If you want to sell or lease real estate in Englewood, Tennessee, you must obtain a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee calls its entry-level real estate salesperson credential an affiliate broker license, and applications, education, examinations, fingerprinting, and renewals are handled at the state level 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 Englewood.

The general path is:

1. Complete Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education.
2. Meet the examination eligibility requirements.
3. Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
4. Complete fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
5. Obtain a sponsoring principal broker.
6. Submit the affiliate broker application and supporting documents.
7. Complete Tennessee’s required post-license education.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

Tennessee’s current affiliate broker requirements include:

• Completion of 60 hours of approved education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the exam.
• Completion of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
• Passing the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
• Proof of high school graduation.
• Electronic fingerprinting and submission of the fingerprint receipt.
• Completion of the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• A completed application submitted through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.
• A Tennessee principal broker who signs the required PSI examination application and sponsors the affiliate broker’s license.

TREC identifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 13, as the governing statutory authority for the state’s real estate licensing requirements.

Does Englewood Have Separate Real Estate Licensing Rules?

No separate Englewood real estate salesperson license is identified in TREC’s state licensing process. Real estate licensing is regulated by Tennessee rather than by the City of Englewood.

Local governments may have general business, zoning, tax, or registration requirements that affect how a business operates, but those matters do not replace the Tennessee affiliate broker license. Anyone planning to work from a home office, open a brokerage, or operate a real estate business should confirm any applicable local requirements with the appropriate city or county office.

Required Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee requires two important education components for a new affiliate broker:

1. Sixty-hour pre-license course

Before registering for the examination, you must complete 60 hours of Tennessee-approved instruction in real estate principles or fundamentals.

The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI. PSI will not authorize examination registration until the provider has supplied the required completion information.

You should also receive a course completion certificate or letter, which must be submitted with the license application.

2. Thirty-hour Course for New Affiliates

Tennessee also requires the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license can be issued.

This course is separate from the 60-hour principles or fundamentals course. Completing only the 60-hour course does not satisfy the full education requirement for license issuance.

TREC maintains a list of approved education providers and courses. Pre-license courses may not be used as continuing education, so keep your course certificates and confirm that each class is approved for the purpose you need.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a convenient option for prospective agents in Englewood, particularly for students balancing work, family, or other obligations. Before enrolling, verify that:

• The provider is approved by TREC.
• The course is approved for Tennessee affiliate broker pre-licensing.
• The course includes the required 60-hour principles or fundamentals curriculum.
• The provider explains how it reports completion to PSI.
• You will receive documentation needed for your license application.
• The provider clearly distinguishes the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates from the 60-hour course.

A Tennessee-focused online option is available through Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course. Confirm the current course format, tuition, included materials, and approval status before registering.

Online coursework does not eliminate the examination, fingerprinting, sponsoring broker, insurance, or application requirements. It simply changes how the approved education is delivered.

Choosing a Sponsoring Broker in Englewood

A new Tennessee affiliate broker must work under a Tennessee principal broker. The principal broker is responsible for supervising affiliated licensees and plays a role in the application process.

When evaluating brokerages in or near Englewood, consider:

• Whether the broker actively works in Englewood, Athens, Etowah, Cleveland, or surrounding communities.
• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Desk fees, technology fees, franchise fees, and other charges.
• Training for new agents.
• Availability of contract, compliance, and transaction support.
• Lead-generation policies.
• Whether the firm handles residential, land, commercial, investment, or property-management transactions.
• The brokerage’s reputation and office culture.
• Whether the principal broker is available for questions and document review.

The sponsoring broker should be selected before the application is submitted because the PSI examination application must be signed by the principal broker.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examinations. After the education provider submits the required information and PSI approves eligibility, PSI sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the exam.

The affiliate broker examination fee is currently:

• Full examination: $63
• State portion only: $26
• National portion only: $37

The exam includes state and national components. Bring the admission notice and a photo identification document bearing your signature to the testing location.

How to Prepare for the Exam

A practical study plan should include:

• Reviewing the approved course textbook and chapter quizzes.
• Learning Tennessee-specific license law, agency, contracts, disclosures, and commission rules.
• Taking practice exams under timed conditions.
• Reviewing questions missed on practice tests.
• Separating national real estate concepts from Tennessee-specific material.
• Confirming the current PSI candidate instructions before test day.

If you do not pass one portion, check PSI and TREC’s current retesting instructions before scheduling again. Retesting procedures and eligibility requests are handled through the applicable PSI and CORE processes.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Tennessee requires real estate license applicants to be fingerprinted. Applicants who reside in Tennessee generally schedule an appointment through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The TREC service code listed for electronic fingerprint submission is 28TZ99.

For the application, applicants must submit the electronic fingerprinting receipt and the applicable ORI information. TREC lists ORI number TN920784Z for the real estate commission process.

Fingerprinting is an additional step beyond the licensing examination. Schedule it early enough to avoid delaying the application, and follow the current TREC and IdentoGO instructions carefully.

A criminal history does not necessarily mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but applicants should disclose information accurately and review TREC’s procedures for questions involving prior convictions or disciplinary sanctions. TREC provides forms for applicants seeking a decision regarding prior criminal convictions or disciplinary sanctions.

Application Process

After completing the required education, passing the examination, arranging sponsorship, and completing fingerprinting, submit the initial affiliate broker application through Tennessee’s CORE system.

The application package includes items such as:

• Initial affiliate broker application.
• PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
• Proof of high school graduation.
• Proof of the 60-hour pre-license course.
• Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Required application payment.

Review every document before submission. Missing education certificates, fingerprint receipts, signatures, insurance documentation, or other required materials can delay processing.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The current TREC initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

The current PSI affiliate broker examination fee is $63 for the full examination, divided into a $26 state portion and a $37 national portion.

