How to Get Your Real Estate License in Bartlett, Tennessee

If you want to sell homes or represent real estate clients in Bartlett, Tennessee, you generally need a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Bartlett does not issue a separate municipal sales license; real estate professionals are licensed statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) under Tennessee law. If you're ready to begin the licensing process, explore Leap Real Estate's Tennessee pre-licensing course to complete the required education online and prepare for the next steps toward becoming a Tennessee affiliate broker from Bartlett.

The process typically includes completing approved education, passing the Tennessee affiliate broker examination, submitting fingerprints and supporting documents, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, affiliating with a Tennessee principal broker, and applying through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To apply for an initial Tennessee affiliate broker license, you generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required Tennessee real estate education.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Submit the required eligibility and background-related forms.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application and fee.

TREC regulates affiliate brokers, brokers, firms, rental location agents, timeshare professionals, and other regulated real estate activities throughout Tennessee.

Applicants who hold a license in another state should contact TREC before enrolling or applying. Tennessee may evaluate out-of-state education, examination results, or experience for possible substitution, but Tennessee does not offer automatic reciprocal licensing.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee requires two separate education components for a new affiliate broker applicant:

60-hour pre-licensing course: Complete 60 hours of approved education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the examination.
30-hour Course for New Affiliates: Complete this course before receiving the license and submit the completion documentation with the application.

Together, these requirements amount to 90 hours of pre-license education, but the courses serve different purposes. The 60-hour course must be completed before the examination, while the 30-hour course must be completed before licensure.

The 60-hour course commonly addresses:

Real estate terminology and principles
Tennessee license law and commission rules
Agency relationships
Contracts and disclosures
Property ownership
Financing
Fair housing
Property valuation
Closings and settlement procedures
Real estate mathematics
Professional responsibilities

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is separate from the 60-hour pre-licensing course. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider is approved for Tennessee real estate education and that the course satisfies TREC’s current requirements.

For an online option, review Tennessee real estate pre-licensing courses and compare course format, instructor access, exam preparation, pricing, and approval information.

Can You Complete Tennessee Real Estate Education Online?

Many applicants in Bartlett choose online education because it can be completed from home and may offer more scheduling flexibility than a traditional classroom course. Depending on the provider, online programs may be self-paced, livestreamed, or supported by instructor assistance.

Before purchasing a course, verify that it:

Is approved for Tennessee real estate education.
Includes the complete 60-hour pre-licensing requirement.
Clearly identifies whether the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is included or sold separately.
Provides an official completion certificate or submits completion information as required.
Explains student identity verification and testing procedures.
Offers access to instructors or academic support.
States whether textbooks, digital materials, exam preparation, and course extensions are included.

An online course does not replace the state examination, fingerprinting, sponsorship, insurance, or license application. TREC states that the education provider must provide PSI with proof of course completion before the candidate can register for the examination.

You can also compare online Tennessee pre-licensing education options before choosing a provider.

Step-by-Step Tennessee Licensing Process

1. Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course

Enroll with a TREC-approved education provider and complete the 60-hour real estate principles or fundamentals course. Keep the completion certificate or other official documentation provided by the school.

2. Confirm that your school submitted completion information

Your education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI. You generally cannot register for the examination until PSI receives and processes the required education information.

Ask the school when it submits the information and how you will know that PSI has approved you for scheduling.

3. Register for the affiliate broker examination

After PSI confirms eligibility, register and schedule the examination through PSI’s Tennessee real estate testing process. The examination includes state and national components.

Read the current PSI candidate instructions carefully. Examination registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable under PSI’s candidate materials.

4. Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination

Bring the identification and admission materials required by PSI. Study both the national real estate material and Tennessee-specific laws, regulations, and practices.

5. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates if you have not already done so. Include the course certificate or letter of completion with your license application.

6. Choose a Tennessee principal broker and firm

A new affiliate broker must affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The principal broker’s information and signature are part of the application process.

Start interviewing brokerages before or during the licensing process. A firm serving Bartlett may be based in Bartlett, Memphis, or another nearby community, provided it is properly licensed and able to supervise your Tennessee real estate activities.

7. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Tennessee requires proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy for the affiliate broker application. Active Tennessee affiliate brokers and brokers must maintain this coverage as a condition of licensure.

Ask each brokerage whether its policy covers affiliated licensees or whether you must obtain separate coverage.

8. Complete fingerprinting and gather documents

Schedule electronic fingerprinting and collect the education, identity, insurance, and sponsorship documents required by TREC.

9. Apply through CORE

Submit the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application online through Tennessee’s CORE system. TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Electronic fingerprints are required for an initial Tennessee real estate license application, although they are not required merely to sit for the examination.

Tennessee applicants generally schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

TREC identifies the following information for real estate fingerprinting:

Fingerprint provider: IdentoGO
ORI number: TN920784Z
Service code: 28TZ99

Verify the current information on TREC’s website before scheduling an appointment. An incorrect ORI number or service selection can delay application processing.

A criminal record does not automatically determine the outcome of a licensing application. Applicants should answer all questions accurately, disclose information required by TREC, and follow the commission’s process for reviewing prior convictions or professional discipline.

Documents Required for the Application

TREC identifies documentation that may include:

PSI examination application
60-hour course completion certificate or letter
30-hour Course for New Affiliates certificate
Proof of high school graduation or GED
Proof of errors and omissions insurance
Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form
Electronic fingerprinting receipt
Principal broker information and signature
Explanatory documents for criminal convictions or licensing discipline, when applicable

TREC may request additional information after reviewing the application. Monitor your CORE account and respond promptly to requests.

Tennessee Real Estate Licensing Examination

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. Candidates become eligible after their education provider submits proof of completion and PSI authorizes examination scheduling.

The examination includes a national portion and a Tennessee state portion. Preparation should cover:

Real estate principles and practices
Tennessee license law and commission rules
Agency and brokerage relationships
Contracts and disclosures
Property ownership
Financing
Valuation
Settlement and closing procedures
Real estate calculations
Fair housing
National real estate concepts
Practice questions and timed exams

Use the most recent PSI candidate bulletin for examination procedures, identification requirements, scheduling rules, and score-related information.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam Cost

PSI lists the following affiliate broker examination fees:

| Examination | Fee |
|---|---:|
| Full examination | $63 |
| State portion only | $26 |
| National portion only | $37 |

The exam fee is separate from education tuition, fingerprinting charges, insurance costs, and the state application fee.

If you pass one portion and need to retake the other, review PSI’s current retesting and scheduling rules before registering again.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, fingerprinting charges, exam attempts, insurance arrangements, and brokerage expenses.

Known state and examination charges include:

| Expense | Current listed amount |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State examination portion | $26 |
| National examination portion | $37 |
| Licensee and firm renewal every two years | $75 |

Additional expenses may include:

60-hour pre-licensing tuition
30-hour Course for New Affiliates tuition
Electronic fingerprinting
Textbooks or digital materials
Exam preparation
Errors and omissions insurance
Retesting
Transportation to an examination center
Brokerage technology fees
Marketing expenses
Association or MLS-related fees
Transaction or administrative fees

TREC’s education-related regulatory fees are not necessarily the tuition price charged by a school. Compare the provider’s total price and included services before enrolling.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tennessee Real Estate License?

Tennessee does not publish one universal timeline that applies to every applicant. The time required depends on:

Whether the course is self-paced or instructor-led
How quickly you complete the education
When the school submits your completion information
PSI appointment availability
Whether you pass the exam on the first attempt
Fingerprint processing
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker
Whether your application is complete
Whether TREC requests additional documentation

Avoid relying on a guaranteed licensing date. To reduce delays:

Confirm school approval before enrolling.
Ask when the provider submits completion information to PSI.
Use the current TREC fingerprint instructions.
Prepare application documents in advance.
Interview brokerages before passing the exam.
Check CORE and TREC communications regularly.
Respond promptly to requests for additional information.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee affiliate brokers conduct licensed activities under the supervision of a principal broker. The sponsoring firm and principal broker must be properly licensed in Tennessee, and the principal broker must provide the sponsorship information required for the application.

When comparing Bartlett-area brokerages, review:

Commission split
Graduated commission plans
Transaction, desk, and technology fees
Lead distribution
Training and mentorship
Contract review
Transaction coordination
Marketing support
Office requirements
Errors and omissions coverage
Local market education
Policies for leaving the brokerage

Do not evaluate brokerages solely by the advertised commission split. Training, lead costs, transaction fees, marketing support, and business volume can affect your actual income.

Before joining, read the independent-contractor agreement and ask how commissions, referrals, teams, expenses, and client ownership are handled.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is required before the initial affiliate broker license is issued. It is separate from the 60-hour pre-licensing course.

Confirm whether your school offers both courses and how it submits completion documentation. If you complete the courses through different providers, retain records from each provider for your application.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee licenses are renewed every two years. Licensees generally must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including the mandatory six-hour TREC Core course and approved elective education.

TREC lists the licensee and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years.

Continuing education should be completed before the renewal deadline. Courses may address topics such as:

Tennessee law and regulation
Agency
Contracts
Fair housing
Ethics
Risk management
Brokerage operations
Transaction procedures

Track course completion and renewal dates through the applicable state systems rather than waiting until the end of the renewal period.

Potential Earnings in Bartlett, Tennessee

Real estate income is generally commission-based, not a guaranteed salary. Earnings can vary according to:

Number of closed transactions
Property prices
Commission agreements
Brokerage splits
Team or referral fees
Lead-generation costs
Market conditions
Full-time or part-time status
Business expenses
Taxes and insurance

No single official Bartlett-specific earnings figure should be treated as a guaranteed benchmark. Public salary estimates may use different definitions and may not distinguish gross commissions from net income.

Before beginning, prepare a first-year budget that includes:

Licensing and education
Transportation
Marketing
Technology
Insurance
Association or MLS expenses
Continuing education
Brokerage fees
Taxes
Several months of personal living expenses

Distinguish between gross commissions, the amount retained after the brokerage split, team or referral deductions, operating expenses, and net income.

Career Opportunities in Bartlett

A Tennessee affiliate broker license can support several career paths in Bartlett and the greater Memphis region, including:

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
New-construction sales
Relocation services
Leasing and rental services, when permitted by Tennessee law and brokerage policy
Commercial real estate
Real estate teams
Transaction coordination
Brokerage operations
Property-management-related work, subject to applicable requirements
Future advancement toward a Tennessee broker license

Bartlett agents may work with buyers and sellers of single-family homes, relocations, new construction, and investment properties. Because Bartlett is part of the broader Memphis-area market, local expertise should include neighborhood characteristics, inventory, comparable sales, property taxes, zoning, commuting patterns, development, and buyer demand.

All advertising and professional activity must comply with Tennessee law, TREC rules, fair housing requirements, and the policies of the sponsoring brokerage.

Bartlett Applicant Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the licensing process:

Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s basic eligibility requirements.
Choose a TREC-approved 60-hour pre-licensing course.
Compare classroom, livestream, and online formats.
Complete the 60-hour course.
Confirm that your provider submitted completion information to PSI.
Register for and pass the affiliate broker examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Schedule electronic fingerprinting using current TREC instructions.
Obtain proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Gather your diploma, GED, or other required education documentation.
Interview principal brokers serving Bartlett and the Memphis area.
Obtain sponsorship information and the principal broker’s signature.
Submit the initial application through CORE.
Monitor CORE and TREC communications.
Respond to requests for additional documents.
Complete continuing education before each renewal deadline.
Renew the license every two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bartlett have its own real estate license?

No separate Bartlett sales license is required for affiliate brokers. Real estate licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

How many education hours are required?

Applicants must complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education before the examination and a separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before licensure.

Can I complete the Tennessee course online?

Online education may be available through approved providers. Verify the provider’s approval, course hours, delivery format, completion documentation, identity-verification rules, and instructor support before enrolling. You can review Tennessee online pre-licensing education as one option.

How much is the Tennessee affiliate broker application?

TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

How much does the Tennessee real estate exam cost?

PSI lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63, consisting of a $26 state portion and a $37 national portion.

Are fingerprints required?

Yes. Fingerprints are required for an initial Tennessee real estate license application, although they are not required simply to take the examination.

Do I need a broker before applying?

A new affiliate broker must affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The principal broker’s information and documentation are part of the application process.

How often must a Tennessee real estate license be renewed?

Tennessee real estate licenses are renewed every two years. Licensees generally must complete 16 hours of continuing education, including the six-hour TREC Core course, and pay the renewal fee.

Can I become a Tennessee broker later?

Yes, an affiliate broker may eventually qualify for a Tennessee broker license. Broker applicants must meet separate experience and education requirements, including active affiliate-broker experience and approved broker education.

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