How to Pass the Tennessee Business and Law Management Exam
You don't have to guess how to prepare for the Tennessee Business and Law Management 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 Business and Law Management Exam Basics
Here's what the official bulletin says about the exam:
| Questions | 50 questions |
| Time limit | 150 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.
References you may bring
- NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - Tennessee (4th Edition)
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 Business and Law Management Exam
The official content outline splits the exam into 11 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Business Organization | 4 | 8% |
| Licensing | 5 | 10% |
| Estimating and Bidding | 7 | 14% |
| Contracts | 6 | 12% |
| Project Management | 4 | 8% |
| Risk Management | 4 | 8% |
| OSHA Safety | 5 | 10% |
| Financial Management | 3 | 6% |
| Labor Law | 5 | 10% |
| Tax Law | 5 | 10% |
| Lien Law | 2 | 4% |
Your Tennessee Business and Law Management 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. Estimating and Bidding and Contracts make up 26% 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 Business and Law Management Exam
The reference listed for the Business and Law exam is the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - Tennessee (4th Edition).
Where to get them:
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 150 minutes for 50 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.
There's no hidden pattern in the answer key. If you've picked "A" four times in a row, the fifth answer can still be "A." Judge each question on its own and ignore the letter sequence.
Try These Tennessee Business and Law Management Practice Questions
Give these a try. They come from our practice question bank, each with its answer and reference.
Sample 1 — Tax Law
Question: What form does a sole proprietor use to report self-employment tax to the IRS?
- A. Form 1120-A
- B. Form 1065
- C. Schedule SE (Form 1040)
- D. Form 940
Correct Answer: C
According to the summary of federal tax forms, a sole proprietor files Form 1040 and Schedule SE for self-employment tax. Schedule SE is used to calculate the social security and Medicare tax owed by self-employed individuals.
Reference: NASCLA Contractors Guide, Tax Basics chapter — Self-Employment Tax section (Page 15-2)
Sample 2 — Labor Law
Question: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects individuals who are at least what age, and applies to employers with how many or more employees?
- A. Age 50; 15 or more employees
- B. Age 40; 20 or more employees
- C. Age 55; 25 or more employees
- D. Age 40; 15 or more employees
Correct Answer: B
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination against individuals who are age 40 or older and applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
Reference: NASCLA Contractors Guide, Employee Management chapter — Other Labor Laws section
Sample 3 — OSHA Safety
Question: Which of the following is an exemption from the Lead Pre-Renovation Education Rule?
- A. Minor repair and maintenance that disturbs six square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less on the exterior
- B. Renovations in single-family homes built before 1978
- C. Renovations involving window replacement in pre-1978 housing
- D. Surface preparation activities such as sanding or scraping in pre-1978 housing
Correct Answer: A
Per Chapter 11, the Lead PRE rule exemptions include: 'Minor repair and maintenance that disturb six square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less on the exterior, as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.' The other options — single-family pre-1978 renovations, window replacement, and sanding/scraping — are activities covered by the rule, not exempt from it.
Reference: Chapter 11 – Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint, Exemptions
Sample 4 — Business Organization
Question: Partners in a general contracting partnership must file their federal income tax returns for the business using which IRS form?
- A. Form 2553
- B. Schedule C
- C. Form 1065
- D. Form 1120
Correct Answer: C
Chapter 2 states that for federal income taxes, partners must file returns on IRS Form 1065. Form 2553 is used to elect S corporation status, Form 1120 is the corporate return, and Schedule C is used by a sole proprietor.
Reference: NASCLA Contractors Guide, Tennessee (4th ed.), Page 2-2 — Partnerships, Taxes section
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 Business and Law Management 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.