TENNESSEE · electrician
Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE)
Tennessee Board for Licensing ContractorsScope of work
Tennessee does not issue a single statewide journeyman or master electrician credential that applies in every city. Electrical licensing in Tennessee is split. For projects where the electrical portion is less than $25,000, the Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) credential is issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. For electrical work at or above $25,000, a Tennessee Contractor License with the classification CE (Electrical Contractor) is required. Source: TN LLE (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle.html); TN Contractor Licenses (https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/commerce/regboards/contractors/licenses.html).
County-level overlay
The LLE is not accepted in counties that operate their own codes office and run their own inspections, licensing, and testing. Large metro counties including Davidson (Nashville), Hamilton (Chattanooga), Knox (Knoxville), and Shelby (Memphis) operate their own programs. Confirm local acceptance before relying on the LLE. Source: TN LLE (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle.html).
Experience and training
The LLE has no minimum experience requirement; it is an exam-based credential. Licensees must not represent themselves as contractors and cannot perform work where the electrical portion of a project is $25,000 or more. Source: TN LLE (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle.html); TN LLE Process (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle/lle-license-process.html).
Exam
The TN LLE exam has 40 multiple-choice questions, 2-hour time limit, passing score 72.5 percent. Exam fee is $57. The Business and Law exam is not required for the LLE. Source: TN LLE Process (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle/lle-license-process.html).
Fees
LLE application fee: $50 for a 2-year license. Source: TN LLE (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle.html).
Renewal and CE
Biennial renewal. Tennessee does not impose statewide CE on the LLE credential as of the current rule; verify current status with the Board before assuming no CE is due. Source: TN LLE (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/lle.html).
When you need the CE Contractor License instead
A Tennessee Contractor License with the CE (Electrical Contractor) classification is required for any electrical project at or above $25,000. Applicants demonstrate financial capacity through a reviewed financial statement and pass a trade exam plus the Business and Law exam administered by PSI Services. Monetary limits scale with demonstrated net worth. Source: TN Contractors (https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.html).
Verified Apr 25, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before acting