Roofing License in Tennessee: Fees, Requirements & Startup Costs
Quick answer: The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors requires a contractor license for roofing prime contracts and roofing subcontracts of $25,000 or more. Smaller residential roofing improvements from $3,000 to $24,999 require a Home Improvement Contractor license only in nine adopting counties. The contractor application and home improvement application each list a $250 initial fee. Below those thresholds, check local permit and licensing rules.
Match the contract to the state credential
For qualifying roofing contracts, the business needs a Tennessee contractor license with an appropriate classification. BC-21 covers roofing, gutters, and vinyl siding. The board’s classification outline also says BC, BC-A, BC-B, and BC-C may cover roofing within their respective scopes. Select the classification by the work the company will contract to perform, and compare the proposed contract amount with the state threshold before bidding.
The separate home improvement route applies to residential roofing repair, replacement, or improvement in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties when the project falls in the stated range. It does not create a blanket statewide license requirement for all smaller roof jobs. A company working across county lines needs to check the county and contract value for each job.
Licensing in Tennessee
Jurisdiction: state
Authority: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
Contractor license required for prime contracts of $25,000 or more and roofing subcontracts of $25,000 or more. Residential roofing of $3,000-$24,999 also requires a home improvement license in nine adopting counties.
Contractor, BC-21 Roofing
BUSINESS Roofing, gutters and vinyl siding at the $25,000 contractor threshold; BC, BC-A, BC-B and BC-C may also cover roofing within their scopes.
| Fee | Amount | Period (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial contractor license application | $250 OFFICIAL FEE Source — www.tn.gov | — |
| Contractor license renewal | $200 OFFICIAL FEE Source — www.tn.gov | 2 |
Exam: Provider: Prov (Tennessee Business and Law; no BC-21 trade exam) · Source
Experience: Construction experience supported by a reference from a past client, employer or code official; no fixed number of years stated.
Bond: From July 1, 2026, optional surety bond of at least 50% of requested monetary limit in place of CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/contractor.html
Insurance: General liability based on monetary limit; workers' compensation or proof of exemption: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/contractor.html
Renewal and CE: Renewal period: 2 years · Continuing education: 0 hours · Source
Home Improvement Contractor
BUSINESS Residential roofing repair/replacement or improvement costing $3,000-$24,999 in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties.
| Fee | Amount | Period (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial home improvement contractor application | $250 OFFICIAL FEE Source — www.tn.gov | — |
| Home improvement contractor renewal | $200 OFFICIAL FEE Source — www.tn.gov | 2 |
Exam: Not listed here
Experience: Experience performing remodeling work.
Bond: $10,000 surety bond or other accepted financial responsibility: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/home-improvement.html
Insurance: General liability and workers' compensation required: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/home-improvement.html
Renewal and CE: Renewal period: 2 years · Source
Contractor Qualifying Agent
INDIVIDUAL Owner, full-time employee or officer designated to pass the Business and Law examination for the contractor entity; BC-21 does not require a trade exam.
Exam: Provider: Prov · Source
Renewal and CE: Not listed here
Local note: Check the local building department for permits and local requirements below the state threshold. Home improvement licensing applies only in the nine named counties.
Data notes
The BC-21 roofing classification requires the Business and Law exam but no trade exam.
Verified: 2026-09-25
Prepare the contractor application
The licensed entity designates a qualifying agent who is an owner, full-time employee, or officer. That person takes the Tennessee Business and Law exam administered by Prov. The classification outline does not list a BC-21 trade exam. The board’s instructions do not list the Prov exam charge, so obtain it when booking rather than assuming it is part of the application fee.
The contractor application calls for construction experience supported by a reference from a past client, employer, or code official. The board’s instructions do not state a fixed number of experience years. Build the application file around projects the reference can actually verify. The company also needs general liability coverage based on its requested monetary limit and workers’ compensation coverage or proof of exemption.
From July 1, 2026, the board’s contractor instructions allow an optional surety bond of at least 50% of the requested monetary limit instead of a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement. This is an alternative financial filing, not a flat bond amount for every roofing company. Set the requested limit with the size of planned contracts in mind.
Use the home improvement path where it applies
For qualifying residential jobs in the nine counties, the home improvement application is a separate business credential. The home improvement application calls for experience performing remodeling work, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and a $10,000 surety bond or another accepted demonstration of financial responsibility. Its researched entry does not identify an exam. Do not apply the contractor qualifying-agent exam description to this route without checking the board’s current instructions.
