How to Get Your Real Estate License in Mason, Tennessee 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 Mason.

If you want to sell or lease real estate in Mason, Tennessee, you must meet Tennessee’s affiliate broker licensing requirements. The process includes completing approved education, passing the state and national licensing examination, submitting an application, completing fingerprinting and a background review, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, and affiliating with a Tennessee-licensed sponsoring broker.

This guide explains the current process, expected costs, education options, timeline, and career considerations for prospective real estate professionals in Mason.

Is There a Mason-Specific Real Estate License?

No separate Mason real estate license is identified in the Tennessee licensing process. Real estate licensing is regulated by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, so applicants in Mason apply for a Tennessee affiliate broker license through the state.

Mason-specific requirements may still apply to ordinary business operations—such as local zoning, business registration, advertising rules, or tax obligations—but those matters do not replace the Tennessee real estate license. Confirm any local business requirements with the appropriate town and county offices before opening an office or operating an independent business.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Requirements

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

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Complete the required Tennessee real estate education.
• Pass the Tennessee real estate examination.
• Submit the required application and supporting documents.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting and provide the fingerprint receipt.
• Meet Tennessee’s eligibility requirements, including the state’s entitlement-verification requirements.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

TREC requires proof of high school graduation, an electronic fingerprinting receipt, proof of errors and omissions insurance, and other documentation with the license application.

Required Real Estate Education

Tennessee requires two education components for a new affiliate broker:

1. 60 hours of approved real estate principles or fundamentals education before taking the examination.
2. A 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

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

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is separate from the initial 60-hour principles course. Completing only the 60-hour course does not satisfy all education requirements for license issuance.

Online Real Estate Courses

Tennessee applicants may choose an approved education provider that offers online or distance-learning coursework, provided the course is approved for Tennessee licensing education. Course formats, schedules, tuition, exam procedures, and technology requirements vary by provider.

Before enrolling, confirm that:

• The provider appears on TREC’s approved education-provider or course information.
• The course is specifically approved for the Tennessee affiliate broker license.
• The provider will report completion to PSI as required.
• The provider issues the certificate or letter required for the TREC application.
• The online format meets any attendance, identity-verification, testing, and completion rules.

A Tennessee-focused online pre-licensing option is available through Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program. Compare the provider’s current course content and pricing with TREC’s approved-course information before enrolling. TREC notes that pre-license courses cannot be used as continuing education.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour principles course

Finish the approved 60-hour Tennessee affiliate broker pre-licensing course. Ask the school how and when it reports your completion to PSI and how you receive the completion documentation.

2. Become eligible for the examination

PSI administers Tennessee’s real estate examinations. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews eligibility and provides instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

3. Schedule and pass the examination

The affiliate broker examination includes national and Tennessee state portions. Candidates can generally take the full examination or, where permitted, retake only the portion not passed. Confirm current scheduling, retesting, identification, and score-reporting rules directly with PSI.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the required 30-hour course after the initial education requirement and before the affiliate broker license is issued. Include the completion letter or certificate with the license application.

5. Choose a sponsoring broker

An affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The principal broker’s involvement is required for portions of the examination and licensing documentation, and the broker supervises the affiliate broker’s licensed activities.

Interview several Mason-area firms before making a selection. Compare:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly, desk, technology, or marketing fees.
• Training and mentorship.
• Lead distribution.
• Transaction coordination.
• Advertising support.
• Office access and geographic coverage.
• Expectations for floor duty, prospecting, and minimum production.
• Whether the firm works primarily in Mason, Tipton County, the Memphis area, or other Tennessee markets.

6. Complete fingerprinting and background review

Applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting and submit the fingerprint receipt with the application. TREC identifies the required ORI number as TN920784Z.

Fingerprinting is used as part of the state’s background-review process. A criminal record does not automatically establish the outcome of every application, but applicants should answer background questions completely and accurately and provide any explanations or court documentation TREC requests.

Fingerprinting charges are paid to the fingerprint vendor and may vary by provider and location. Confirm the current price and appointment process with the approved fingerprinting service before scheduling.

7. Submit the application through CORE

The initial Tennessee affiliate broker application is submitted online through the state’s CORE system. Required materials may include:

• Application and fee.
• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
• 60-hour course completion documentation.
• 30-hour Course for New Affiliates completion documentation.
• PSI examination documentation.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Errors and omissions insurance proof.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Information or documents requested because of a background or licensing history.

TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. The current listed fee for the full affiliate broker examination is $63, divided into a $26 state portion and a $37 national portion.

The examination fee is separate from:

• Pre-licensing education tuition.
• The $91 state license application fee.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• The cost of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Any retesting fees.
• Optional exam-preparation materials.
• Brokerage onboarding or association expenses.

How to Prepare

A practical study plan should include:

• Reviewing Tennessee license law and commission rules.
• Studying contracts, agency, property ownership, finance, and closing procedures.
• Practicing national real estate concepts.
• Taking timed practice examinations.
• Reviewing every missed practice question.
• Learning Tennessee-specific terminology and procedures.
• Confirming exam-day identification and scheduling requirements with PSI.

If only one examination portion is failed, review PSI’s current candidate information before registering for a retest because retest rules and fees can change.

Estimated Licensing Costs

The following are currently published or commonly required cost categories:

| Cost category | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State examination portion | $26 |
| National examination portion | $37 |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by approved provider |
| 30-hour Course for New Affiliates | Varies by approved provider |
| Electronic fingerprinting | Vendor-dependent |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Policy/provider-dependent |
| Retesting | Confirm current PSI fee |
| Brokerage, MLS, association, marketing, and technology expenses | Firm or membership-dependent |

At a minimum, budget for the state application fee and examination fee, then add education, fingerprinting, insurance, and business-startup expenses. Because course, fingerprint, insurance, and brokerage prices can change, verify each amount before paying.

How Long Does Licensing Take?

Tennessee does not publish one guaranteed processing time that applies to every applicant. A realistic timeline depends on course pace, examination availability, fingerprinting, application completeness, background-review issues, and TREC processing.

A straightforward applicant may be able to complete the process in several weeks to a few months:

• Online education: determined by the provider and the applicant’s study schedule.
• PSI eligibility and scheduling: after the school submits the required education information.
• Examination: based on available appointments.
• Fingerprinting and documentation: often completed during the application stage.
• State review and license issuance: dependent on TREC processing and whether the application is complete.

Missing documents, incomplete disclosures, fingerprint issues, or delays in course reporting can extend the timeline. Keep copies of every certificate, receipt, score report, and application submission.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee affiliate brokers do not operate as independent brokers immediately after obtaining the license. They work under a principal broker at a licensed Tennessee firm.

The sponsoring broker typically provides:

• Supervision of licensed activity.
• Review of contracts and transaction procedures.
• Brokerage policies and compliance guidance.
• Access to the firm’s systems and forms.
• Support for handling earnest money, advertising, disclosures, and records.

A new licensee should not begin representing clients, advertising licensed services, or negotiating transactions until the license is properly issued and affiliated with the sponsoring firm.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a required post-licensing education component for affiliate brokers and must be completed before the license is issued.

This course is different from continuing education. The 60-hour principles course and the 30-hour new-affiliate course establish the initial licensing education; they should not be treated as substitutes for later renewal education.

Continuing Education and Renewals

Tennessee affiliate brokers must satisfy the state’s continuing-education requirements to renew an active license. TREC states that the renewal period is two years and lists the licensee and firm renewal fee as $75.

TREC’s education information identifies the CORE course as mandatory for renewal. Licensees should check the current TREC and CE Broker requirements for the applicable renewal cycle, including the number of hours, CORE requirements, reporting deadlines, and any penalties.

Do not wait until the renewal deadline. Complete courses through approved providers and verify that the education has been reported correctly.

Potential Earnings in Mason and Tennessee

Reliable, authoritative earnings data specifically for Mason may not be available. Real estate income also varies substantially because many professionals are paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary, and results depend on transactions closed, commission arrangements, market conditions, expenses, experience, and hours worked.

For broader context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2025 median annual wage of $52,830 for real estate sales agents and $73,220 for real estate brokers nationwide. These figures are not Mason-specific, do not guarantee income, and may not reflect the earnings of a newly licensed affiliate broker.

Before entering the field, prepare for potentially uneven income. Common early expenses can include transportation, marketing, signs, photography, client-management software, association dues, MLS access, insurance, and brokerage fees.

Career Opportunities in Mason

A Mason-based affiliate broker can pursue several types of real estate work, subject to Tennessee licensing rules and brokerage supervision:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing and sales.
• Rental and leasing services.
• Property management-related work where properly authorized.
• Land and rural property transactions.
• New-construction sales.
• Relocation and referral business.
• Commercial real estate after gaining appropriate training and experience.
• Real estate investment and investor-focused services.
• Administrative, transaction-coordination, or brokerage-support roles.

Mason is in Tipton County and is part of the wider West Tennessee real estate environment. A licensee may serve clients in Mason, nearby Tipton County communities, and—depending on the brokerage’s coverage and the licensee’s business plan—the broader Memphis-area market. Local opportunity will depend on housing inventory, population trends, employer activity, buyer demand, interest rates, and the agent’s ability to build relationships.

Useful local strategies include:

• Learning Mason and Tipton County neighborhoods, schools, roads, and services.
• Building relationships with local lenders, inspectors, contractors, and attorneys.
• Creating accurate online profiles focused on the communities served.
• Developing a database of potential buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors.
• Participating in local civic and professional organizations.
• Maintaining clear records and following Tennessee advertising and agency rules.
• Working with a broker that understands both smaller communities and the surrounding regional market.

Affiliate Broker Versus Real Estate Broker

The affiliate broker license is the usual entry point for someone beginning a Tennessee real estate career. A broker license is a more advanced credential with additional education and experience requirements.

TREC states that broker candidates generally need an active affiliate broker license for either 24 or 36 months, depending on the applicable qualification route, or 24 months with a qualifying real estate bachelor’s degree. Broker applicants must also complete 120 hours of approved education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

A broker may eventually manage a firm, supervise affiliate brokers, and operate with greater responsibility. New applicants should focus first on meeting affiliate broker requirements and gaining transaction experience.

Practical Checklist

Use this checklist when preparing your Tennessee license application:

• Confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
• Select a TREC-approved 60-hour principles course.
• Complete the course and verify that the provider reports completion to PSI.
• Receive your course certificate or completion letter.
• Register for and pass the PSI examination.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Interview Tennessee firms and select a sponsoring principal broker.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting using the required ORI information.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Gather proof of education and high school graduation.
• Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Pay the current $91 application fee.
• Wait for approval and license issuance before conducting licensed activity.
• Complete required continuing education for future renewals.

Final Takeaway

Getting a real estate license in Mason requires following Tennessee’s statewide affiliate broker licensing process rather than a separate Mason licensing procedure. Plan for the 60-hour pre-license course, the $63 PSI examination fee, the $91 application fee, the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, fingerprinting, insurance, a sponsoring broker, and continuing education after licensing.

For course planning, review Tennessee pre-licensing education options, then verify the provider, costs, and current course approval with TREC before enrolling.

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, “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
• PSI, Tennessee Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin — https://home.psiexams.com/api/tests/G953M5ZB/bulletins
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Education Courses” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/education/courses.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Broker Licensure” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/broker.html
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents” — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm
• Leap Real Estate, “Tennessee Pre-Licensing” — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing