How to Get Your Real Estate License in Church Hill, Tennessee

If you want to sell, lease, or otherwise perform licensed real estate activities in Church Hill, Tennessee, you must obtain a Tennessee affiliate broker license and work under a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. Tennessee does not issue a separate Church Hill real estate license or impose a city-specific licensing process. Real estate licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, commonly called TREC. 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 Church Hill.

The typical path includes:

Completing 60 hours of approved pre-license education.
Passing the national and Tennessee portions of the affiliate broker examination.
Completing electronic fingerprinting and a criminal-history background check.
Completing the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Obtaining errors and omissions insurance.
Selecting a Tennessee-licensed firm and sponsoring principal broker.
Submitting the initial affiliate broker application through TREC’s CORE system.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required Tennessee-approved education.
Qualify for and pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
Complete the required fingerprinting process.
Submit the initial application and supporting documentation.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm.
Have the required PSI examination application signed by a principal broker.

TREC requires 60 hours of approved real estate principles and fundamentals education before an applicant can qualify for the examination. Applicants must also complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license can be issued.

A criminal conviction does not automatically determine whether an applicant will qualify. TREC may review criminal, disciplinary, or licensing history and request additional documentation. Applicants with potentially relevant histories should contact TREC before paying for education or scheduling an examination.

Tennessee also restricts examination scheduling for individuals who are on parole or probation. TREC states that candidates generally must have been off parole or probation for at least two years before examination scheduling.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee requires a total of 90 hours of approved real estate education for an initial affiliate broker license:

60 hours of real estate principles and fundamentals before the examination.
30 hours in the Course for New Affiliates after passing the examination and before licensure.

The 60-hour course must be completed through a TREC-approved education provider. The provider submits proof of completion to PSI, and the applicant receives a completion certificate or letter for the eventual license application.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is separate from the 60-hour pre-license course. Completing only the 60-hour course does not satisfy all education requirements for license issuance.

Tennessee education providers generally have 10 working days to submit education rosters in applicable situations. Ask the school how and when it reports completion before planning an examination date.

Online Tennessee Pre-License Courses

An online course can be convenient for a Church Hill resident who wants to study from home instead of traveling to a classroom. Before enrolling, verify that the specific course—not merely the school—is approved for Tennessee affiliate broker pre-license education.

You can review Tennessee real estate pre-licensing courses and compare the available education formats, course packages, exam preparation, and student support.

When evaluating an online program, check whether it:

Includes the full 60-hour Tennessee principles and fundamentals requirement.
Is approved by TREC for affiliate broker pre-license education.
Offers the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Explains attendance, identity verification, quizzes, and final-examination requirements.
Provides instructor assistance or student support.
Supplies completion certificates or letters accepted for the application process.
Reports course completion to PSI or TREC within the expected timeframe.
Includes practice questions or examination-preparation materials.

Online education does not eliminate the state examination, fingerprinting, application, insurance, or sponsoring-broker requirements. It changes the delivery method for approved education; it does not create a separate online licensing process.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Licensed

1. Confirm that you meet the basic qualifications

Make sure you are at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. If you have a criminal, disciplinary, or prior licensing history, contact TREC to discuss eligibility before beginning the process.

2. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course

Enroll with a TREC-approved provider and complete the 60-hour principles and fundamentals course. Keep your completion certificate or letter.

The education provider must submit the required information to PSI before you can register for the examination.

3. Obtain PSI examination eligibility

PSI administers Tennessee’s real estate examinations. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews the applicant’s eligibility and provides instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

4. Schedule and take the examination

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination has:

A national portion.
A Tennessee-specific state portion.

PSI’s current Tennessee fee schedule lists the following affiliate broker examination charges:

| Examination option | Fee |
|---|---:|
| Full national and state examination | $63 |
| State-only portion | $26 |
| National-only portion | $37 |

The examination fee is separate from TREC’s license application fee.

Bring the admission information and an acceptable photo identification document that includes a signature. Review the current PSI candidate bulletin before attending the examination because testing-center procedures can change.

5. Pass both examination portions

You must pass both the national and Tennessee portions to proceed with the normal initial licensing process.

If you pass one section but fail the other, the passing section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever occurs first.

If you do not pass the required portions within the applicable period, PSI or TREC may require you to reapply or complete additional steps before testing again.

6. Complete electronic fingerprinting

Tennessee requires fingerprinting for initial real estate license applicants. Fingerprinting is separate from the examination and is not required merely to sit for the test.

Tennessee applicants generally use the state-designated IdentoGO process. The fingerprints are submitted for Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal-history processing.

The TREC affiliate broker application identifies the following information:

TREC service code: 28TZ99
ORI number: TN920784Z

Schedule fingerprinting early enough to avoid delaying the application. Bring the required identification and keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt for submission with the application.

7. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After passing the examination, complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates through an approved provider. Submit the completion certificate or letter with the initial license application.

This course is part of the initial licensing process and should not be confused with continuing education required for later renewals.

8. Choose a sponsoring firm and principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker does not operate as an independent salesperson. The affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and supervised by a principal broker.

The principal broker signs the PSI examination application and supervises the affiliate broker’s licensed activities.

When comparing brokerages serving Church Hill and surrounding Northeast Tennessee, consider:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Monthly or annual desk fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead distribution.
Advertising policies.
Contract and transaction-management systems.
Office and technology fees.
Local coverage in Church Hill, Hawkins County, Kingsport, Rogersville, Johnson City, and nearby areas.
Policies for showings, open houses, recordkeeping, and client communications.

You may complete education and testing before selecting a firm, but the sponsoring relationship must be established before the license can be issued and used for active practice.

9. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Applicants must provide proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy with the license application.

Ask the sponsoring brokerage whether it provides coverage for affiliated licensees or whether you must obtain an individual policy. Confirm the effective dates and coverage requirements before submitting the application.

10. Submit the initial application through CORE

TREC directs applicants to complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application online through the CORE licensing system. The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

The application generally requires:

The PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
Proof of the 60-hour education requirement.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
High school diploma or GED documentation.
The Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Required ORI information.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Payment of the application fee.

Applicants should review the application carefully before submission. Missing documents or incomplete disclosures can delay processing even after the examination has been passed.

PSI’s candidate bulletin states that applicants must apply for the license within six months after passing all portions of the examination.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

The fingerprint-based background check is part of Tennessee’s initial licensing process. TREC uses fingerprint submissions for state and federal criminal-history processing through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI.

Keep the following points in mind:

Fingerprinting is required for an initial affiliate broker application.
Fingerprinting is separate from the PSI examination.
The fingerprint receipt should be retained and submitted with the application.
Criminal-history disclosures should be complete and accurate.
An applicant may contact TREC if a prior matter requires clarification.

Do not assume that an old or minor matter can be omitted. Incomplete or inaccurate information can create a licensing issue separate from the underlying event.

Tennessee Real Estate Licensing Costs

Your total cost will depend on education tuition, study materials, fingerprinting, transportation, insurance, brokerage expenses, and whether you need to retake an examination.

Current state and examination charges include:

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State-only examination portion | $26 |
| National-only examination portion | $37 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Fingerprinting | Vendor charge; verify the current amount when scheduling |
| Pre-license education | Provider-specific tuition |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Insurer or brokerage-specific cost |

The $63 full examination fee and $91 application fee total $154, before education, fingerprinting, insurance, travel, and other expenses.

TREC’s listed renewal fee for an affiliate broker or broker is $75 every two years. TREC also lists late-renewal charges of $50 per month for the first 120 days and $100 per month from days 121 through 365.

Fees and procedures can change, so verify the current amounts with TREC and PSI before making payment.

How Long Does the Licensing Process Take?

Tennessee does not provide one guaranteed completion time for every initial affiliate broker applicant. The timeline depends on:

How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
How soon the education provider reports completion.
PSI eligibility review.
Examination appointment availability.
Whether you pass both examination portions.
Fingerprint processing.
Application completeness.
TREC requests for additional information.
How quickly you complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
The time required to select a sponsoring broker and obtain insurance.

A practical sequence is:

Complete the 60-hour course.
Wait for the provider to report completion to PSI.
Receive PSI eligibility instructions.
Schedule and pass both examination portions.
Complete fingerprinting.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Select a sponsoring brokerage.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Submit the application through CORE.
Respond promptly to any TREC request.

A full-time student may complete the education and examination stages relatively quickly, while a part-time student may take longer. Do not treat any general processing estimate as a guaranteed issuance date.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before an initial affiliate broker license is issued. It is not the same as continuing education for renewal.

Keep separate records for:

The 60-hour pre-license course.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Any later post-license education.
Continuing education completed for renewal.

