How to Get Your Real Estate License in Millington, Tennessee

If you want to become a real estate agent in Millington, Tennessee, you must obtain a real estate license through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Millington does not issue a separate city real estate license. Tennessee regulates real estate licensing at the state level, so the same requirements apply in Millington, Memphis, and other Tennessee communities. 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 Millington.

The entry-level credential is the Tennessee affiliate broker license. Affiliate brokers are commonly called real estate agents or sales agents. The process generally requires approved education, a licensing examination, fingerprinting, an eligibility review, errors and omissions insurance, and affiliation with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete 60 hours of approved education in real estate principles and fundamentals before taking the examination.
Pass the required national and Tennessee state examination portions.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
Submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Complete Tennessee’s eligibility verification form.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm.
Obtain the principal broker’s signature on the required application documents.
Pay the applicable application, examination, fingerprinting, education, and insurance costs.

TREC may review an applicant’s criminal history and previous professional licensing history. A conviction or prior licensing issue does not necessarily determine the outcome of an application, but applicants should provide complete and accurate information and contact TREC when clarification is needed.

How Many Education Hours Are Required?

Tennessee requires 90 total hours of education for an initial affiliate broker license:

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 60-hour course covers fundamental real estate concepts and is the education requirement that must be reported to PSI before examination eligibility is approved. The education provider generally submits the required information to PSI and gives the student a certificate or letter of completion for the license application.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is separate. Completing only the 60-hour principles course may allow an applicant to proceed toward testing, but it does not satisfy all education requirements for license issuance.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Millington applicants may choose an approved Tennessee education provider that offers online or distance-learning instruction. Online courses can make it easier to study around work, family, and other responsibilities.

Before enrolling, confirm that:

The provider offers a TREC-approved affiliate broker course.
The 60-hour principles course satisfies Tennessee’s pre-license education requirement.
The provider offers or explains how to complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
The provider explains how education completion is reported to PSI and TREC.
Any identity verification, attendance, testing, and final-examination requirements are clearly stated.
Tuition, access periods, technology requirements, and refund policies are disclosed.

Applicants looking for an online Tennessee course can review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing information. Confirm the provider’s current approval, course availability, and enrollment terms before purchasing.

TREC maintains approved education-course information and states that pre-license courses cannot be substituted for continuing education.

Step-by-Step Process for Getting Licensed

1. Complete the 60-hour principles course

Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course. Keep the completion certificate or letter because it will be needed with the license application.

The school must submit the required education information to PSI before the candidate can register for the Tennessee licensing examination.

2. Apply for examination eligibility

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI can approve the candidate’s eligibility and provide examination scheduling instructions.

3. Schedule and pass the Tennessee real estate examination

The affiliate broker examination includes:

A national portion.
A Tennessee-specific state portion.

Candidates may take the full examination or, when eligible, a single section. PSI’s current fee schedule lists the following examination fees:

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

PSI states that the examination fee is not refundable or transferable and is valid for one year. Review the current PSI candidate information before scheduling because testing procedures, identification rules, and appointment policies may change.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates after the required principles education. Include the certificate or letter of completion with the license application.

This course is an initial licensing requirement. It is not the same as Tennessee’s later continuing education requirement.

5. Select a sponsoring brokerage

A Tennessee affiliate broker cannot operate as an independent real estate licensee. The applicant must affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm and work under the supervision of that firm’s principal broker.

When comparing brokerages serving Millington and the greater Memphis area, ask about:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead-generation programs.
Technology and transaction-management systems.
Marketing requirements.
Office access.
MLS and association arrangements.
Contract and transaction support.
Procedures for transferring or retiring a license.

Arrange the brokerage relationship early enough for the principal broker to review and sign the required application documents.

6. Complete fingerprinting and background screening

Tennessee requires electronic fingerprints for initial real estate license applicants. Applicants residing in Tennessee generally schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The current TREC fingerprinting information identifies:

Service code: 28TZ99
ORI number: TN920784Z

Bring the fingerprint receipt and submit it with the application as directed by TREC. The fingerprinting vendor charges a separate fee, and the current amount should be confirmed directly with IdentoGO before making an appointment.

7. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Applicants must provide proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy with the license application. The policy cost depends on the provider, coverage, and whether the cost is paid individually or through a brokerage arrangement.

