If you want to sell or lease real estate in Forest Hills, Tennessee, you must obtain a Tennessee real estate affiliate broker license. Tennessee regulates real estate licensing through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) under state law; Forest Hills does not have a separate real estate license with different education, examination, or application requirements. 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 Forest Hills.

The process generally involves completing approved education, passing the Tennessee licensing examination, submitting fingerprints and an application, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, and affiliating with a Tennessee-licensed sponsoring broker.

Tennessee Real Estate License Types

Most people entering residential or commercial real estate sales begin as affiliate brokers. An affiliate broker may perform licensed real estate activities under the supervision of a Tennessee principal broker.

A Tennessee broker license is a higher-level credential. Broker applicants generally need prior active affiliate-broker experience and additional education, so it is not usually the first license for someone entering the industry.

This guide focuses on obtaining an affiliate broker license.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before beginning the application process, confirm that you can satisfy Tennessee’s basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Complete the required Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education.
• Pass the required PSI examination.
• Submit the required eligibility-verification documentation.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
• Meet Tennessee’s restrictions concerning certain criminal histories, parole, and probation.

TREC states that applicants may not be scheduled for the examination while they are on parole or probation and generally must have been off parole or probation for at least two years. A criminal record does not necessarily mean an applicant will be denied, but it should be disclosed accurately and reviewed with TREC before investing in the licensing process.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education

Affiliate broker candidates must complete 60 hours of approved real estate education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the licensing examination.

The course provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before the candidate can register for the examination. The school should also provide a completion certificate or letter for the license application.

Tennessee also requires a separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. This course must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued, and the completion certificate or letter must be included with the application.

Education-hour summary

| Requirement | Hours | When it is required |
|---|---:|---|
| Real estate principles/fundamentals | 60 hours | Before the licensing examination |
| Course for New Affiliates | 30 hours | Before the license is issued |
| Total initial education | 90 hours | Across the licensing process |

The 60-hour course is the primary pre-licensing course. The 30-hour course is a separate post-examination or licensing-stage requirement, not a substitute for the 60-hour course.

Online Tennessee Pre-Licensing Courses

Tennessee permits applicants to complete qualifying education through an approved education provider. Online courses can be convenient for Forest Hills residents because they may allow students to study from home on a flexible schedule.

Before enrolling, verify that:

• The provider is approved or accepted for Tennessee real estate education.
• The course specifically satisfies the 60-hour Tennessee principles/fundamentals requirement.
• The provider explains how course completion is reported to PSI.
• The provider offers the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• The school provides documentation needed for the TREC application.
• The course format, testing rules, and technical requirements fit your schedule.

For an online Tennessee pre-licensing option, review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course. Confirm the provider’s current approval status and course details before purchasing, because TREC requirements and provider offerings can change.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour education requirement

Enroll in a qualifying Tennessee principles/fundamentals course and complete all required lessons, exams, and school procedures. The provider must transmit proof of completion to PSI before you can schedule the licensing examination.

2. Find a sponsoring principal broker

You generally need a Tennessee-licensed principal broker before submitting the initial affiliate broker application. The principal broker supervises your licensed activities and signs the PSI examination application and other required documentation.

When evaluating a brokerage in or near Forest Hills, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Training for newly licensed agents.
• Lead-generation expectations.
• Office, technology, and marketing fees.
• Mentorship and transaction coordination.
• Geographic coverage in Forest Hills and the broader Nashville market.
• Whether the firm handles residential, commercial, leasing, relocation, or investment business.

Do not choose a brokerage solely because it advertises the highest commission split. Training, supervision, compliance support, and access to clients can be especially valuable during the first year.

3. Create the necessary examination and state accounts

Tennessee’s licensing examination is administered by PSI. The education provider submits the candidate’s eligibility information, and PSI sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination after approval.

Use the current TREC and PSI instructions rather than relying on older school handouts or unofficial checklists.

4. Schedule and take the PSI examination

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination has national and state portions. The current PSI fee for the full affiliate broker examination is $63, with separate fees listed as $26 for the state portion and $37 for the national portion.

Bring the admission notice and an acceptable photo identification document bearing your signature.

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

5. Complete electronic fingerprinting

All Tennessee real estate licensees must be fingerprinted. Tennessee residents generally schedule an appointment through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The TREC service information identifies:

• ORI number: TN920784Z
• Service code: 28TZ99

Keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt and submit it with the license application as directed by TREC.

Fingerprinting is a separate expense from the TREC application and PSI examination fees. The current TREC fee page does not establish a single statewide fingerprinting price, so confirm the current charge with the authorized fingerprinting provider when scheduling.

6. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After completing the required course, obtain the completion letter or certificate. TREC requires this documentation with the affiliate broker license application.

7. Submit the initial affiliate broker application

The initial affiliate broker application is completed online through Tennessee’s CORE system. TREC lists the current initial affiliate application fee as $91.

The application package generally includes:

• The completed online application.
• PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
• Proof of the required education.
• Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Proof of high school graduation.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Required payment.

Review the application checklist immediately before submitting because TREC may update forms, procedures, or documentation requirements.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the school, fingerprinting provider, study materials, travel, and whether you need to retake an examination section.

Known state-level costs include:

| Expense | Current amount or description |
|---|---:|
| PSI affiliate broker examination, full exam | $63 |
| TREC initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Fingerprinting | Provider charge; verify current amount |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by approved school |
| Course materials or exam preparation | Varies |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Policy or brokerage cost varies |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |

The minimum known examination and application charges total $154, before education, fingerprinting, insurance, and other expenses. That is not the complete cost of becoming licensed.

Some brokerages pay or reimburse certain expenses, while others charge technology, desk, transaction, association, or administrative fees. Get the full fee schedule in writing before affiliating.

How Long Does It Take?

TREC does not publish one universal timeline for every affiliate broker applicant. Completion time depends on course pace, examination availability, fingerprint processing, application completeness, and the time needed to locate a sponsoring broker.

A realistic planning sequence is:

1. Complete the 60-hour course.
2. Wait for the provider to report eligibility to PSI.
3. Schedule and pass the examination.
4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
5. Obtain fingerprints, insurance documentation, and broker signatures.
6. Submit the application through CORE.
7. Respond promptly if TREC requests additional information.

Applicants can shorten avoidable delays by using an approved school, maintaining consistent name and address information across documents, scheduling fingerprints early, and preparing all required documents before submitting the application.

TREC specifically states that broker-license education and experience reviews take approximately four weeks, but that published timeframe applies to broker applicants rather than establishing a guaranteed processing time for every affiliate broker application.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

An affiliate broker cannot operate independently in the same way as a principal broker. The affiliate must be affiliated with and supervised by a Tennessee principal broker.

The principal broker’s responsibilities include supervising affiliated licensees and signing required licensing documentation. Before applying, discuss whether the brokerage is prepared to sponsor your license and whether your planned business activities will be covered by the firm’s supervision and insurance procedures.

If you later change firms, TREC lists a $25 transfer-to-new-firm fee.

Post-License Education

Tennessee requires newly licensed affiliate brokers to complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

This course is distinct from continuing education. It is designed for new affiliates and must be documented as part of the initial licensing process.

Do not assume that completing the 60-hour course alone allows you to receive an active affiliate broker license. The 30-hour requirement and the sponsoring-broker documentation must also be addressed.

Continuing Education and Renewal

Tennessee real estate licenses renew every two years. TREC lists the licensee and firm renewal fee as $75.

Tennessee’s continuing-education requirements can depend on the license category and the licensee’s post-licensure status. For brokers, TREC states that brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete 120 additional hours of Commission-approved education before the fourth anniversary of the broker license; after the post-broker education requirement, brokers must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including six hours of CORE and 10 elective hours.

Affiliate brokers should confirm their current education and renewal obligations directly through TREC and the state’s education-reporting system. Keep course completion records and verify that providers report credit correctly before the renewal deadline.

For additional course information, compare current Tennessee offerings such as Tennessee pre-licensing education from Leap Real Estate, while independently confirming that the selected course meets current TREC requirements.

