Tennessee CMC-C-HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package (Prov)

The Tennessee CMC-C-HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package is designed for contractors preparing for the Tennessee HVAC/Refrigeration trade exam and the Tennessee Business and Law exam through the current Prov testing path. This package gives you access to the major rental reference books listed for this product, plus online preparation for both the business and trade portions of the licensing process.

This package is built for HVAC and refrigeration professionals who want a structured study path instead of trying to gather books, organize references, and study from scattered material. The CMC-C classification focuses on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, HVAC-related gas piping, associated mechanical systems, ductwork, controls, heat pumps, refrigeration piping, geothermal HVAC systems, and solar thermal HVAC systems. For many candidates, the challenge is not only understanding the trade content, but also learning how to work efficiently with the allowed reference materials during an open-book exam.

The rental format helps reduce the need to purchase every reference outright while still giving you the study tools needed during your preparation period. Your package includes the listed rental books, business and trade courses, and 6 months of course access. The course structure helps you focus on the exam content areas, review code and trade concepts, practice locating information, and build a stronger rhythm before test day.

Package Price: $1,385 plus a $700 deposit, for a total of $2,085 due at checkout.

What You Get

This rental package is a practical option for candidates who want the books and courses together in one preparation plan. The business course supports your review of contractor business, law, project management, and Tennessee-specific licensing concepts. The trade course supports HVAC/Refrigeration exam preparation by helping you review mechanical code topics, refrigeration principles, air distribution, safety, controls, piping, fuel gas systems, load calculations, and equipment-related knowledge.

Because the exam is open book, preparation should include more than reading chapters. You need to understand how each reference is organized, how to use the index and table of contents, how to move quickly between topics, and how to recognize which book is most likely to contain the answer. The rental books in this package help you practice with the same type of material you will use when preparing for the exam.

Exam Details

The Tennessee CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor exam is administered for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors under the Prov contractor examination program. The CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration exam covers the installation, alteration, repair, replacement, and servicing of HVAC and refrigeration systems, including associated gas piping and mechanical systems.

The CMC-C trade exam has 100 questions and a 2-hour time allowance. The exam subject areas include General Knowledge, Code Requirements, Fuel Gas Systems, OSHA Safety, HVAC Controls, Electrical Concepts, Piping, Load Calculations, HVAC Equipment, Refrigerants and Oils, Air Distribution and Venting, and Fire and Smoke Protection.

Air Distribution and Venting is one of the larger listed subject areas, so candidates should be comfortable working with duct systems, ventilation requirements, airflow concepts, and related installation standards. Piping, Fuel Gas Systems, HVAC Equipment, Refrigerants and Oils, and General Knowledge are also important areas of review. The exam is not simply a memory test; it measures whether a contractor can apply trade knowledge and locate information efficiently in permitted references.

Tennessee contractor applicants are also required to take the Tennessee Business and Law exam. The business and law portion is separate from the trade exam and focuses on contractor business practices, project management, licensing, contracts, lien law concepts, employment responsibilities, risk management, tax topics, and business operations. This package includes preparation for both the Tennessee CMC-C trade side and the business and law side.

Open Book Test

Tennessee contractor examinations are delivered in an open-book format. Candidates may use permitted reference materials during testing, subject to the testing provider’s reference rules. Open book does not mean easy. It means you must know where information is located, how to search quickly, and how to avoid wasting time in the wrong book.

Prov reference rules allow approved references to be used during testing, and reference materials are checked before candidates enter the testing room. Preparation materials such as test-prep study guides and practice exams are not approved references for use in the testing center. Books may be prepared with highlighting and permanent tabs, but handwritten notes, moveable tabs, Post-it notes, photocopied documents inserted into books, and unauthorized materials are not permitted.

For an open-book exam, your best study strategy is to combine content review with reference navigation. That means practicing how to identify the subject area of a question, select the most likely reference, move to the correct chapter or index entry, and confirm the answer under time pressure. The more familiar you are with the reference set before test day, the less time you spend searching during the exam.

Licensing Steps

A Tennessee contractor license is required before contracting, bidding, or negotiating a price when the total cost of a project is $25,000 or more. This includes construction, repair, installation of equipment, and related work for buildings, land, highways, public utilities, and similar projects. Mechanical and HVAC work are included in the contractor licensing structure.

The licensing process generally begins with determining the proper classification. For HVAC and refrigeration work, the CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration classification is the trade classification associated with this product. Tennessee requires contractor applicants to complete the Business and Law exam, and a trade exam is required for certain license classifications, including HVAC CMC-C.

After testing, the contractor application process includes business and financial documentation. Tennessee requires a financial statement prepared by a licensed, independent accounting firm. A reviewed financial statement is required for certain monetary limits, and an audited statement is required for higher limits. Applicants also submit insurance documentation, a letter of reference, a contractor affidavit, and business registration documentation when applicable.

Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other entities must be properly registered. Tennessee entities provide proof of registration through the Secretary of State, and out-of-state entities must register as foreign entities when required. Contractors operating under a business name must ensure that the business name is properly reflected on the required registration documents.

The initial contractor application is submitted through Tennessee’s online licensing system. The State of Tennessee lists the initial contractor application fee as $250. Exam fees are paid separately to the testing provider at registration.

State Requirements

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors regulates contractors in Tennessee. Its licensing structure is intended to protect public health, safety, and welfare by requiring contractors to meet testing, financial, insurance, and application requirements before operating under a contractor license.

The CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration classification applies to contractors performing HVAC and refrigeration work within the scope of the classification. The work may include heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, ventilation systems, ductwork, exhaust systems, controls, heat pumps, geothermal HVAC systems, solar thermal HVAC systems, and related refrigeration piping. Candidates preparing for this classification should understand both field practices and the reference materials used to support code-compliant work.

Tennessee contractor licensing is tied to the monetary value of the project. A contractor license is required before bidding or negotiating work when the total project cost is $25,000 or more. Prime contractors must be licensed, and many subcontractors are also required to be licensed depending on the type and value of work performed.

Exam results are typically valid for two years by the Board. Applicants should plan their exam preparation and application timing so that testing, financial documentation, insurance, and application materials stay aligned.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: International Mechanical Code, 2021
  A mechanical code reference used to study requirements related to mechanical systems, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, combustion air, appliances, equipment, and related code topics.
• Included Rental Book: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition
  A refrigeration and HVAC technical reference covering principles, equipment, system components, diagnostics, service practices, and applied refrigeration and air conditioning knowledge.
• Included Rental Book: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 10th Edition
  A comprehensive HVAC/R textbook used to review refrigeration cycles, air conditioning systems, electrical concepts, controls, troubleshooting, installation practices, and service fundamentals.
• Included Rental Book: SMACNA-Residential Comfort System Installation Standards Manual
  A standards reference focused on residential comfort system installation practices, including ductwork, system installation quality, and residential HVAC installation considerations.
• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  A construction safety reference covering OSHA construction standards used to review workplace safety topics relevant to contractor exams and field operations.
• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 4th Edition - TN
  A Tennessee business and law reference used to prepare for contractor business operations, licensing, contracts, project management, insurance, labor, tax, and regulatory responsibilities.

Test Information and Study Materials

The CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration exam subject list gives candidates a clear map for study. General Knowledge questions may cover practical HVAC and refrigeration work, jobsite understanding, and broad mechanical trade concepts. Code Requirements may involve mechanical code rules, installation requirements, and compliance topics. Fuel Gas Systems may address fuel gas piping related to HVAC equipment. OSHA Safety focuses on construction safety rules and jobsite hazard awareness.

HVAC Controls and Electrical Concepts are important for understanding system operation. Even when the exam is not an electrical contractor exam, HVAC/R contractors must understand control circuits, equipment operation, and basic electrical relationships that affect installation and service. Piping, Refrigerants and Oils, and HVAC Equipment require familiarity with refrigeration piping, system components, compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, refrigerant handling principles, and related service concepts.

Load Calculations and Air Distribution and Venting are also important for real-world HVAC performance. Candidates should review airflow, duct sizing concepts, system balance, ventilation, exhaust, and comfort system installation practices. Fire and Smoke Protection appears as a smaller subject area but should still be reviewed because mechanical systems often interact with life-safety requirements.

The business and law course should be studied as its own exam path. Candidates sometimes focus heavily on the trade exam and underestimate the business exam. The business side can include licensing responsibilities, estimating, contracts, financial management, insurance, employment law, tax responsibilities, lien concepts, safety administration, and project management. The NASCLA Tennessee guide is the key reference for this part of the preparation.

Study time should include timed practice, book navigation, tab familiarity, and review of missed questions. A strong exam routine includes reading the question carefully, identifying the topic, choosing the correct reference, locating the answer, and moving forward without getting stuck too long on any single item.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates prepare with organized study guidance, trade-focused review, and a practical structure for open-book testing. Instead of leaving you to sort through a stack of references without direction, this package combines rental books and online courses so you can study the Tennessee CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration exam and Business and Law exam in a more focused way.

The course materials are designed to help you understand what to review, how to approach common exam topics, and how to practice with the books. For open-book exams, reference navigation is a major part of preparation. 1 Exam Prep emphasizes how to work with tabs, indexes, tables of contents, and subject organization so candidates can build speed and confidence before test day.

The HVAC/Refrigeration trade course supports review of code, equipment, refrigerants, controls, piping, safety, load calculations, air distribution, ventilation, and related mechanical topics. The business and law course supports preparation for contractor management, legal, licensing, financial, and project administration concepts. Together, the courses help you build a balanced study plan for both required parts of the Tennessee contractor exam process.

This package is especially helpful for candidates who want a complete rental option rather than buying every book separately. With 6 months of course access, you have time to review the material, revisit difficult topics, and practice using your references. The goal is to help you walk into your exam better organized, better prepared, and more comfortable working under time limits.

Is the Tennessee CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration Contractor exam open book?

Yes. Tennessee contractor examinations are administered in an open-book format. Candidates may use approved reference materials during testing, and those materials must follow the testing provider’s rules for tabs, highlighting, and prohibited notes.

What books are included with this rental package?

This package includes rental access to International Mechanical Code, 2021; Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 10th Edition; SMACNA-Residential Comfort System Installation Standards Manual; Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); and NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 4th Edition - TN.

Does this package include both business and trade courses?

Yes. This package includes business and trade courses, giving candidates preparation support for both the Tennessee Business and Law exam and the Tennessee CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration trade exam.

How long is the course access?

This rental package includes 6 months of course access. That access period gives candidates time to review the course material, study the rental books, and practice open-book exam navigation.

What is the price of this rental package?

The package price is $1,385 plus a $700 deposit, for a total of $2,085 due at checkout.

What topics are covered on the CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration trade exam?

The exam includes General Knowledge, Code Requirements, Fuel Gas Systems, OSHA Safety, HVAC Controls, Electrical Concepts, Piping, Load Calculations, HVAC Equipment, Refrigerants and Oils, Air Distribution and Venting, and Fire and Smoke Protection.

Do I also need the Tennessee Business and Law exam?

Yes. Tennessee contractor applicants are required to take the Tennessee Business and Law exam, and the CMC-C HVAC/Refrigeration classification also requires the applicable trade exam.

Can I bring practice tests or study guides into the exam room?

No. Test-preparation study guides and practice examinations are not approved references for the testing room. Candidates should use them for preparation before the exam, not as exam-room materials.

Who is this package best for?

This package is best for Tennessee HVAC/R contractors preparing for the CMC-C trade exam and Business and Law exam who want rental books, online course access, and a structured study plan in one package.