Handyman License Requirements in Kingsport, TN
Handymen located in Kingsport need a City of Kingsport business license ($15, Customer Service Center, City Hall) AND a Sullivan County or Hawkins County business license ($15, County Clerk), depending on location. To pull permits they must set up a contractor account with the Building Division (415 Broad St, 423-229-9393) with the city business license, COI, and workers' comp + general liability insurance. Electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work also needs a $10,000 bond, and projects over $25,000 need a TN state contractor license.
Kingsport requirements
Handymen located in Kingsport need a City of Kingsport business license ($15, Customer Service Center, City Hall) AND a Sullivan County or Hawkins County business license ($15, County Clerk), depending on location. To pull permits they must set up a contractor account with the Building Division (415 Broad St, 423-229-9393) with the city business license, COI, and workers' comp + general liability insurance. Electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work also needs a $10,000 bond, and projects over $25,000 need a TN state contractor license.
Source link: kingsporttn.gov · kingsporttn.gov · kingsporttn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: City of Kingsport business (tax) license PLUS Sullivan County or Hawkins County business license
- Office: City of Kingsport Customer Service Center, City Hall (city); county application goes to the Sullivan or Hawkins County Clerk
- Fee: $15 city + $15 county application fee
"Most businesses located inside the city limits of Kingsport are required to have both a city and a Sullivan County or Hawkins County business license ... The application fees for a business license are $15.00 for the City of Kingsport and $15.00 for Sullivan County or Hawkins County."
Source: kingsporttn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Depends
- Name: Kingsport Building Division contractor account (business license + COI + insurance; trades add $10,000 bond)
- Applies when: CONDITIONAL
- Trigger: Any work needing a Kingsport permit; $10,000 bond for electrical/mechanical/gas/plumbing; >$25,000 state license
"All general contractors must have a City of Kingsport business license, COI, and proof of workman's compensation and general liability insurance to purchase permits. All electrical, mechanical, gas installation, and plumbing contractors must also post a $10,000 performance bond. The licenses and bonds are handled by the Building Division, located at 415 Broad St, (423) 229-9393."
Source: kingsporttn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County: Sullivan County and Hawkins County
The Tennessee rule
Regulator: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance - Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (contractors, home improvement contractors, limited licensed electricians (LLE), limited licensed plumbers (LLP)); Division of Fire Prevention (state electrical permits/inspections where used)
Contractor license required prior to contracting/bidding 'projects $25,000 or more' (i.e., under $25,000 = no state contractor license; $25,000 is NOT exempt). Masonry: $100,000 or more. Home Improvement license (in the 9 adopting counties only): residential remodeling 'from $3,000 to $24,999' / '$3,000 to less than $25,000'. Outside those counties, residential work under $25,000 needs no state general license. Subcontractors bidding to a contractor (not owner) for painting, drywall, carpentry, landscaping need no contractor license; electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing subs need one over $25,000.
What counts toward it: labor+materials (Board: home improvement range is 'total cost or contract, including materials and labor'; LLP projects 'including materials and labor'; contractor monetary limit/permit value includes cost of land and profit for BC-A/r)
"A Home Improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999; however, this only applies to the counties adopting the law. Currently, this applies to the following counties: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby."
State registration
Home Improvement license (adopting counties): $10,000 surety bond (or cash/property bond or irrevocable letter of credit), general liability and workers' compensation insurance, photo ID/SSN, SOS registration if an entity, remodeling experience; initial application fee $250. Contractor license: Business & Law exam (+ trade exam for certain classifications), CPA-reviewed/audited financial statement (or, from July 1, 2026, surety bond of at least 50% of requested monetary limit), GL and workers' comp proof. LLE: trade exam, $50 application fee.
Source: tn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Insurance and bond
Contractor: GL and workers' comp proof required; 'Bonding is not required to obtain a contractor's license' except new optional surety bond (>=50% of requested monetary limit) in lieu of financial statement from July 1, 2026.
What to do, in order
- Read the Tennessee rule and confirm with Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance - Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (contractors, home improvement contractors, limited licensed electricians (LLE), limited licensed plumbers (LLP)); Division of Fire Prevention (state electrical permits/inspections where used).
- Line up the Kingsport items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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