How to Get Your Real Estate License in Collierville, Tennessee

If you want to sell, lease, or otherwise provide licensed real estate services in Collierville, you generally need a Tennessee affiliate broker license issued by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Tennessee regulates real estate licensing at the state level under its real estate licensing laws and rules; Collierville does not have a separate municipal real estate salesperson license identified by 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 Collierville.

Local requirements may still apply to a real estate office or business. Before opening an office, using a commercial property, or forming a business entity, confirm applicable registration, zoning, signage, tax, and other requirements with the City of Collierville and the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

Applicants for a Tennessee affiliate broker license must generally:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 60 hours of approved pre-license education.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Submit the required application and fee through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.

TREC also requires proof of high school graduation and the required eligibility-verification form as part of the licensing application.

The affiliate broker license is the standard entry point for people pursuing residential sales, commercial real estate, leasing, relocation, and related real estate careers in Collierville and the greater Memphis area.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education

60-hour pre-license course

Before registering for the licensing examination, applicants must complete 60 hours of approved education in real estate principles or fundamentals.

The education provider must submit proof of course completion to PSI, Tennessee’s examination administrator. Applicants generally cannot register for the examination until PSI receives and reviews that information.

The school should also provide a certificate or letter of completion. Keep this document because it must be submitted with the license application.

When comparing schools, confirm that:

The provider is approved by TREC.
The course is specifically approved for Tennessee affiliate broker pre-licensing.
The course includes the full 60-hour principles or fundamentals requirement.
The provider explains how completion is reported to PSI.
The school provides documentation needed for the application.

30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Applicants licensed after December 31, 2004, must complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license can be issued.

This is separate from the 60-hour pre-license course. The initial education path therefore includes:

60 hours of principles or fundamentals education before the examination.
30 hours of the Course for New Affiliates before license issuance.

The application must include a certificate or letter confirming completion of the 30-hour course.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

An online course can be useful for Collierville residents who need to study around work, family, or other obligations. Depending on the provider, an online program may offer:

Self-paced lessons.
Digital textbooks and study materials.
Online quizzes and practice tests.
Instructor support.
Progress tracking.
A course-completion certificate.

Before enrolling, verify the provider and course against TREC’s approved education information. TREC specifically distinguishes pre-license education from continuing education; pre-license courses cannot be used to satisfy continuing-education requirements.

For one online option, review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program. Confirm the course’s current TREC approval, delivery format, completion process, and pricing before purchasing.

A suitable provider should clearly explain whether it offers both the 60-hour pre-license course and the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. Education providers have 10 working days to submit education rosters, so ask how and when your completion will be reported.

How to Get a Tennessee Real Estate License in Collierville

1. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course

Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles or fundamentals course. Complete all required lessons, exams, and attendance or participation requirements.

After completion, confirm that the provider has submitted your eligibility information to PSI and that you have received your course-completion documentation.

2. Register for the PSI examination

PSI administers the Tennessee real estate examinations. Once the education provider submits the required information, PSI sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

The affiliate broker examination has two sections:

National portion.
Tennessee state portion.

You must satisfy the examination requirements before applying for the license.

3. Pass both examination portions

Prepare for national real estate concepts as well as Tennessee-specific laws, rules, licensing procedures, and regulatory requirements.

The current PSI fee schedule lists the following affiliate broker examination fees:

Full examination: $63.
State-only portion: $26.
National-only portion: $37.

A passing score on one section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever comes first. Review PSI’s current instructions before scheduling a retest because procedures and eligibility conditions may change.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After passing the examination, complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates if it has not already been completed. Submit the course certificate or letter with the license application.

5. Select a sponsoring principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker must be affiliated with a licensed principal broker. The principal broker supervises the affiliate broker’s activities and provides the brokerage relationship required for the license to become active.

