with required experience and Board review.

For example, a business with $20,000 in working capital and $100,000 in net worth would generally have the financial basis for a $200,000 limit because the calculation uses the smaller figure.

Step 19: Meet Tennessee's Financial Requirements

Tennessee requires financial qualification before issuing the contractor license.

Under the traditional financial-statement 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 match the exact legal business being licensed.

Tennessee currently requires at least $300,000 in both working capital and net worth, plus sufficient experience, for an Unlimited monetary-limit request through the traditional financial method.

Step 20: Consider the 2026 Surety Bond Option

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee allows a qualifying continuous Contractors' Surety Bond as an alternative to the required CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement.

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

Examples include:

• $200,000 requested monetary limit: at least $100,000 bond.
• $500,000 requested limit: at least $250,000 bond.
• $1,000,000 requested limit: at least $500,000 bond.
• $3,000,000 requested limit: at least $1,500,000 bond.

Review the Tennessee Contractor Forms and Surety Bond resources before choosing your financial qualification method.

Step 21: Obtain General Liability Insurance

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

• 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.

General contractors, property owners, and large commercial projects may require considerably more coverage than the state licensing minimum.

Step 22: Address Workers' Compensation

Tennessee contractor applicants must provide workers' compensation coverage when required or qualifying exemption documentation.

Masonry businesses should pay special attention to this requirement because many companies use:

• Masons.
• Laborers.
• Foremen.
• Equipment operators.
• Scaffold crews.
• Subcontractors.

Make sure your workers' compensation setup actually matches how the company operates.

Step 23: Submit the Tennessee Contractor Application

Passing LMC and Business and Law does not automatically issue your contractor license.

Tennessee currently uses the CORE system for initial contractor applications.

The current initial application fee is $250.

Your application may include:

• Legal business information.
• Qualifying Agent information.
• LMC exam results.
• Business and Law exam results.
• Masonry experience and project history.
• Letter of Reference.
• Financial statement or qualifying surety bond.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation or exemption documentation.
• Secretary of State documentation when applicable.
• Contractor affidavits and disclosures.

Tennessee requires the Letter of Reference to come from a past client, employer, or code official who can speak about your construction experience. A family member cannot provide the reference.

Start the application through Tennessee CORE.

Do Not Bid Beyond Your License

Before bidding regulated masonry work, make sure Tennessee has actually issued the contractor license.

Verify:

• The exact legal business name.
• The LMC classification.
• The approved monetary limit.
• The active license status.

Passing an exam is not the same thing as holding an active contractor license.

Does Tennessee Offer Masonry Reciprocity?

Tennessee currently has a trade-exam waiver agreement with West Virginia that includes masonry.

Contractors holding an eligible active West Virginia masonry classification may be able to request a Tennessee trade-exam waiver.

Business and Law, financial qualification, insurance, business registration, the application, and Board approval may still apply.

Does NASCLA Replace the LMC Exam?

Tennessee accepts the NASCLA National Commercial Building examination for qualifying contractor licensing purposes.

However, LMC is a specific masonry trade classification.

If you already passed NASCLA Commercial and want the LMC classification, do not automatically assume that your NASCLA result replaces the LMC masonry examination.

Confirm the exact classification and trade-exam waiver path with the Tennessee Board before registering for another exam.

How Long Is the Tennessee LMC Contractor License Valid?

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

The current renewal fee is $200.

Renewal may require updated:

• Financial information or qualifying surety bond.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers' compensation or exemption records.
• Secretary of State status when applicable.

Tennessee currently charges a $20-per-month late renewal penalty for up to 12 months.

Do not treat a renewal grace period as permission to continue contracting on an expired license.

Tennessee LMC Exam Prep Resources

A Simple Tennessee LMC Licensing Roadmap

1. Confirm your masonry work will require the LMC classification.
2. Understand the difference between BC-9 and LMC.
3. Choose the business entity that will hold the license.
4. Select the Qualifying Agent.
5. Document relevant masonry experience and project history.
6. Register for the LMC Masonry Contractor exam through Prov.
7. Obtain the current approved exam references.
8. Prepare the books according to Prov rules.
9. Study safety, plan reading, brick, concrete block, mortar, grout, reinforced masonry, stone, glass block, and restoration.
10. Practice completing 70 questions within two hours.
11. Pass LMC with at least 73%.
12. Pass Tennessee Business and Law with at least 73%.
13. Choose the appropriate 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. Register the business with the Tennessee Secretary of State when required.
18. Submit the contractor application and current $250 fee.
19. Wait for Board approval and license issuance.
20. Verify the LMC classification and monetary limit before bidding regulated masonry projects.

Helpful Tennessee LMC Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

• LMC is Tennessee's Licensed Masonry Contractor classification. It covers qualifying brick, block, stone, glass block, reinforced masonry, veneer, retaining walls, chimneys, fireplaces, restoration, and related masonry work.
• The big threshold is $100,000. When the masonry portion reaches $100,000 or more, including materials and labor, the masonry contractor must hold the appropriate LMC classification, including subcontractors.
• The current LMC exam contains 70 questions and allows two hours. It is open book, costs $53 per attempt, and requires 73% to pass.
• Business and Law is generally required too. Passing both exams is still only part of the contractor licensing process.
• The business must also satisfy Tennessee's financial, insurance, Qualifying Agent, monetary-limit, registration, and application requirements before the license is issued.

Final Thoughts Before You Start

Becoming a Tennessee LMC Licensed Masonry Contractor can open the door to larger masonry projects that would otherwise fall outside the smaller BC-9 classification.

Start by understanding the $100,000 rule. Tennessee treats masonry differently from several other subcontractor trades. When the masonry portion reaches $100,000 or more, including materials and labor, the contractor performing that work needs the proper LMC classification.

If your masonry work is below that amount, BC-9 may be sufficient depending on the project and your role. Understanding that distinction before bidding can save you from applying for the wrong classification or taking an exam you did not actually need.

If LMC is your goal, prepare for a broad masonry examination.

The current test contains 70 questions covering plan reading, brick, concrete block, stone, glass block, mortar, grout, reinforcement, restoration, quality assurance, tools, and safety.

Safety is the largest individual category, but brick, concrete block, and plan reading are close behind. The exam is balanced enough that a strong candidate needs broad masonry knowledge instead of one favorite specialty.

Learn your references before exam day. The test is open book, but two hours goes quickly. Practice finding code sections, material requirements, restoration information, and trade details until reference navigation feels routine.

Do not forget Business and Law. Once your masonry contracts reach six figures, the business side becomes just as important as the wall itself. Contracts, estimating, bidding, licensing, liens, taxes, labor law, financial management, project management, and risk all matter.

After the examinations, focus on the license application. Your business entity, Qualifying Agent, financial strength, monetary limit, insurance, workers' compensation status, construction experience, reference, and legal business records must all work together.

Also think carefully about the monetary limit you request. LMC may allow your company to pursue large masonry work, but your actual Tennessee license still has to carry a monetary limit large enough for the projects you plan to bid.

When you are ready to prepare, start with the Tennessee LMC Licensed Masonry Contractor Online Exam Prep Course from 1 Exam Prep. Strong masonry experience, organized references, timed practice, and a clear understanding of Tennessee's $100,000 masonry rule can make the licensing path much easier to manage.