If you want to sell or lease real estate in Burns, Tennessee, you must meet Tennessee’s statewide licensing requirements. The process includes completing approved education, passing the Tennessee real estate examination, submitting fingerprints and background-check information, applying through the state’s online licensing system, and affiliating with a sponsoring principal broker. 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 Burns.

This guide explains the current process for becoming a Tennessee affiliate broker, including education, testing, fees, application steps, post-license education, continuing education, and career considerations for the Burns area.

Does Burns Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No. Real estate licensing is regulated at the state level by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Burns does not impose a separate municipal real estate salesperson license requirement for individuals who already hold the appropriate Tennessee license.

You should still comply with ordinary local business, tax, zoning, and advertising rules that may apply to operating a business in Burns or Dickson County. Those local requirements are separate from professional real estate licensure.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a Tennessee affiliate broker license, an applicant must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete the required Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting and submit the required receipt.
• Complete the state eligibility-verification process.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Submit an application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing portal.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.

TREC also evaluates certain criminal-history issues. The commission’s licensing information states that candidates must be off parole or probation for at least two years. A criminal record does not necessarily mean automatic denial, but applicants should disclose information accurately and review TREC’s eligibility requirements before investing in a course or examination.

Required Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee requires two education components for an initial affiliate broker license:

1. 60 hours of approved real estate principles and fundamentals education before taking the examination.
2. 30 hours of the Course for New Affiliates after passing the examination and before completing the license application.

The 60-hour course must be completed through a school or provider approved by TREC. The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before you can register for the licensing examination. You will also need documentation showing completion of both the 60-hour course and the 30-hour new-affiliate course for your license application.

The total initial education requirement is therefore 90 hours, although the courses serve different purposes and may be completed at different stages of the licensing process.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a practical option for a Burns resident because it may reduce travel to classrooms in Nashville, Clarksville, or other nearby markets. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and specific course are approved for Tennessee licensing education.

A Tennessee-focused course option is available through Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program. Compare providers based on:

• TREC approval.
• Whether the course includes the required 60 hours.
• Whether the school offers the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Online attendance and completion rules.
• Instructor access and student support.
• Practice examinations and Tennessee-specific exam preparation.
• Refund, extension, and course-completion policies.

Do not assume that a course approved in another state satisfies Tennessee’s requirements. Tennessee education must meet the commission’s rules, and the school must properly report completion to PSI and provide the documentation needed for the application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm eligibility

Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s age, education, and background-related requirements. If you have criminal convictions, disciplinary history, or a period of probation or parole, review TREC’s eligibility information before proceeding.

2. Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course

Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles and fundamentals course. Complete all required instruction and examinations imposed by the education provider.

3. Have the school report completion

Your school must provide PSI with proof that you completed the required 60 hours. You cannot register for the examination until PSI receives and processes that information.

4. Register for the examination

After the education provider submits your eligibility information, PSI will provide instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination. PSI administers Tennessee’s affiliate broker examination on behalf of TREC.

5. Pass the affiliate broker examination

Pass both required portions of the examination:

• National portion.
• Tennessee state portion.

The PSI examination information lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63, with separate state-only and national-only fees of $26 and $37, respectively.

6. Choose a sponsoring principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker does not operate independently. Before the license can be placed into active status, you must affiliate with a Tennessee firm and principal broker.

Your principal broker will typically:

• Sign the examination application.
• Place your license with the brokerage.
• Provide supervision and office policies.
• Help you comply with Tennessee advertising and transaction rules.
• Provide or arrange errors and omissions insurance documentation.

Interview several brokerages before choosing one. Ask about commission splits, desk or technology fees, training, lead distribution, transaction fees, mentoring, insurance coverage, and whether the firm serves Burns and surrounding communities.

7. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates and obtain the certificate or letter of completion. This is separate from the initial 60-hour principles course.

8. Complete fingerprinting and background-check processing

All Tennessee real estate licensees are required to undergo fingerprinting. Tennessee applicants generally schedule an electronic fingerprint appointment through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Use TREC’s required service information when scheduling:

• ORI number: TN920784Z
• Service code: 28TZ99

Submit the electronic fingerprinting receipt with the license application. Fingerprint and background-check charges are separate from the TREC application and examination fees, and the amount can depend on the current vendor charge.

9. Submit the license application

Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application through Tennessee’s CORE portal. The current TREC fee schedule lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

The application package generally includes:

• PSI examination application.
• Principal broker’s signature.
• Proof of high school graduation or GED.
• Proof of the 60-hour education.
• Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Eligibility Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Required application payment.

10. Wait for review and license activation

TREC must review the application, education, fingerprinting, eligibility, and broker information before issuing the license. Avoid advertising yourself as a licensed Tennessee real estate professional until your license is issued and properly affiliated.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. Bring the admission notice and an acceptable photo identification document bearing your signature to the testing center.

The examination covers both national real estate concepts and Tennessee-specific laws and regulations. Preparation should include:

• Property ownership and land-use controls.
• Contracts and agency relationships.
• Valuation and finance.
• Transfer of title.
• Real estate practice and disclosures.
• Tennessee license law and commission rules.
• Brokerage relationships and transaction procedures.

If you fail one portion, check PSI’s current retesting instructions to determine whether you need to retake only that portion or follow another procedure. Do not rely on outdated examination rules or unofficial fee schedules.

Estimated Costs

The following are the currently published state and examination charges identified by TREC and PSI:

| Expense | Current published amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Affiliate broker examination, full examination | $63 |
| Affiliate broker application | $91 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Pre-licensing course tuition | Varies by approved school |
| 30-hour new-affiliate course tuition | Varies by approved school |
| Electronic fingerprinting | Vendor charge varies |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Depends on the brokerage or policy |
| Transportation, study materials, and retesting | Varies |

The minimum published state charges shown above total $154 for the full examination and initial affiliate application, before education, fingerprinting, insurance, travel, and other expenses. The education provider, fingerprint vendor, and brokerage may charge additional amounts.

How Long Does It Take?

Tennessee does not publish one guaranteed end-to-end processing time for every affiliate broker applicant. The timeline depends on how quickly you complete the courses, how soon examination appointments are available, whether you pass on the first attempt, fingerprint processing, the completeness of your application, and TREC review.

A realistic planning sequence is:

• Complete the 60-hour course.
• Wait for the school to report eligibility to PSI.
• Schedule and pass the examination.
• Select a sponsoring broker.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Complete fingerprinting and gather documentation.
• Submit the CORE application.
• Respond promptly if TREC requests additional information.

Incomplete applications, undisclosed background matters, missing education records, or delays in selecting a principal broker can extend the process.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee affiliate brokers must work under a principal broker. This requirement affects how you choose your first real estate company in Burns.

A suitable sponsoring brokerage should offer:

• A Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
• A clear independent-contractor or employee agreement.
• New-agent training.
• Transaction supervision.
• Guidance on Tennessee forms and disclosures.
• A transparent commission and fee schedule.
• Marketing and advertising compliance support.
• Coverage or instructions for errors and omissions insurance.

For a Burns-based agent, also consider whether the brokerage has business in Burns, Dickson, Kingston Springs, Fairview, Charlotte, and the greater Nashville-area market. Local knowledge can be useful, but the right brokerage may be located outside Burns if it provides adequate supervision and supports the territory where you intend to work.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is an initial post-examination education requirement. You must complete it and provide documentation as part of the affiliate broker licensing process.

This course is not the same as continuing education. It is designed to help newly licensed affiliates transition from examination preparation to actual brokerage practice.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee licensees must monitor both renewal and education obligations. TREC’s current continuing-education information states that the standard requirement is 16 hours during each two-year renewal period, consisting of:

• 6 hours of the mandatory TREC CORE course.
• 10 hours of elective real estate education.

The education must be completed by the license expiration date, and course sponsors report completion to the state’s CE Broker system.

TREC materials also describe special rules for certain newly licensed brokers and grandfathered licensees. Because requirements can change based on license type, original license date, status, and whether a broker supervises other licensees, check your CORE record and the current TREC renewal instructions before each renewal.

The published TREC fee schedule lists the license and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years. Late renewal and continuing-education penalties may apply when requirements are not completed on time.

Moving From Affiliate Broker to Broker

An affiliate broker who later wants to become a Tennessee broker must meet additional experience and education requirements. For most candidates licensed after May 12, 1988, TREC requires 36 months of active affiliate-broker experience. The requirement may be 24 months for certain candidates with a baccalaureate degree majoring in real estate.

Broker candidates must also complete 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course. TREC reviews the candidate’s education and experience before authorizing the broker examination.

Broker licensing is a separate advancement path and is not required to begin working as an affiliate broker under a principal broker.

Earnings Potential in Burns, Tennessee

Reliable, current salary or commission figures specific to Burns are not established by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission licensing materials. Real estate income also varies substantially because many agents are paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary.

Your earnings may depend on:

• Number and value of closed transactions.
• Commission agreements.
• Brokerage split and transaction fees.
• Whether you represent buyers, sellers, landlords, or investors.
• Lead generation and marketing costs.
• Full-time or part-time work.
• Local inventory and market conditions.
• The broader Dickson County and Nashville-area markets.

Because a verified Burns-specific earnings figure is not available in the authoritative licensing sources reviewed, avoid treating online salary estimates as a guaranteed local income. Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of their commission structure and typical business expenses.

Career Opportunities Around Burns

A Tennessee affiliate broker based in Burns may pursue several real estate activities, subject to the license and brokerage structure:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• New-construction sales.
• Relocation support for people commuting toward Nashville.
• Land and rural-property transactions.
• Rental and property-management-related opportunities where separately permitted.
• Commercial leasing or sales with appropriate training.
• Investment-property assistance.
• Referral business involving nearby Tennessee markets.

Burns is a small community in Dickson County, so an agent may need to serve a wider territory to build a sustainable pipeline. Potential service areas can include Dickson, White Bluff, Kingston Springs, Fairview, Charlotte, and other communities connected to the greater Nashville region. Local expertise in rural property, residential subdivisions, commuting patterns, and county-level market conditions may help differentiate a new agent.

Practical Checklist

Before applying, confirm that you have:

• Completed a TREC-approved 60-hour principles course.
• Confirmed that your school reported completion to PSI.
• Registered for the PSI examination.
• Passed the national and Tennessee portions.
• Selected a sponsoring principal broker.
• Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Obtained high school diploma or GED documentation.
• Completed electronic fingerprinting.
• Saved the fingerprint receipt and ORI information.
• Completed the Eligibility Verification form.
• Obtained errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Created or accessed your CORE account.
• Budgeted for the $63 examination fee, $91 application fee, education, fingerprints, insurance, and brokerage expenses.
• Reviewed TREC’s current instructions immediately before submitting the application.

For a consolidated overview of Tennessee pre-licensing education, review this Tennessee real estate licensing course resource, then confirm all requirements directly with TREC before enrolling.

Final Takeaway

To become a real estate agent in Burns, complete Tennessee’s 60-hour pre-licensing education, pass the PSI examination, complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, submit fingerprints and required documentation, apply through CORE, and affiliate with a Tennessee principal broker. Burns does not have a separate city licensing process for real estate agents; the controlling requirements come from the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

Requirements, fees, and education rules can change, so use TREC’s current license pages and fee schedule as the final authority. A Tennessee-focused education provider such as Leap Real Estate can help with course preparation, but course approval and licensing decisions belong to TREC.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “How to Get a License” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/get.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Affiliate Broker” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/affiliate-broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “PSI & Exam Information” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/psi.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Real Estate Commission Fees” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Broker Licensure” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Education Courses” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/education/courses.html
• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, “Continuing Education & CE Broker FAQs” — https://support.commerce.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/30192510868883-Continuing-Education-CE-CE-Broker-FAQs
• Leap Real Estate, “Tennessee Pre-Licensing” — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing