If you want to become a real estate agent in Kingsport, you must obtain a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee’s licensing process includes approved education, a state examination, fingerprint-based background processing, an application, errors and omissions insurance, and association with a Tennessee-licensed brokerage. 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 Kingsport.

Because licensing is regulated by the state, not the city, the same requirements apply in Kingsport, Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, and other Tennessee locations. However, the local market, brokerages, housing inventory, and client opportunities will vary by area.

Tennessee Real Estate 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 GED.
• Complete the required Tennessee-approved real estate education.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker licensing examination.
• Submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt for the background-check process.
• Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Submit the required application and supporting documents.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

TREC identifies the governing licensing laws and rules in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 13. TREC also requires proof of a high school diploma or general educational development certificate for an affiliate broker application.

Required Real Estate Education: 90 Hours

Tennessee requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education for an affiliate broker license.

The education is divided into two required components:

1. 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course
2. 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The 60-hour course must be completed before taking the licensing examination. The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the license can be issued.

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

Choosing a Tennessee-approved course

Before paying for a course, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Tennessee pre-licensing education. Course providers may offer:

• Live classroom instruction
• Livestream or virtual classes
• Self-paced online education
• Hybrid programs combining online and live instruction

For an online option, review the Tennessee pre-licensing course information at Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing page. Confirm the current course format, tuition, completion rules, and whether the provider reports eligibility directly to PSI.

Pre-license education cannot be substituted with ordinary continuing-education classes. TREC specifically states that pre-license courses may not be used for continuing education.

Online Real Estate Courses in Tennessee

An online course can be useful for a Kingsport applicant who works full time, lives outside the city, or prefers to study independently. Before enrolling, verify that the course:

• Is approved for Tennessee pre-licensing education.
• Includes both the required 60-hour and 30-hour components, either in one program or through approved courses.
• Explains attendance, testing, and completion requirements.
• Provides documentation accepted by TREC and PSI.
• Clearly states tuition and refund policies.
• Offers access to instructors or academic support if needed.

Online education does not remove the state examination, application, fingerprinting, insurance, or brokerage requirements. It changes how the education is delivered, not the licensing standards.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour course

Start with the approved 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course. You must complete this course before becoming eligible to take the examination.

2. Register for the licensing exam

Your education provider submits the eligibility information to PSI. TREC states that the education provider must submit an online application to PSI, which reviews eligibility before testing is approved.

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. Schedule the exam through PSI after your eligibility has been confirmed.

3. Pass the affiliate broker exam

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination includes national and state portions. PSI’s current bulletin lists the full examination fee as $63, with separate fees of $26 for the state portion and $37 for the national portion.

The PSI examination fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable, and the examination fee remains valid for one year.

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

If you fail one portion, confirm PSI’s current retesting rules before scheduling again. Additional examination fees may apply.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After passing the examination, complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates if you have not already done so. This course must be completed before licensure.

5. Arrange fingerprinting and the background check

TREC requires fingerprints for initial real estate license applications. Tennessee residents must schedule an appointment through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The TREC information lists the following details for fingerprint processing:

• Service code: 28TZ99
• ORI number: TN920784Z
• Scheduling provider: IdentoGO
• IdentoGO telephone number: (855) 266-2937

Fingerprinting is an application requirement, not a testing requirement. The fingerprint vendor’s processing charge is separate from the TREC application fee, and applicants should confirm the current amount when booking the appointment.

A criminal record does not automatically answer every eligibility question. If you have a criminal history or licensing discipline, disclose information accurately and contact TREC for guidance before submitting the application.

6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Active Tennessee affiliate brokers must carry errors and omissions insurance as a condition of licensure. Your brokerage may provide coverage through a group policy, or you may need to obtain coverage independently. Confirm the policy requirements and documentation with the prospective sponsoring firm and TREC.

7. Submit the initial affiliate broker application

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

The application package must include the required supporting documentation, which can include:

• Examination documentation
• Proof of the 90-hour education requirement
• High school diploma or GED evidence
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt
• Errors and omissions insurance proof
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form
• Any other documents requested by TREC

TREC’s affiliate broker instructions specifically identify the online CORE application, the $91 application fee, fingerprint receipt, education documentation, insurance proof, and high school or GED evidence.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A Tennessee affiliate broker does not operate independently as a principal broker. The license must be associated with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm and principal broker.

When selecting a sponsoring brokerage in Kingsport, compare:

• Commission split and transaction fees
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees
• Training and mentoring
• Lead-generation systems
• Contract and transaction support
• Local market experience
• Availability of the principal broker
• Office, remote-work, and showing policies
• Errors and omissions insurance arrangements
• Expectations for marketing, prospecting, and association dues

Tennessee’s licensing materials state that, after completing the examination, an applicant must affiliate with a firm within six months or retire the license. A new agent should therefore begin interviewing brokerages before or shortly after passing the exam.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, fingerprint vendor, insurance arrangement, transportation, study materials, and any retesting. Known state and examination charges include:

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State examination portion | $26 |
| National examination portion | $37 |
| Fingerprinting | Separate vendor charge; verify with IdentoGO |
| Pre-license education | Provider-specific tuition |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Policy-specific cost or brokerage-provided coverage |
| License renewal | $75 every two years |

The full examination fee equals the state and national portions combined, but an applicant should follow PSI’s current instructions when scheduling a full or partial examination.

Education tuition is not set by the city of Kingsport. Ask the provider for the complete price, including textbooks, proctoring, exam preparation, extensions, and any final-course examination fees.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

The timeline varies according to course format, study pace, exam availability, fingerprint processing, application review, and how quickly a sponsoring broker is selected.

A practical sequence is:

• Complete the 60-hour course.
• Obtain examination eligibility through the education provider and PSI.
• Schedule and pass the examination.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Arrange fingerprinting.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
• Select a sponsoring brokerage.
• Submit the application and supporting documents.
• Wait for TREC processing and license issuance.

A self-paced student may finish the education relatively quickly, while a part-time student may take longer. Exam retakes, incomplete documentation, background-check issues, or delays in finding a broker can extend the process.

Because TREC’s materials do not establish one guaranteed processing time for every application, do not rely on a fixed number of days. Check the current status through CORE or contact TREC if an application remains pending.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a pre-licensure requirement that must be completed before the initial affiliate broker license is issued.

New licensees should distinguish this course from later continuing education. Post-license and continuing-education obligations depend on the license type and the applicable licensing period. Keep certificates, monitor the license expiration date, and confirm that education providers report completed hours properly.

Continuing Education and Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers generally must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

The 16 hours consist of:

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

The education must be completed by the license expiration date for renewal. Providers are responsible for reporting education to CE Broker, and TREC’s education information states that providers have 10 working days to submit their rosters.

TREC lists the license and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years. A continuing-education penalty may apply when required education is not completed on time; TREC lists that penalty as $50 per month.

Do not assume that the original 90-hour pre-license education satisfies renewal requirements. TREC states that pre-license courses cannot be used as continuing education.

Potential Earnings in Kingsport

Real estate income is generally commission-based rather than a guaranteed salary. Actual earnings can vary substantially based on:

• Number of closed transactions
• Property prices
• Commission agreements
• Brokerage split and fees
• Lead sources
• Experience and specialization
• Market conditions
• Whether the agent works full time or part time

Reliable city-level earnings data specifically for Kingsport real estate agents may not be available from an authoritative public source. Therefore, a precise Kingsport salary figure should not be presented as a guaranteed expectation.

Prospective agents should review current wage information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the broader occupation and geographic area, while recognizing that wage data may not capture commission volatility, self-employment, business expenses, or part-time work. A personal income forecast should be based on a written budget, expected transaction volume, brokerage costs, taxes, marketing expenses, association dues, insurance, and a reserve for slow months.

Career Opportunities in Kingsport

A Tennessee affiliate broker licensed in Kingsport may pursue several real estate paths, subject to brokerage supervision and applicable laws:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing and seller representation
• Relocation services
• New-construction sales
• Land and rural property transactions
• Multifamily and investment property
• Commercial real estate
• Property-management-related opportunities where separately permitted
• Leasing and rental services
• Real estate referrals
• Real estate transaction coordination
• Future advancement to a Tennessee broker license

Kingsport-area agents may serve clients across the Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City region, depending on their brokerage, competence, and market coverage. Local specialization can include understanding neighborhood-level pricing, commute patterns, rural parcels, new construction, investment properties, and the needs of relocating buyers.

New agents should build their career plan around compliance, lead generation, market knowledge, customer service, contract skills, and financial planning rather than assuming that licensing alone produces immediate income.

Is a Tennessee Real Estate License Worth It?

A Tennessee license may be a good fit for someone who wants a flexible, sales-oriented career and is prepared to develop clients over time. The license creates access to brokerage opportunities, but it does not guarantee transactions, income, or full-time work.

Before enrolling, calculate:

• Education and examination expenses
• Application and fingerprinting charges
• Insurance costs
• Brokerage fees and commission splits
• Association and multiple-listing-service expenses
• Transportation and marketing costs
• Taxes and emergency savings
• Expected time available for prospecting and client service

The strongest candidates typically understand that real estate is a business requiring ongoing education, ethical conduct, relationship development, and careful transaction management.

Tennessee Licensing Checklist

Use this checklist when planning the Kingsport licensing process:

• Confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
• Enroll in a Tennessee-approved 60-hour Basic Principles course.
• Complete the course and obtain documentation.
• Confirm that the school submits eligibility information to PSI.
• Schedule and pass the affiliate broker examination.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
• Select a Tennessee firm and principal broker.
• Complete the initial application through CORE.
• Pay the $91 application fee.
• Submit all required documents.
• Track the application and license status.
• Complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period after applicable initial requirements.
• Renew the license on time.

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
• PSI, Tennessee Real Estate Examination Candidate Information Bulletin — https://home.psiexams.com/api/tests/G953M5ZB/bulletins
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Real Estate Commission Fees” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Education Courses” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/education/courses.html
• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, “Continuing Education (CE) & CE Broker FAQs” — https://support.commerce.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/30192510868883-Continuing-Education-CE-CE-Broker-FAQs
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Tennessee Real Estate Commission” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission Instructor Training Manual — https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/trec/posts/TREC_Instructor_Training_Manual.pdf
• Leap Real Estate, “Tennessee Pre-Licensing” — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing