For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

Contractor Requirements

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County tit. 16, ch. 16.16, art. VI
in effect

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.740 Metropolitan master mechanical contractor defined.

16.16.740 - Metropolitan master mechanical contractor defined. For the purposes of this chapter, a metropolitan master mechanical contractor who installs, repairs, services or alters any HVAC&R or gas appliances or HVAC&R or gas systems or refrigeration, incineration and other energy consuming systems with associated ductwork and piping unlimited in capacity and size as permitted by the metropolitan gas/mechanical code shall be defined as one of the following: A. An individual holding a current and valid metropolitan master mechanical certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractors' license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan master mechanical contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractors' privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and also has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance; B. A person, firm, association or corporation established to do business as a metropolitan master mechanical contractor, employing the full-time services of an individual holding a current and valid master mechanical certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractors' license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan master mechanical contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractors' privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-108)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.750 Metropolitan HVAC&R contractor defined.

16.16.750 - Metropolitan HVAC&R contractor defined. For the purposes of this chapter, a metropolitan HVAC&R contractor who installs, repairs, services or alters HVAC&R appliances including gas appliances and equipment, ductwork and piping required to make a complete and operating system shall be limited to installations not to exceed the following rated (input) thirty tons, or one and one-half million Btuh, or gas piping systems not to exceed five psi pressure for the total system, shall be defined as one of the following: A. An individual holding a current and valid metropolitan HVAC&R certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractors' license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan HVAC&R contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractors' privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance; B. A person, firm, association or corporation established to do business as a metropolitan HVAC&R contractor, employing the full-time services of an individual holding a current and valid HVAC&R certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractors' license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan HVAC&R contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractors' privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-109)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.760 Metropolitan gas and appliance contractor defined.

16.16.760 - Metropolitan gas and appliance contractor defined. A. For the purposes of this chapter, a metropolitan gas and appliance contractor who installs, repairs, services or alters gas, fuel, oil and solid fuel appliances, water heaters, unvented heaters and unit heaters including equipment and piping required to make a complete and operating system of natural gas of two psi and under to serve equipment installed; contractors who provide complete propane systems two psi and under including storage tanks may provide piping systems of up to ten psi external of the building, maximum input rating of gas appliances not to exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand Btu. B. Exception: A public utility licensed as a gas and appliance contractor shall be allowed to install and service appliances and equipment as required by the Public Service Commission. C. A metropolitan gas and appliance contractor shall be defined as one of the following: 1. An individual holding a current and valid metropolitan gas and appliance certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractor's license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan gas and appliance contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractor's privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance; 2. A person, firm, association or corporation established to do business as a metropolitan gas and appliance contractor, employing the full-time services of an individual holding a current and valid gas and appliance certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals, who holds a current and valid contractor's license issued by the Tennessee State Board for Licensing Contractors when required, who has been duly registered as a metropolitan gas and appliance contractor by the department of codes administration and has secured the required contractor's privilege license from the proper licensing authority of the metropolitan government and has provided proper bond and certificate of insurance. (Ord. 92-118 § 20, 1992; Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-110)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.770 Issuance of certificates to existing contractors without examination—Requirements.

16.16.770 - Issuance of certificates to existing contractors without examination—Requirements. A. Within one hundred and twenty days after the effective date of the bill codified in this chapter, any person, partnership, firm or corporation desiring to do mechanical or gas work covered by this chapter that has held a valid Davidson County or an adjoining county business license for at least three years from the effective date of the bill codified in this chapter, for the purpose of engaging in mechanical or gas contracting, shall make application to the metropolitan board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals for registration, in the appropriate classification as described in this code. Said applicant must show proof to the board, that a minimum of five systems have been installed or serviced within Davidson County in the last thirty-six months from the date of application, for the classification that the applicant is applying for, upon approval by the board. The board shall authorize the issuance of said certificate without examination upon the payment of the original certificate fee, providing proper bond and certificate of insurance. Said certificate holder's certificate to expire on September 30th of the following year (but not to exceed 15 months). B. If the applicant is an individual, the board shall authorize the issuance of the certificate in the name of the individual. If the applicant is a partnership, firm or corporation, the board shall authorize the issuance of the certificate to the member of said partnership, firm or corporation most actively engaged in the actual gas/mechanical contracting phase of the business. Only one gas/mechanical certificate may be issued under the provisions of this section, for the benefit of any said partnership, firm, or corporation. Upon proper application, said person shall be registered as a master mechanical, HVAC&R or gas and appliance certificate holder as provided in this code. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-116)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.780 Registration, bonding and insurance—Requirements.

