How to Transfer Your Plumber License to Tennessee (2026)

How Plumbing Licensing Works in Tennessee

If you are relocating to Tennessee as an experienced plumber, you need to understand one key rule immediately: Tennessee does not issue a single, universal statewide Journeyman Plumber license. Instead, plumbing regulation in the Volunteer State is split between state-level contractor licensing and local city or county trade boards.

At the state level, the governing body is the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, which sits within the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. The state board regulates plumbing contractors and issues a specific trade license called the Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP). The LLP license allows individual tradespeople to perform plumbing work on projects valued under $25,000 where local municipalities do not issue their own trade licenses.

If you plan to work as an employee for an established plumbing contractor in major metropolitan areas, you will usually need to secure a local Journeyman Plumber card from the municipal code board in that specific city or county. If you plan to pull your own permits or run a service van independently on smaller jobs under $25,000, you will apply for the state LLP credential. For jobs over $25,000, you need a full Plumbing Contractor (CMC or CMC-A classification) license.

Understanding the State LLP vs. Local Journeyman Cards

Before submitting paperwork or paying non-refundable fees, decide how you intend to work in Tennessee. Your daily job role determines which regulatory body holds authority over your credential.

• Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP): Issued directly by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. This state credential allows you to perform residential and commercial plumbing work valued under $25,000 in counties that do not maintain their own local licensing boards. It requires passing a state trade exam, a law exam, and submitting background documentation.
• Local Journeyman License: Issued by individual municipal boards such as Metro Nashville, Shelby County, or Knox County. These local cards allow you to work on site under a licensed Master Plumber or Plumbing Contractor within that specific jurisdiction.
• Full Plumbing Contractor (CMC / CMC-A): Required by the state board if you plan to bid on, contract, or execute plumbing projects valued at $25,000 or more. This requires financial statements, proof of general liability insurance, workers-compensation coverage, and passing the full contractor trade exam.

If you are moving to work as an employee for a large commercial plumbing contractor, ask your prospective employer which local board licenses their field crew. Many contractors will hire you based on your out-of-state journeyman experience and give you a grace period to sit for the local municipal exam.

Reciprocity, Exam Waivers, and Out-of-State Transfers

Tennessee does not offer direct, automatic endorsement or reciprocal license swaps for out-of-state journeyman cards. You cannot simply mail in your current state card and receive an equivalent Tennessee credential in the mail. However, the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors does maintain reciprocal trade-exam waiver agreements with select states for contractor-level credentials.

The state board currently holds contractor reciprocal trade-exam agreements with several states, including:

• Alabama (Plumbing Board or General Contractors Board)
• Arkansas (Contractors Licensing Board)
• Georgia (State Construction Industry Licensing Board)
• Louisiana (State Licensing Board for Contractors)
• Mississippi (State Board of Contractors)
• North Carolina (State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors)
• Ohio (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
• South Carolina (Contractors Licensing Board)
• West Virginia (Contractor Licensing Board)

If you hold a full Master or Contractor plumbing license in one of these reciprocal states, you can apply to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors to waive the trade portion of the examination. You must still submit a license verification form completed by your home state board, complete the Tennessee Business and Law examination, pass a background review, and pay the state application fee.

If you hold a standard Journeyman license from a state not listed above, or if you are applying for an LLP, you must sit for the Tennessee plumbing exam administered through PSI Services.

Local Journeyman Requirements in Major Metro Markets

Because major urban centers in Tennessee maintain their own local trade boards, transferring your skills to a big city means dealing directly with municipal code departments.

• Nashville and Davidson County: The Metropolitan Board of Plumbing Examiners oversees licensing. You must submit proof of minimum field experience (typically 4 years or 8,000 hours), letters of reference from past licensed employers, and pass the Metro Nashville Journeyman Plumbing exam.
• Memphis and Shelby County: Shelby County Code Enforcement requires journeyman candidates to verify four years of apprenticeship or field experience under a licensed master. Once approved, you sit for the local trade exam administered by PSI.
• Knoxville and Knox County: The Knox County Board of Electrical and Plumbing Examiners reviews out-of-state experience. You must provide notarized affidavits of experience before scheduling the local journeyman test.
• Chattanooga and Hamilton County: Local codes enforce registration for journeymen working within city limits. Work history verification and an approved trade exam score are required.

Step-by-Step Application Process, Fees, and Timelines

To get your state LLP or prepare for a local trade board evaluation, gather your documentation early. Expect the entire process to take between 3 to 8 weeks depending on exam scheduling and board review schedules.

• Step 1: Document Your Experience: Gather tax forms (W-2s), notarized affidavits from previous employers, and official verifications from your current state licensing board. Proof of at least 3 to 4 years of hands-on installation experience is standard.
• Step 2: Submit Application to State or Local Board: For the state LLP, submit your application to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. For local cards, submit directly to the city or county code department.
• Step 3: Pay Initial Fees: State LLP application fees typically range from $75 to $150. Local exam and registration fees generally range from $50 to $125 depending on the municipality. Confirm current rates directly on the governing body's site.
• Step 4: Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam: Most Tennessee trade exams are administered by PSI Testing Services. The LLP exam covers the International Plumbing Code (IPC), safety regulations, and pipe sizing. Exam fees range from $55 to $100 per attempt.
• Step 5: Provide Insurance and Background Checks: LLP applicants must submit a state background check and proof of personal or company liability insurance.

What People Get Wrong

Moving your trade across state lines always comes with hidden hurdles. Avoid these common mistakes when transferring your plumbing career to Tennessee:

• Assuming a master license from home transfers automatically: Tennessee does not automatically swap licenses; you must verify reciprocal agreements or take the Tennessee-specific exam.
• Confusing the state LLP with a full contractor license: An LLP restricts your project scope to jobs under $25,000. Bidding $25,000 or more on an LLP can result in state fines and loss of licensure.
• Ignoring local city permits: A state LLP does not automatically grant you permit-pulling privileges in cities like Nashville or Memphis if those cities require a local master registration.
• Forgetting to verify local code updates: Tennessee municipalities adopt specific iterations of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with local amendments. Review local code adjustments before taking your trade test.

Moving to Tennessee and Setting Up Shop

One major advantage of moving your trade career to Tennessee is the state tax environment. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, meaning you retain more of your hourly rate or contract earnings compared to states with heavy income tax burdens.

If you are planning your relocate, explore the Tennessee page on Workmerica. You will find state trade registries, tax updates, and live job openings from top plumbing contractors across the state. Setting up a free profile places your experience directly in front of Tennessee employers who actively recruit licensed tradespeople moving from out of state.