If you want to become a real estate agent in Halls, Tennessee, you must obtain a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee calls its entry-level real estate license an affiliate broker license, rather than a salesperson license. 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 Halls.

Halls is located in the Knoxville area, so new agents may work with residential buyers and sellers in Halls, Knoxville, north Knox County, and surrounding communities. However, licensing is regulated at the state level by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, not by the Town of Halls or a separate Halls municipal licensing office.

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 GED.
• Complete the required Tennessee-approved real estate education.
• Pass the Tennessee real estate licensing examination administered by PSI.
• Complete the required background-review process.
• Submit the affiliate broker application through Tennessee’s CORE system.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
• Maintain errors and omissions insurance as required for active licensees.

TREC’s current requirements are established under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62, Chapter 13 and related Commission rules.

Required Real Estate Education in Tennessee

Tennessee requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education for an affiliate broker license. The education is divided into two components:

• 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course: This course must be completed before taking the licensing examination.
• 30-hour Course for New Affiliates: This course must be completed before the license can be issued.

The school providing the 60-hour course must submit proof of completion to PSI before the applicant can register for the examination. The applicant should also receive a completion certificate or letter for the license application.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is not a substitute for the 60-hour principles course. Both courses are part of the initial Tennessee licensing process.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a practical option for residents of Halls who want to complete the required coursework from home. The key requirement is that the provider and course must be approved for Tennessee real estate education.

Before enrolling, confirm that the course:

• Is approved for Tennessee affiliate broker pre-licensing.
• Includes the full 60-hour Basic Principles requirement.
• Provides documentation accepted by TREC and PSI.
• Clearly explains how the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is completed.
• Provides access to instructors or student support.
• States whether exams, textbooks, or other materials are included.

A Tennessee-focused online pre-licensing program can help organize the coursework and exam preparation: Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course options.

TREC maintains an approved education-course list, and applicants should use that list or confirm approval with the provider before paying for a course.

How to Apply for a Tennessee Real Estate License

The typical application process is:

1. Complete the 60-hour course

Finish the approved 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course. The education provider submits completion information to PSI so the applicant can become eligible for testing.

2. Apply for exam eligibility

Tennessee uses PSI to administer the affiliate broker examination. Once the education provider submits the required information and PSI confirms eligibility, the applicant can receive instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

3. Pass the licensing exam

Pass both the national and Tennessee state portions of the affiliate broker exam. PSI’s current fee schedule lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63, consisting of a $26 state portion and a $37 national portion.

4. Complete the 30-hour new-affiliate course

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before licensure. Keep the completion certificate or letter because it is part of the application documentation.

5. Select a sponsoring brokerage

An affiliate broker must be connected with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The PSI examination application must be signed by the principal broker, and the application requires proof of errors and omissions insurance.

6. Submit the license application

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

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Applicants should expect TREC to review criminal-history and eligibility information as part of the licensing process. The state application materials include an eligibility verification form, and applicants must disclose relevant criminal, professional, and licensing history when required.

Fingerprinting or additional documentation may be required depending on the applicant’s background and the instructions issued by TREC. Because procedures and approved vendors can change, review the current CORE application instructions and any TREC request before scheduling a fingerprint appointment. Do not assume that completing fingerprints alone resolves a disclosure issue; provide complete and accurate explanations for any required responses.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant cannot become licensed, but omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems. Applicants with prior convictions, disciplinary actions, or license issues should contact TREC before submitting the application.

Tennessee Real Estate Licensing Exam

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination is administered by PSI and includes:

• A national real estate portion.
• A Tennessee state-law portion.

PSI lists the affiliate broker examination fee as $63 for both portions. The separate state-only fee is $26, and the national-only fee is $37.

A passing score on one portion remains valid for two retakes of the failed portion or one year, whichever comes first. Applicants should review the current PSI candidate bulletin for identification rules, testing-center procedures, scheduling, cancellation policies, score reporting, and the examination content outline.

Effective preparation should include:

• Reviewing real estate principles and terminology.
• Studying Tennessee license law and Commission rules.
• Practicing calculations involving commissions, prorations, closing costs, and property valuation.
• Taking timed practice examinations.
• Reviewing missed questions rather than relying only on memorization.
• Scheduling the exam soon after completing the 60-hour course while the material is fresh.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The required state and examination fees currently include:

| Expense | Current amount |
|---|---:|
| 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 |

Applicants must also budget for the education program, textbooks or digital materials, possible exam retakes, background-related charges if applicable, errors and omissions insurance, association or MLS expenses, marketing, transportation, and brokerage fees. Course prices and private business expenses vary, so they should be confirmed directly with the provider or brokerage.

The minimum state and full-exam charges shown above total $154, before education and other expenses. The $63 exam fee is not refundable or transferable, and PSI states that the exam fee is valid for one year.

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

Tennessee does not establish one universal number of days for every applicant. The timeline depends on:

• How quickly the applicant completes the 60-hour course.
• How quickly the education provider submits eligibility information.
• PSI appointment availability.
• Whether the applicant passes both exam portions on the first attempt.
• How quickly the applicant completes the 30-hour course.
• Whether TREC requests additional background or application documentation.
• How quickly the applicant affiliates with a sponsoring broker.

A straightforward application may take several weeks to a few months from enrollment through licensure. That is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed state processing time.

After passing the exam, an applicant must affiliate with a firm within six months or retire the license, according to TREC education guidance. Applicants should therefore begin interviewing brokerages before taking the exam or immediately afterward.

Choosing a Sponsoring Broker in Halls

A newly licensed affiliate broker cannot operate independently in the same manner as a principal broker. The license must be affiliated with a licensed Tennessee firm and supervised by a principal broker.

When comparing brokerages serving Halls and the surrounding Knoxville market, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees.
• Training for new agents.
• Mentorship and transaction coordination.
• Lead-generation programs.
• Geographic coverage in Halls and nearby communities.
• Office, lockbox, and showing support.
• Errors and omissions insurance arrangements.
• Contract-review and compliance procedures.
• Availability of the principal broker.
• Policies for marketing, signs, social media, and advertising.

The highest commission split is not always the lowest-cost or most supportive option for a new agent. A brokerage with structured training and accessible supervision may be more valuable during the first transactions.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is an initial licensing requirement and must be completed before the license is issued.

Newly licensed agents should distinguish this course from later continuing education. Pre-license courses cannot be used as continuing education credit, according to TREC’s education guidance.

Tennessee broker applicants have a separate, more advanced pathway. To qualify for a broker license, an applicant generally needs active affiliate-broker experience and 120 hours of approved education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course. TREC identifies 36 months of active affiliate-broker licensure as a standard experience requirement, with certain exceptions, including a qualifying real estate degree.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee licensees must complete continuing education to renew when the requirement applies. The standard requirement is 16 hours during each two-year renewal period, consisting of:

• Six hours of the mandatory TREC Core course.
• Ten hours of approved elective education.

TREC lists the license and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years. Education providers submit course completion information to CE Broker, but licensees should monitor their own records and renewal deadlines.

TREC states that approved pre-license courses cannot be used for continuing education. Licensees should also confirm the current Core course for their renewal period because course content and regulatory requirements can change.

Potential Earnings in Halls and Tennessee

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Affiliate brokers commonly earn income through commissions or other brokerage compensation tied to completed transactions, and earnings can vary significantly based on:

• Number of completed transactions.
• Sale prices and property types.
• Commission agreements.
• Brokerage splits and fees.
• Lead generation and marketing.
• Local market conditions.
• Experience and repeat business.
• Whether the agent works part-time or full-time.

Reliable, current public sources do not establish a city-specific average income for real estate agents in Halls. Salary websites and individual job advertisements may not accurately represent commission-based earnings, so they should not be treated as official Halls income statistics.

For a more useful local career assessment, compare transaction activity, listing inventory, population growth, housing demand, and brokerage opportunities in Halls and the broader Knoxville-area market. Prospective agents should build a personal budget that assumes income may be irregular during the early months.

Real Estate Career Opportunities in Halls

A Tennessee affiliate broker based in Halls may pursue several real estate paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• New-construction sales.
• Relocation assistance.
• Leasing and rental referrals, where permitted by applicable law and brokerage policy.
• Property-management-related work, subject to any additional requirements.
• Commercial real estate.
• Land and rural-property transactions.
• Investment-property services.
• Real estate referral business.
• Future advancement to principal broker.

Halls’ location near Knoxville may allow an agent to serve clients across multiple communities rather than limiting business to the town itself. Agents should understand the neighborhoods, commute patterns, schools, property types, development activity, and local market conditions that matter to buyers and sellers in the Halls and north Knoxville area.

Local professional organizations, brokerages, chambers of commerce, housing-related businesses, and community events can also help new agents build relationships. Membership in a REALTOR® association is separate from obtaining a Tennessee real estate license; TREC notes that Code of Ethics requirements come from the local REALTOR® board, not TREC.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist when planning the process:

• Confirm that you meet the age and education requirements.
• Enroll in a Tennessee-approved 60-hour Basic Principles course.
• Complete the course and confirm that the provider submitted eligibility information to PSI.
• Apply for and schedule the PSI affiliate broker examination.
• Pass the national and Tennessee portions of the exam.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Select a Tennessee firm and principal broker.
• Obtain the required errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Complete any required background and eligibility documentation.
• Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Pay the $91 application fee.
• Affiliate with the sponsoring firm within the required period.
• Track renewal dates and complete required continuing education.

Final Takeaway

Getting a real estate license in Halls follows Tennessee’s statewide affiliate broker process. The core requirements are 90 hours of approved education, a passing PSI examination, background and eligibility review, a $91 state application, a sponsoring principal broker, and ongoing education after licensure.

For course planning, review Tennessee pre-licensing education options, then verify every current requirement and fee with TREC and PSI before enrolling or submitting an application.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Affiliate Broker Licensing: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/affiliate-broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Broker Licensing: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Fees: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, PSI and Exam Information: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/psi.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Approved Education Courses: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/education/courses.html
• PSI Examination Services, Tennessee Real Estate Candidate Bulletin: https://home.psiexams.com/api/tests/G953M5ZB/bulletins
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html