The 1 Package: All-Inclusive Tennessee NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Licensing & Business Setup

Prepare for Tennessee commercial contractor licensing with an all-inclusive solution that combines NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam preparation, Tennessee Business and Law study, a comprehensive construction reference library, licensing Application Service, and essential business setup assistance. The 1 Package is designed for contractors who want an organized path from examination preparation through the Tennessee licensing process and establishment of the business that will operate under the contractor license.

Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the BC-B Commercial Building Contractor classification. The NASCLA examination can satisfy the applicable commercial building trade-examination requirement, but passing NASCLA does not automatically create a Tennessee contractor license. Applicants must still complete the licensing requirements established by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, including the Tennessee Business and Law examination.

The 1 Package combines the commercial construction reference books listed below with the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, Tennessee Edition for Tennessee-specific exam preparation. Candidates receive 1 year of course access, Application Service, Business Formation assistance, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

All included books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation, helping candidates develop familiarity with the extensive reference library used for open-book contractor testing. Candidates can practice locating codes, technical standards, construction procedures, safety requirements, and business information before exam day.

Package Price: $3,529.

Refundable Book Deposit: $1,000. The deposit is refundable when the books are returned within one year in similar condition.

Total Initial Payment: $4,529. All-Inclusive – No Hidden Fees!

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

Exam Details

Tennessee contractor licensing is administered by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. New contractor applicants must complete the Tennessee Business and Law examination, and a trade examination is required for classifications that carry a technical exam requirement.

Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the BC-B Commercial Building Contractor classification. The BC-B classification covers commercial building construction, including buildings intended for public use and occupancy, residential construction involving more than four units, and buildings exceeding three stories.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination covers a broad range of construction subjects, including:

• General construction requirements
• Planning and estimating
• Procurement and contracting
• Financial and project management
• Construction safety
• Site construction
• Concrete construction
• Masonry
• Metals
• Wood construction
• Thermal and moisture protection
• Doors, windows, and glazing
• Finishes
• Mechanical and plumbing systems
• Electrical systems

Tennessee's Business and Law examination is separate from the NASCLA commercial trade examination. All new Tennessee contractor license applicants must satisfy the Business and Law requirement. The examination is based on the Tennessee edition of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management.

As of July 1, 2026, Prov serves as Tennessee's new contractor examination provider for newly scheduled Tennessee examinations. Candidates who already had certain PSI appointments scheduled after July 1, 2026 may continue under the transition arrangements established by the Board. Contractors beginning the Tennessee examination process should use the current Tennessee Board testing procedures.

Exam results are generally considered valid by the Tennessee Board for two years. Candidates should coordinate testing with their license application plans so their examination credentials remain current throughout the licensing process.

Open Book Test

The Tennessee Business and Law contractor examination is an open book test. The Tennessee edition of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management is the primary reference used for the state Business and Law examination.

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is also an open book test using the authorized commercial construction reference library.

Open-book testing makes reference familiarity an important part of preparation. Candidates should know which reference is likely to contain information for a particular topic rather than attempting to search the entire library for every question.

All books included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Candidates can use the prepared references throughout their study period to practice locating important chapters, technical tables, code provisions, OSHA requirements, management topics, construction methods, and specialty trade information.

A practical preparation method is to identify the subject first, select the appropriate reference, and then navigate through the index, table of contents, chapter structure, or prepared tabs. Repeating this process while working through practice questions can help candidates become more efficient with a large open-book reference library.

Licensing Steps

Tennessee contractor licenses are issued to the contracting entity by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. A company may designate a Qualifying Agent to complete the examinations required for the license.