Ask the prospective sponsoring firm whether it provides coverage or requires affiliated licensees to purchase their own policy.

8. Submit the application through CORE

TREC directs applicants to complete the initial affiliate broker application online through the Tennessee CORE system.

The application generally requires:

Proof of high school graduation or a GED.
Proof of completion of the 60-hour course.
Proof of completion of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
PSI examination documentation.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Eligibility verification.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Principal broker information and signature.
Required application payment.

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

9. Activate the license through the firm

Once the application is approved and the license is issued, the affiliate broker conducts real estate activities through the sponsoring firm. The license does not authorize the agent to open an independent brokerage or practice outside the supervision required by Tennessee law.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination is administered by PSI and contains national and Tennessee-specific sections.

Examination fees

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

The full examination fee equals the combined state and national section fees. PSI provides the current appointment, identification, arrival, rescheduling, and testing-center requirements.

Exam subjects

Candidates should prepare for topics such as:

Property ownership.
Land use and zoning.
Valuation and market analysis.
Contracts.
Financing.
Agency relationships.
Fair housing.
Property disclosures.
Leasing and property management.
Tennessee license law and Commission rules.
Real estate calculations.
Brokerage relationships and supervision.

Use practice questions to identify weak areas, but rely on current Tennessee-approved education materials and the PSI candidate bulletin for official examination procedures.

If you pass one section but fail the other

PSI’s candidate information states that a passing section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever comes first. Candidates should confirm the current rule directly with PSI before relying on it for scheduling.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, examination attempts, fingerprinting, insurance, brokerage fees, and optional study materials.

| Expense | Current amount or description |
|---|---|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State-only examination | $26 |
| National-only examination | $37 |
| Electronic fingerprinting | Separate vendor fee; verify current amount with IdentoGO |
| Pre-license education | Varies by approved provider |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Varies by policy and provider |
| License and firm renewal | $75 every two years |

TREC’s fee schedule lists a $75 renewal fee for licensees and firms renewing every two years.

Additional business expenses may include:

REALTOR® association membership.
MLS access.
Lockbox access.
Brokerage technology fees.
Marketing and advertising.
Signs and business cards.
Professional photography.
Vehicle and mileage costs.
Transaction-management software.
Business insurance.
Continuing education.

These expenses are not necessarily TREC charges and vary substantially among brokerages.

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

Tennessee does not guarantee one processing timeline for every affiliate broker applicant. The total time depends on the applicant’s course schedule, examination preparation, PSI appointment availability, fingerprint processing, application completeness, and any background-history review.

A typical planning sequence may include:

Education: Several weeks for full-time study or longer for part-time study.
Exam scheduling: After the school submits the required education information to PSI.
Fingerprinting: Schedule after reviewing the current TREC and IdentoGO instructions.
Application review: Dependent on complete documentation and whether TREC requests additional information.
Broker affiliation: Arrange before submitting documents requiring the principal broker’s signature.

Delays commonly result from missing education records, incomplete eligibility disclosures, delayed fingerprints, unavailable insurance documentation, failed examination sections, or an application submitted without the required brokerage signature.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee requires affiliate brokers to work through a licensed real estate firm and principal broker. The firm must maintain the appropriate licensing and supervision structure for affiliated licensees.

Before choosing a sponsoring broker in Millington or the Memphis area, request written information about:

Commission splits.
Transaction fees.
Monthly or annual charges.
Training and mentorship.
Lead distribution.
Marketing approval.
Contract review.
Transaction coordination.
Independent-contractor or employee classification.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Office and technology access.
License-transfer procedures.
Policies for inactive or retired status.

The best brokerage for a new agent is not necessarily the one advertising the highest commission split. Training, supervision, transaction support, and the cost of generating business can have a significant effect on early-career success.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the initial affiliate broker license is issued. It should not be confused with Tennessee’s separate education requirements for brokers.

Applicants who later seek a Tennessee broker license must satisfy additional requirements, including experience and education. TREC states that broker candidates generally need qualifying active-license experience and 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

TREC also states that brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete 120 additional hours of Commission-approved education before the applicable post-license deadline. The deadline and requirements should be confirmed with TREC when planning an upgrade to broker status.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

After completing applicable post-license obligations, Tennessee affiliate brokers and brokers must complete continuing education for renewal.

TREC’s current guidance identifies:

16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
Six hours of the mandatory TREC Core course.
Ten hours of approved elective education.

The TREC Core course is mandatory, and pre-license courses cannot be used to satisfy continuing education.

TREC lists the license and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years. Licensees should verify the current renewal date, education records, insurance status, and fees before each renewal period.

Potential Earnings for Millington Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents typically earn commission-based income rather than a guaranteed salary. Income can vary based on:

Number of transactions.
Property prices.
Commission agreements.
Brokerage splits and transaction fees.
Market conditions.
Lead-generation ability.
Experience and repeat business.
Expenses and taxes.
Full-time or part-time work.

Authoritative city-level earnings data specifically for Millington may not be available. State and metropolitan wage statistics should not be treated as a guaranteed income forecast for an individual agent. Commission-based earnings can also differ from wage estimates reported by government surveys.

Before entering the field, prepare a business budget that includes:

Brokerage splits.
MLS and association dues.
Marketing.
Vehicle and mileage expenses.
Insurance.
Technology and software.
Continuing education.
License renewal.
Income taxes and self-employment obligations.
Several months of personal and business reserves.

A new license creates the ability to practice but does not guarantee clients, transactions, or income.

Career Opportunities in Millington and the Memphis Area

A Tennessee affiliate broker license can support several real estate career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
Relocation assistance.
New-construction sales.
Land and rural-property transactions.
Commercial real estate.
Leasing and tenant representation.
Investment-property sales.
Property management when the applicable Tennessee licensing requirements are satisfied.
Real estate teams.
Brokerage operations and transaction coordination.

Millington’s proximity to the Memphis metropolitan area may allow agents to serve buyers and sellers who want access to Memphis while considering housing in a smaller community. Local business development may involve networking with:

Homeowners.
Builders.
Lenders.
Inspectors.
Contractors.
Employers.
Community organizations.
Military-connected households.
Investors and property owners.

A Millington-focused business strategy should include knowledge of local neighborhoods, transportation patterns, schools, housing inventory, development activity, and buyer preferences. Local expertise can provide a competitive advantage, but it does not replace a Tennessee license or brokerage supervision.

Common Questions

Do I need a separate Millington real estate license?

No. Tennessee regulates real estate licensing at the state level through TREC. Millington does not issue a separate city real estate license for affiliate brokers.

Can I take the required education online?

Online education may be available through approved Tennessee providers. Review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course information and independently confirm the provider’s current approval, course format, and enrollment terms.

Can I work independently after passing the exam?

No. An affiliate broker must affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed real estate firm and work under the supervision of the firm’s principal broker.

How much is the Tennessee license application?

TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91. PSI lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63, with separate state-only and national-only fees of $26 and $37.

Is fingerprinting required?

Yes. Tennessee requires electronic fingerprinting for initial real estate license applicants. Tennessee residents generally schedule through IdentoGO using the TREC service code 28TZ99 and submit the receipt with the application.

Is continuing education required every year?

TREC’s current guidance requires 16 hours during each two-year renewal period after applicable post-license requirements have been completed. The 16 hours include six hours of TREC Core and ten elective hours.

Does Tennessee offer real estate license reciprocity?

TREC states that it does not offer a reciprocal license at this time. However, an out-of-state licensee may qualify for certain education, examination, or experience substitutions under Tennessee law. Applicants should submit the requested documentation to TREC for an individual determination.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist when planning the licensing process:

Confirm that you are at least 18 years old.
Obtain proof of a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course.
Confirm that the education provider submitted completion information to PSI.
Apply for examination eligibility and schedule the PSI examination.
Pass the national and Tennessee examination portions.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Choose a Tennessee-licensed sponsoring firm.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
Use service code 28TZ99 and verify the required ORI information.
Complete the eligibility verification form.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
Include education records, examination documentation, fingerprint receipt, insurance proof, and high school or GED proof.
Obtain the principal broker’s signature.
Pay the required application and examination fees.
Track post-license and continuing education deadlines.
Renew the license and firm affiliation on time.

For another online course resource, visit Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing page and verify all current course details before enrolling.

Authoritative Sources