Contractor License from New York to Tennessee: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no New York state license to carry to Tennessee: New York issues no statewide contractor license or trade license. Tennessee does license this work, so ask the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: New York issues no statewide contractor license or trade license, so there is no New York state license for Tennessee to recognize. Tennessee does license general contractors through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance): ask whether it credits a local license or documented experience, and expect its full application, business/law exam, financial statement and bond otherwise.
What changes, New York → Tennessee
| New York (current) | Tennessee (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | General contractor fee: No statewide fee; set by each municipality (e.g., NYC DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license) | $250 (Initial contractor license application fee $250. The CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement is a separate professional cost, and some verifying states charge a fee to complete the Board's license-verification form. Beginning July 1, 2026 exams are administered by Prov.) |
| Processing time | Varies by municipality; no statewide standard | No processing-time estimate is published; applications are acted on at the Board's scheduled meetings |
| Licensing authority | No statewide contractor licensing board — licensing is municipal (example: NYC Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection) | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Tennessee sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Tennessee's requirements on the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) whether it credits a local New York license or your documented experience: New York issues no statewide contractor license or trade license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Tennessee's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees ($250 (Initial contractor license application fee $250. The CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement is a separate professional cost, and some verifying states charge a fee to complete the Board's license-verification form. Beginning July 1, 2026 exams are administered by Prov.)). Processing time: No processing-time estimate is published; applications are acted on at the Board's scheduled meetings.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee accept a New York contractor license?
There is no New York state license to carry to Tennessee: New York issues no statewide contractor license or trade license. Tennessee does license this work, so ask the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Tennessee's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the New York-to-Tennessee move cost and how long does it take?
$250 (Initial contractor license application fee $250. The CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement is a separate professional cost, and some verifying states charge a fee to complete the Board's license-verification form. Beginning July 1, 2026 exams are administered by Prov.) Processing time: No processing-time estimate is published; applications are acted on at the Board's scheduled meetings.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly, for the trade it covers: Tennessee's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-08-07). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- TN Board for Licensing Contractors — Trade Exam Waiver (Reciprocity) with Tennessee, Rev. 06/2026 (participating states, scope, TN matching classifications) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TN Board for Licensing Contractors — Get a Contractor License ($250 fee, Business & Law exam, CPA financial statement, $25,000 threshold) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NYC Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection — Home Improvement Contractor License (municipal license required in NYC) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]