Handyman License Requirements in Madison County, TN
Madison County, TN: business license from the Madison County Clerk ($15; standard license if gross receipts are $100,000 or more), on the state form, plus any city license first (e.g. Home-based county-only businesses also file a Home-Based Business Request with the Building Department. No county contractor license: state license at $25,000 or more, LLE/LLP for trade work under that, or the Jackson Master Trade License (Building Dept 731-423-6014).
Madison County requirements
Madison County, TN: business license from the Madison County Clerk ($15; standard license if gross receipts are $100,000 or more), on the state form, plus any city license first (e.g. Home-based county-only businesses also file a Home-Based Business Request with the Building Department. No county contractor license: state license at $25,000 or more, LLE/LLP for trade work under that, or the Jackson Master Trade License (Building Dept 731-423-6014).
Source link: madisoncountytn.gov · madisoncountytn.gov · tn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County business license
Required
- Name: Madison County Business License (TN business tax license; state form F1321001)
- Office: Madison County Clerk, Courthouse Room 105, 100 E. Main St, Jackson TN 38301, 731-423-6022. Inside the City of Jackson, the city revenue office also licenses.
- Fee: $15.00 (County Clerk page). Per TN DOR, a standard license is needed if gross receipts are $100,000 or more.
"The fee is $15.00. Before submitting an application for a Madison County Business License, please purchase and include any applicable City licensure. If the business is county only and home-based/online only, please submit a Home-Based Business Request with the Building Department"
Source: madisoncountytn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
- Name: No separate county contractor license. The Madison County Building Department accepts the state license (at $25,000 or more), the LLE/LLP limited licenses, or the City of Jackson Master Trade License.
- Trigger: State contractor license at $25,000 or more; LLE/LLP for electrical/plumbing work under $25,000
"If your project cost is under $25,000 ... Electrician: Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE); Plumber: Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) ... Effective January 1, 2021: The City of Jackson Master Trade License is now accepted."
Source: madisoncountytn.gov · checked November 2, 2026
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 Madison County 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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