16.16.780 - Registration, bonding and insurance—Requirements. A. It shall be the duty of every person desiring to engage in the business of gas/mechanical as a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor to register, post bond and submit certificate of insurance, as required, with the department of codes administration. B. Each party to a joint venture shall be duly registered as a master mechanical, HVAC&R or gas and appliance contractor in accordance with this section. Each party shall be registered as the same contractor type. In addition, each party to a joint venture shall sign all applications for gas/mechanical permits. C. It shall be the responsibility of the master mechanical contractor, HVAC&R contractor, or gas and appliance contractor to furnish to the department of codes administration a permit bond in the amount of forty thousand dollars, conditioned to conform to the requirements of this chapter and all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations of the metropolitan government relating to work which is performed by the principal pursuant to a permit issued under this bond, or for work performed by the principal for which a permit should have been obtained prior to the commencement of such activity; and to indemnify the metropolitan government and property owners against any and all loss suffered by them by reason of the failure of such contractor to comply with such laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Such bond shall be continuous and may not be canceled without at least ten days' prior notice, in writing, to the director of codes administration. The liability of the surety shall continue to attach to work performed pursuant to any permit issued prior to the termination date of the bond even if the noncomplying act should occur after the termination date of the bond. The liability of the surety for any and all claims, suits or action under this bond shall not exceed the bond penalty of forty thousand dollars. Regardless of the number of years this bond may remain in force, the liability of the surety shall not be cumulative and the aggregate liability of the surety for any and all claims, suits or actions under this bond shall not exceed forty thousand dollars. The bond shall be issued by a U.S. Treasury-listed corporate surety or a Tennessee domestic insurance company on forms provided by the department of codes administration. D. It shall be the responsibility of the master mechanical contractor, HVAC&R contractor or gas and appliance contractor to furnish to the department of codes administration a certificate of general liability insurance issued by a Tennessee-licensed company which provides a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars per occurrence combined single limits for bodily injury and property damage coverage. The certification of insurance must be submitted from a Tennessee-licensed company prior to renewal of the metropolitan contractor's certificate holder annual renewal. The insurance may not be canceled without at least thirty days' prior notice, in writing to the director of codes administration. (Ord. 94-1226 § 4, 1994; Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-117)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.790 Duties of gas/mechanical contractors.

16.16.790 - Duties of gas/mechanical contractors. A. Every person holding a gas/mechanical contractor's registration shall conform strictly to the metropolitan gas/mechanical code, and applicable state laws such as the State Contractors and/or Home Improvement Laws. B. No gas/mechanical work shall be begun until a permit has been obtained by the certificate holder unless an emergency condition exists, in which case a permit must be obtained the next working day. C. Before any person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of gas/mechanical contracting as herein defined, he shall comply with all other applicable Metro ordinances. D. The gas/mechanical contractor shall register and shall notify in writing the following with the metropolitan department of codes administration or changes to the following: 1. Name of the business, business street address and zip code, local telephone or toll free number, and individual's name as required above; 2. Name of the certificate holder, business street address and zip code, and local telephone number where the certificate holder may be contacted during normal working hours. E. It shall be the responsibility of the gas/mechanical contractor to immediately notify the board in writing of the death, termination of employment, or extended sickness of the certificate holder. F. In the event of death, termination of employment, extended sickness, or revocation of the certificate of the certificate holder, the gas/mechanical contractor shall secure the services of another certificate holder. The gas/mechanical contractor's registration shall be suspended until a new certificate holder is employed, subject to an appeal before the board. G. A registered gas/mechanical contractor shall not furnish permits for gas/mechanical work to any person, firm or corporation other than his own. All work done under any permit shall be performed under the supervision of the certificate holder who obtained the permit. Work cannot be subcontracted under any conditions to other than a master mechanical, HVAC&R or gas and appliance contractor who shall obtain his/her own permits. H. Failure to comply with any of the duties listed above shall constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of the gas/mechanical contractor's registration. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-118)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.800 Certification required for registration as contractor.

16.16.800 - Certification required for registration as contractor. A. No person engaged in or desiring to engage in the business of gas/mechanical as a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor shall be registered as such by the department of codes administration unless such person holds a current and valid certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals. B. No person, firm, association or corporation, other than an individual holding a current and valid certificate, as set forth above, engaged in or desiring to engage in the business of gas/mechanical as a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor, shall be registered as such by the department of codes administration unless such person, firm, association or corporation employs the services of an individual holding a current and valid certificate duly issued by the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-120)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.810 Revocation of registration—Grounds—Notice—Reinstatement.

16.16.810 - Revocation of registration—Grounds—Notice—Reinstatement. A. The board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals shall revoke or suspend a registration of any contractor upon positive proof that such person, firm or corporation: 1. Knowingly violated the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations of the board; 2. Practiced fraud or deception in making application for or obtaining such registration; 3. Is incompetent to perform a service to the public as a registered contractor; 4. Permit his registration to be used, directly or indirectly, by another person, firm or corporation to obtain or perform work or services; 5. Obtain permits for another person, firm or corporation to perform gas/mechanical work; 6. Worked as a gas/mechanical contractor prior to registration with the board after the grandfathering of existing contractors time period has expired; 7. Is guilty of such other unprofessional or dishonorable conduct of such nature as to deceive or defraud the public. B. No action of the board to suspend or revoke a certificate of registration shall become final until the alleged offender has been given an opportunity to appear before the board to show cause as to why such action should not be taken. C. Notice, in writing, of the proposed action of the board to revoke or suspend a certificate of registration shall be given to the holder of such certificate, stating the specific charges upon which such action is based. The notice shall stipulate that a hearing will be scheduled at a time and place set by the board for the aggrieved party to show cause why such action should not be made final. Such hearing shall not be held less than forty-eight hours following notice to the aggrieved party. Failure to appear before the board to answer the specific charges set forth in the notice shall be deemed just cause for final revocation or suspension of registration. D. In the event registration is revoked by the board, an application for reinstatement of such registration shall not be accepted by the board within one year after the date of such revocation. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-119)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.820 Contractor's eligibility for permits—Employment of certificate holder required.

16.16.820 - Contractor's eligibility for permits—Employment of certificate holder required. A. In the event a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor, as defined in Sections 16.16.740 through 16.16.760, should for any reason dispense with or otherwise fail to retain the services of a metropolitan certificate holder, then such metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor shall no longer be eligible to obtain gas/mechanical permits until such time as such gas/mechanical contractor shall employ the services of a certified certificate holder to supervise its work. B. In all such instances, it shall be the duty of such metropolitan contractor to immediately notify the director of codes administration, in writing, of any change in the status or relationship of any certificate holder employed. It shall be the duty also of each metropolitan certificate holder employed by a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor to immediately notify the director of codes administration, in writing, of any change in employment or in his relationship with a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-121)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.830 Stop work order—Issued for work authorized under certificate holder no longer employed.

16.16.830 - Stop work order—Issued for work authorized under certificate holder no longer employed. In the event a metropolitan gas/mechanical contractor, as defined in Sections 16.16.740 through 16.16.760, shall cease to employ the services of a metropolitan certificate holder, the contractor shall notify the director of codes administration within forty-eight hours. Such gas/mechanical contractor shall no longer be entitled to secure permits. The director of codes administration may issue a stop work order for any work authorized and not completed under any permit issued to such contractor, if in the director's opinion conditions so require it, subject to an appeal by such contractor to the board of gas/mechanical examiners and appeals. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered to such gas/mechanical contractor by registered mail or served personally on such contractor. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-122)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.850 Vehicle identification requirements.

16.16.850 - Vehicle identification requirements. A. All trucks and similar vehicles used by contractors or their employees shall have conspicuously painted on the body of both sides of said vehicles, in any color in contrast to the color of the vehicle's body, one of two methods of identification stated below: 1. The full name of the firm to which it belongs, in lettering at least two inches high or; 2. The wording "Licensed Master Mechanical Contractor," "Licensed HVAC&R Contractor," or "Licensed Gas and Appliance Contractor," in lettering at least two inches high on the top line; the wording "No." in lettering at least two inches high and "[insert assigned number]" in lettering at least two inches high, on the second line; and the wording "Metro Nashville" in lettering at least one and one-half inches high on the third line. B. In the event a contractor obtains a vehicle for temporary use, he will be permitted to identify said vehicle by placing on it in a clearly visible position on both sides, a temporary sign or letters to conform to the same requirements as the permanent lettering described in this section. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-130.1)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 16.16.860 Advertisements must include certificate numbers and classification.

16.16.860 - Advertisements must include certificate numbers and classification. Any advertisement by a contractor, including but not limited to yellow pages and newspaper advertisement, shall include the certificate number of the certificate holder and classification. (Ord. 90-1253 § 1 (part), 1990; prior code § 19-1-130.2)
Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT16BUCO_CH16.16GAMERE_ARTVICOREFetched: 10/28/2026

Starting a business in Tennessee? Tennessee LLC guide: costs and requirements