How to Get Your Real Estate License in Friendship, Tennessee

If you want to represent buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants in Friendship, Tennessee, you generally need a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee law governs the education, examination, fingerprinting, insurance, application, brokerage affiliation, and renewal process; Friendship does not operate a separate municipal real estate licensing system.Affiliate Broker 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 Friendship.

This guide explains how to qualify for a Tennessee real estate license, complete the required education, pass the PSI examination, select a sponsoring broker, estimate licensing costs, and maintain an active license.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Requirements

To qualify for an initial Tennessee affiliate broker license, applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent credential.
Complete 60 hours of Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the examination.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
Complete electronic fingerprinting and submit the required receipt and ORI information.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Provide proof of high school graduation or equivalent education.
Submit the required application and fees through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm and obtain the required principal broker signature.

TREC regulates Tennessee affiliate brokers, brokers, firms, and other real estate professionals under Tennessee’s real estate licensing laws. The requirements are statewide and apply whether you work in Friendship, nearby communities, or elsewhere in Tennessee.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee has two important education requirements for a new affiliate broker:

60 hours of Principles of Real Estate or Fundamentals of Real Estate before taking the licensing examination.
30 hours of the Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license is issued.

Together, these requirements total 90 hours. However, the 60-hour principles or fundamentals course is the portion that must be completed before examination eligibility.

Your education provider must submit proof of completion of the 60-hour course to PSI. You generally cannot register for the examination until PSI receives and approves that education information. The school should also provide a completion certificate or letter for your license application.PSI and Exam Information

Keep copies of all course certificates, letters, and receipts. TREC may require this documentation when reviewing your application.

Online Tennessee Pre-Licensing Courses

Approved education providers may offer online, livestream, or self-paced Tennessee real estate courses. An online course can be convenient if you live in Friendship, have a full-time job, or need a flexible study schedule.

Before enrolling, confirm that:

The provider is approved for Tennessee real estate education.
The specific course satisfies the 60-hour pre-licensing requirement.
The provider reports completion to PSI.
The package includes or clearly identifies the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
The school explains testing, attendance, completion, and refund policies.

You can review an online Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course and compare the course format, included materials, current tuition, and Tennessee approval information before enrolling.

Online education does not replace the examination, fingerprinting, errors and omissions insurance, application, or sponsoring-broker requirements.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Licensed

1. Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course

Enroll with a TREC-approved provider and complete the 60-hour Principles of Real Estate or Fundamentals of Real Estate course.

Ask the school when it will transmit your completion information to PSI. You should also obtain a certificate or letter confirming completion for your application file.

2. Create the required accounts

You may need accounts with:

PSI for examination eligibility and scheduling.
Tennessee’s CORE licensing system for the license application.
CE Broker or another reporting system used for continuing-education records after licensure.

Use your legal name consistently across your education records, examination registration, fingerprinting documents, and license application.

3. Register for the PSI examination

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. After your education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews your eligibility and sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

The examination includes:

A national portion.
A Tennessee state-law portion.

The current PSI examination fees listed by TREC are:

Full affiliate broker examination: $63
State-only portion: $26
National-only portion: $37PSI and Exam Information

Follow PSI’s current admission instructions and bring acceptable, unexpired photo identification bearing your signature. Check the candidate bulletin before the appointment because testing-center procedures may change.

If you pass one portion but fail the other, review PSI’s current retesting rules and deadlines before scheduling another attempt. TREC and PSI should be treated as the controlling sources for current retake eligibility.

4. Pass both examination portions

Passing the examination does not by itself authorize you to practice real estate. You still need to complete the remaining education, fingerprinting, insurance, brokerage affiliation, and application steps.

If you do not pass both portions, use the retesting instructions provided by PSI and TREC. Additional examination attempts may create additional testing fees.

5. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates after the required pre-licensing education and before the license is issued. Include the course certificate or letter with your application.

This course is part of the initial licensing process. It is not the same as the continuing education required for later renewals.

A provider may offer the 30-hour course separately or as part of a broader package. If you are considering an online Tennessee licensing course, verify that the package covers the exact TREC requirement you still need.

6. Select a sponsoring brokerage

A Tennessee affiliate broker works through a licensed real estate firm under the supervision of a principal broker. The principal broker must sign the PSI examination application and provide the brokerage affiliation required for the licensing process.

