§ 62-6-111 — License and examination - Transfer of license

(a) (1) (A) Anyone desiring to be licensed as a contractor for this state shall make written application to the board on forms prescribed by the board and shall furnish the board with an affidavit stating that the applicant is not currently performing any construction work and has not offered to engage in any construction work where the amount of the applicant's contract exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or, in the case of a limited licensed electrician, where the amount of the applicant's contract is less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). The application shall be accompanied by an application fee as set by the board. The application shall also be accompanied by evidence of the applicant's current workers' compensation insurance coverage. Failure to provide evidence of insurance coverage shall make the applicant ineligible for licensure by the board until evidence of insurance coverage is provided. Any application for initial licensure or for renewal of licensure also shall be accompanied by an affidavit affirming that the applicant maintains general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance and specifying the amount of the insurance as well as any other information the board may require. (B) (i) Anyone desiring to be licensed as a contractor for this state who resides in a state that does not practice reciprocity with licensees of the Tennessee board for licensing contractors shall make written application on forms prescribed by the board and shall attach an affidavit to the application stating that the applicant is not currently performing any construction work and has not offered to engage in any construction work in this state in which the amount of the applicant's contract exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or, in the case of a limited licensed electrician, in which the amount of the applicant's contract exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). The application shall be accompanied by an application fee as set by the board. The application shall also be accompanied by evidence of the applicant's current workers' compensation insurance coverage. Failure to provide the evidence of insurance coverage shall make the applicant ineligible for licensure by the board until the evidence of insurance coverage is provided. Any application for initial licensure or for renewal of licensure also shall be accompanied by an affidavit affirming that the applicant maintains general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance and specifying the amount of the insurance as well as any other information the board may require. (ii) Notwithstanding any reciprocity for contractors which may otherwise exist between states, any person desiring to perform contracting services in this state as a licensed masonry contractor whether residing in this state or another state shall not be authorized to perform any such services unless the person takes and passes the masonry examination required pursuant to subsection (a)(2). (2) Anyone desiring to be licensed as a contractor in this state shall take a written examination to determine the applicant's qualifications. This examination may be given orally at the discretion of the board if a written examination is precluded by reason of disability. Each applicant shall pay an examination fee for each written or oral examination. If the results of the examination constitute a passing score, then the applicant shall make a written application to the board in accordance with subdivision (a)(1). (3) If the results of the examination of any applicant are satisfactory to the board, then it shall issue to the applicant a certificate authorizing the applicant to operate as a contractor in this state. The board shall state the construction classifications in which the applicant is qualified to engage as a contractor and for each classification shall list the monetary limitations on the classification as determined by the board. (4) Whenever any applicant is advised to appear before the board for an interview and fails to appear at the scheduled time and place without notifying the board at least three (3) days in advance, the applicant shall pay an additional fee as set by the board before being rescheduled for an interview. In the event of failure to appear for an interview on three (3) separate occasions, a new application and fee are required. (b) (1) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations that establish uniform criteria to govern issuance by the board of the classifications and monetary limitations required by subdivision (a)(3). The board shall have discretionary authority in individual cases to modify the criteria for an applicant if the public safety and welfare clearly require modification and if the board furnishes the applicant with a written statement justifying modification. (2) The criteria so established by the board shall include, but not be limited to, a letter of reference from a past client, employer of the applicant or codes administration official, as well as a financial statement of the applicant. (3) If an applicant requests a monetary limitation of greater than three million dollars ($3,000,000), the applicant's financial statement shall be audited and attested to by a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant. (4) The financial statement of any applicant requesting a monetary limitation of three million dollars ($3,000,000) or less shall be either reviewed or audited by a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant. The board may, in its discretion, require the financial statement of the applicant be audited and attested to by a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant. (c) The issuance by the board of a certificate of license authorizing the licensee to engage in any major construction classification or classifications of contracting shall not authorize the licensee to engage in twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more of any other major construction classification or specialty classification under the major construction classification unless the licensee is additionally licensed in the other major construction classification or specialty classification under the major construction classification. (d) A contractor may bid on a contract requiring work in a classification or classifications other than the one in which the contractor is licensed if and only if the contractor has a commercial building contractor's license or if the contractor's license will permit the contractor to perform at least sixty percent (60%) of the bid amount or price of the work for the project being bid or priced; however, the contractor may not actually perform any work in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or, in the case of a limited licensed electrician, where the amount of work is less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in any classification unless the contractor has a license to perform work in that classification. (e) (1) Whenever a partnership licensed as a contractor dissolves, no former member of the partnership shall further undertake contracting before filing a new application with the board and receiving a license. (2) In the case of a merger, purchase by nonstockholders of the majority interest or reorganization pursuant to a bankruptcy proceeding of any licensee engaged in contracting, the licensee shall make written application to the board and obtain a new license before undertaking contracting. (f) (1) Upon application of any individual who was formerly a partner in a dissolved partnership, the board shall transfer to the individual the license formerly held by the partnership upon a showing that: (A) The individual was a partner in a dissolved partnership; (B) The current financial statement of the individual meets the requirements promulgated by the board. If the financial statement fails to meet the requirements, the board may in its sole discretion modify the monetary limitation prior to transfer; and (C) All liabilities of the partnership were satisfied prior to dissolution or will be satisfied by the individual. (2) The board shall collect a fee as set by the board for transferring the license. (g) (1) The board shall transfer, upon application and payment of a fee as set by the board, by any proprietorship or partnership that subsequently incorporates as a Tennessee corporation, the license formerly held by the proprietorship or partnership to the corporation upon a showing that: (A) The officers or directors or management of the corporation were the owners or managers of the proprietorship or partnership; (B) A copy of the corporation's charter has been filed with the board; (C) The partnership or proprietorship is currently in good standing with the board; (D) The current financial statement of the corporation meets the requirements promulgated by the board. If the financial statement fails to meet the requirements, the board may in its sole discretion modify the monetary limitation prior to transfer; and (E) All liabilities of the proprietorship or partnership were satisfied prior to incorporation or will be satisfied by the corporation. (2) The board shall develop an application for the transfer of licenses. (h) Notwithstanding § 56-1-302(a)(7) to the contrary, all revenues generated from licensing fees, penalties, or interest shall be allocated solely to the board for licensing contractors to be utilized for: (1) The administration and enforcement of this part; and (2) The purposes set forth in the Go Build Tennessee Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 41. (i) (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board may issue a license to any person who establishes the person's competency in any classification by successfully passing a proficiency test or examination for measurement of industry expertise in such work that is administered by the board; and the license shall authorize the licensee to engage in contracting in this state or any of its political subdivisions. (2) The licensee shall be eligible to contract for such work in any county or municipality upon: (A) Exhibiting evidence of a current certificate of license to the appropriate local officials; (B) Paying any local licensing fees in effect on May 8, 1992; and (C) Paying any inspection or permit fees customarily required by any county or municipality for such work. No county or municipality shall require the state licensee or its employees to pass any county or municipal test or examination; nor shall a county or municipality impose any additional requirements upon the state licensee or its employees, nor in any way discriminate against the state licensee or its employees on the basis of the licensee's nonresidency within the county or municipality. (j) (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board may issue a license as a limited licensed electrician to any individual without an examination as required by this part, except as provided in subdivision (j)(3), if the individual makes an application to the board in which the following information is provided: (A) On September 1, 2000, the applicant was registered in accordance with § 68-102-150 ; and (B) Evidence that all fees and taxes relative to the operation of the applicant's electrical work have been paid to the appropriate agencies when the application is filed under this subsection (j); or (C) A current license or certificate issued by any county or municipality of this state prior to September 1, 2000, that is evidence that the applicant had by examination by an official of the county or municipality demonstrated the qualifications required to perform the electrical contract work within its jurisdiction and was actively engaged in that business on September 1, 2000. (2) An application for a license under subdivision (j)(1)(A), (j)(1)(B) or (j)(1)(C) shall be filed with the board by July 1, 2001. If a license issued to a limited licensed electrician pursuant to subdivision (j)(1)(A), (j)(1)(B) or (j)(1)(C) is not periodically renewed as provided by this part, then the limited licensed electrician shall be eligible for a license only after the satisfactory completion of the examination required by the board for initial applications. (3) Any individual who is licensed as a limited licensed electrician under subdivisions (j)(1)(A) and (B) shall be required to have satisfactorily completed the examination of the board to engage in business as a limited licensed electrician in any county or municipality that is within subdivision (j)(1)(C). (4) Any person who performs electrical work and who is subject to licensure as a limited licensed electrician shall apply to the board for a license. To receive a license, the applicant shall pay a fee as set by the board for the license and shall pass an examination prescribed by the board. The board may administer the examination or may contract for the administration of the examination. (5) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, a license as a limited licensed electrician shall not be required in any municipality or county that issues licenses to persons who perform electrical work in the municipality or county. (6) Any limited licensed electrician requesting an electrical inspection must first have a license from the board for licensing contractors as required by § 62-6-103 . (7) Any person with knowledge of faulty electrical work performed by a limited licensed electrician must report the electrician to the state board for licensing contractors, which may initiate proceedings against the electrician for the faulty work. (8) The board for licensing contractors may revoke or suspend the license of a limited licensed electrician for faulty electrical work performed by the licensee. (9) The Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, governs all matters and procedures respecting the hearing and judicial review of any contested case arising under this section. (10) The state fire marshal and board for licensing contractors shall formulate a system for inspectors to report to the board any problems they may encounter with the workmanship of a limited licensed electrician. The system shall include the use of inspectors who are employed by the board under § 62-6-107(b) . (11) Any person who holds a current, unexpired license as a limited licensed electrician issued by the board shall be deemed to have met the registration requirements of § 68-102-150 . (k) (1) A licensee may request the board to consider revision of the licensee's classification or classifications or monetary limitation or limitations, or both, at any of its regular meetings. The request shall be made by letter, which shall be accompanied by financial, equipment and experience statements relative to the classification request accurate as of no more than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the request. The request must be received in the office of the board by the last day of the month before the month in which it is to be considered. (2) If an applicant requests a change in monetary limitation to an amount of three million dollars ($3,000,000) or less, the applicant shall submit a financial statement that has been reviewed or audited by a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant. If an applicant requests a change in monetary limitation to an amount greater than three million dollars ($3,000,000), the applicant shall submit a financial statement that has been audited and attested to by a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant. (3) The board reserves the right to require examination pursuant to a request for change of classification. The board further reserves the right to consider a request for change of classification or limitation at any time, if consideration of the request at the regularly scheduled meeting would cause an undue hardship on the owner and be in the best interest of the public safety and welfare. (4) Increases within the first year will not be allowed without special permission from the board. (l) Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, to qualify for the Tennessee mechanical plumbing (CMC-A) license examination, a person must have three (3) years' experience as a plumber prior to taking the examination or have an engineering degree in plumbing or in a mechanical field. (m) The board shall deny any application for licensure as a contractor if the board determines that the name under which the applicant will be trading is identical with the name being used by an existing licensee, or is so nearly similar to the name being used by an existing licensee that it is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public at large. This subsection (m) shall not apply to any applicant who has acquired an exclusive right to use the name as a registered trademark pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1051 .

Legislative History

Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 454, s 4, eff. 5/25/2017. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 237, s 1, eff. 4/28/2017. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 500, s 2, eff. 5/20/2015. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 528, s 1, eff. 3/12/2014. Acts 1976, ch. 822, § 12; 1977, ch. 101, § 2; 1977, ch. 406, § 2; 1979, ch. 59, § 5; 1980, ch. 652, §§ 2, 4; 1981, ch. 497, §§ 1, 3, 4; T.C.A., § 62-612; Acts 1984, ch. 888, §§ 1, 2; 1985, ch. 245, § 2; 1986, ch. 657, § 1; 1986, ch. 718, § 1; 1988, ch. 758, §§ 3-6, 8; 1989, ch. 487, §§ 4-9; 1989, ch. 523, §§ 135-139; 1991, ch. 217, § 2; 1992, ch. 909, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 395, § 1; 1994, ch. 986, §§ 5-8; 1999, ch. 238, §§ 4, 5, 7; 2000, ch. 876, §§ 2 - 11; 2004, ch. 516, §§ 1, 2; 2005, ch. 133, § 1; 2007 , ch. 130, § 1; 2007 , ch. 219, § 1; 2007 , ch. 460, §§ 4, 5; 2008 , ch. 904, § 1; 2010 , ch. 950, § 6.