If you want to become a real estate agent in Garland, Tennessee, you must meet the licensing requirements established by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Tennessee generally licenses entry-level real estate professionals as affiliate brokers, who work under the supervision of a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. 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 Garland.

Garland does not have a separate city real estate license for practicing as a real estate agent. The education, examination, fingerprinting, application, sponsorship, and renewal requirements are handled at the state level by TREC.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a Tennessee affiliate broker license, an applicant generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Complete the required pre-licensing education.
• Pass the required portions of the Tennessee real estate examination.
• Submit fingerprints for a background check.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance coverage.
• Apply for licensure through Tennessee’s online licensing system.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
• Submit the required application and licensing fees.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied, but TREC reviews eligibility and background information. Applicants should disclose required information accurately and contact TREC if they have questions about a prior conviction or licensing history.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

Tennessee requires a total of 90 hours of approved real estate education for an affiliate broker license.

The education is divided into two parts:

1. 60-hour Tennessee real estate principles and fundamentals course
2. 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The 60-hour course must be completed before taking the licensing examination. The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before the candidate can schedule the exam.

The additional 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the license is issued. Applicants must submit a certificate or letter showing completion with the license application.

Choose a school and course provider approved by TREC. A convenient option for reviewing online Tennessee pre-licensing programs is Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course page.

Online Real Estate Courses in Tennessee

Tennessee-approved education may be available in online, livestream, or traditional classroom formats, depending on the provider. Before enrolling, verify that:

• The provider is approved by TREC.
• The course includes the required 60 hours of principles and fundamentals.
• The provider explains how course completion is reported to PSI.
• The provider offers the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• The course format satisfies current TREC attendance and examination rules.
• The total price clearly identifies tuition, textbooks, exam preparation, and other charges.

Online education can be useful for students in Garland who need a flexible schedule, but completing the course does not itself grant a license. Students must still pass the PSI examination, submit a complete application, complete fingerprinting, and meet the broker-affiliation requirement.

For a Tennessee-specific online course option, review this Tennessee real estate licensing education resource and confirm the provider’s current approval status before enrolling.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course

Finish the approved 60-hour principles and fundamentals course. The school sends education-completion information to PSI, and you receive documentation for the later license application.

2. Register for the PSI examination

Once PSI receives and approves the education information, PSI provides instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

3. Pass the required exam portions

Tennessee’s affiliate broker examination includes national and state portions. Candidates must pass all required portions before applying for the license.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Finish the required 30-hour course before the license can be issued. Keep the completion certificate or letter for the application.

5. Select a sponsoring principal broker

An affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. The principal broker signs the PSI examination application and supervises the affiliate broker’s real estate activity.

6. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

TREC requires fingerprints for initial real estate license applications. Fingerprinting is a licensing requirement, not an examination requirement.

Tennessee residents generally schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. TREC identifies the Real Estate Commission ORI number as TN920784Z.

Complete fingerprinting early enough to avoid delaying the license application. Retain the electronic fingerprinting receipt and submit it with the application.

7. Gather the application documents

TREC identifies the following documents and information for an affiliate broker application:

• PSI examination application signed by the principal broker
• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent
• Proof of completion of the 60-hour course
• Proof of completion of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt and ORI information
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form
• Required payment and application information

8. Apply through CORE

The initial affiliate broker application is submitted online through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system. The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

After passing all required portions of the examination, candidates must apply within the period specified by TREC. The current PSI candidate bulletin states that the application is valid for 12 months from the examination date.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination.

The current listed fee for the full affiliate broker examination is $63. PSI also lists separate state-only and national-only fees of $26 and $37, respectively.

The examination fee is separate from:

• Pre-licensing course tuition
• Textbooks or study materials
• Fingerprinting charges
• The TREC license application fee
• Errors and omissions insurance
• Brokerage-related expenses

Candidates should bring the admission notice and an acceptable photo identification document bearing a signature to the testing appointment.

A practical preparation plan includes:

• Completing all required course modules before scheduling.
• Studying Tennessee license law and commission rules separately from general national concepts.
• Using practice questions to identify weak subjects.
• Reviewing agency relationships, contracts, disclosures, finance, property ownership, and Tennessee-specific regulations.
• Confirming PSI’s current scheduling and identification rules before test day.

If you do not pass a required portion, follow PSI and TREC instructions for retesting. Examination fees and eligibility rules can change, so confirm current details before registering.

Real Estate License Costs in Tennessee

The required state-level costs currently include:

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State-only examination portion | $26 |
| National-only examination portion | $37 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Fingerprinting | Vendor charge; confirm current IdentoGO price |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by approved provider |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Varies by policy or brokerage |

The minimum state fees are not the total cost of becoming a real estate agent. A realistic budget should also account for education, fingerprinting, insurance, transportation, association or MLS expenses, marketing, technology, and brokerage fees.

TREC’s fee schedule lists the current license application, renewal, and other commission fees. Confirm charges before payment because fees and vendor pricing may change.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee affiliate brokers do not operate independently. They must be affiliated with a licensed principal broker, who provides supervision through the brokerage.