Potential Earnings in Forest Hills

There is no reliable city-specific earnings figure for Forest Hills in the cited TREC materials. Real estate income is also not a guaranteed salary: many agents are paid through commissions, and actual earnings depend on transactions closed, commission agreements, market conditions, brokerage splits, expenses, experience, and the type of property handled.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the appropriate authoritative source for broader occupation and wage data, but city-level figures may not be available specifically for Forest Hills. Prospective agents should therefore avoid treating a national, state, or Nashville-area wage estimate as a guaranteed Forest Hills income.

Before entering the field, prepare a personal budget that accounts for:

• Education and licensing costs.
• Fingerprinting and examination expenses.
• Insurance and renewal fees.
• Brokerage and transaction charges.
• Marketing and client-development costs.
• Transportation, phone, technology, and professional services.
• A potentially uneven commission schedule during the first year.

Career Opportunities in and Around Forest Hills

Forest Hills is located in the Nashville area, so licensed professionals may pursue business in Forest Hills and throughout the surrounding Middle Tennessee market, subject to Tennessee licensing and brokerage supervision.

Potential career paths include:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing and seller representation.
• Luxury and move-up properties.
• Relocation services.
• New-construction sales.
• Leasing and property rentals where permitted by the brokerage and applicable law.
• Commercial sales and leasing.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Land and development sales.
• Property management-related work, if properly structured and compliant with applicable requirements.
• A long-term path toward a Tennessee broker license.

The local opportunity may be particularly relevant to agents who build expertise in neighborhood-level pricing, buyer qualification, relocation, marketing, and relationships with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, contractors, and other real estate professionals. However, the license itself does not guarantee clients or income.

Affiliate Broker vs. Broker License

An affiliate broker is the typical entry-level license. A broker license generally requires:

• Qualifying active affiliate-broker experience.
• Additional approved education totaling 120 classroom hours.
• A 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.
• A separate broker examination and application process.

For candidates licensed as affiliate brokers after May 12, 1988, TREC generally requires 36 months of active licensure before broker-examination eligibility. The experience requirement can differ for candidates with a bachelor’s degree majoring in real estate.

A broker license may support a future goal of becoming a principal broker or operating a real estate firm, but it is not necessary to begin a supervised career as an affiliate broker.

Forest Hills Tennessee Licensing Checklist

Use this checklist as a planning guide:

• Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s age and education prerequisites.
• Select a current Tennessee-approved education provider.
• Complete 60 hours of real estate principles/fundamentals education.
• Have the provider submit completion information to PSI.
• Select a sponsoring Tennessee principal broker.
• Schedule and pass the PSI affiliate broker examination.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Schedule electronic fingerprinting through the authorized provider.
• Obtain the fingerprint receipt.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Gather proof of high school graduation and eligibility verification.
• Submit the online affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Pay the $91 application fee.
• Wait for license issuance and confirm your affiliation.
• Track renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Forest Hills require its own real estate license?

No separate Forest Hills real estate license requirement is identified in the TREC licensing materials cited here. Real estate licensing is regulated at the Tennessee state level.

Can I take the Tennessee course online?

Online education may be available through approved providers. Confirm that the provider and specific course satisfy current Tennessee requirements before enrolling.

How many hours of education are required?

Affiliate broker candidates need 60 hours of principles/fundamentals education before the examination and a separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

How much is the Tennessee application fee?

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

How much is the licensing examination?

PSI lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63.

Do I need fingerprints?

Yes. Tennessee requires electronic fingerprinting for real estate licensees, and the receipt must be submitted as directed with the application.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee principal broker, and the principal broker signs required examination and licensing documentation.

How much can a Forest Hills real estate agent earn?

No reliable city-specific earnings figure is established by the cited authoritative sources. Earnings vary substantially because real estate agents commonly depend on commissions, transaction volume, brokerage terms, and business expenses.

Authoritative Sources

• 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, “How to Get a License” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/get.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, official commission page — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
• Leap Real Estate, Tennessee Pre-Licensing — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing