How to Become an Electrician in Tennessee (TN) in 2025: LLE, Local Journeyman, Contractor License

• by Ewan Thorne
• Sep 5, 2025
• 0 Comments

How to Become an Electrician in Tennessee (TN) in 2025: LLE, Local Journeyman, Contractor License

Want a straight path to a solid trade in Tennessee without guesswork? Here’s the reality: Tennessee doesn’t have a single, statewide journeyman or master license. Your path splits three ways-local licenses (in cities and counties that issue them), the state’s Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) card for small jobs where there’s no local license, and the full Electrical Contractor license for $25,000+ projects. Pick the right lane, and your career moves fast. Pick the wrong one, and you waste time and test fees.

Below is the clean playbook. It covers training, exams, permits, the LLE, when you must get a contractor license, how much this all costs, and what you’ll actually earn once you’re out there.

• TL;DR
• Start as an apprentice through a union JATC or non-union employer-expect 4-5 years, ~8,000 hours OJT + classroom.
• Working in a city/county with local licensing? Get their journeyman/master card to pull permits. No local license in your area? Consider the LLE for sub-$25k jobs.
• Doing projects $25,000 or more? You need a Tennessee Electrical Contractor license (with a qualifying agent, trade exam, Business & Law exam, and a financial statement).
• Most places use the 2020 NEC; some moved to 2023. Your exam and installs must match your local code version.
• Plan on 4-5 years to become fully qualified; apprentices start ~$16-$23/hr; licensed electricians often make $25-$35/hr+ depending on market and shop.

The Tennessee Map: Licenses, What They Let You Do, and How to Choose

Here’s the part many folks get wrong. Tennessee regulates electrical work in two layers: local and state. You need to understand both before you apply to a single exam.

Tennessee electrician license options, simplified:

• Local Journeyman/Master (city or county level): Required in jurisdictions that issue them (for example, larger cities and many counties). These local cards are what allow you to pull permits there. Each local jurisdiction sets its own experience, exam, and renewal rules.
• Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) (state-level): A Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) credential for electrical work under $25,000 per project in municipalities or counties that do not require their own electrician license. It’s not a master or journeyman replacement everywhere. If your local area requires its own card, that local rule wins.
• Electrical Contractor License (state-level): Required for any electrical project of $25,000 or more, anywhere in the state. This is a business-level license issued by TDCI’s Board for Licensing Contractors. It requires an exam in trade (Electrical) and Business & Law, a qualifying agent (QA), and a financial statement to set your monetary limit. You pull permits under this license, often with a locally recognized QA.

Authorities that matter:

• Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), Board for Licensing Contractors (issues LLE and Contractor licenses; sets exams via PSI).
• Your local codes department (journeyman/master licensing, permitting, inspections, and adopted NEC edition).
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (apprenticeship standards and registration model).

Which path should you pick?

• Want to work for established contractors, build skill, and get steady raises? Go apprentice (union JATC or non-union). If your area requires a local journeyman card, plan to take that local exam at the end of your apprenticeship.
• Live in a small town without local licensing and plan to do smaller projects on your own? The LLE can work-but only for sub-$25k jobs and only where no local license is required.
• Want to bid and run bigger projects or sub for GCs? You’ll need the Electrical Contractor license. Many electricians work under a contractor first, then get this when they’re ready to run their own work.

Union vs. non-union training-what’s different?

Common Tennessee players:

• IBEW/NECA JATCs in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville (and satellite training centers)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee
• Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) and community colleges offering Electrical Technology

Code editions and exams: Many Tennessee jurisdictions are using the 2020 NEC. Some have adopted 2023. Your test (and your installations) will follow the edition your authority has adopted. Check with your local codes office before you buy books or sign up for an exam.

From Zero to Working Electrician in Tennessee: Step-by-Step

Think of this as your checklist. Pick the branch that matches your situation.

1) Get work-ready basics

• Education: High school diploma or GED. Algebra helps. Physics or shop class is a bonus.
• Physical: You’ll be on ladders, bending conduit, lifting reels. Keep your back and shoulders strong.
• Soft skills: Show up early, ask good questions, and keep a clean notebook. Foremen promote people they can trust.
• Tools and PPE: Side-cutters, lineman’s pliers, screwdrivers (insulated), torpedo level, tape measure, non-contact tester, multimeter, basic nut drivers, headlamp, hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, boots. Start basic; upgrade as you go.

2) Choose your training lane

• Union JATC: Apply, take aptitude testing (algebra/reading), interview, and get placed with a signatory contractor. Expect 8,000 hours OJT and hundreds of classroom hours with raises as you progress.
• Non-union apprenticeship: Get hired as an electrical helper by a reputable contractor. Ask if they sponsor classroom training (ABC or college) and will log your hours toward journeyman eligibility if your city requires it.
• School first (optional): TCAT or a community college program can boost your code knowledge and make you more hireable. It doesn’t replace OJT hours but gives you a head start.

3) Log hours and classroom time (the heart of your apprenticeship)

• Target: ~8,000 hours OJT over 4-5 years, plus 576-900 hours of classroom-typical across the U.S. and used by Tennessee programs.
• What you’ll learn: Residential rough-in and trim, service installs, branch circuits, controls, grounding and bonding, motor circuits, transformers, conduit bending, panel schedules, blueprints, and the NEC inside-out.
• Document everything: Keep a running log of hours by task. If your city later asks for proof to sit for a journeyman exam, you have it.

4a) If your city/county has local licensing-get that journeyman card

• Check your local codes office: Experience requirement (often 4 years), NEC edition for the exam, approved exam providers, fees, and CE for renewal.
• Take the journeyman exam: Closed- or open-book NEC test depending on the jurisdiction. Learn your codebook index and practice load calcs, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, and grounding/bonding.
• Permits and supervision: Your local card lets you pull permits where required. For bigger scopes, your company’s contractor license may cover the permit while you supervise on site.

4b) If your area doesn’t have local licensing-consider the LLE for small jobs

• Scope: LLE is a state credential for electrical projects under $25,000 per job, in areas without local electrician licensing. If your city requires its own license, LLE won’t substitute.
• Exam: Trade-focused exam through the state’s vendor (PSI). Expect NEC-heavy questions, calculations, and practical field scenarios. Bring the correct NEC edition.
• Apply with TDCI: Submit your application and exam score, pay the fee, and keep your information current for renewal.
• Permits: You still pull permits through the local codes office. The LLE simply verifies you’re licensed to perform that small-scope work in areas without local cards.

5) Doing $25,000+ projects? Get the Electrical Contractor license

• Why: Tennessee law requires a contractor license for any project of $25,000 or more, electrical included, regardless of where you work in the state.
• Who applies: The business (sole prop, LLC, or corporation) applies to the TDCI Board for Licensing Contractors. You’ll designate a Qualifying Agent (QA)-that may be you after enough experience and passing the trade exam.
• Exams: Trade (Electrical classification) and the Business & Law exam, both through PSI. Study the NEC for trade, and contracts, lien law, bidding, safety, and tax basics for Business & Law.
• Monetary limit: Based on a reviewed or audited financial statement. Your limit is the max single project size you can contract. Build in a buffer so you don’t cap out mid-year.
• Insurance and compliance: General liability is standard; workers’ comp if you have employees. Keep your Secretary of State registration and tax accounts clean.

Decision quick-check

• If your goal is to be a well-paid journeyman working for top shops: focus on apprenticeship + local journeyman license where required.
• If you want to solo small jobs in rural areas: LLE + solid code knowledge and relationships with local inspectors.
• If you plan to bid and run crews: Contractor license once you’ve got experience, trade exam, and a solid financial base.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Confusing the LLE with a journeyman card. They are not interchangeable. Local rules beat state LLE when locals license electricians.
• Taking an exam under the wrong NEC edition. Always ask your code office which edition they’ve adopted.
• Skipping documentation. If you can’t prove OJT hours, you might not get approved to test for a local journeyman license.
• Bidding over $25,000 without a contractor license. That can cost you jobs and penalties.

Exam Prep, Costs, Timelines, Pay, and Your Next Steps

Exams: What you’ll actually see

• NEC navigation: Chapter 1-4 fundamentals; 5-7 special occupancies/equipment; 8 communications; 9 tables. Know how to find answers fast.
• Calculations: Dwelling load calcs (standard and optional), service and feeder sizing, conductor ampacity adjustments, voltage drop, parallel conductors.
• Protection: Overcurrent protection selection, short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) awareness, GFCI/AFCI placement, selective coordination (for advanced exams).
• Grounding and bonding: Article 250 is a must. Expect questions on grounding electrode systems, bonding jumpers, and equipment grounding conductors.
• Motors and transformers: Articles 430 and 450. Conductor and OCP sizing tricks show up often.

Study plan that works in Tennessee

1. Lock in the code edition: Call your local codes office and PSI to confirm which NEC year your exam uses.
2. Get the right books: NEC (correct year) plus a contractor’s reference for Business & Law if you’re going for the contractor license.
3. Drill by article: Spend focused sessions on 110, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300, 310, 314, 430, 450. Build your own index tabs.
4. Practice tests: Timed sets, open-book, using only allowed materials. Aim to finish with 10-15 minutes to review.
5. Cheat sheets you can memorize: Conductor temperature ratings, derating steps, box fill, common dwelling unit demand factors, motor tables, key 250 rules.
6. Take one code problem every morning: Five minutes a day adds up. Write the NEC citation next to your answer so you can find it again fast on test day.

Typical costs (your mileage will vary)

• Apprenticeship tuition (if any): Union JATC usually covers tuition with work hours; non-union/college can run a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year.
• Books and materials: NEC + study guides, $150-$300.
• Exam fees (PSI): Commonly $50-$100 per attempt depending on exam type.
• LLE application/renewal: Modest state fees; budget ~$50-$100 for application/renewal cycles.
• Contractor license application: Expect a few hundred dollars for application/exams, plus CPA costs for a reviewed financial statement if needed.
• Insurance: General liability varies by coverage and revenue; workers’ comp depends on payroll.