When comparing brokerages serving Garland or nearby markets, ask about:

• Commission splits
• Monthly or transaction fees
• Training and mentoring
• Lead distribution
• Office and technology fees
• Errors and omissions coverage
• MLS and association costs
• Marketing support
• Transaction coordination
• Rules for changing brokerages

The brokerage relationship can significantly affect an agent’s first-year expenses, training, and business development. Choose a principal broker who explains Tennessee compliance obligations clearly and provides a practical path to building a client base.

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

Tennessee does not guarantee one standard processing time for every applicant. The timeline depends on course availability, study pace, exam scheduling, fingerprint processing, application completeness, and broker sponsorship.

A typical sequence is:

1. Complete the 60-hour course.
2. Wait for the education provider to report eligibility to PSI.
3. Schedule and pass the examination.
4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
5. Complete fingerprinting.
6. Obtain broker sponsorship and insurance documentation.
7. Submit the application through CORE.
8. Wait for TREC to review and issue the license.

Students who complete education quickly and pass the exam on the first attempt may finish sooner than candidates who need additional study or retesting. Incomplete documents, undisclosed background information, or delays in fingerprinting can extend the process.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a pre-issuance requirement for new affiliate brokers, not a substitute for the 60-hour course.

Tennessee also imposes post-license education requirements on certain licensees. TREC’s current broker information states that brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete 120 additional hours of commission-approved education before the applicable post-license deadline.

Because post-license rules can depend on license type and issuance date, newly licensed professionals should verify their individual deadline and education status directly with TREC and their education provider.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Affiliate brokers and brokers must renew their licenses every two years. TREC’s current fee schedule lists a $75 renewal fee for licensees and firms.

After the applicable post-license education requirement has been completed, brokers licensed after January 1, 2005, must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The 16 hours include:

• A 6-hour CORE course
• 10 hours of elective education

Education providers report completed hours to CE Broker, but licensees should monitor their own records and renewal deadlines. Renewing late can trigger additional fees; TREC lists late-renewal charges that vary according to how long the renewal is overdue.

Potential Earnings for Real Estate Agents in Garland

Reliable, authoritative city-level earnings data specifically for Garland, Tennessee, is not provided in the available TREC licensing materials. Real estate income also varies substantially based on transaction volume, property prices, commission arrangements, brokerage splits, expenses, experience, and whether the agent works full-time or part-time.

For that reason, earnings should not be estimated using unsupported Garland-specific salary figures. Prospective agents should review current wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or another clearly identified government labor-market source for the applicable Tennessee or metropolitan area, then treat those figures as broad occupational estimates rather than a guaranteed income.

New agents should plan for variable income, especially during the period spent developing referrals, learning contracts and transaction procedures, and building visibility in the local market.

Career Opportunities in and Around Garland

A Tennessee real estate license can support several career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing services
• New-construction sales
• Land and rural-property transactions
• Property management, where additional rules or credentials may apply
• Commercial real estate
• Leasing and relocation services
• Real estate investment and acquisitions
• Brokerage management after meeting Tennessee broker requirements
• Real estate transaction coordination or support roles

For someone working in or near Garland, local opportunity may depend on the surrounding service area rather than the city alone. Networking with residents, lenders, attorneys, builders, contractors, investors, and community organizations can help an agent understand housing demand and identify a market niche.

Possible niches include first-time buyers, land, relocation, investment property, rural homes, new construction, or sellers who need guidance preparing a property for market. Agents should research local inventory, prices, commute patterns, development activity, and comparable sales before choosing a specialty.

Affiliate Broker Versus Principal Broker

The affiliate broker license is the normal starting point for a new Tennessee real estate professional. Affiliate brokers work under a principal broker and generally cannot supervise a brokerage independently.

A principal broker license is a later career step. TREC requires broker candidates to meet active-license experience requirements and complete 120 hours of approved broker education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

The broker path may be appropriate for experienced agents who want to supervise other licensees, manage a firm, or operate a brokerage. It carries additional education, experience, compliance, and management responsibilities.

Final Checklist

Before submitting an affiliate broker application, confirm that you have:

• Completed the 60-hour approved principles and fundamentals course.
• Confirmed that the provider reported education completion to PSI.
• Passed the required national and Tennessee examination portions.
• Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Selected a sponsoring Tennessee principal broker.
• Obtained errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Completed electronic fingerprinting.
• Received the fingerprinting receipt.
• Obtained proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
• Completed the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Submitted the application through CORE.
• Paid the current $91 application fee.
• Reviewed renewal and continuing education deadlines.

For another overview of Tennessee pre-licensing education, visit Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee licensing page.

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, “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 & Exam 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, “Candidate Information Bulletin” — https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/trec/forms/PSI-Bulletin.pdf
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Renewal, Reciprocity & Other Resources” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/renewal-reciprocity-resources.html
• Leap Real Estate, “Tennessee Pre-Licensing” — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing