TENNESSEE COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL
CONTRACTOR EXAM (BC-B, C) ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE 150 QUESTIONS
WITH WELL ELABORATED SOLUTIONS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES Updated 2026 Edition |
Guaranteed Pass A+ | Graded A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Tennessee Commercial/Industrial Contractor Exam (BC-B, C) is administered by the Tennessee
Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC). A license is required for jobs exceeding $25,000 .
Exam Format:
• Number of Questions: 100 questions
• Time Limit: 5 hours
• Passing Score: 73% (73 out of 100 correct)
• Format: Open-book exam
• Exam Fee: $57
Content Areas: Site-work, footings, foundations, concrete, concrete reinforcement, masonry, carpentry,
metals, roofing, associated trades, general code, plan reading, estimating, OSHA safety .
Important Code Transition Dates: Between March 12, 2026 and June 14, 2026, either the 2012 or 2021
International Code may be used. As of June 15, 2026, only the 2021 International Code may be used .
SECTION 1: TENNESSEE CONTRACTOR LICENSING LAWS (TCA TITLE 62, CHAPTER 6)
Question 1
A commercial contractor is preparing a bid for a tenant build-out in a high-rise building. Under the
Tennessee Rules of the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, which of the following is
MANDATORY for the contract to be enforceable against the owner?
• A) A notarized signature of the owner
• B) A detailed payment schedule based on percentage of completion
• C) A written contract signed by both parties
• D) A performance bond
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Tennessee law requires a written contract signed by both parties for any commercial or
industrial project exceeding $25,000. A notarized signature is not required for enforceability, and while a
payment schedule is advisable, it is not mandatory for all contracts .
Question 2
Under the Tennessee Contractors Licensing Act of 1994, what is the maximum civil penalty per violation
for contracting without a license when a license is required?
• A) $500
• B) $1,000
• C) $5,000
• D) $10,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: T.C.A. § 62-6-119 permits the board to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation for
unlicensed contracting. In addition, violators may be subject to injunctive relief and restitution .
Question 3
A contractor holds a BC-B classification (Commercial Building Contractor). Which project is this
contractor PERMITTED to perform without an additional classification?
• A) Installation of a commercial fire sprinkler system
• B) Construction of a two-story retail strip mall with load-bearing masonry
• C) Replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit on a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse
• D) Installation of a new sanitary sewer line serving three commercial buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The BC-B classification allows general commercial building construction including structural
framing, masonry, and finishes. Fire sprinklers (A) require a C-14 license. HVAC replacement (C) typically
requires a C-21 (HVAC) if done as a separate trade. Sewer lines (D) require a C-17 (Utility Contractor)
unless incidental to the primary building contract .
Question 4
What is the maximum contract amount per project for a BC-b Small Commercial license in Tennessee?
• A) $500,000
• B) $1,000,000
, • C) $1,500,000
• D) $3,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial license permits work on commercial projects with a
contract amount under $1,500,000. For larger unlimited commercial work, the BC-BC license is
required .
Question 5
Under Tennessee contractor licensing requirements, which financial statement level is typically required
for a BC-C Industrial contractor requesting a higher monetary limit?
• A) Compiled statement only
• B) Reviewed statement
• C) Personal affidavit
• D) Audited financial statement
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An audited financial statement provides the highest level of financial assurance and is
required when contractors seek higher monetary limits on their licenses .
Question 6
How often must a BC-B or BC-C contractor license in Tennessee be renewed?
• A) Every 3 years
• B) Every 5 years
• C) Annually
• D) Every 2 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BC-B and BC-C contractor licenses in Tennessee must be renewed annually to maintain active
status. This is a key administrative requirement for licensed contractors .
Question 7
What is the minimum experience requirement to become a qualifying agent (QA) for a Tennessee
contractor’s license?
, • A) No experience required if a college degree is held
• B) Passing the technical exam and being designated as the QA on the application
• C) Owning at least 51% of the contracting business
• D) Holding a professional engineering license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The QA must pass the technical exam and be identified on the license application; ownership
percentage or engineering licensure is not required .
Question 8
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC) requires a contractor to demonstrate financial
stability by:
• A) Submitting a personal credit report
• B) Providing an audited financial statement with a minimum net worth of $100,000
• C) Posting a cash bond of $10,000
• D) Filing a tax return from the previous year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BLC reviews audited financial statements and sets net-worth/working-capital thresholds; a
personal credit report alone is insufficient .
Question 9
What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance required for a contractor in Tennessee?
• A) $100,000
• B) $500,000
• C) $1,000,000
• D) $2,000,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contractors in Tennessee are required to carry general liability insurance. The minimum
requirement depends on the monetary limit, with typical minimum
being 500,000forupto500,000forupto1,500,000 contract limit .
CONTRACTOR EXAM (BC-B, C) ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE 150 QUESTIONS
WITH WELL ELABORATED SOLUTIONS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES Updated 2026 Edition |
Guaranteed Pass A+ | Graded A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Tennessee Commercial/Industrial Contractor Exam (BC-B, C) is administered by the Tennessee
Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC). A license is required for jobs exceeding $25,000 .
Exam Format:
• Number of Questions: 100 questions
• Time Limit: 5 hours
• Passing Score: 73% (73 out of 100 correct)
• Format: Open-book exam
• Exam Fee: $57
Content Areas: Site-work, footings, foundations, concrete, concrete reinforcement, masonry, carpentry,
metals, roofing, associated trades, general code, plan reading, estimating, OSHA safety .
Important Code Transition Dates: Between March 12, 2026 and June 14, 2026, either the 2012 or 2021
International Code may be used. As of June 15, 2026, only the 2021 International Code may be used .
SECTION 1: TENNESSEE CONTRACTOR LICENSING LAWS (TCA TITLE 62, CHAPTER 6)
Question 1
A commercial contractor is preparing a bid for a tenant build-out in a high-rise building. Under the
Tennessee Rules of the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, which of the following is
MANDATORY for the contract to be enforceable against the owner?
• A) A notarized signature of the owner
• B) A detailed payment schedule based on percentage of completion
• C) A written contract signed by both parties
• D) A performance bond
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Tennessee law requires a written contract signed by both parties for any commercial or
industrial project exceeding $25,000. A notarized signature is not required for enforceability, and while a
payment schedule is advisable, it is not mandatory for all contracts .
Question 2
Under the Tennessee Contractors Licensing Act of 1994, what is the maximum civil penalty per violation
for contracting without a license when a license is required?
• A) $500
• B) $1,000
• C) $5,000
• D) $10,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: T.C.A. § 62-6-119 permits the board to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation for
unlicensed contracting. In addition, violators may be subject to injunctive relief and restitution .
Question 3
A contractor holds a BC-B classification (Commercial Building Contractor). Which project is this
contractor PERMITTED to perform without an additional classification?
• A) Installation of a commercial fire sprinkler system
• B) Construction of a two-story retail strip mall with load-bearing masonry
• C) Replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit on a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse
• D) Installation of a new sanitary sewer line serving three commercial buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The BC-B classification allows general commercial building construction including structural
framing, masonry, and finishes. Fire sprinklers (A) require a C-14 license. HVAC replacement (C) typically
requires a C-21 (HVAC) if done as a separate trade. Sewer lines (D) require a C-17 (Utility Contractor)
unless incidental to the primary building contract .
Question 4
What is the maximum contract amount per project for a BC-b Small Commercial license in Tennessee?
• A) $500,000
• B) $1,000,000
, • C) $1,500,000
• D) $3,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial license permits work on commercial projects with a
contract amount under $1,500,000. For larger unlimited commercial work, the BC-BC license is
required .
Question 5
Under Tennessee contractor licensing requirements, which financial statement level is typically required
for a BC-C Industrial contractor requesting a higher monetary limit?
• A) Compiled statement only
• B) Reviewed statement
• C) Personal affidavit
• D) Audited financial statement
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An audited financial statement provides the highest level of financial assurance and is
required when contractors seek higher monetary limits on their licenses .
Question 6
How often must a BC-B or BC-C contractor license in Tennessee be renewed?
• A) Every 3 years
• B) Every 5 years
• C) Annually
• D) Every 2 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BC-B and BC-C contractor licenses in Tennessee must be renewed annually to maintain active
status. This is a key administrative requirement for licensed contractors .
Question 7
What is the minimum experience requirement to become a qualifying agent (QA) for a Tennessee
contractor’s license?
, • A) No experience required if a college degree is held
• B) Passing the technical exam and being designated as the QA on the application
• C) Owning at least 51% of the contracting business
• D) Holding a professional engineering license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The QA must pass the technical exam and be identified on the license application; ownership
percentage or engineering licensure is not required .
Question 8
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC) requires a contractor to demonstrate financial
stability by:
• A) Submitting a personal credit report
• B) Providing an audited financial statement with a minimum net worth of $100,000
• C) Posting a cash bond of $10,000
• D) Filing a tax return from the previous year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BLC reviews audited financial statements and sets net-worth/working-capital thresholds; a
personal credit report alone is insufficient .
Question 9
What is the minimum amount of general liability insurance required for a contractor in Tennessee?
• A) $100,000
• B) $500,000
• C) $1,000,000
• D) $2,000,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contractors in Tennessee are required to carry general liability insurance. The minimum
requirement depends on the monetary limit, with typical minimum
being 500,000forupto500,000forupto1,500,000 contract limit .