Your total startup cost will be higher than those government fees because you may also need to pay for:

• The 60-hour pre-license course.
• The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Fingerprinting.
• Study materials or exam preparation.
• Errors and omissions insurance, if not provided through the brokerage.
• Retesting, if necessary.
• Business or local operating expenses.

Course tuition, fingerprinting charges, insurance costs, brokerage fees, and other private expenses can vary. Confirm current prices directly with the provider, IdentoGO, insurer, and sponsoring brokerage rather than relying on an old estimate.

TREC lists a $75 renewal fee for a licensee or firm every two years. The commission also lists a $25 fee for transferring a license to a new firm.

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

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

• How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
• When the education provider reports completion to PSI.
• PSI examination appointment availability.
• Whether you pass both exam portions.
• Fingerprint-processing time.
• How quickly you secure a principal broker.
• Whether the application is complete.
• Whether TREC requests additional information.

A student taking an online course may complete the education on a schedule allowed by the provider, while a classroom student follows the school’s calendar. The fastest path is generally to choose an approved provider, complete both required education components, schedule fingerprinting promptly, prepare thoroughly for the exam, and submit a complete application.

Do not advertise or perform activities requiring a Tennessee real estate license until the license has been properly issued and affiliated with the sponsoring firm.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued. This is often described as Tennessee’s new-license or post-license education requirement, but it is part of the initial licensing process rather than a substitute for the 60-hour pre-license course.

A course provider should explain when the 30-hour course must be completed and how the certificate must be submitted. You can also review Tennessee pre-licensing and licensing education options before choosing a provider.

Keep all certificates and completion records. TREC-approved education providers report course rosters, but maintaining personal records is still a useful safeguard.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee licensees must meet continuing education requirements to renew their licenses. The renewal cycle for licensees is two years, and TREC lists a $75 renewal fee.

Tennessee’s broker information states that, after the applicable post-license education requirement, brokers must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including a six-hour CORE course and 10 elective hours.

Because education rules can differ depending on license type, licensing history, and whether post-license requirements have been completed, check TREC’s current education and renewal instructions for the specific affiliate broker renewal period. Pre-license education cannot be used as continuing education.

Completing education before the renewal deadline is essential. TREC lists a continuing education penalty of $50 per month.

Potential Earnings in Englewood

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than a guaranteed salary. Earnings can vary substantially based on:

• Number of closed transactions.
• Property prices.
• Commission agreements and brokerage splits.
• Buyer-versus-listing business.
• Referral and lead-generation activity.
• Expenses such as marketing, transportation, insurance, association dues, and technology.
• Seasonal market conditions.
• Experience and specialization.

Reliable, current city-level earnings data specifically for Englewood, Tennessee, is not established in the TREC licensing sources. Avoid treating a national salary estimate or an advertisement from a brokerage as a guaranteed local income figure.

Prospective agents should build a conservative budget that assumes a ramp-up period, irregular closings, and business expenses. Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of commission splits and fees, but treat any income projections as estimates rather than promises.

Career Opportunities in and Around Englewood

An Englewood-area affiliate broker may pursue several types of real estate work, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing and sales.
• New-construction sales.
• Rural and recreational land.
• Farm and acreage transactions.
• Relocation services.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Property management, if separately qualified and operating under applicable rules.
• Commercial real estate.
• Leasing and rental transactions.
• Referral business with agents in nearby Tennessee markets.

Englewood is a small community, so many agents may serve a broader territory that includes McMinn County and nearby communities such as Athens and Etowah. A new agent can improve local credibility by learning neighborhood boundaries, rural property issues, utilities, septic and well considerations, schools, taxes, flood risks, development patterns, and the differences between city and county property.

Before selecting a specialty, research the transaction volume and client demand in the territory you intend to serve. A rural-land business, for example, may require different knowledge and marketing from a residential buyer business.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker vs. Real Estate Broker

An affiliate broker works under a principal broker. A Tennessee real estate broker license is a higher-level credential with additional education and experience requirements.

TREC states that broker candidates generally need:

• 36 months of active affiliate-broker licensure if licensed after May 12, 1988.
• 24 months of active licensure if they hold a bachelor’s degree with a real estate major.
• 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

The broker path is not required to begin working as an affiliate broker. Many professionals start as affiliate brokers, gain transaction experience, and later evaluate whether a broker license fits their career plans.

Practical Checklist for Englewood Applicants

Use this checklist to organize the process:

• Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s current applicant requirements.
• Select a TREC-approved 60-hour principles or fundamentals course.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Ask the education provider when it will report completion to PSI.
• Research brokerages serving Englewood and nearby communities.
• Choose a sponsoring principal broker.
• Schedule electronic fingerprinting through the current IdentoGO process.
• Register for and pass the PSI affiliate broker examination.
• Obtain proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Gather education certificates, high school documentation, fingerprint receipt, eligibility form, and broker-signed PSI paperwork.
• Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Confirm license issuance and affiliation before conducting licensed activity.
• Track renewal dates and continuing education requirements.

Final Takeaway

Getting a real estate license in Englewood requires following Tennessee’s statewide affiliate broker process rather than obtaining a separate Englewood license. The key requirements are 60 hours of approved pre-license education, the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, a passing PSI examination, fingerprinting, a sponsoring principal broker, errors and omissions insurance, and a complete TREC application.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Affiliate Broker License Requirements — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/affiliate-broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, How to Get a License — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/get.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Fees — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, PSI Examination Information — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/psi.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Broker Licensure — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Approved Education Courses — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/education/courses.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Forms and Downloads — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/forms.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Governing Statutes and Commission Information — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
• Leap Real Estate, Tennessee Pre-Licensing — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing