How to Get Your Real Estate License in Ethridge, Tennessee

To get a real estate license in Ethridge, Tennessee, you must meet the statewide requirements established by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Tennessee does not issue a separate city license for Ethridge. Applicants throughout Lawrence County—including Ethridge, Lawrenceburg, and surrounding communities—follow the same state licensing process. 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 Ethridge.

The entry-level credential is the Tennessee affiliate broker license. The process generally requires:

Completing 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education.
Passing the Tennessee real estate examination administered by PSI.
Completing the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Completing electronic fingerprinting.
Obtaining errors and omissions insurance.
Finding a Tennessee-licensed firm and sponsoring principal broker.
Submitting the application through Tennessee’s CORE system.

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

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

An applicant 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 TREC-approved real estate principles and fundamentals education before taking the examination.
Pass the required national and Tennessee examination portions.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Submit the fingerprint receipt and required identifying information.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Complete Tennessee’s Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Obtain a sponsoring principal broker and firm affiliation.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application and required documentation through CORE.
Pay the applicable state and examination fees.

TREC may request additional documentation from applicants with criminal convictions, professional discipline, or other background matters. Applicants should answer all questions accurately and explain any required matters fully. A background issue does not necessarily determine the outcome of an application; TREC evaluates eligibility under Tennessee law.

Required Real Estate Education in Tennessee

Tennessee requires 90 total hours of approved education for an affiliate broker license:

60 hours of real estate principles and fundamentals before taking the licensing examination.
30 hours of the Course for New Affiliates before the license can be issued.

The 60-hour course establishes examination eligibility. The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a separate requirement and must be completed before the initial license is issued.

Before enrolling, confirm that both the provider and course are approved by TREC. A course may be marketed as Tennessee real estate education without satisfying the current licensing requirements, so approval should be verified through TREC’s education resources.

Students seeking an online option can review this Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course. Confirm the course’s current approval status, format, and included education hours before registering.

Can You Take the Tennessee Real Estate Course Online?

Online real estate education may be a convenient option for Ethridge residents who work full time, care for family members, or want to avoid frequent travel. The important question is whether the specific provider and course meet TREC requirements.

Before purchasing an online course, verify:

The provider is approved by TREC.
The course includes the required 60 hours of principles and fundamentals.
The school submits eligibility information to PSI.
The school provides a completion certificate or letter for the license application.
The required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is included or available separately.
Attendance, identity verification, testing, and participation requirements comply with Tennessee rules.
The course is intended for initial licensing rather than continuing education.

Pre-licensing education and continuing education serve different purposes. TREC states that pre-license courses may not be used to satisfy continuing education requirements.

For another way to compare available education options, review this Tennessee pre-licensing course resource and then confirm all details with TREC before enrolling.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Licensed

1. Complete the 60-hour approved course

Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles and fundamentals course. Complete the provider’s required lessons, attendance, assignments, tests, and other participation requirements.

The school must submit proof of course completion to PSI before you can register for the licensing examination. Keep the course certificate or letter of completion because it must also be submitted with the license application.

2. Establish examination eligibility with PSI

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews the applicant’s eligibility and sends instructions for paying and scheduling the examination.

Do not assume that finishing the course automatically allows immediate scheduling. The provider must transmit the required information to PSI first.

3. Complete electronic fingerprinting

Electronic fingerprinting is required for an initial Tennessee real estate license application. It is not required merely to sit for the examination.

TREC’s current affiliate broker instructions identify:

Fingerprint provider: IdentoGO
TREC service code: 28TZ99
Affiliate broker ORI number: TN920784Z

Tennessee residents generally schedule an appointment with IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt. The receipt and required identifying information must accompany the license application. Because vendor procedures and charges can change, confirm current instructions directly with TREC and IdentoGO.

4. Schedule and take the PSI examination

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination contains:

A national portion.
A Tennessee-specific state portion.

Current PSI examination fees listed by TREC are:

| Examination option | Fee |
|---|---:|
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| Tennessee state portion only | $26 |
| National portion only | $37 |

The full examination fee covers both portions.

The examination tests knowledge of national real estate concepts and Tennessee law and rules. Preparation should cover:

Property ownership.
Land-use controls.
Contracts.
Agency and brokerage relationships.
Financing and settlement.
Valuation and market analysis.
Leasing and property management.
Real estate practice and disclosures.
Tennessee license law.
Tennessee Commission rules and transaction procedures.

Review the current PSI candidate information before scheduling. It contains the latest information about identification, examination procedures, scheduling, content areas, and retesting.

If you pass one examination portion but fail the other, TREC’s current candidate information explains the applicable credit and retesting limits. Confirm the current rules before relying on a previous passing score.

5. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued. It is in addition to the 60-hour course required before the examination.

Some schools offer both courses as part of one licensing package. If your initial provider does not offer the 30-hour course, complete it through another TREC-approved provider and retain the completion documentation.

You may also review this Tennessee real estate education option, while confirming current course approval and content directly with TREC.

6. Obtain a sponsoring principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker cannot operate independently. The affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and work under a principal broker.

TREC requires the PSI examination application obtained at the testing center to be signed by the principal broker. The sponsoring brokerage is not merely an administrative formality; the principal broker supervises affiliated licensees and maintains the brokerage relationship required by Tennessee law.

When comparing brokerages serving Ethridge and Lawrence County, ask about:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Training for new agents.
Mentoring and supervision.
Lead distribution.
Advertising requirements.
Transaction-management technology.
Errors and omissions insurance arrangements.
Office access.
Geographic coverage.
Experience with rural, residential, land, farm, commercial, or rental transactions.

Get the compensation structure and major fees in writing before affiliating.

7. Submit the license application through CORE

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

TREC’s required supporting documentation generally includes:

PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Proof of the 60-hour education requirement.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Completed Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt and required identifying information.
Payment of the application fee.

The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

TREC’s licensing information states that an examination-passing applicant must file the license application within the applicable one-year period. Confirm the current deadline in the latest TREC and PSI materials, particularly if you pass one portion at a different time from the other.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

Tennessee uses electronic fingerprinting for initial real estate license applications. The fingerprints are processed through state and federal background-check systems.

Fingerprinting should be completed early enough to avoid delaying the application. Its cost is separate from:

The $91 TREC application fee.
The PSI examination fee.
Education tuition.
Travel and other business expenses.

Applicants should use the same legal name and identifying information across their:

Government identification.
Education records.
PSI account.
Fingerprinting appointment.
CORE application.

Differences in names, dates, or other identifying information can create processing delays. Disclose information requested by TREC completely and accurately.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost of becoming licensed depends on education tuition, fingerprinting charges, transportation, study materials, examination retakes, and brokerage expenses.

Known Tennessee fees include:

| Item | Current fee |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full PSI affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| PSI Tennessee state portion only | $26 |
| PSI national portion only | $37 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Transfer to a new firm | $25 |

TREC publishes these fees on its official fee schedule.

Additional costs may include:

The 60-hour pre-licensing course.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Electronic fingerprinting.
Exam preparation materials.
Travel to a PSI testing center.
Association or REALTOR® organization dues.
Multiple listing service expenses.
Brokerage, transaction, or technology fees.
Business cards, signs, photography, and advertising.
Vehicle, fuel, and mileage expenses.
Professional services and tax preparation.

The application and examination fees are only part of the cost of entering real estate. Request an itemized estimate from both the education provider and prospective brokerage.

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

Tennessee does not guarantee a single processing timeline for every applicant. The total time depends on:

How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
How quickly the school submits information to PSI.
PSI appointment availability.
Whether you pass both examination portions on the first attempt.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
How quickly you find a sponsoring broker.
Whether TREC requests additional information.

A practical sequence is:

Complete the 60-hour course.
Wait for the education provider to submit eligibility information to PSI.
Schedule and pass the examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Select a sponsoring principal broker.
Complete fingerprinting.
Gather application documents.
Submit the application through CORE.
Respond promptly to any TREC request.

Applicants can reduce avoidable delays by keeping their legal name consistent, retaining every certificate and receipt, and checking that the education provider has submitted the required information to PSI.

Sponsoring Broker and Brokerage Requirements

The affiliate broker license allows the licensee to practice under the supervision of a principal broker. The affiliate broker must remain affiliated with a properly licensed Tennessee firm.

A firm must have a principal broker and provide the required business structure and facilities for affiliated licensees. An affiliate broker should not begin advertising or conducting transactions independently without confirming that the license is active and properly affiliated.

Ethridge-based applicants may want a brokerage that serves a broad rural and regional market. Important questions include:

Does the firm serve Lawrence County?
Does it regularly handle land, farms, acreage, or rural homes?
Does it provide training on wells, septic systems, easements, surveys, and access?
How are leads assigned?
What support is available for contracts and transaction files?
What fees are charged at closing?
Who pays for signs, photography, technology, and marketing?
Is the firm equipped to serve clients in nearby communities?

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the initial affiliate broker license is issued. It should not be confused with broker-level post-licensing education.

The separate 120-hour post-broker education requirement applies to individuals who obtain a Tennessee broker license. It does not apply to someone beginning with an affiliate broker license.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

TREC lists a two-year renewal cycle for affiliate brokers and brokers. The current renewal fee is $75.

After applicable post-license requirements have been completed, Tennessee licensees generally must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The required education includes:

Six hours of the CORE course.
Ten elective hours.

TREC states that education providers submit completed hours directly to CE Broker.

Licensees should review their CE Broker records before renewal. Completing a course does not remove the need to confirm that the hours were reported correctly.

Potential Earnings in Ethridge and Tennessee

Real estate income varies substantially. Earnings depend on:

Number and type of closed transactions.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Local market conditions.
Experience and marketing activity.
Business expenses.
Whether the professional works as an affiliate broker or broker.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports May 2025 national median annual wages of $73,220 for real estate brokers and $52,830 for real estate sales agents. These are national occupational statistics, not guaranteed earnings for an Ethridge licensee, and they should not be treated as city-specific income estimates.

New agents should plan for irregular income because commissions are generally earned from completed transactions rather than paid as a regular hourly wage. A personal budget should include:

Brokerage splits and transaction fees.
Marketing.
Vehicle and fuel costs.
Insurance.
Professional services.
Association and listing-service dues.
Taxes.
Periods without a closing.

Ask each brokerage to explain its compensation model, fees, and payment timing in writing.

Career Opportunities in Ethridge

Ethridge is a small community in Lawrence County. A local real estate professional may serve clients throughout the county and across southern Middle Tennessee rather than limiting business to the city itself.

Potential specialties include:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listings.
Rural homes.
Farms and agricultural property.
Land and acreage.
Recreational property.
New construction.
Rentals and leasing.
Property management under appropriate supervision.
Relocation services.
Commercial real estate with suitable training and broker support.
Referral business involving clients moving into or out of the region.

A professional serving Ethridge may benefit from understanding rural property issues such as:

Wells and septic systems.
Easements and access.
Boundary and survey questions.
Agricultural uses.
Outbuildings and land improvements.
Financing for rural properties.
Regional commuting patterns.
Local services and infrastructure.

These are business and career considerations, not additional licensing requirements. Tennessee’s statewide license authorizes practice, while the affiliated brokerage determines supervision, support, and business strategy.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Checklist

Before submitting your application, confirm that you have:

Completed 60 hours of TREC-approved principles and fundamentals education.
Received examination eligibility through PSI.
Passed the required national and Tennessee examination portions.
Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Completed electronic fingerprinting.
Retained the fingerprint receipt.
Obtained errors and omissions insurance documentation.
Secured a sponsoring principal broker.
Prepared proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Completed the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Obtained the PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
Prepared education completion certificates or letters.
Submitted the initial application through CORE.
Paid the $91 application fee.
Filed within the applicable examination-passing deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ethridge require its own real estate license?

No. Real estate licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Ethridge applicants follow the same affiliate broker requirements as applicants in Lawrenceburg, Columbia, Nashville, and other Tennessee communities.

Do I need a college degree?

No college degree is listed as an entry requirement for a Tennessee affiliate broker license. TREC requires proof of high school graduation or its equivalent.

Can I take Tennessee real estate courses online?

Online education may be available, but the provider and course must satisfy TREC’s current requirements. Verify approval, education hours, testing procedures, and completion reporting before enrolling.

Do I need a broker to get licensed?

Yes. An affiliate broker must affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and operate under a principal broker.

Is fingerprinting required before the examination?

Fingerprinting is required for the initial license application, but TREC states that it is not required merely to take the examination.

How much does the Tennessee real estate examination cost?

The current full affiliate broker examination fee is $63. The Tennessee state portion costs $26, and the national portion costs $37.

How much is the Tennessee affiliate broker application?

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

How often must a Tennessee real estate license be renewed?

Tennessee affiliate broker licenses generally renew every two years. TREC lists the current renewal fee as $75.

Does Tennessee offer real estate license reciprocity?

TREC states that Tennessee does not currently offer a reciprocal license. However, an out-of-state license holder may be able to substitute certain education, examination, or experience requirements after TREC reviews the required documentation.

Final Takeaway

To get a real estate license in Ethridge, Tennessee, complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass the PSI examination, complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, submit fingerprints, obtain errors and omissions insurance, affiliate with a sponsoring principal broker, and apply through Tennessee’s CORE system.

The rules are established at the state level rather than by the city of Ethridge. However, a licensee can build a local business by developing expertise in rural homes, farms, land, rentals, residential property, and regional transactions throughout Lawrence County and southern Middle Tennessee.

Authoritative Sources