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100+ Free TN CMC Practice Questions

Prepare for the Tennessee Full Mechanical – Plumbing & HVAC (CMC) Contractor Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TN CMC Exam

100 Q

Official Exam Questions

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

73%

Passing Score

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

5 hr

Time Allowed

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

USD 53

Prov Exam Fee

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

Pre-approval

Board Authorization Required

TN Board contractor page; Prov CIB 2026.07.13

Tennessee CMC Full Mechanical Contractor Examination is the official Board/Prov open-book exam: 100 questions, 73%, 5 hours, USD 53, with Board pre-approval required (bulletin dated 2026.07.13). Official delivery is English.

Sample TN CMC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TN CMC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1One ton of refrigeration is defined as a heat-removal rate of:
A.6,000 Btu/h
B.12,000 Btu/h
C.24,000 Btu/h
D.288,000 Btu/h
Explanation: One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 Btu/h. The unit comes from the 288,000 Btu absorbed when one short ton (2,000 lb) of ice melts in 24 hours (288,000 / 24 = 12,000). HVAC equipment capacity, duct airflow rules of thumb, and load checks are all built on this conversion.
2Sensible heat is the heat that:
A.Changes the moisture content of air without changing dry-bulb temperature
B.Changes dry-bulb temperature without changing moisture content
C.Is rejected only at the cooling tower
D.Exists only inside the refrigerant circuit
Explanation: Sensible heat changes dry-bulb temperature without a change in moisture. Solar gain, lights, people (the dry portion), and conduction through walls are typical sensible sources. Latent heat changes moisture; total cooling load is sensible plus latent.
3Superheat is the temperature of refrigerant vapor above:
A.The outdoor dry-bulb temperature
B.The saturation temperature that corresponds to the measured suction pressure
C.The condensing temperature on the high side
D.The oil flash point
Explanation: Superheat is how many degrees the suction vapor is warmer than the saturation temperature that belongs to the measured evaporating pressure. It confirms that liquid has finished boiling before it reaches the compressor. Typical target superheat depends on metering device and load, but the definition is always measured vapor temperature minus evaporator saturation temperature.
4The three modes of heat transfer that appear in HVAC load and equipment work are:
A.Compression, expansion, and evaporation
B.Conduction, convection, and radiation
C.Sensible, latent, and enthalpy only
D.Forced, induced, and natural draft
Explanation: Heat moves by conduction through solids, convection via fluids (air or water), and radiation across space. Manual J and commercial load methods quantify all three. Compression, expansion, and evaporation describe the vapor-compression cycle, not the modes of heat transfer.
5On a psychrometric chart, wet-bulb temperature is most directly used to determine:
A.Duct friction rate in inches of water column
B.The enthalpy and moisture content of moist air
C.Gas-pipe capacity in cubic feet per hour
D.Sprinkler K-factor
Explanation: Wet-bulb temperature, with dry-bulb, locates the state point on a psychrometric chart. From that point the designer reads humidity ratio, relative humidity, dew point, and enthalpy. Coil leaving conditions, latent load, and mixed-air calculations all start from those properties.
6The specific gravity used in the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code natural-gas pipe-sizing tables is:
A.0.15
B.0.60
C.1.00
D.1.50
Explanation: IFGC Table 402.4 natural-gas capacities are based on a specific gravity of 0.60. Propane tables use 1.50. If the actual gas gravity differs, IFGC Appendix A supplies a multiplier. Using the propane gravity on a natural-gas job undersizes the pipe.
7The Tennessee Full Mechanical (CMC) examination references which edition of the International Mechanical Code?
A.2015 IMC
B.2018 IMC
C.2021 IMC
D.2024 IMC
Explanation: The Prov Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin dated 2026.07.13 lists the 2021 International Mechanical Code among the CMC open-book references, together with the 2021 IFGC, 2021 IBC, and NFPA 13 (2022). Study and look-up practice should stay on those editions, not a newer or older cycle.
8Where the 2021 IMC and the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions conflict, the installer shall follow:
A.The manufacturer's instructions only, because listed equipment always overrides the code
B.The more restrictive of the two requirements that still keeps the listing intact
C.Whichever document is newer, regardless of restrictiveness
D.Local custom even if both documents are more restrictive
Explanation: IMC Chapter 3 requires appliances to be installed in accordance with their listing and the manufacturer's instructions, and the code itself is a minimum. When both apply, the more restrictive requirement that does not void the listing governs. An AHJ may also adopt a still-stricter local amendment.
9Per IMC 2021 Section 306.1, the level working space in front of the control side of an appliance shall be not less than:
A.18 inches deep by 18 inches wide
B.24 inches deep by 24 inches wide
C.30 inches deep by 30 inches wide
D.48 inches deep by 36 inches wide
Explanation: IMC 306.1 requires a level working space not less than 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide in front of the control side so the appliance can be inspected, serviced, and replaced. The space must be obtained without removing permanent construction, other appliances, or unrelated piping and ducts.
10IMC 2021 Section 307.2.1 requires cooling-coil condensate piping to slope toward the approved disposal point at not less than:
A.1/16 inch per foot
B.1/8 inch per foot (1-percent slope)
C.1/2 inch per foot
D.1 inch per foot
Explanation: IMC 307.2.1 requires a minimum horizontal slope of 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope) in the direction of discharge. Condensate may not dump onto a street, alley, or other nuisance location. Auxiliary/secondary drains use the same minimum slope.