When interviewing firms in Friendship, Crockett County, or nearby West Tennessee communities, ask about:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Monthly desk, technology, or office fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead-generation programs.
Showing and transaction support.
Marketing services.
Office availability.
Geographic coverage.
Experience with homes, land, farms, rentals, or commercial property.
Independent-contractor or employment terms.
Procedures for transferring or ending the affiliation.

Compare the complete compensation arrangement rather than focusing only on the advertised commission split. A higher split may come with larger monthly, transaction, technology, training, or lead fees.

7. Complete electronic fingerprinting

Tennessee requires license applicants to complete electronic fingerprinting. Applicants who live in Tennessee generally schedule through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

TREC’s current affiliate broker instructions identify the following information:

ORI number: TN920784Z
Service code: 28TZ99
Provider: IdentoGO

Submit the electronic fingerprinting receipt and required ORI information with the application.Affiliate Broker requirements

Fingerprinting is a separate expense from the examination and license application. Confirm the current appointment process, accepted identification, and provider fee before scheduling.

A criminal record does not automatically determine whether an applicant can obtain a license. Applicants should disclose information accurately and use TREC’s formal process if they need a decision regarding a prior criminal conviction or disciplinary matter. TREC also states that applicants may not be scheduled for examination while on parole or probation and may need to satisfy additional waiting requirements after supervision ends.

8. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Proof of errors and omissions insurance is part of the affiliate broker application documentation. Confirm the required coverage and acceptable proof with TREC or your sponsoring firm before submitting the application.

Some brokerages arrange group coverage, while others require affiliated licensees to obtain individual coverage. Ask the firm how insurance is handled and whether the cost is included in other brokerage charges.

9. Submit the license application through CORE

Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system. TREC currently lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.Tennessee Real Estate Commission Fees

The application package generally includes:

Completed initial affiliate broker application.
PSI examination application or examination documentation.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent education.
Proof of the 60-hour course.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
ORI information.
Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Principal broker information and signature.
Required application payment.

Submit complete and consistent documentation. Missing education records, fingerprint receipts, signatures, or eligibility forms can delay review.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on your education provider, fingerprinting vendor, insurance policy, examination attempts, and brokerage arrangements.

| Expense | Current amount or explanation |
|---|---|
| Affiliate broker examination | $63 for both portions; $26 state-only; $37 national-only |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by approved provider and course package |
| Fingerprinting | Separate IdentoGO or approved-provider charge |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Required; cost varies by policy and provider |
| License renewal | $75 every two years |
| Additional examination attempts | Subject to current PSI fees |
| Brokerage expenses | Vary by firm, agreement, transaction volume, and services |

The current official TREC fee schedule lists a $75 renewal fee for licensees and firms every two years.Tennessee Real Estate Commission Fees

The initial budget should include more than the $63 examination fee and $91 application fee. Request a written cost estimate from your education provider, fingerprinting vendor, insurance provider, and prospective brokerage.

How Long Does Tennessee Licensing Take?

Tennessee does not guarantee one end-to-end processing time for every affiliate broker applicant. The timeline depends on course completion, PSI eligibility processing, examination availability, fingerprint processing, document collection, brokerage selection, and the completeness of the application.

A typical sequence is:

Complete the 60-hour course.
Wait for the school to report completion to PSI.
Schedule and pass the examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Arrange fingerprinting.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Select a sponsoring broker.
Gather supporting documents.
Submit the complete application through CORE.
Wait for TREC to review and process the application.

Plan for additional time if you need to repeat an examination portion, correct application information, obtain missing education records, resolve a background-check issue, or find a suitable sponsoring broker.

Do not advertise or perform activities requiring a real estate license until TREC confirms that the license has been issued and your brokerage affiliation is active.

Sponsoring Broker Responsibilities

Affiliate brokers practice under a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The brokerage structure provides supervision, transaction oversight, document procedures, and compliance systems.

Before signing with a firm, review the written agreement carefully. Confirm:

How commissions are calculated and paid.
Which expenses are deducted from commissions.
Who pays for photography, signs, lockboxes, advertising, and marketing.
How leads are distributed.
Whether training is included.
How transactions are handled after a transfer or departure.
Whether the firm permits work in the property types and locations you want to serve.

