How to Pass the Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Exam
You don't have to guess how to prepare for the Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor exam. This guide lays it out: the key facts from the official bulletin, the topics on the test, the books you need, sample questions with answers, and a study plan you can follow. Prov gives the exam.
Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Exam Basics
Here's what the official bulletin says about the exam:
| Questions | 70 questions |
| Time limit | 210 minutes |
| Passing score | 73% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $53 |
On exam day
- The exam is multiple choice with four answer options.
- A current, valid, government-issued photo ID is required, and candidates must also sign the log and be photographed.
- Candidates should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.
- References are inspected before entry, any edition of a listed reference may be used, and books with handwritten notes, moveable tabs, Post-its, photocopies, or test-prep guides are not allowed.
- Highlighting and permanent tabs are allowed; handwritten notes and moveable tabs are not.
- Simple 4-function calculators are permitted and a simple calculator is built into the test.
- Communication devices and other personal items are prohibited in the testing room, while approved references and a simple calculator are allowed.
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Candidates register and schedule online at Prov's website or by calling Prov at 866-720-7768.
- Only the CMC and CMC-A examinations require Board approval before a candidate may schedule.
- Changes or cancellations must be made at least three business days before the test date, and rescheduling by that deadline is free.
- Late arrivals are turned away and forfeit their fees, as do candidates who fail to appear.
- Results are reported immediately by email with a numerical score and pass/fail result, plus a diagnostic report for candidates who fail.
- Failed exams may be retaken an unlimited number of times with no waiting period, at $53 per attempt.
- Passing candidates must submit a license application to the Board, which decides whether they qualify for licensure.
Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin, TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
What's on the Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Exam
The official content outline splits the exam into 15 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Estimating, Plan Reading | 9 | 13% |
| General Code | 6 | 9% |
| Sitework | 2 | 3% |
| Footings and Foundations | 4 | 6% |
| Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement | 8 | 11% |
| Masonry | 6 | 9% |
| Carpentry | 6 | 9% |
| Doors, Windows, and Stairs | 1 | 1% |
| Interior Finish | 1 | 1% |
| Structural Steel | 12 | 17% |
| Roofing, Siding, and Insulation | 7 | 10% |
| Plumbing Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| HVAC Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| OSHA Safety | 5 | 7% |
Your Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Study Plan
Your books are your best friend on this exam. It's open book, so the references on the bulletin's list are what you'll use on test day. Get your own copies in the editions the bulletin names.
Get to know them early. Spend time with each book's table of contents and index until you can find any major subject quickly. On an open-book exam, finding answers fast is the skill that counts.
Make the books yours. Highlight the sections you keep coming back to. The exam facts above list the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings, so follow them exactly.
Put your energy where the points are. Structural Steel and Estimating, Plan Reading make up 30% of the exam, so start there.
Practice with the clock running. Our timed practice exams help you build the pace the real exam needs: about 3 minutes per question. Every attempt is another rep.
Keep going until you pass practice exams consistently. One good score is a great start. A few passing scores in a row is how you know you're ready.
Books You'll Need for the Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Exam
Where to get them:
Alternate references, allowed only through January 1, 2027:
- Modern Masonry
- SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
- Carpentry and Building Construction
- ACI 530 Masonry Building Code
- ACI 318 Structural Concrete Building Code
- The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction
- Roofing Construction and Estimating
- Pipe and Excavation Contracting
- Gypsum Construction Handbook
- SJI Technical Digest 9: Steel Joist Erection
Test Day Tips
Start with a quick pass through the whole exam. Answer every question you're sure about and bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you return to bookmarked questions, so nothing is lost by moving on. One catch: some exams lock the questions you've already seen once you take a break, so clear your bookmarks before any break.
Then come back to your bookmarks and work through them one at a time. Keep an eye on the clock: you have 210 minutes for 70 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question. Before you finish, make sure every question has an answer. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
Our practice exam is specifically designed to mimic the testing conditions at all exam centers. While untimed PDF study guides might help with studying, they don’t prepare you for the challenge of managing your time during an actual test.
Read each answer choice in order. If it seems correct, mark it as your current best. Each subsequent choice must beat your current best to replace it. Keep going until you've reviewed all choices, then verify your final selection actually answers the question.
If you're stuck on a problem, don't waste time—move on. Before you do, however, quickly eliminate any obviously wrong answer choices. Even ruling out one or two options significantly improves your odds of guessing correctly. Eliminate what you can, make your best guess, then move on.
Try These Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Practice Questions
Give these a try. They come from our practice question bank, each with its answer and reference.
Sample 1 — Roofing, Siding, and Insulation
Question: What is the maximum recommended distance between a gutter's high point and the downspout?
- A. 25 feet
- B. 16 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 20 feet
Correct Answer: A
The text states that the maximum distance between the gutter's high point and the downspout should not ordinarily exceed 25 feet.
Reference: Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 22.4 — Installation (alternate reference, allowed only through January 1, 2027)
Sample 2 — Masonry
Question: Masonry cavity walls have fire resistance ratings that range from how many hours, depending on wall thickness and other factors?
- A. Three hours to five hours
- B. One hour to two hours
- C. Two hours to four hours
- D. One hour to three hours
Correct Answer: C
According to the text, 'Fire resistance ratings of cavity walls range from two hours to four hours, depending on the wall thickness and other factors.' Due to their high fire resistance properties, brick walls make excellent fire walls for compartmentation in buildings.
Reference: Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Page 331 (alternate reference, allowed only through January 1, 2027)
Sample 3 — Carpentry
Question: What is the minimum clearance required between the undersides of floor joists and the highest point of ground in a crawl space?
- A. 12 inches
- B. 24 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 8 inches
Correct Answer: C
Crawl spaces should have enough height to permit inspections for termites and to allow plastic soil covers to be installed. Ordinarily, there should be at least 18 inches between the undersides of the joists and the highest point of ground enclosed by the foundation walls.
Reference: Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 9.2 Establishing Lines & Grades, Page 247 (alternate reference, allowed only through January 1, 2027)
Sample 4 — General Code
Question: What is the occupant load factor (in square feet per occupant) assigned to business areas for calculating the design occupant load of spaces without fixed seating?
- A. 200 gross
- B. 100 gross
- C. 150 gross
- D. 50 net
Correct Answer: C
Per IBC Table 1004.5, the occupant load factor for business areas is 150 gross square feet per occupant. This value is used to determine the design occupant load by dividing the floor area by the occupant load factor.
Reference: IBC 2021 Table 1004.5
Why Practice Online?
Reading questions in a PDF is a start, but it doesn't prepare you for the clock. Our practice exams are timed and on a screen, so you build speed along with knowledge. Each attempt draws a new set of questions from our bank, and your results show your score by topic so you know where to focus next.
Ready to Start?
Take the free Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor practice exam and see where you stand today. Then focus on the topics that need the most work. For the official rules, read the exam bulletin, and see the licensing board's website.