About the TN CMC Exam

The Tennessee Full Mechanical – Plumbing & HVAC (CMC) Contractor Examination is the official Board combined mechanical trade examination administered by Prov beginning July 1, 2026. The official exam has 100 questions. Passing is 73% in 5 hours. The examination is open book. Prov lists USD 53 per attempt (Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin dated 2026.07.13). Board pre-approval is required before scheduling. CMC covers plumbing and gas piping, HVAC and refrigeration, process piping, fire sprinkler and fire protection, boilers, fuel gas, and related mechanical systems. Candidates must also pass Business and Law. The Board charges a separate USD 250 initial application fee. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, financial statements or bonds, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Prov lists 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IBC, refrigeration and HVAC contractor references, and NFPA 13 (2022). Remote Examroom testing is available.

Time Limit

5 hours

Passing Score

73% (73 of 100)

Exam Fee

USD 53 (Prov, Inc. (for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors))

TN CMC Exam Content Outline

6%

General Knowledge

General Knowledge (6 items)

5%

Code Requirements

Code Requirements (5 items)

8%

Fuel Gas Systems

Fuel Gas Systems (8 items)

8%

Safety

Safety (8 items)

4%

Controls

Controls (4 items)

4%

Electrical Concepts

Electrical Concepts (4 items)

8%

Piping

Piping (8 items)

5%

Load Calculations

Load Calculations (5 items)

10%

Equipment

Equipment (10 items)

10%

Refrigerants and Oils

Refrigerants and Oils (10 items)

18%

Air Distribution and Vents

Air Distribution and Vents (18 items)

4%

Fire Protection

Fire Protection (4 items)

10%

Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler Systems (10 items)

How to Pass the TN CMC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 73% (73 of 100)
  • Assessment: Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Prov lists 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IBC, refrigeration and HVAC contractor references, and NFPA 13 (2022). Remote Examroom testing is available.
  • Time limit: 5 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 53

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TN CMC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Obtain Board pre-approval before paying the Prov USD 53 scheduling fee
2Air distribution and vents are 18 of 100 official items
3Study IMC, IFGC, and NFPA 13 together; this is a combined mechanical exam
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official Prov form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Tennessee CMC Full Mechanical Contractor Examination?

The official Prov examination has 100 questions. Passing is 73% within 5 hours (Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin dated 2026.07.13).

Is Board pre-approval required for the Tennessee CMC exam?

Yes. The Board and Prov both require pre-approval before a candidate may schedule the full mechanical CMC examination. The Board charges a USD 50 pre-approval request fee.

What does a Tennessee CMC license cover?

Prov describes CMC as covering plumbing and gas piping, HVAC and refrigeration, process piping, fire sprinkler and fire protection, boilers, fuel gas, pollution control, pneumatic systems, mechanical insulation, and temperature controls.

Do I also need the Business and Law exam?

Yes. Every new contractor applicant must pass the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Examination in addition to any required trade examination.