How to Get Your Real Estate License in Kingston Springs, Tennessee

If you want to represent buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, or other real estate clients in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, the usual entry-level credential is a Tennessee affiliate broker license. The licensing process is administered by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, or TREC, rather than the City of Kingston Springs. 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 Kingston Springs.

Tennessee’s process includes approved pre-license education, a licensing examination, electronic fingerprinting, a state and federal background check, an application, errors and omissions insurance, and affiliation with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To apply for an initial Tennessee affiliate broker license, an applicant generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required TREC-approved real estate education.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check.
Complete the required licensing forms and supporting documents.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

TREC requires proof of high school graduation or a GED, an Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form, education records, examination documentation, an electronic fingerprinting receipt, and proof of errors and omissions insurance as part of the application process.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied a license. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and completely. Because TREC reviews background information as part of the licensing process, applicants with prior convictions may want to contact TREC before enrolling in a course or submitting an application.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education

Tennessee requires 90 hours of approved pre-license education for an affiliate broker license. The education consists of two required courses:

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

The education provider must submit proof of the 60-hour course to PSI before the applicant can register for the examination. The provider also issues a certificate or completion letter that must be included with the license application.

Both courses should be completed through a school and course approved by TREC. TREC maintains a list of approved pre-license and continuing-education courses through its education resources.

Pre-license education is separate from continuing education. TREC states that pre-license courses cannot be used to satisfy continuing-education requirements.

Online Real Estate Courses in Tennessee

Online education can be convenient for prospective agents who need to balance coursework with employment, family responsibilities, or other commitments. Before enrolling in an online program, confirm that:

The provider and course are approved by TREC.
The program includes both required affiliate broker courses.
The 60-hour principles course is reported to PSI as required.
The provider explains how certificates and completion records are delivered.
The course follows Tennessee requirements for attendance, testing, and completion.
Pre-license education is clearly distinguished from post-license and continuing education.

An online option is available through Tennessee real estate pre-licensing courses. Compare the provider’s current tuition, course format, student support, technology requirements, refund policy, and completion procedures with other TREC-approved schools before registering.

Step-by-Step Tennessee License Process

1. Complete the 60-hour principles course

Enroll in and complete a TREC-approved 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course. This course must be completed before PSI can approve examination eligibility.

2. Wait for education eligibility to be submitted

Your education provider submits the required information to PSI. PSI reviews the education information before allowing you to pay for and schedule the examination.

The provider also gives you a course certificate or completion letter for the later license application.

3. Register for the affiliate broker examination

PSI administers Tennessee’s real estate examinations for TREC. Once PSI confirms eligibility, it provides instructions for paying the examination fee and scheduling a testing appointment.

The examination includes:

A national portion.
A Tennessee state portion.

The current full affiliate broker examination fee is $63, consisting of a $37 national portion and a $26 state portion.

Examination fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. The examination fee is valid for one year, subject to PSI’s examination and retesting rules.

Bring the required admission information and an acceptable photo identification document bearing your signature to the testing center. Check PSI’s current instructions before the appointment because identification and testing-center procedures may change.

4. Pass the examination

You must pass the required examination portions before applying for licensure. If you pass one portion but fail the other, PSI’s current bulletin explains the applicable retesting period and section-retake rules.

Review PSI’s current Tennessee candidate information before scheduling because examination policies, testing locations, appointment procedures, and other details can change.

5. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Tennessee requires fingerprinting for license applicants. Electronic fingerprints are submitted for review by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

TREC’s affiliate broker instructions identify the following information for the electronic fingerprinting process:

TREC service code: 28TZ99.
TREC ORI number: TN920784Z.
Fingerprinting provider: IdentoGO.

The electronic fingerprinting receipt and ORI information must be included with the license application. Fingerprinting charges are separate from the TREC application fee and PSI examination fee. Confirm the current price and appointment instructions with IdentoGO.

6. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates if you did not complete it earlier. The course certificate or completion letter must accompany the application for the license to be issued.

