Electricians, bricklayers, plumbers, roofers, and other tradespeople are regulated professions that require state approval. Below, you'll find the types of licenses the Tennessee Board of Contractors issues for each of these trades. Hispanic Entrepreneurs provides the details.
Business Opportunity
The construction and home repair sector offers a great business opportunity. Even in difficult times like the ones we are going through, it has potential.
On the one hand Tennessee is growing, so you can find important projects in the state. But there are also smaller jobs on the agenda.
For months, due to the onset of the pandemic, people have been spending more time at home. This brings some implications that you should consider if you are interested in this sector:
- The deterioration of the houses is accelerating because they are using them for longer.
- For this same reason, owners find problems that already existed and that they had not noticed before.
- Many want to renovate their home to adapt it to their new needs: telecommuting offices, gyms, etc.
Although there are those who dare to do some repairs on their own, there are others that require professionals. For example, electrical work.
Among the business opportunities this sector offers are agricultural jobs and training courses. Both require obtaining the necessary licenses.
If you're interested in the process for obtaining them, visit the Tennessee Board of Contractors website . All the information you need is there, but this time, we at Hispanos Emprendedores are presenting the different types of licenses that this department grants.
Types of licenses issued by the contractors board
To bid on a project as a contractor, offer services as an electrician or plumber, you need to have a state license. You should also review the county laws that regulate the industry to comply with all regulations.
To apply for a professional license in Tennessee in this sector, you need to consider the type of work you do and the size of projects you aspire to.
That is, if you want to participate in projects of more than $ 25,000 you need a contractor's license. On the other hand, if you aspire to projects that are worth less than that amount, you require another type of license.
Here are details of each of these types of license:
Contractor license
We have already discussed how to obtain a contractor's license , but now we will detail who needs it.
A contractor's license is required to bid on projects worth more than $ 25.000. This includes material and labor. Also when it acts as a general contractor and the subcontractors that will carry out a part of the project (electricity, air conditioning, mechanics, roofs, among others.) And that this also has a value higher than that figure.
In the case you are a masonry subcontractor, the value of the project must be $ 100,00 or more.
The contractor's scope of work is very broad, so when processing the license, a monetary limit and a classification are assigned . For example, Mechanical (Plumbing and HVAC), Masonry; Environmental…
Sole proprietorships, LLCs, corporations and partnerships can opt for this license.
It should also be mentioned that there is a reciprocity agreement between Tennessee and other states. What provides an exam exemption, but does not mean that the license obtained in another entity can be used.
Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)
Another type of license granted by the Tennessee Board of Contractors is electricians.
With this electrician's license , you can participate in projects valued at less than $25,000. Otherwise, a contractor's license would be required.
In this case it will also be necessary to pass the LLE business exam. Those who perform electrical installation in HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment) also need this type of license.
Limited Licensed Plumbers (LLP)
A plumbing license is required when performing work on projects worth less than $ 25,000.
This type of work is also regulated at the local level, so it will be necessary to verify if the LLP is valid to obtain permits and inspections in the county.
Home improvement (HI)
Home improvement permits are required in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties. They are necessary for remodeling projects valued between $3,000 and less than $25,000.
The board must approve the HI license during its meetings, which are held in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The interested party must make the request before the 20th of the month prior to the meeting.
Course providers and medical gas training providers
It is intended for those who provide courses for contractor and medical gas pre-license exams.
Those who offer training for the contractor pre-license exams in any modality need this license, which is granted for three years. You must comply with a series of rules that must be followed to avoid penalties.
