Tennessee — plumbing code & licensing
Verified
The code
| Code family | IPC |
| Edition in force | 2021 International Plumbing Code adopted by reference at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-02-.01(1)(d) |
| Effective date | 2025-04-17 |
| Adopted by | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Fire Prevention (State Fire Marshal), under T.C.A. 68-120-101 |
| Adoption source | https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0780/0780-02/0780-02-02.20250417.pdf |
| State amendments | Amendments ride in the adoption document itself — https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0780/0780-02/0780-02-02.20250417.pdf |
Licensing
| Model | Split: state individual Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license for projects under $25,000 and state contractor license with plumbing classification (CMC or CMC-A) for projects of $25,000 or more, both under T.C.A. Title 62 Ch. 6; some local governments license journeyman/master plumbers themselves and may not accept the LLP |
| Authority | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Department of Commerce and Insurance |
| Licensing source | https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/llp.html |
| License classes | https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/llp.html |
Permits & inspections
Per the Board for Licensing Contractors: whether the LLP license is accepted for permits and inspections is determined by local codes enforcement; the Division of Fire Prevention's law covers residential inspections for LLPs in some local governments without code enforcement agencies. Per the State Fire Marshal's office: plans requiring SFMO approval could be submitted under the previous codes for 120 days after April 17, 2025.
How this record was verified
| Adoption | Verified |
| Amendments | Verified |
| Licensing | Verified |
| Permits & inspections | Verified |
Working notes
Scope split recorded plainly: the state codes are minimum statewide standards; the residential chapter excepts exempt jurisdictions and jurisdictions that have opted out (0780-02-23-.05, -.14), and one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are governed separately by Ch. 0780-02-23, which adopts the 2018 IRC. The adoption rule states changes to several adopted codes (IBC, IPMC, IFC, IECC, IEBC) but states no IPC-specific exceptions at .01(1)(d). A non-official university resource (MTAS) described August 17, 2025 as the adoption date; the official SFMO notice states the rules became effective April 17, 2025 with a 120-day transition (to August 15, 2025) - the official date is recorded.
Reference only. Compiled from the cited official sources as of the date shown; adoptions and rules change. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before designing or permitting work.