You’re a contractor and you want to go wide and expand what you‘re offering to your clients.
That’s commendable!
But obtaining a license as a mechanical contractor can lead to higher-value work, pretty much guaranteeing you a lucrative career. But to get to that point, you need a licence to prove your technical skills and knowledge.
So, here’s what to expect if you’re thinking of getting your license.
Most states have the same general framework for getting a mechanical contracting license:
To obtain a license as a mechanical contractor, you have to prove your knowledge and pass the trade exam and a business/law exam.
The trade tests are often in the format of multiple choice and usually cover:
Also, in most states, you are required to pass an exam that covers legal, regulatory, business, and project management topics to make sure contractors know and understand state regulations, labor laws, and lien laws.
To get a license from the board, you need to have experience in the field under the supervision of a licensed contractor. In most states, you need to have documented minimum working experience of 3 to 5 years before you can apply for the exam.
For a mechanical contracting license, you need to verify that you’re able to take financial responsibility for running a contracting business.
Some documents you have to provide are CPA-reviewed financial statements, proof of insurance, credit reports, letters of reference, and more. Also, some states assign you a monetary license limit to contractors, based on their financial stability.
That limit sets the maximum size/value of individual contracts you’re allowed to take.
After you submitted the required paperwork and successfully passed exams, the final step is to apply for the license through your state’s licensing board.
In some states (e.g., Tennessee and Florida), you can apply through an online portal, and in some, you need to personally submit your application for a license.
The process of getting a license is pretty much the same across the whole United States. But even though the foundation is the same, there are still some differences that will be different depending on where you live.
Both options have their pros and cons, but it’s best to be prepared for which one you’re going to get.
But, reciprocity is (often) limited to some license types or requires further verification.
However, states like Illinois, Alabama, and Tennessee don’t require CE for every license category.
Here are a few examples so that you get a clearer picture:
| State | Required Experience | Required Documentation |
| California | 4yrs as a journeyman or supervisor | Experience proof, fingerprinting, proof of insurance, business license |
| Michigan | 3yrs/6,000 hours or equivalent, some credit for HVAC training | Work experience proof, proof of good moral character (background check, references) |
| Florida | 4yrs, or 1 as foreman and 3 as journeyman | Insurance, background check, business registration |
| Illinois | 5yrs, can be reduced to 1 with apprenticeship | Proof of work experience, age, education |
| Tennessee | 3 years of documented experience | Notarized application, experience affidavit, financial statement, insurance, business registration |
To qualify for a mechanical contractors license in Tennessee, applicants need to complete a process set by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
The first step is passing the Tennessee Business and Law exam and the trade exam. Exams are administered by PSI, and study materials are available through PSI and NASCLA bookstores. In order to pass the exam, it’s best to be well prepared so that you don’t waste money and time. To prepare for a Tennessee mechanical contractors license, it’s best to use tutoring or a course to increase your chances of passing on the first go.
It’s also required to submit reviewed financial statements prepared by a licensed CPA to help determine your monetary license limit, and proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
After that, if you’re working as a corporation, LLC, or partnership, you need to register your business with the Tennessee Secretary of State before applying.
Additional requirements:
Applicants can start the process online through their licensing portal core.tn.gov. Once you submit your application, it is reviewed by the Board, and if you qualify, you can have a license within 4 to 6 weeks.
Getting licensed as a mechanical contractor is a good, long-term investment in your career. Licences are designed to separate the professionals from amateurs and give you more credibility when getting clients. If you’re negotiating with a potential client and the “Do you have a licence?” question pops up, you’ll likely get the job, while someone without one won’t.
So yeah, it’s definitely worth having one.
Take it one exam and one form at a time, and soon enough, you’ll be licensed, on the job, and running projects.