- The TN-CMCA is open-book, 100 questions, 5-hour limit, and requires a 73% passing score.
- Prov charges $53 per exam attempt; Board preapproval carries a separate $50 fee.
- Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems (20%) and Isometrics (18%) are the two heaviest domains.
- You need three years of plumbing experience or a plumbing/mechanical engineering degree before scheduling.
Exam Snapshot: The Numbers You Must Memorize
If you only have five minutes before your appointment, these are the numbers that matter. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors oversees the Plumbing (CMC-A) contractor classification, and Prov has run new exam scheduling since July 1, 2026, under a bulletin dated July 13, 2026. Every logistical detail below traces back to that bulletin.
- Format: Open-book, computer-based, multiple-choice
- Question count: 100 questions
- Time limit: 5 hours
- Passing score: 73%
- Exam fee: $53 per attempt (paid to Prov)
- Delivery options: In-person test center or remote via Examroom
For a deeper breakdown of how difficult the exam actually feels in practice, see How Hard Is the TN-CMCA Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026, and for a full explanation of scoring mechanics, check TN-CMCA Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
Reference Library Cheat Sheet
Because this is an open-book exam, your reference stack is effectively part of your score. Prov's approved list is short and specific - do not bring substitutes.
Approved References
- 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
- 2018 or 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
- Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926
- Plumbing Basics for Contractors, 4th Edition (2021)
Tab your IPC by chapter, especially the drainage and venting sections, and keep the fuel gas code separated from the plumbing code physically - mixing them under exam pressure costs minutes you don't have. Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters should be tabbed to your pipe-sizing and fixture-unit formulas, since those calculations show up repeatedly across multiple domains, not just the math section.
All 12 Domains at a Glance
The exam blueprint spans twelve content areas. Only two weights are published outright, but the imbalance tells you exactly where to spend your prep hours.
| Domain | Priority Signal |
|---|---|
| Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems | Largest domain at 20% |
| Isometrics | Second-largest at 18% |
| Code Requirements | High-frequency across other domains |
| Water Supply and Distribution | Heavily math-dependent |
| Fuel Gas Systems | Requires the separate IFGC reference |
| OSHA Safety | Ties directly to 29 CFR 1926 |
| General Knowledge, Plumbing Math, Fixtures and Fittings, Water Heaters, Storm Drainage, Tools and Installation Practices | Remaining domains rounding out the blueprint |
Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems (20%)
This is the single most tested domain, so mastering trap arm distances, vent sizing, cleanout placement, and fixture unit tables from the 2021 IPC is non-negotiable.
- Fixture unit to pipe diameter conversions
- Vent stack sizing rules
- Slope and cleanout code minimums
Isometrics (18%)
Isometric drawing questions test whether you can read a riser diagram and apply DWV or water supply logic to it under time pressure. Practice reading isometrics quickly, not just correctly.
- Identifying fixture connections on a riser diagram
- Translating isometric views into code compliance checks
- Spotting missing vents or improper offsets visually
For the complete blueprint with every domain explained in depth, read TN-CMCA Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 12 Content Areas.
Registration, Fees, and Preapproval Mechanics
Unlike exams you can simply book online, the TN-CMCA requires Board preapproval before Prov will let you schedule anything. Skipping this step is the most common reason candidates lose weeks of prep time.
- Document your eligibility. You need at least three years of verifiable plumbing experience, or a degree in plumbing or mechanical engineering.
- Submit preapproval to the Board. This carries its own $50 fee, separate from the exam fee.
- Meet the surrounding requirements. Financial capacity, references, liability insurance, and workers' compensation documentation all factor into approval.
- Schedule with Prov. Once approved, pay the $53 exam fee and pick a test center or remote Examroom session.
- Pass Tennessee Business and Law. This companion exam is required alongside the trade exam before licensure.
A full walkthrough of every prerequisite, including the experience documentation Board reviewers actually accept, lives in TN-CMCA Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify. If you're still deciding when to start the process, TN-CMCA Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling maps out scheduling windows against preapproval turnaround time.
From Passing Score to Active License
Passing the exam is a milestone, not the finish line. Your score is typically valid for two years, which is the window you have to complete the remaining licensing steps before you'd need to retest.
Key Takeaway
Treat your two-year score validity as a deadline for your entire application, not just a formality - delays in insurance or reference paperwork can eat that window fast.
- Initial contractor application fee: $250
- License renewal: Every two years at $200
- Score validity: Typically two years from your pass date
For a complete cost breakdown that layers preapproval, exam, and application fees together, see TN-CMCA Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you're weighing whether the total investment pays off, Is the TN-CMCA Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 lays out the tradeoffs in more detail.
Final-Week Review Schedule
Generic study frameworks rarely map cleanly onto a domain-weighted trade exam, so this schedule is built specifically around the TN-CMCA's two heaviest domains and its open-book format.
Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems + Isometrics
- Tab the 2021 IPC drainage and venting chapters
- Drill fixture-unit and vent-sizing calculations
- Practice reading riser diagrams against code checklists
Code Requirements + Water Supply and Distribution
- Cross-reference supply pipe sizing tables
- Rehearse quick-navigation of the IPC index under a timer
Fuel Gas Systems + OSHA Safety
- Separate your IFGC tabs from your IPC tabs
- Review 29 CFR 1926 excerpts most relevant to plumbing job sites
Full Timed Mock Exam
- Simulate the full 100-question, 5-hour format with your actual reference books
- Review missed questions by domain, prioritizing DWV and Isometrics gaps
For a step-by-step version of this plan with practice question strategy included, see TN-CMCA Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. Running full-length timed sets on our practice test platform before test day is the fastest way to confirm you can actually finish 100 questions inside the five-hour limit.
Who Actually Hires TN-CMCA Holders
The Plumbing (CMC-A) classification exists specifically so contractors can legally bid, permit, and run plumbing work in Tennessee. That makes the credential relevant to plumbing contracting companies, mechanical contractors expanding into plumbing scopes, and independent operators looking to hold their own license instead of working under someone else's.
To understand how this credential translates into pay expectations, review TN-CMCA Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis, and if you're researching the credential from scratch, start with What Is TN-CMCA? or TN-CMCA Certification for the foundational overview before diving into fee mechanics.
Once you're licensed, browsing TN-CMCA Jobs is a practical next step, and pairing structured coursework from TN-CMCA Training with timed practice on this site's exam simulator covers both the knowledge and speed components the real exam demands.
FAQ
Yes. Candidates may bring the approved references, including the 2021 IPC, the 2018 or 2021 IFGC, Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and Plumbing Basics for Contractors, 4th Edition.
Prov charges $53 per attempt. Board preapproval, required before scheduling, adds a separate $50 fee, and the initial contractor application afterward costs $250.
You need 73% correct across the 100-question exam, completed within the 5-hour time limit.
Yes. Board preapproval requires documentation of at least three years of plumbing experience, or a degree in plumbing or mechanical engineering, before you can schedule with Prov.
Exam scores are typically valid for two years, giving you a window to complete the remaining application steps before you'd need to retest.