What’s in a name?

Before submitting your contractor’s license application in Tennessee, check to make sure you can use the chosen company name…

On March 12, 2014, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law House Bill 1464, a bill that amends Tennessee Code § 62-6-111 to require the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board for Licensing Contractors, to “deny any application for licensure as a contractor if the board determines that the name under which the applicant will be trading is identical with the name being used by an existing licensee, or is so nearly similar to the name being used by an existing licensee that it is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public at large” (emphasis added). TN Code § 62-6-111(m). This does not apply to any applicant who has acquired an exclusive right to use the name as a registered trademark pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1051. This law became effective March 12, 2014.

Additional Sources: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board for Licensing Contractors; Tennessee General Assembly,