Timeline you can bank on

• Months 0-3: Get hired as a helper, secure apprenticeship placement, buy your books and basic tools.
• Months 4-24: Develop core skills-residential/commercial rough-in, panels, basic controls; take your first code classes.
• Months 24-48: Heavier commercial/industrial exposure, motors/transformers, advanced code; prep for local journeyman or LLE as needed.
• Year 4-5: Sit for journeyman or LLE; line up endorsements and hours; consider Business & Law prep if the contractor path is in sight.
• Year 5+: Go for the contractor license when you’re ready to bid bigger work and lead teams.

Pay in Tennessee (realistic ranges)

• Apprentice: ~$16-$23/hr to start, rising with each term if you hit classroom/OJT milestones.
• Licensed electrician (journeyman/local or experienced LLE): ~$25-$35/hr+ depending on city, sector (residential vs. industrial), and shop reputation.
• Foreman/service tech: Add $2-$8/hr, plus vehicle or call-out differentials in some shops.
• Contractor/business owner: Wide range based on backlog, crew size, and overhead; the smart money wins on estimating accuracy and low rework.

Credible references to check while you plan

• Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (Board for Licensing Contractors) for LLE and Contractor license rules and forms.
• PSI Exams for Tennessee trade and Business & Law test bulletins and scheduling.
• Local codes offices (Memphis/Shelby, Nashville/Davidson, Knoxville/Knox, and others) for journeyman/master licensing, permits, inspections, and code edition.
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship standards and registration framework.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for wage and job outlook data.
• IBEW/NECA JATC programs and ABC Greater Tennessee for apprenticeship options and entry windows.

Quick checklists you can use right now

Apprenticeship starter kit

• Resume with any construction/tech work
• GED/diploma
• Three references (ideally a foreman or shop owner)
• Basic tools and PPE
• Clean driver’s license and reliable transport
• Willingness to travel to different jobsites

LLE application prep

• Confirm your area doesn’t require local licensing
• Study the correct NEC edition
• Schedule PSI exam; pass score in hand
• Application form + fee submitted to TDCI
• Know which permits you’ll pull and where

Contractor license launch pack

• Entity set up (LLC or corporation often preferred)
• Qualifying Agent identified (you or a partner)
• PSI Trade + Business & Law exams passed
• Reviewed/audited financial statement for monetary limit
• General liability and workers’ comp (if hiring)
• Secretary of State and tax accounts active

Mini-FAQ

• Do I need a license to start as a helper? No. Get hired, learn, and enroll in an apprenticeship. Licenses come later.
• Is the LLE valid statewide? Only where there’s no local licensing requirement, and only for projects under $25,000. Local rules take priority in their jurisdictions.
• Which NEC is Tennessee on? Many jurisdictions use 2020 NEC; some have moved to 2023. Always ask your local codes office before testing.
• Can I pull permits with just an LLE? You pull permits through local codes. Some areas accept LLE where they don’t have local licenses; others require their own cards. Ask locally.
• How long to become fully qualified? Typical is 4-5 years of OJT + classroom before you test for a journeyman card or LLE.
• Do I need Business & Law for the LLE? No. Business & Law is part of the contractor license, not the LLE.
• Is there reciprocity with other states? Contractor licenses sometimes have limited reciprocity with certain states. LLE reciprocity is rare. Confirm with TDCI before you bank on it.

Next steps by persona

• High school senior: Find a local contractor or JATC/ABC program; focus on algebra and basic hand tools; ask to shadow on a job for a day.
• Career changer: Keep your current income while you start night classes (TCAT/ABC); line up a helper role; schedule your first code course within 60 days.
• Military veteran: Ask programs about GI Bill eligibility and direct entry. Your MOS may count toward OJT hours-bring paperwork.
• Handyman doing small jobs: Stop guessing. If you’re in a no-license area, pass the LLE and work under $25k; if you’re in a city with local licensing, get their card or partner with a licensed shop.
• Aspiring business owner: Work as a foreman for a year, nail your estimating, then sit for the trade and Business & Law exams. Build a clean financial statement for your monetary limit.

Troubleshooting common snags

• Failed PSI exam: Rebook within two weeks while the material is fresh. Review every missed question by code article. Add daily 10-minute drill sets.
• Local office won’t accept LLE: That’s normal. If they license electricians locally, their rules apply. Ask about their journeyman pathway.
• Can’t prove OJT hours: Start logging today. Ask past employers for a letter breaking out your tasks and dates. Keep pay stubs as backup.
• Bid opportunity over $25k but no contractor license: Team with a licensed electrical contractor as a subcontractor while you pursue your own license.
• Unsure on code edition: Call the permit counter. It takes two minutes and can save you buying the wrong book.

If you remember one thing, make it this: Tennessee rewards electricians who map their path to their jurisdiction. Know whether you need a local journeyman card, whether the LLE even applies where you work, and when the contractor threshold kicks in. From there, it’s just reps-hours on the tools, a steady diet of NEC, and clean paperwork. That’s how you go from helper to the person everyone calls when the lights need to come on-today.