How to Get Your Real Estate License in Kingston, Tennessee

If you want to sell real estate in Kingston, Tennessee, you must obtain a license through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Tennessee regulates real estate licensing at the state level, so Kingston does not issue a separate city real estate 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 Kingston.

Most new agents begin with an affiliate broker license, Tennessee’s entry-level license for real estate professionals. The process generally includes completing approved education, passing the licensing examination, submitting fingerprints and an application, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, completing the required post-examination course, and affiliating with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.

Does Kingston Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No. Real estate licensing in Kingston is administered statewide by TREC under Tennessee real estate law.

You do not need a separate Kingston license to represent buyers and sellers in residential, commercial, land, or other real estate transactions. However, your business may still be subject to applicable local requirements involving business operations, signage, zoning, advertising, and property use. Those local matters are separate from the Tennessee real estate license.

An agent based in Kingston may also serve clients throughout Roane County and other Tennessee communities, provided the agent follows Tennessee licensing, brokerage, advertising, and supervision requirements.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker Requirements

Applicants for a Tennessee affiliate broker license generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 60 hours of approved pre-license education.
Pass the national and Tennessee portions of the affiliate broker examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Submit the required application and supporting documentation.
Complete electronic fingerprinting and a background check.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.

TREC requires applicants to submit documentation such as proof of high school graduation, the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form, education certificates, an electronic fingerprinting receipt, and proof of errors and omissions insurance.

A criminal history does not automatically result in denial, but applicants must answer application questions accurately and provide any requested records or explanations. TREC may review criminal, disciplinary, and licensing history when evaluating an application. Applicants with questions about eligibility should contact TREC before investing in education or submitting an application.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

New affiliate broker applicants must complete two separate education requirements:

60 hours of approved education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the examination
30 hours of the Course for New Affiliates after passing the examination and before the license is issued

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

The 60-hour course introduces subjects commonly tested on the licensing examination, including:

Real estate law.
Contracts.
Agency relationships.
Property ownership.
Finance and lending.
Valuation and appraisal principles.
Leasing and property management concepts.
Tennessee rules and license law.
Real estate calculations.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a separate requirement. Completing the 60-hour course alone does not satisfy the post-examination education requirement.

Pre-license education should not be treated as continuing education for future renewals. Continuing education is a separate obligation that applies after licensure.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be convenient for Kingston residents who need to study around work, family, or other responsibilities. Before enrolling, confirm that the course is approved for Tennessee licensing purposes and that it satisfies the required 60-hour education requirement.

A Tennessee-focused option is this online Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course. When comparing schools, evaluate:

Tennessee approval and course eligibility.
Whether the required 60-hour course is included.
Whether the provider offers exam preparation.
Course access periods and completion deadlines.
Instructor availability and student support.
Practice tests and study materials.
Assessment and identity-verification procedures.
Refund, transfer, and cancellation policies.
Whether the provider offers or explains the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.

Online education does not eliminate the state examination, fingerprinting, background check, application, insurance, or sponsoring broker requirements.

How to Get a Real Estate License in Kingston

1. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course

Enroll with a TREC-approved education provider and complete the 60-hour course in real estate principles or fundamentals.

The school must report your completion to PSI before you can schedule the examination. Keep your course completion certificate or letter because it is required for the license application.

2. Apply for examination eligibility

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination. After your education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews your eligibility and sends instructions for paying and scheduling the test.

Applicants who need to retest or who have special circumstances may need to submit additional information through the state’s CORE system before PSI can authorize another examination appointment.

3. Schedule and pass the licensing examination

The affiliate broker examination has two parts:

National portion.
Tennessee state portion.

The current PSI fee schedule lists the following affiliate broker examination fees:

| Examination | Fee |
|---|---:|
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| National portion only | $37 |
| Tennessee state portion only | $26 |

The full examination fee is the combined amount of the national and state portions. PSI provides the current scheduling instructions, test-center requirements, identification rules, and retesting procedures.

Bring the required admission information and qualifying photo identification to the examination appointment. If you pass only one portion, review PSI’s current retesting instructions before scheduling the remaining portion.

4. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO. Tennessee fingerprints are transmitted for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

TREC identifies the following information for real estate applicants:

TREC fingerprinting service code: 28TZ99
Affiliate broker ORI number: TN920784Z

The fingerprinting vendor charges a separate fee, and the amount may change. Confirm the current fee when making the appointment.

Fingerprint processing can take time, particularly if additional information is required. Completing fingerprinting early can help prevent delays in the application review.

5. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After passing the examination, complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. The course certificate or letter must be submitted with the license application.

This course is different from the 60-hour pre-license course:

The 60-hour course qualifies you to take the examination.
The 30-hour course is required before the affiliate broker license can be issued.

If your education provider offers both courses, confirm that you understand when each course must be completed.

6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Tennessee requires applicants to provide proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy with the affiliate broker application.

Some brokerages include coverage for affiliated agents. Other firms require agents to purchase coverage independently or pay an additional fee. Ask prospective Kingston-area brokerages:

Whether coverage is included.
What the policy limits are.
Whether deductibles apply.
Whether the policy covers all intended activities.
What happens if you leave the brokerage.

7. Choose a sponsoring principal broker

A new affiliate broker cannot operate an independent real estate business. The affiliate broker must work under the supervision of a Tennessee principal broker.

The principal broker is responsible for supervising brokerage activities, reviewing compliance matters, and overseeing affiliated licensees. The sponsoring broker’s signature is required on the examination or licensing documentation identified by TREC.

Begin interviewing brokerages before the license application is submitted. Important questions include:

What is the commission split?
Are there transaction, desk, technology, or administrative fees?
Is training included?
Is mentorship required, and does it involve a fee?
How are leads distributed?
Is errors and omissions insurance included?
What marketing materials require approval?
Is transaction coordination available?
How accessible is the principal broker?
Does the firm actively serve Kingston, Roane County, and nearby communities?

8. Submit the initial affiliate broker application

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

The application package may include:

PSI examination documentation.
Proof of the 60-hour course.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Errors and omissions insurance documentation.
Sponsoring principal broker information or signature.
Any additional records requested by TREC.

Review the current application instructions before submitting the package. Missing documents, inconsistent answers, or unresolved background-check issues can delay processing.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, fingerprinting vendor, study materials, insurance arrangements, brokerage fees, and whether you must retake an examination portion.

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| National examination portion | $37 |
| Tennessee state examination portion | $26 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Fingerprinting and background check | Separate vendor charge |
| Pre-license education | Provider-specific |
| Exam preparation and materials | Provider-specific |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Brokerage or policy-specific |
| License renewal | $75 every two years |

The known examination and initial application fees total $154, before education, fingerprinting, insurance, transportation, and brokerage expenses.

TREC lists a $75 renewal fee for a licensee or firm every two years. Other expenses may include local association dues, MLS access, lockbox fees, marketing, signs, mileage, tax preparation, technology, and transaction-related charges.

Request a written fee disclosure from each education provider and brokerage rather than comparing commission splits alone.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

There is no single guaranteed timeline for every applicant. Completion time depends on:

How quickly you finish the 60-hour course.
When the school reports completion to PSI.
Examination appointment availability.
Whether you pass both examination portions.
Fingerprint and background-check processing.
Application completeness.
TREC review time.
How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.
When you complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.

A student who completes education promptly, passes on the first attempt, submits complete documentation, and has no background-check issues may move through the process efficiently. Retesting, incomplete paperwork, fingerprint delays, or questions about eligibility can extend the timeline.

Check the current status of your education submission, examination eligibility, fingerprint processing, and CORE application rather than relying on a fixed number of days.

What Happens If You Fail the Tennessee Real Estate Exam?

The examination has separate national and Tennessee portions, and PSI lists separate fees for each portion.

If you fail one portion:

Review the score report.
Identify the subject areas that need additional study.
Confirm PSI’s current retesting procedure.
Contact TREC or PSI if you are unsure whether you must retake one portion or both.
Study Tennessee license law, contracts, agency, finance, calculations, and other weak areas.

Do not assume that passing one portion permanently preserves that score. Confirm the applicable retesting and validity rules before registering again.

Post-License Education for New Affiliate Brokers

New affiliate brokers must complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

The course is designed to bridge the gap between examination preparation and practical brokerage responsibilities. It should be completed and documented before submitting the license application.

For students looking for an online education path, Tennessee online pre-licensing education can be one option to investigate. Confirm directly with the provider whether the available course format and schedule fit your licensing timeline.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

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

For applicable active licensees, the standard continuing education requirement is 16 hours during each two-year renewal period:

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

Course providers report completed education to CE Broker, Tennessee’s continuing education tracking system. TREC’s continuing education information states that providers have 10 working days to submit education rosters.

Complete education before the license expiration date. Waiting until the final day can create problems if a provider has not yet reported the hours.

Renewal and education rules may differ for certain license categories, grandfathered licensees, or principal brokers. Confirm the requirements associated with your license status and expiration date.

Late renewal can also result in additional fees. TREC lists late-renewal fees that increase depending on how long the license remains expired.

Affiliate Broker vs. Principal Broker

Affiliate broker

An affiliate broker is the typical starting license for a new Tennessee real estate professional. Affiliate brokers may represent clients in real estate transactions but must operate under the supervision of a principal broker and licensed firm.

Principal broker

A principal broker has additional education, experience, examination, and supervisory responsibilities.

TREC requires broker candidates to complete 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

Broker candidates generally must also document active affiliate broker experience:

36 months of active licensure for affiliate brokers licensed after May 12, 1988.
24 months of active licensure for qualifying candidates with a bachelor’s degree majoring in real estate.
Certain older licenses may qualify under a separate 24-month rule.

A principal broker may supervise agents, manage compliance, serve as a firm’s broker, or operate a brokerage. It is usually a later-career goal rather than the first license obtained by a new Kingston agent.

Potential Earnings in Kingston, Tennessee

Tennessee licensing authorities establish education, examination, application, insurance, supervision, and renewal rules. They do not guarantee or set individual agent earnings.

Income in Kingston may vary based on:

Number of transactions closed.
Property prices.
Commission and compensation arrangements.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Full-time or part-time work.
Residential, commercial, land, or investment focus.
Local market conditions.
Marketing and lead-generation expenses.
Taxes, insurance, transportation, and other operating costs.

No authoritative TREC source establishes a guaranteed or official salary for Kingston affiliate brokers. Prospective agents should be cautious with advertised income claims and commission examples.

For a realistic business plan, speak with several brokerages serving Kingston and Roane County. Ask for typical startup expenses, transaction fees, training costs, lead expectations, and the financial obligations that apply before a transaction closes.

Career Opportunities in Kingston

A Tennessee affiliate broker serving Kingston may pursue several real estate specialties, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing and seller representation.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Land and rural property.
Investment properties.
Rental and leasing representation.
Commercial real estate.
Small-business property transactions.
Property management, when performed through the proper licensed structure.
Transaction coordination and brokerage administration.
Advancement to principal broker.

Kingston is in Roane County and part of the broader East Tennessee real estate market. Agents may work with buyers and sellers across nearby communities rather than limiting their business to Kingston city limits.

Local opportunities may involve residential moves, rural and land transactions, lake-area properties, rentals, commercial property, and referrals from surrounding communities. Actual demand depends on market conditions, inventory, competition, interest rates, and the agent’s business strategy.

Property management activities require an active Tennessee broker or affiliate broker license and affiliation with an actively licensed Tennessee firm. Other real estate-related careers, such as appraisal, may require separate licenses or certifications.

How to Choose a Kingston-Area Brokerage

Your sponsoring brokerage can significantly affect training, expenses, compliance support, and early career development.

Before affiliating, request written information about:

Commission splits.
Transaction fees.
Monthly or desk fees.
Technology and administrative charges.
Training and mentorship.
Lead distribution.
Team fees.
Referral fees.
Marketing approval procedures.
Errors and omissions coverage.
Transaction-management systems.
Broker availability.
Rules for working outside Kingston.
License-status and renewal procedures.

A brokerage offering a lower split may provide valuable training, leads, or administrative support. A firm advertising a higher split may pass more expenses to the agent. Compare the complete financial arrangement, not one commission percentage.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist when planning to become a Kingston real estate agent:

Confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Select a TREC-approved 60-hour education course.
Complete the course.
Confirm that the education provider reports completion to PSI.
Prepare for the national and Tennessee examination portions.
Register for and pass the PSI examination.
Complete electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Interview Tennessee principal brokers.
Select a sponsoring brokerage.
Gather education, identification, eligibility, insurance, and fingerprinting documents.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
Pay the applicable examination, application, education, fingerprinting, and insurance costs.
Track the license expiration date.
Complete continuing education before renewal.

Final Takeaway

Getting a real estate license in Kingston means completing Tennessee’s statewide licensing process rather than applying for a separate city license.

The main steps are:

Complete 60 hours of approved pre-license education.
Pass the PSI national and Tennessee examination portions.
Complete electronic fingerprinting and the background check.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Choose a sponsoring Tennessee principal broker.
Submit the $91 initial affiliate broker application through CORE.

The PSI examination fee is currently $63 for the full affiliate broker examination, and TREC lists a $75 renewal fee every two years. Education, fingerprinting, insurance, brokerage, and business expenses are additional.

Before enrolling, review TREC’s current instructions and compare approved course providers, including this Tennessee real estate pre-licensing option. After receiving your license, plan for continuing education, renewal deadlines, brokerage expenses, and the time required to build a client base in Kingston and the surrounding Roane County market.

Authoritative Sources