TREC states that pre-license courses cannot be used as continuing education.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers and brokers renew their licenses every two years. The current renewal fee is $75.

After completing any applicable initial post-license requirements, licensees must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The requirement includes:

A six-hour mandatory CORE course.
Ten elective hours.

TREC states that the CORE course is mandatory for renewal and that education providers submit completed hours to CE Broker.

Licensees should monitor their CE Broker records throughout the renewal cycle rather than waiting until the deadline.

If a license expires, TREC provides different reinstatement procedures depending on how long it has been expired. Licenses expired for more than one year generally require retesting and reapplication, although TREC identifies an approved 30-hour T.R.A.C.E. course as a possible reinstatement alternative in certain circumstances.

Potential Earnings in Church Hill

Tennessee real estate agents typically earn commission-based income rather than a fixed salary. Earnings can vary based on:

Number of closed transactions.
Local property prices.
Commission arrangements.
Brokerage splits and transaction fees.
Experience and specialization.
Lead-generation and marketing expenses.
Market conditions.
Taxes, vehicle expenses, insurance, and other business costs.
Periods with few or no closings.

No authoritative public source establishes a guaranteed average income specifically for real estate agents in Church Hill. Statewide or metropolitan wage data should not be presented as a Church Hill salary because Church Hill is a distinct local market.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational wage information for selected geographic areas, but those figures are broad statistical estimates and are not guarantees for individual agents. Prospective licensees should ask local brokerages about realistic production expectations and create a personal income plan based on expected transactions, expenses, and time to first closing.

Career Opportunities Near Church Hill

A Tennessee affiliate broker license can support several real estate career paths in Church Hill and nearby Northeast Tennessee communities, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
Rental and leasing services, when permitted by the brokerage and applicable law.
Relocation assistance.
New-construction sales.
Land and rural-property transactions.
Investment-property assistance.
Commercial real estate, with suitable training and brokerage support.
Property-management-related services when the activities and brokerage structure require and permit them.

Because Church Hill is a relatively small community, many agents may serve a broader area rather than limit their business to city boundaries. Potential service areas may include Hawkins County, Kingsport, Rogersville, Johnson City, and other Northeast Tennessee markets.

Useful local knowledge may include:

Rural property due diligence.
Septic and well considerations.
Flood risks.
Zoning and land-use rules.
Agricultural and undeveloped land.
Construction and renovation issues.
Commuting patterns.
Differences between small-town and metropolitan transactions.

New agents can build business by developing relationships with residents, employers, lenders, attorneys, contractors, builders, inspectors, and other real estate professionals.

Affiliate Broker Versus Broker License

The affiliate broker license is the normal entry-level Tennessee real estate credential. A broker license is a later-level credential with additional experience and education requirements.

TREC states that broker candidates generally need:

36 months of active affiliate broker experience if licensed after May 12, 1988.
24 months of active experience if licensed on or before May 12, 1988.
24 months of active experience if the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree with a major in real estate.
120 classroom hours of approved real estate education.
A 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

Brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete an additional 120 hours of Commission-approved education before the applicable fourth-anniversary deadline. After completing the broker post-license education requirement, brokers must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including the six-hour CORE course and 10 elective hours.

Most people beginning a real estate career in Church Hill should first pursue the affiliate broker license and gain experience under a principal broker.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

[ ] Confirm that you are at least 18 years old.
[ ] Confirm that you have a high school diploma or GED.
[ ] Review any criminal, disciplinary, or licensing history with TREC if necessary.
[ ] Complete 60 hours of approved principles and fundamentals education.
[ ] Confirm that the provider reports completion to PSI.
[ ] Obtain PSI examination eligibility.
[ ] Schedule and pass the national and Tennessee examination portions.
[ ] Complete electronic fingerprinting.
[ ] Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
[ ] Select a Tennessee-licensed sponsoring firm and principal broker.
[ ] Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
[ ] Gather education, diploma or GED, fingerprint, and eligibility documents.
[ ] Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
[ ] Track continuing education and renewal deadlines.

Final Takeaway

To get a real estate license in Church Hill, Tennessee, follow the statewide Tennessee affiliate broker process. Complete 60 hours of approved education, pass the PSI examination, complete fingerprinting and the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, obtain errors and omissions insurance, and submit the initial application through CORE.

For course planning, review Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education options, then confirm current requirements, application procedures, and fees directly with TREC and PSI. Course options can also be compared through Tennessee online pre-licensing education.

Authoritative Sources