This course is not a substitute for the 60-hour principles course. Together, the two courses make up the required 90 hours of affiliate broker pre-license education.

7. Choose a sponsoring firm and principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker does not practice independently under the affiliate license. The affiliate must work through a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm under the supervision of a principal broker.

The PSI examination application obtained at the testing center must be signed by the principal broker. TREC materials also state that an applicant who has passed the examination must affiliate with a firm within the applicable period or place the license into retirement status.

When comparing firms serving Kingston Springs and the surrounding Nashville-area market, ask about:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Monthly desk or technology fees.
Lead distribution.
Training and mentorship.
Office and attendance expectations.
Contract and compliance support.
Marketing resources.
Access to listing and transaction-management systems.
Whether the firm serves Kingston Springs, Fairview, Bellevue, Nashville, and nearby communities.

A firm must be licensed by TREC and have a principal broker. TREC also requires licensed firms to maintain a fixed location and adequate facilities for affiliated licensees.

8. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy is part of the affiliate broker application documentation. Ask the prospective brokerage whether it provides coverage or whether you must obtain an individual policy.

If coverage is provided through the firm, confirm when coverage begins, what activities are included, and whether any deductible or additional coverage applies.

9. Submit the license application

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

The application package generally includes:

The completed initial affiliate broker application.
Proof of passing the required examination portions.
The 60-hour course certificate or completion letter.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates certificate or completion letter.
Proof of high school graduation or a GED.
The Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
The electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
The PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
Payment of the required application fee.

TREC must receive and approve the required documentation before the license can be issued.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The official fees currently identified by TREC and PSI include:

| Expense | Current listed amount |
|---|---:|
| Affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Transfer to a new firm | $25 |

TREC lists the application, renewal, and transfer fees, while PSI lists the $63 affiliate broker examination fee.

Additional costs may include:

TREC-approved pre-license course tuition.
Electronic fingerprinting and background-check charges.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Transportation or technology expenses.
Brokerage and transaction fees.
Realtor association or local board dues.
Multiple listing service expenses.
Marketing, signs, photography, and advertising.
Vehicle, telephone, and other business expenses.

Course tuition, insurance premiums, fingerprinting charges, and brokerage expenses vary. Request current prices directly from the education provider, IdentoGO, insurer, and prospective brokerage.

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

Tennessee does not establish one universal completion time for every applicant. The timeline depends on:

How quickly you complete the 90 hours of education.
How long PSI takes to confirm examination eligibility.
Testing-center availability.
Whether you pass both examination portions on the first attempt.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
The speed and completeness of the application.
Whether TREC requests additional information.

Many applicants should plan for several weeks or longer from enrollment through licensure. A self-paced online student may complete coursework more quickly than someone attending scheduled classes, but examination appointments, background checks, and application review can affect the final timeline.

Incomplete documentation, examination retakes, prior convictions, or requests for additional records may extend the process. The PSI examination fee is valid for one year, subject to the rules in the current examination bulletin.

Sponsoring Broker and Brokerage Requirements

The affiliate broker license is designed for practice under a principal broker’s supervision. Choosing a brokerage is therefore one of the most important decisions for a new agent.

Do not compare firms only by commission split. A higher split may be offset by monthly fees, transaction charges, limited training, fewer leads, or reduced administrative support.

A new agent serving Kingston Springs may benefit from brokerage support that includes:

Tennessee contract and disclosure guidance.
New-agent training.
Comparative market analysis instruction.
Assistance with inspections, appraisals, negotiations, and closings.
Transaction coordination and compliance review.
Listing and customer relationship management systems.
Mentorship from experienced agents.
Marketing and lead-generation resources.
Coverage across Kingston Springs and the broader Nashville region.

Ask each firm how it supervises affiliate brokers, what expenses agents pay directly, and what happens if an agent changes firms. TREC lists a $25 transfer fee for transferring a license to a new firm.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before an initial Tennessee affiliate broker license is issued.

This requirement is separate from continuing education completed for later renewals. Newly licensed affiliate brokers should confirm their specific education deadlines with TREC, their principal broker, or a TREC-approved education provider.

For an online education option, review Tennessee pre-licensing education and verify that the selected course satisfies the current TREC requirements before enrolling.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate broker licenses generally renew every two years. TREC currently lists the renewal fee for a licensee or firm as $75.

After completing applicable initial post-license requirements, licensees generally must complete 16 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period:

6 hours of the mandatory TREC CORE course.
10 hours of approved elective education.

Education providers report completed hours to CE Broker, and licensees should monitor their records throughout the renewal cycle. TREC identifies the CORE course as mandatory for renewal and publishes information about approved education courses.

Failure to complete required education can create renewal problems. TREC lists a continuing-education penalty of $50 per month. Licensees should verify current deadlines, course requirements, and penalty policies before renewal.

Potential Earnings in Kingston Springs

Real estate agents generally earn commissions rather than a guaranteed salary. Income can vary significantly based on:

Number of closed transactions.
Property prices.
Commission agreements and brokerage splits.
Part-time or full-time work.
Experience and prospecting activity.
Market conditions.
Marketing and operating expenses.
Type of real estate served.

A reliable, authoritative city-level average income figure for Kingston Springs real estate agents is not identified in the cited public sources. A precise Kingston Springs salary or average agent income should therefore not be presented as fact.

Prospective agents can review broader Tennessee or Nashville-area labor-market information when available, but those figures may not reflect the income of new commission-based agents. Budget for an irregular income stream because commissions are typically paid after transactions close, and a new agent may go several months before completing a first transaction.

Common expenses may include:

Education and licensing fees.
Brokerage and transaction fees.
Association and listing-service dues.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Marketing and advertising.
Transportation and vehicle costs.
Phone, computer, and software expenses.
Photography, signs, and client materials.

Career Opportunities Near Kingston Springs

A Tennessee affiliate broker serving Kingston Springs may pursue opportunities in:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
Relocation services.
New-construction sales.
Land and rural-property transactions.
Leasing, subject to Tennessee law and brokerage policies.
Property-management-related activities requiring the appropriate license and supervision.
Commercial real estate.
Investment-property sales.
Referral business.
Future advancement toward a Tennessee broker license.

Kingston Springs is part of the broader Nashville-area real estate market. Depending on the brokerage’s service area and the agent’s business plan, an agent may also work with clients in Fairview, Bellevue, Nashville, and other nearby communities.

Local knowledge can help agents explain differences in commute patterns, housing inventory, land characteristics, development, schools, and small-town versus metropolitan markets. Agents must still use accurate information, provide legally required disclosures, avoid unsupported claims, and follow Tennessee law and brokerage supervision requirements.

Is a Tennessee Real Estate License Worth It?

A Tennessee real estate license may suit people who enjoy sales, networking, negotiation, relationship-building, and self-directed prospecting. It can open opportunities in residential, land, leasing, commercial, relocation, and investment-related real estate.

The license does not guarantee income. Before enrolling, estimate the cost of education, testing, fingerprinting, insurance, transportation, marketing, association membership, technology, and brokerage fees.

Interview several firms serving Kingston Springs and nearby communities. Ask about training, supervision, commission policies, lead generation, monthly expenses, transaction support, and realistic expectations for new agents.

You can also review Tennessee real estate pre-licensing courses as one online education option. Confirm the provider’s current TREC approval and course requirements before registering.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Confirm that you meet the age and education prerequisites.
Choose a TREC-approved education provider.
Complete the 60-hour Basic Principles course.
Confirm that the provider submits education information to PSI.
Register for and pass the affiliate broker examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
Obtain the required fingerprinting receipt and TREC ORI information.
Select a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Gather course certificates and required application documents.
Complete the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
Pay the $91 application fee.
Submit the application for TREC review.
Affiliate with the sponsoring firm within the applicable period.
Track post-license and continuing-education requirements.
Complete the required education before renewal.
Renew the license every two years.

Authoritative Sources