1. Determine the appropriate Tennessee classification. Contractors pursuing commercial building work generally use the BC-B Commercial Building Contractor classification when that classification matches their intended scope.
2. Identify the Qualifying Agent. The QA is the person designated to complete the required examinations for the licensing entity. The Qualifying Agent may be an owner, officer, or full-time employee meeting Tennessee requirements.
3. Pass the Tennessee Business and Law examination. All new Tennessee contractor applicants must satisfy the Business and Law requirement.
4. Satisfy the commercial building trade-exam requirement. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA National Commercial examination for the BC-B classification.
5. Prepare the required financial qualification. Tennessee evaluates financial information when assigning the contractor's monetary limit.
6. Establish the contracting entity. The business must be properly organized and ready to apply under its legal business name.
7. Complete the contractor license application. The applicant submits its business information, examination documentation, classification request, financial qualification, and other required materials.
8. Complete Board review. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors evaluates the applicant before issuing the classification and monetary limit approved for the business.

The Application Service included with The 1 Package supports candidates with organizing the Tennessee licensing process while they continue preparing for the NASCLA and Business and Law examinations.

State Requirements

A Tennessee contractor license is generally required before bidding, offering to perform, negotiating, or contracting for qualifying projects valued at $25,000 or more. This requirement applies to prime contractors as well as certain subcontractors and construction managers under Tennessee licensing law.

Tennessee contractor licenses contain both a classification and a monetary limit. The classification identifies the type of work the contractor may perform, while the monetary limit determines the maximum project value the contractor is authorized to undertake.

The BC-B Commercial Building Contractor classification covers commercial work involving buildings for public use and occupancy, residential buildings with more than four units, and buildings exceeding three stories. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA National Commercial examination for this classification.

The Board evaluates financial information when establishing the monetary limit. Tennessee has traditionally used CPA-reviewed or CPA-audited financial statements for financial qualification. Effective July 1, 2026, the Board also provides a Contractors' Surety Bond option as an alternative to a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. The qualifying surety bond must meet the Board's requirements and be at least 50% of the requested monetary limit.

Tennessee also evaluates contractor experience and equipment when determining qualifications. The Board indicates a preference for approximately three years of applicable experience when reviewing classifications.

The Qualifying Agent who takes the Business and Law examination does not have to be the same individual who completes the trade examination. Tennessee permits up to two people to take each required examination for the company under its qualifying-agent procedures.

Business Formation assistance, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance included with The 1 Package support the business side of the licensing process while candidates focus on examinations and application requirements.

Reference Books

• Included Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 4th Edition - TN
  The Tennessee-specific contractor reference covering Business and Law topics including licensing, business organization, financial management, contracts, project management, employment responsibilities, and contractor operations.
• Included Book: Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Covers mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and related building systems from a construction-management perspective.
• Included Book: ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Provides technical accessibility requirements for building spaces, routes, facilities, and building elements.
• Included Book: BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses recommended practices for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Included Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Covers framing, carpentry, materials, layout, structural components, and general building construction methods.
• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal construction-industry safety regulations addressing workplace hazards and OSHA requirements.
• Included Book: Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, jobsite organization, planning, coordination, documentation, and productivity.
• Included Book: Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Addresses project planning, scheduling, administration, controls, coordination, and commercial construction management.
• Included Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  A national contractor reference covering business practices, contracts, financial concepts, project management, and construction administration.
• Included Book: Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Provides standards and field guidance associated with precast concrete erection.
• Included Book: Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd Edition
  Introduces sustainable construction concepts and green building practices.
• Included Book: Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Covers gypsum products, assemblies, wall and ceiling systems, and installation practices.
• Included Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Addresses handling and erection procedures for steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Book: International Building Code, 2021
  A commercial building code covering occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, structural provisions, and related requirements.
• Included Book: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides technical requirements for structural and reinforced concrete construction.
• Included Book: Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Covers fundamental field concepts and practices associated with unbonded post-tensioning construction.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, brick, block, stone, layout, and practical construction methods.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Addresses excavation, trenching, underground piping, equipment, site conditions, and related construction practices.
• Included Book: Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  A comprehensive commercial construction reference covering materials, building systems, methods, and field practices.
• Included Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Covers roofing materials, systems, construction methods, measurements, quantities, and estimating concepts.
• Included Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Provides technical guidance for reinforcing-steel placement in concrete construction.
• Included Book: SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Addresses steel deck handling, installation, placement, and related construction practices.
• Included Book: The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Covers concrete materials, preparation, placement, finishing, workmanship, and quality construction practices.
• Included Book: ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Addresses exterior insulation and finish systems and EIFS assemblies incorporating drainage.
• Included Book: Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Provides construction-site guidance for developing and implementing stormwater pollution prevention plans.

Exam Room Approved Books

The Tennessee Business and Law examination is open book and is based on the Tennessee edition of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management. Candidates should use the Tennessee-specific reference for state Business and Law preparation.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination separately uses its designated commercial construction reference library. Candidates preparing for both exams should keep the Tennessee Business and Law materials separate from the national NASCLA trade references so they can focus on the correct books for each examination.

The books included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Repeated practice with the references can help candidates build familiarity with important chapters, indexes, technical tables, code sections, and construction subjects.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong Tennessee NASCLA study strategy should divide preparation between national commercial construction topics and Tennessee Business and Law requirements. NASCLA preparation should focus on construction management, building codes, safety, sitework, concrete, masonry, structural systems, roofing, accessibility, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and procurement.

Tennessee Business and Law study should focus on contractor licensing, business organization, financial management, contracts, project administration, employment responsibilities, insurance, and other state-specific contractor obligations.

The included 1 year of course access provides time for structured study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference-navigation exercises. Candidates can develop a consistent study schedule and revisit difficult topics throughout the preparation period.

During reference-navigation practice, candidates should identify the subject of each question before searching. Selecting the correct reference first can reduce unnecessary searching and help build better habits for open-book testing.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Tennessee contractor candidates combine exam preparation, licensing assistance, reference navigation, and business setup within one organized package. The goal is to support contractors through both the technical preparation required for the NASCLA examination and the administrative steps associated with Tennessee contractor licensing.

The highlighted and tabbed books support organized reference practice, while the course provides trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and confidence-building study structure. With 1 year of course access, candidates have time to build familiarity with construction codes, standards, safety regulations, business topics, and technical trade references.

Application Service provides support with the Tennessee contractor licensing workflow. Business Formation assistance helps establish an LLC or corporation, while EIN Filing with the IRS supports business banking, tax administration, hiring employees, and professional business operations.

Contractor Compliance Guidance adds assistance understanding Tennessee contractor requirements as the company moves toward licensing and operation. Together, these services provide a comprehensive approach that extends beyond exam preparation alone.

Does Tennessee accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination?

Yes. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA National Commercial examination for the BC-B Commercial Building Contractor classification.

Does passing NASCLA automatically give me a Tennessee contractor license?

No. Passing NASCLA can satisfy the applicable BC-B trade examination requirement, but applicants must still complete Tennessee's contractor licensing requirements.

Does Tennessee require a Business and Law exam?

Yes. All new Tennessee contractor license applicants must pass the Tennessee Business and Law examination.

Is the Tennessee Business and Law examination open book?

Yes. Tennessee identifies the Business and Law contractor examination as an open-book examination based on the Tennessee edition of the NASCLA contractor reference manual.

What does the Tennessee BC-B classification cover?

The BC-B classification covers commercial building work, including buildings for public use and occupancy, residential construction involving more than four units, and buildings exceeding three stories.

When is a Tennessee contractor license generally required?

A Tennessee contractor license is generally required before bidding or contracting for qualifying projects valued at $25,000 or more.

Who can serve as a Qualifying Agent in Tennessee?

The Qualifying Agent may be an owner, officer, or full-time employee who meets Tennessee's requirements and is designated to complete the required examination for the licensing entity.

How long is course access included?

The 1 Package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with The 1 Package.

Does The 1 Package include business setup?

Yes. Business Formation assistance for an LLC or corporation is included, along with EIN Filing with the IRS and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

What is the total initial payment?

The package price is $3,529. With the $1,000 refundable book deposit, the total initial payment is $4,529.

When is the book deposit refundable?

The $1,000 book deposit is refundable when the books are returned within one year in similar condition.

How long should I allow for The 1 Package book order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.