Both business credentials renew every two years. The board fee schedule lists a $200 renewal for each. The board’s contractor guidance states no continuing education hours for BC-21; its home improvement guidance does not list a continuing education total. Put the applicable renewal date, insurance, and financial documents on the company calendar.
Confirm the job address before scheduling
Local building departments handle permits and may impose requirements below the state contractor threshold. Ask the department for the job address what permit is needed, who submits it, and what inspections follow. A state credential alone does not answer those local questions. Keep permit time and costs visible in each estimate, especially when jobs cross municipal boundaries.
The Roofing business hub covers launch planning, and the license guide adds broader credential context. Use the startup cost guide and calculator for equipment, coverage, fees, and working cash. Compare Arizona and Florida for other state approaches; Tennessee’s contract thresholds decide the state path here.
Estimated startup cost: $9,000–$13,900 Estimated startup cost: $9,000–$13,900. Break-even at about 8 jobs per month. Monthly overhead: $1,600–$1,900 · Annual operating: $19,100–$23,000 · Break-even: 8 jobs/month Vehicle operating per month: $760 CALCULATED Phone and admin per month: $150 YOUR INPUT Startup total is the sum of available first-year cost lines. Monthly overhead includes insurance, software, marketing, vehicle operating, phone and admin, and payroll. Break-even jobs = monthly overhead ÷ (average ticket × gross margin).Startup Cost Calculator
Licensing & exam fees $250 OFFICIALLicense details Business formation (state filing) $300 OFFICIAL Insurance (first year) $1,550–$3,800 MARKET ESTIMATEGeneral liability Vehicle acquisition $0 YOUR INPUTYour existing vehicle; acquisition cost $0 Vehicle price sources
Tools & equipment $50 MARKET ESTIMATE Starter kit items
Software (first year) $590–$2,250 MARKET ESTIMATEPublished monthly list price × 12 Software price sources
Launch marketing $1,500 YOUR INPUTYour input — default: 3 months × $500 Payroll reserve $0 CALCULATEDBLS median wage × 173 hours/month × employees × employer taxes and ECEC benefits × working-capital months Working capital $4,750–$5,750 CALCULATEDMonthly overhead excluding payroll (shown separately) × working-capital months Permits & compliance $0 YOUR INPUTYour input — default $0; local requirements may apply Show formula
Official sources
- www.tn.gov — Initial contractor license
- www.tn.gov — Contractor license renewal
- www.tn.gov — Initial home improvement contractor application
- api.bls.gov — BLS OEWS Roofers
- sos.tn.gov — Tennessee LLC filing fee
Market sources
- www.walmart.com — Hyper Tough 15-degree coil roofing nailer
- www.homedepot.com — Guardian Fall Protection 00815-QC Rooftop Safe-Tie Bucket Kit
- www.walmart.com — Louisville Ladder FE3228 28 ft fiberglass extension ladder Type IA
- www.homedepot.com — Estwing E3-CA shingler's hammer
- www.homedepot.com — 3M SecureFit SF400G-LV-4-PS safety glasses
- www.walmart.com — Little Giant Hyperlite 28 ft fiberglass extension ladder Type IA
- www.homedepot.com — Tie Down 60040 TranzPorter TP250 ladder hoist
- www.insureon.com — Insureon
- www.nextinsurance.com — NEXT
- www.getjobber.com — Jobber
- www.housecallpro.com — Housecall Pro
- quickbooks.intuit.com — QuickBooks Online
- www.ramtrucks.com — 2026 Ram ProMaster cargo van (base)
- www.cars.com — 2026 Ford F-150 XL (base)
- www.cars.com — 2026 Ford Transit-150 cargo van (base, T-150 130in low roof RWD)
- www.coxautoinc.com — Used vehicle average listing price (all segments, not cargo-van specific)
Frequently asked questions
Does every Tennessee roofing job require a state contractor license?
No. The contractor license threshold is $25,000 for prime roofing contracts and roofing subcontracts; smaller residential work may trigger the home improvement license in nine counties.
Which classification names roofing directly?
BC-21 covers roofing, gutters, and vinyl siding. Other listed building classifications may cover roofing within their scopes.
Is there a BC-21 roofing trade exam?
The board's classification outline requires the Business and Law exam for the qualifying agent but does not list a BC-21 trade exam.
Where does the smaller residential home improvement rule apply?
It applies in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties for work in the stated contract range.
What is the confirmed initial state application fee?
The board lists $250 for the initial contractor application and $250 for the initial home improvement application; the applicable path depends on the job.
Last updated: September 25, 2026