For a Friendship-based business, a firm serving Crockett County and nearby West Tennessee markets may provide broader referral opportunities and support for rural, residential, land, farm, rental, and small-commercial transactions.

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 renewal continuing education.

The post-license course is part of the initial licensing process. Continuing education is completed later during each applicable renewal period.

When choosing a course provider, verify whether the advertised package includes:

The 60-hour pre-licensing course.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Exam preparation.
Required reporting to PSI.
Certificates or letters needed for the application.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

TREC lists license renewal for licensees and firms every two years, with a current renewal fee of $75.Tennessee Real Estate Commission Fees

Continuing-education requirements can depend on the license category, education history, and current TREC rules. Monitor your TREC and CE Broker records and confirm the requirements that apply to your license before the renewal deadline.

TREC identifies a mandatory CORE course as part of the renewal education system. Course availability, required hours, and renewal rules may change, so use TREC’s current education instructions rather than relying on an older course advertisement.Tennessee Real Estate Commission Education Courses

Late renewal can result in additional charges. TREC’s current renewal information lists late fees that may increase based on how long the license remains expired.Renewal, Reciprocity, and Other Resources

Upgrading to a Tennessee Broker License

An affiliate broker license is different from a broker or principal broker license. Tennessee broker candidates generally must meet experience and education requirements before becoming eligible for the broker examination.

Current TREC information identifies these experience paths:

36 months actively licensed as an affiliate broker for candidates licensed after May 12, 1988.
24 months actively licensed for a candidate with a bachelor’s degree majoring in real estate.
A separate historical rule for certain candidates licensed on or before May 12, 1988.

Broker candidates must also complete 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.Broker Licensure

Brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete an additional 120 hours of Commission-approved education within the applicable post-license deadline specified by TREC. Verify the current deadline directly with TREC before relying on this pathway.

Potential Earnings in Friendship, Tennessee

No authoritative salary figure should be assigned specifically to real estate agents in Friendship without reliable, current local data. Affiliate brokers are often compensated through commissions, so income can vary substantially from one year to the next.

Potential earnings may depend on:

Number of closed transactions.
Property prices and transaction values.
Listing and buyer-lead volume.
Brokerage commission structure.
Referral income.
Specialization in residential homes, land, farms, recreational property, rentals, or commercial real estate.
Marketing and business expenses.
Taxes, insurance, vehicle costs, association dues, and technology fees.
Seasonal changes in local inventory and demand.

A new agent should request actual compensation examples from prospective brokerages, including typical fees and average time to a first closing. Broader Tennessee or West Tennessee labor-market data may provide context, but it should not be presented as a Friendship-specific earnings guarantee.

Career Opportunities Near Friendship

A Tennessee affiliate broker working from Friendship may pursue several real estate specialties:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
Land and rural-property sales.
Farm and agricultural-property transactions.
Recreational and hunting-property sales.
Leasing and rental-location services.
Property management, when separately permitted and properly structured.
Commercial real estate.
New-construction sales.
Relocation and referral business.
Future advancement to broker or principal broker.

Friendship is a smaller community, so building a practical service area may involve nearby towns and the broader West Tennessee market. Local familiarity can help clients evaluate rural properties, land access, schools, utilities, commuting patterns, and small-community housing options.

Agents must still follow Tennessee licensing laws and their sponsoring broker’s policies wherever the property or client is located.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist when planning your application:

Confirm that you are at least 18 years old.
Confirm that you have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour Tennessee real estate course.
Complete the 60-hour principles or fundamentals course.
Confirm that the provider reports completion to PSI.
Create or update your PSI account.
Schedule and pass the national and Tennessee portions of the examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Arrange electronic fingerprinting through the designated process.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Select a Tennessee-licensed sponsoring brokerage.
Obtain the principal broker’s required signature.
Gather education, identification, eligibility, and graduation documents.
Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application in CORE.
Pay the current application fee.
Track your license status and renewal deadline.
Complete applicable continuing education before renewal.

For another option, review this Tennessee real estate license education resource and compare the provider’s current tuition, course format, approval status, included materials, and post-license offerings before enrolling.

Authoritative Sources