TN-CMCA Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows

The Pass Rate Reality: Why TN Doesn't Publish a Number

Anyone researching the Tennessee Plumbing (CMC-A) Contractor Examination quickly runs into the same wall: there is no official, published pass rate for this specific exam. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, which governs the Plumbing (CMC-A) classification, does not release aggregate scoring data broken down by classification or testing vendor. Prov, the company administering exam appointments since July 1, 2026 (per the current bulletin dated July 13, 2026), also does not make attempt-level pass statistics public.

That absence of a headline number is actually useful information in itself. It means the honest way to answer "will I pass?" isn't by comparing yourself to a national average - it's by comparing your preparation against the exam's actual structure: 100 questions, a 5-hour limit, and a 73% passing threshold. If you want the full breakdown of how difficult that structure is in practice, our companion piece on how hard the TN-CMCA exam really is walks through the format in more depth.

What a 73% Passing Score Actually Requires

The exam is open-book, computer-based, and multiple-choice, with 100 questions and a passing score of 73%. In practical terms, that means you can miss up to 27 questions and still pass - but with 100 questions spread across 12 distinct domains, missing 27 is not evenly distributed room for error. A weak domain that carries heavy weight (like Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems at 20%) can eat through your error margin fast if you're guessing on those questions rather than answering with confidence.

For a full explanation of how the 73% threshold is calculated and what it means for your study targets, see TN-CMCA Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. The short version: because the exam is open-book, the real skill being tested isn't memorization - it's knowing where to find the correct code section, math formula, or safety standard quickly enough to finish 100 questions in 5 hours.

How Domain Weighting Shapes Your Odds

The exam covers 12 domains, but they are not weighted equally. Two domains alone account for nearly 40% of the total exam:

Together, these two domains represent more exam questions than the bottom five or six domains combined. If your study time is limited, this is where a domain-by-domain strategy pays off. Our full breakdown of TN-CMCA Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 12 Content Areas covers exactly what each domain tests, including General Knowledge, Plumbing Math, Code Requirements, Fixtures and Fittings, Water Heaters, Storm Drainage, Fuel Gas Systems, OSHA Safety, Water Supply and Distribution, and Tools and Installation Practices.

Exam Mechanics That Affect Outcomes

Several logistical details influence real-world pass results, and they're easy to overlook when candidates focus only on content:

• Delivery format: Prov offers both test-center and remote Examroom delivery. Remote testing requires a stable setup and quiet environment - technical hiccups during a timed 5-hour exam can cost valuable minutes.
• Reference materials: The exam is open-book against a specific list - the 2021 International Plumbing Code, the 2018 or 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters (8th Edition), OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, and Plumbing Basics for Contractors (4th Edition, 2021). Bringing unfamiliar or outdated editions can slow you down significantly.
• Board preapproval: You cannot simply register and sit for the exam. Board preapproval is required first, carrying its own $50 fee and requiring documentation of at least three years of plumbing experience or a relevant engineering degree. Full eligibility details are in our TN-CMCA Requirements 2026 guide.
• Prov exam fee: Each attempt costs $53, separate from the preapproval fee.

Who Tends to Struggle - and Why

Because there's no published pass rate, we can't cite a specific percentage of candidates who fail. But based on the exam's structure, a few patterns are predictable:

• Candidates who underestimate Isometrics. Reading isometric drawings under time pressure is a distinct skill from field experience - plenty of experienced plumbers have never had to interpret them on paper quickly.
• Candidates who over-rely on "open-book." If you haven't practiced navigating the 2021 IPC and IFGC before test day, flipping through hundreds of pages during a timed exam eats your 5-hour window fast.
• Candidates who neglect Plumbing Math. Formula-based questions using Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters concepts require practiced calculation, not just familiarity.
• Candidates who skip OSHA Safety review. It's a smaller domain, but missing easy points here adds pressure elsewhere on the exam.

For a broader look at where candidates commonly underestimate the exam's difficulty, read How Hard Is the TN-CMCA Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.

A Domain-Focused Preparation Timeline

Generic study techniques only help if they're applied to the right material at the right time. Given the weighting of Drain, Waste, and Vent Systems and Isometrics, a focused schedule in the weeks before your exam date should look something like this:

For a more detailed week-by-week breakdown and study resource list, see our full TN-CMCA Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. Practicing under realistic timed conditions with our TN-CMCA practice test platform is one of the most direct ways to gauge your readiness before spending $53 on a real attempt.

Retake Costs and the Two-Year Score Window

If you don't pass on the first try, the Prov fee is charged again per attempt - currently $53. That's separate from the one-time $50 Board preapproval fee, which you should not need to pay again if your preapproval remains valid. A passing score is typically valid for two years, which matters if you're timing your exam relative to your contractor application. The initial contractor application fee is $250, and licenses renew every two years for $200.

For a full cost breakdown across preapproval, exam attempts, and licensing fees, see TN-CMCA Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you're weighing whether the entire process - preapproval, exam, Business and Law, licensing - is worth pursuing given the career it opens up, our analysis at Is the TN-CMCA Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 covers that decision in more detail, and TN-CMCA Salary Guide 2026 looks at the earning side.

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