Begin interviewing brokerages before completing the application. Compare:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Monthly office or technology fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead distribution.
Contract-review procedures.
Advertising-compliance support.
Transaction-management systems.
Errors and omissions insurance arrangements.
Residential, commercial, leasing, or relocation specialties.
Office locations in Collierville, Germantown, Memphis, or elsewhere in the region.

A brokerage office does not necessarily need to be located inside Collierville to serve Collierville clients. The brokerage and its licensees must comply with Tennessee licensing and supervision requirements.

6. Complete fingerprinting and background-check requirements

Tennessee requires license applicants to submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt. The TREC affiliate broker instructions identify the ORI number as TN920784Z.

Schedule electronic fingerprinting through an approved process and retain the receipt for the application. TREC’s fingerprint instructions state that a copy of the electronic fingerprint-submission receipt must be attached to the application.

Answer background questions accurately and disclose information as required. A criminal record does not by itself determine the outcome of every application; TREC may request additional records or explanations during its review.

7. Complete eligibility verification

Applicants must complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form required under Tennessee law.

Use the current form provided through TREC’s forms and licensing materials. Do not rely on an outdated version obtained from an unofficial website.

8. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy is required with the affiliate broker application.

Ask the sponsoring brokerage whether it provides coverage through a firm policy or whether you must obtain coverage independently. Confirm the policy’s effective date and documentation requirements before filing the application.

9. Submit the online application

Submit the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.

Application materials generally include:

Completed online application.
PSI examination documentation.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Proof of 60-hour pre-license education.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Required application fee.
Principal broker information or signature, as required.

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

Do not assume that submitting the application immediately authorizes you to perform licensed activities. Wait for the license to be issued and properly affiliated with the brokerage.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The current TREC and PSI fees include:

| Item | Listed fee |
|---|---:|
| Affiliate broker examination—full exam | $63 |
| State-only examination portion | $26 |
| National-only examination portion | $37 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| License or firm renewal every two years | $75 |
| Transfer to a new firm | $25 |
| Continuing-education penalty | $50 per month |
| Late-renewal fee | $50 per month for the first 120 days; higher fees may apply afterward |

The application, examination, and renewal fees are set out in TREC’s current fee information. Late-renewal charges are addressed in TREC’s renewal guidance.

Your actual startup budget may also include:

Pre-license education.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Fingerprinting.
Course materials.
Transportation.
Marketing and advertising.
Association or REALTOR® organization dues.
Multiple-listing-service access.
Brokerage and transaction fees.
Technology subscriptions.
Insurance costs not covered by the brokerage.
Business registration or local operating expenses.

Course and fingerprinting prices vary by provider. Confirm all costs before enrolling or scheduling.

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

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

How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
How promptly the school reports your completion to PSI.
Examination appointment availability.
Whether you pass both examination portions.
Retesting, if necessary.
Fingerprinting and background-review time.
How quickly you select a principal broker.
Whether your application is complete.
Whether TREC requests additional information.

A straightforward application may take several weeks after education and examination requirements are completed. Allow additional time if you need to retake an exam section, correct missing documents, or respond to a background-review request.

Avoid making firm employment or transaction commitments until your license has been issued and activated through a sponsoring brokerage.

Preparing for the Tennessee Real Estate Exam

The PSI affiliate broker examination covers both national and Tennessee-specific material. The national portion addresses broad real estate principles and practices, while the state portion focuses on Tennessee law, rules, licensing procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Effective preparation may include:

Reviewing the course textbook and study materials.
Studying Tennessee-specific laws separately.
Taking timed practice examinations.
Reviewing real estate calculations and formulas.
Memorizing key definitions.
Practicing questions involving agency, contracts, finance, disclosures, and property ownership.
Scheduling the exam when you can study without interruptions.

PSI provides the current scheduling and retesting instructions. Review those instructions before paying for an appointment or retake.

Choosing a Sponsoring Brokerage in Collierville

The principal broker plays a central role in an affiliate broker’s first years in the business. In addition to supervising transactions, the brokerage may provide training, contract review, marketing guidance, technology, and compliance support.

Ask each prospective brokerage:

When will the license become active?
Who reviews contracts and transaction documents?
What training is included?
Are new-agent mentors available?
What commission split applies?
What transaction, desk, technology, or administrative fees are charged?
How are leads distributed?
What geographic areas does the firm serve?
Does the firm specialize in Collierville, Shelby County, new construction, leasing, or commercial property?
How are advertising and social-media materials reviewed?
What support is available for inspections, appraisals, lending, and closing?

The highest advertised commission split may not provide the best overall value. Training, supervision, transaction support, and lead opportunities can be especially significant for a new agent.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is the required post-initial-education course for applicable new affiliate brokers. It must be completed before the license is issued.

Keep copies of every education certificate and verify that the provider reports completion correctly. TREC states that education providers have 10 working days to submit education rosters.

This course is not the same as continuing education. Completing it does not eliminate the continuing-education requirements that apply during later renewal periods.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers must complete continuing education applicable to their license status and renewal period. TREC’s current materials identify 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including:

Six hours of the mandatory CORE course.
Ten hours of elective education.

Licensees should confirm the requirements that apply to their license type, licensing date, renewal date, and status. TREC’s education materials identify current CORE courses and continuing-education information.

The listed renewal fee for a licensee or firm is $75 every two years. Failure to complete required education can affect renewal, and TREC lists a continuing-education penalty of $50 per month.

Track both the license expiration date and the education deadline. Complete courses through approved providers and verify that credits are reported correctly.

Potential Earnings for Real Estate Agents in Collierville

Tennessee affiliate brokers generally earn commission-based income rather than a guaranteed salary. Income can vary according to:

Number of completed transactions.
Property type.
Sales prices or lease values.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage splits.
Transaction fees.
Referrals and repeat business.
Lead generation.
Market conditions.
Experience and specialization.
Full-time or part-time status.

No authoritative public source establishes a guaranteed or representative Collierville-specific income figure for newly licensed agents. Commission examples from a brokerage, school, or job advertisement should not be treated as guaranteed earnings.

Before entering the profession, create a budget that accounts for education, transportation, marketing, technology, association dues, insurance, and several months of potentially variable income.

Career Opportunities in Collierville

A Tennessee affiliate broker license can support several career paths in Collierville and the surrounding Memphis-area market, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Residential leasing.
Commercial real estate.
Land and development transactions.
Property-management activities that comply with Tennessee licensing requirements.
Real estate investment support.
Transaction coordination and brokerage operations.

Collierville’s position within the Memphis metropolitan area may provide opportunities to work with homeowners, relocating households, investors, builders, landlords, and local businesses. The license itself is statewide, so the licensing process is the same whether the agent serves Collierville, Germantown, Memphis, or another Tennessee market.

New agents can strengthen their local expertise by learning:

Collierville neighborhoods and subdivisions.
Shelby County property records and transaction procedures.
Tennessee agency, disclosure, and advertising rules.
Local schools, transportation, and municipal services.
Residential and commercial market segments.
Inspection, appraisal, lending, and closing processes.
Digital marketing and client communication.
Negotiation and contract fundamentals.

Collierville Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s basic eligibility requirements.
Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles or fundamentals course.
Complete the course and confirm that the provider reports eligibility to PSI.
Study for both sections of the affiliate broker examination.
Register for and pass the PSI examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Arrange electronic fingerprinting using the required ORI information.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Obtain proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Interview and select a Tennessee principal broker.
Gather education, examination, diploma, insurance, fingerprinting, and verification documents.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
Pay the current $91 application fee.
Wait for license issuance and activation.
Track continuing-education and renewal deadlines.
Confirm any separate Collierville business, zoning, signage, or tax requirements before opening an office.

For a flexible education option, review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course, then verify current approval, course availability, delivery requirements, and pricing through TREC and the provider before enrolling.

Authoritative Sources