Tennessee requires a state exam for this license, and passvana has a practice track for it: Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Exam. Here is what the exam looks like, from the official candidate bulletin and the state's own rules.
Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Exam
- The exam: The Tennessee "Business and Law" exam, given by Prov for the Board for Licensing Contractors since July 1, 2026. Every contractor applicant takes it; a separate trade exam is required for certain license classifications. (TN Board for Licensing Contractors, Exam Information page; Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18))
- Questions: 50. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), Exam Descriptions)
- Time: 2.5 hours. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), Exam Descriptions)
- Passing score: 73%. All Tennessee contractor exams are scored against a passing standard of 73%. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), Results Reporting)
- Open book: The exam is computerized and open book. Prov lists the permitted references for each exam; alternate (prior vendor) manuals are allowed only through January 1, 2027. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), FAQ 4 and Exams and Fees; TN Board for Licensing Contractors, Exam Information page)
- Fee: $53 per attempt, paid directly to Prov at registration, whether you are testing for the first time or retaking. If you take the wrong exam the fee is not refunded. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), FAQ 3 and Exams and Fees)
- Results and retakes: Results arrive by email as soon as you finish; a failing candidate also gets a report of weak subject areas. You may retake as many times as needed with no waiting period. (Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), FAQ 5; Retesting Policy)
How to pass on your first try
- Learn the deadlines and dollar figures exactly. Lien notice deadlines, licensing thresholds and contract rules are tested as numbers, and a near miss is a wrong answer.
- Check whether your exam is open book. The format above says. If it is, tab your approved references so you can find a rule quickly instead of reading for it.
- Practice any math the outline lists. Estimating, payroll and financial questions give you the figures and expect a worked answer.
- Take full timed mock exams before test day, so the length and pace of the real exam hold no surprises.
Free practice questions
The track page has free sample questions and a topic breakdown matched to the official outline: Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Exam. The Resources tab also has quick-reference tables built from checked facts; see what is in the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Key Facts Digest.