TN Compliance Guide Verified for 2026/2027 Plumbing & Water Systems

Tennessee Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractor

Mandatory state licensing criteria, statutory bond thresholds, and general liability minimums enforced by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI). Meet commercial bid prerequisites and obtain instant proof of insurance for active Tennessee projects.

Audited by Pasi Tapio Hakamaki • Editorial Review: September 2026 • Statutory Authority: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI)
Min General Liability
$1,000,000
Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate
Required State Bond
$10,000 - $500,000
From $160/yr with preferred credit
Board Application Fee
$250
Exam Provider: PSI Services
License Renewal
Biennial
CE: Varies by individual trade board or municipality
✓
Primary Source Verified: 2026 Statutory Code Review
Requirements cross-referenced against the official Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI) administrative code.
Official TN Board Portal → | Our Audit Methodology
Interactive Compliance Tool Live 2026 Underwriting Matrix

Contractor Liability & Bond Premium Estimator

Estimate your required general liability and state license bond costs instantly based on state statute and operational volume.

Target Jurisdiction
Tennessee (TN)
Trade Classification
Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractor
Estimated Annual Gross Revenue $350,000
$50k $1.5M $3M+
Estimated Statutory Costs Instant Certificate Available
General Liability (GL)
$1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate
$197/mo
~$2,363 / year
Contractor License Bond
Tennessee $10,000 Bond
$100/yr
1.0% (Tier 1 Preferred) on $10,000 bond
Workers' Comp Alert: In Tennessee: Mandatory for all construction services providers with 1+ employees (non-construction threshold is 5) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102 & § 50-6-902).
Review Governing Statutory Citations Explore 50-State Licensing Directory →

*Estimates based on standard market rates for commercial artisan contractors. Exact quotes require underwriting review of prior loss history, specific endorsements, and payroll declarations.

Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractor Scope of Work & Legal Permitting Authority

Grease trap contractors excavate, plumb, and vent 1,000-gallon exterior concrete grease interceptors preventing FOG discharge into municipal sewers.

Defined Authorized Scope of Construction:

Exterior concrete tank crane setting, commercial dishwasher interceptor lines, sampling tee vaults, and cast iron traffic covers.

Permit Trigger in Tennessee: Commercial restaurant food service kitchen plumbing
Minor Work Exemption Threshold: $25,000 total project cost (T.C.A. § 62-6-102 Prime Contractor / $3,000 Home Improvement in select counties)

Mandatory Experience Prerequisites

3 to 4 years commercial restaurant plumbing, precast grease interceptor setting, and municipal sewer pre-treatment compliance

Required Insurance Policy Endorsements

Municipal Sewer FOG Contamination Pollution Endorsement, Underground Utility Strike (XCU)

Governing Technical Code & Safety Standard
Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act)
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) / International Plumbing Code (IPC) & ASSE 5000
Testing & Compliance Benchmarks: ASSE 1013 reduced pressure backflow testing and NSF/ANSI 61 lead-free potable water certifications. Enforces DWV hydrostatic pressure tests, anti-scald mixing valve calibration, and municipal sewer connection permits.
Procedural Roadmap

How to Obtain a Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractor License in Tennessee

Official 4-step compliance path pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act).

Official Board Rules →
1

Legal Entity & EIN Formation

Tennessee Business Entity Filing Statutes

Form your business entity (LLC, Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship) with the Tennessee Secretary of State and secure your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Ensure your registered business name precisely matches all state and municipal filings.

2

Designate Qualifying Individual (QI)

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI) Experience Verification Rules

Appoint a Qualifying Party, Primary Qualifying Agent, or Responsible Managing Employee (RME). The QI must verify 3 to 4 years commercial restaurant plumbing, precast grease interceptor setting, and municipal sewer pre-treatment compliance and satisfy experience criteria governed under Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act).

3

Execute Statutory Bond & Insurance

Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act) Financial Responsibility Mandates

Secure the mandatory $10,000 - $500,000 contractor license bond executed by an admitted surety. File an official Certificate of Insurance (COI) maintaining at least $1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate Commercial General Liability, naming Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI) as certificate holder.

4

Examination & Board License Issuance

PSI Services Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)

Complete the Tennessee Business & Law examination along with the specific Grease Trap Specialist technical trade examination administered by PSI Services. Submit application fees ($250) to receive official licensure and permit pull authorization.

Regulatory Authority: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI) (TN)
Official State Government Portal

Ready to file with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI)?

Make sure your statutory $10,000 - $500,000 (and for LLC entities, your General Liability Certificate listing the state licensing board as certificate holder) are electronically active prior to submitting application fees.

Visit Official TN Board Portal Calculate Statutory Minimums →
Verified Statutory Guidance

Tennessee Grease Trap Specialist Compliance & Insurance FAQs

Direct answers on state licensing prerequisites, insurance thresholds, and surety bond regulations.

Is a state contractor license legally mandated for Grease Trap Specialists in Tennessee?

Yes, executing commercial or residential grease trap specialist projects in Tennessee legally requires an active state contractor license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI) under Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act). Performing contracting services without official board credentials triggers immediate stop-work orders, statutory fines, and civil citations.

What technical codes govern grease trap specialist operations in Tennessee?

Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractor installations in Tennessee must strictly adhere to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) / International Plumbing Code (IPC) & ASSE 5000. In addition, all completed work and materials must satisfy ASSE 1013 reduced pressure backflow testing and NSF/ANSI 61 lead-free potable water certifications to pass municipal building inspection.

What are the commercial general liability insurance minimums for Grease Trap Specialists in Tennessee?

Grease Trap Specialists in Tennessee typically must maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate in commercial general liability insurance. Under Tennessee statutory rules and General Contractor (GC) bid standards, policies must cover bodily injury, property damage, and completed operations to secure jobsite clearance.

How much does the required Tennessee Grease Trap Specialist surety bond cost?

A Tennessee grease trap specialist license bond costs between $160 and $240 per year for contractors with standard credit, satisfying the statutory $10,000 - $500,000 bond requirement. High-risk credit profiles range from $288 to $400 annually. Premium rates are calculated as a percentage of the total bond penal sum.

Is workers' compensation insurance required for Grease Trap Specialists in Tennessee?

Yes, proof of active workers' compensation insurance is required for construction employers in Tennessee. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-102 & § 50-6-902, coverage is mandatory for all construction services providers with 1+ employees (non-construction threshold is 5). General Contractors and municipal building inspectors mandate a Certificate of Insurance (COI) prior to jobsite access. Sole proprietors with 0 employees: Sole proprietors with 0 employees must register for exemption on the TN Construction Services Provider Registry (Form WC-Exempt) under TCA § 50-6-903.

Does Tennessee offer contractor license reciprocity for Grease Trap Specialists?

Yes, Tennessee maintains formal reciprocal licensing agreements with AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC for qualified grease trap specialist applicants. Out-of-state contractors in good standing under equivalent statutory frameworks can apply to waive trade exams, though state law and business rules testing may still apply.

Primary Sources

Official Statutory Citations & Legal Authorities

Jurisdiction: Tennessee (TN)
Primary Licensing Authority
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI)
Official State Portal Link →
Enabling State Statute / Administrative Code
Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act)
Statutory authority for trade licensing & discipline
Mandatory License Bond Statute
$10,000 - $500,000 (Bond in lieu of audited working capital)
Continuous penal surety bond filing
Governing Technical Code & Testing Standards
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) / International Plumbing Code (IPC) & ASSE 5000
Testing Provider: PSI Services • ASSE 1013 reduced pressure backflow testing and NSF/ANSI 61 lead-free potable water certifications
PTH
Statutory Research Standards & Verification Desk

Audited by Pasi Tapio Hakamaki • Managing Editor

This compliance benchmark for Tennessee Grease Interceptor Installation & Grease Trap Contractors is audited against primary state legislative statutes (Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 62-6-101 et seq. (Contractor Licensing Act)) and administrative rules published by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TDCI). TradeCertify maintains strict editorial independence. If you represent a regulatory body or note an erratum in statutory bond limits, please contact our research desk.

Contractor Compliance Desk
Official Statutory Minimums
Official TN Portal