Last updated: June 7, 2006
Electrical Codes
This section is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the 2002 edition of the National Electric Code and all state laws and rules concerning the conducting, conveying, consumption, or use of electrical energy in, or in connection, with any building, structure, or premises located in this state.
However, local jurisdictions can go to different requirements: The City of Chattanooga Tennessee recently announced the adoption of the 2005 National Electrical Code® and will begin enforcement October 1, 2005. This adoption followed a lengthy review process by the Chattanooga Code Review Board with the final analysis of the changes to the 2005 National Electrical Code® resulting in only two city amendments.
Licensing: Electrical Inspectors/Services
Department of Commerce & Insurance
Electrical Inspection Section Information
State Fire Marshal
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-7170
(615) 741-1583 (FAX)
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/sfm/
Licensing requirements:
With approximately 100 contracted Deputy Electrical Inspectors (DEIs) spread across the entire state, this section performs residential, commercial, and industrial electrical inspections of new and existing structures.
State Fire Marshal is empowered to require inspections of any electrical installations. Metropolitian areas have code departments for licensing, permitting, and inspection. Rural areas use the State Department of Insurance for permitting, and state inspectors for inspectors
All incorporated cities, towns, and villages, however formed, are empowered to regulate the business of electricians and electrical work in such cities, towns, or villages, and to enforce efficiency of same, and to that end to pass all ordinances necessary to carry out and enforce the powers delegated.
CE Requirements
The state allows inspectors to claim up to 12 elective hours.
Reciprocates
n/a
Licensing: Contractors
Department of Commerce & Insurance
Board for Licensing Contractors
500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-8307
(615) 532-2868 (FAX)
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/contractors/index.html
Licensing requirements:
| Contractors |
| Contractor's license is needed for the following: $25,000 or more for any single project defined as construction, bid or contracted directly to the owner, exceeding $25,000 in cost; Subcontractors who perform $25,000 or more in electrical, mechanical, plumbing and HVAC projects; Construction Management of any kind, where the value of the project exceeds $25,000 |
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| Requirements: |
Pass the business law and electrical contractor (CE) exam with a mimimum score of 70%
Submit completed application listing their equipment, experience and reference, with a financial statement prepared by CPA/LPA with a reviewed or audited opinion. Subsidiaries must submit their parent company financial with a Guaranty Agreement. |
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| Fees: |
Exam fee: $45
Initial application fee: $150 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial; Renewal fee: $200 |
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| LIMITED LICENSED ELECTRICIAN (LLE) |
| For electricians performing electrical work, where the total cost is LESS THAN $25,000 and in counties where local testing is offered, they must be licensed individually as a Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE). There is no longer an electrical registration card requirement with the Division of Fire Prevention. |
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| Requirements: |
Pass the LLE Exams
Electrical contractors licensed with the Contractor’s Board, with an “E” or “E-B” or “CE” or “CE-B” classification, are exempt from the LLE. Those who work in counties having a codes office which performs their own inspections (such as Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, etc.), licensing and testing, the LLE is not accepted. Please contact your local codes for their requirements. |
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| Fees: |
Exam fee: $45
Initial application fee: $50 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial; Renewal fee: $50 |
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CE Requirements
n/a
Reciprocates
Reciprocal agreements exist with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The benefit of these agreements is limited to a waiver of the competency exam only; the contractor must still complete the application process
Testing Laboratories
(1) An approved product must bear a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of one of the following independent testing laboratories:
- AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION LABORATORIES
- APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES OF FLORIDA, INC.
- CANADIAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION (CSA)
- DETROIT TESTING LABORATORY, INC. (Power-operated dispensing devices for petroleum products only)
- ETL TESTING LABORATORIES, INC.
- FACTORY MUTUAL SYSTEM
- MET ELECTRICAL TESTING COMPANY, INC.
- UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, INC.
(a) Are certified by another independent testing agency or laboratory to meet a standard which, in the State Fire Marshal’s judgment, provides an adequate level of safety and
(i) Is nationally recognized as an electrical product safety standard;
(ii) Is periodically revised to accommodate the latest developments in electrical products and installations; and
(iii) Is developed by the publisher in a manner which affords adequate opportunity for presentation and consideration of views of industry groups, experts, users, consumers, governmental authorities, and others having broad experience in the field involved.
(b) Any standard which is accepted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of part 2 of subparagraph (a) above.
(c) Where there is no published standard for a product under consideration which meets the requirements of part 2 of subparagraph (a) above, the testing agency or laboratory must identify, and justify the adequacy of, the standard or specifications on which its certification is based.
(d) Components of certified products must be evaluated for compliance with applicable safety standards, and determined to be suitable for use in such products.
(2) In lieu of evaluation by a testing agency or laboratory in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) above, the State Fire Marshal will consider other satisfactory evidence that a product meets safe and proper standards.
State Websites
Here is a list of governmental websites to find the latest licensing and code information.
Submit Alteration
Use the Alteration form to request changes, updates, and other corrections to this page. You can also use this form if you wish to add a new jurisdiction. Requests must include source of information so that IAEI can verify it. You can also contact IAEI directly at directCONNECT@iaei.org.
 Submit Alteration Form
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