How to Get Your Real Estate License in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Becoming a real estate agent in Murfreesboro requires obtaining a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee—not the City of Murfreesboro—sets the requirements for education, examination, fingerprinting, background review, application, broker affiliation, renewal, and continuing education. 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 Murfreesboro.

The process generally includes:

Completing approved Tennessee real estate education.
Passing the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Completing fingerprinting and a criminal-background check.
Completing the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Finding a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
Submitting the affiliate broker application to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, or TREC.
Completing post-license and continuing-education requirements.

Prospective students can review an approved Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course before beginning the licensing process.

Is Real Estate Licensing Regulated by Murfreesboro or Tennessee?

Real estate licensing is regulated by the State of Tennessee through TREC. Murfreesboro does not issue a separate city real estate license for agents who are properly licensed by the state.

Local requirements may still affect how a real estate business operates. These can include zoning, signs, advertising, business-registration matters, subdivision regulations, and other municipal rules. However, local rules do not replace the Tennessee affiliate broker license.

Applicants should confirm current licensing requirements directly with TREC because administrative procedures, forms, and fees may change.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Requirements

Applicants for a Tennessee affiliate broker license must generally:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 60 hours of approved real estate education in real estate principles or fundamentals.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Complete electronic fingerprinting and the required background-check process.
Submit proof of eligibility and high school graduation.
Obtain the required Errors and Omissions insurance documentation.
Secure affiliation with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application and applicable fees.

TREC may review an applicant’s criminal history, disciplinary record, financial information, or other eligibility issues. A prior conviction does not automatically prevent licensure, but applicants should disclose required information accurately and be prepared to provide court records or other documentation if requested.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education

Tennessee requires prospective affiliate brokers to complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education before becoming eligible to take the licensing examination. The education provider must submit proof of course completion to the testing vendor before the applicant can register for the examination.

Pre-licensing education commonly addresses:

Real estate principles and practices
Property ownership
Land use and interests in real property
Contracts
Agency relationships
Real estate finance
Valuation and market analysis
Property disclosures
Fair housing
Tennessee license law and Commission rules
Closing and transaction procedures

The course must be approved by TREC. Completing an unapproved course may not satisfy the state’s education requirement.

In addition to the 60-hour course, applicants must complete Tennessee’s 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license is issued. This course is separate from the 60-hour pre-licensing course.

For a flexible study option, review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program and confirm that the selected course meets current TREC requirements.

Online Real Estate Courses for Murfreesboro Students

Depending on the provider, Tennessee-approved education may be available through online, livestream, or classroom formats. Online education can be especially useful for Murfreesboro students who work full time, have family obligations, or prefer to study from home.

An online course may help you:

Study during evenings or weekends.
Avoid commuting to a classroom.
Review challenging concepts multiple times.
Complete coursework around a work schedule.
Compare several education providers before enrolling.

Before registering, verify that the provider:

Is approved for Tennessee real estate education.
Offers the required 60-hour affiliate broker course.
Clearly explains whether the course is self-paced, instructor-led, or livestreamed.
Explains attendance, testing, and course-completion rules.
Provides proof of completion needed for the license application.
Identifies course expiration dates and refund policies.
Offers exam-preparation materials or practice questions, if applicable.

Completing an online course does not grant a license. Applicants must still pass the examination, complete fingerprinting, satisfy TREC’s application requirements, obtain a principal-broker affiliation, and complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Licensed

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

Before enrolling, confirm that you meet Tennessee’s basic requirements, including the minimum age and education requirements. If you have a criminal, disciplinary, or licensing history, gather relevant records early.

Applicants with unusual eligibility circumstances should contact TREC before making significant financial commitments.

2. Complete the 60-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Enroll with a TREC-approved education provider and complete the required 60 hours of real estate principles or fundamentals education.

Keep your certificate or letter of completion. The school must also provide the required completion information to the examination vendor.

3. Complete the 30-Hour Course for New Affiliates

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued. Retain the certificate or letter of completion for the application.

This requirement should not be confused with annual continuing education. It is an initial licensing requirement for new affiliate brokers.

4. Register for the Tennessee Licensing Examination

Tennessee uses PSI to administer the affiliate broker examination. The exam includes national and Tennessee-specific portions.

The current full affiliate broker examination fee is $63, with separate fees available for candidates taking only the national or state portion. Confirm examination registration procedures, identification requirements, testing locations, score reports, and retake rules through the current PSI and TREC information.

The course final exam and state licensing examination are different tests. Passing a school examination does not automatically mean that you have passed the PSI examination.

5. Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Applicants must complete electronic fingerprinting as part of the criminal-background-check process. Submit the fingerprinting receipt and required identifying information with the license application.

Fingerprinting and background review can take longer when:

Fingerprints must be retaken.
Records require manual review.
The applicant has lived in several states.
TREC requests court dispositions or additional explanations.
Application information does not match background records.

Completing fingerprinting early can reduce delays after passing the examination.

6. Choose a Sponsoring Principal Broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker must be affiliated with and supervised by a licensed principal broker. You generally cannot conduct licensed real estate activity independently as an affiliate broker.

Interview brokerages in Murfreesboro and surrounding communities before submitting your application or choosing an affiliation. Compare:

Commission splits
Transaction fees
Monthly or annual fees
Technology fees
Training and mentoring
Lead-generation programs
Marketing support
Transaction coordination
Office and meeting requirements
Compliance supervision
Geographic coverage
Independent-contractor policies
Procedures for transferring to another brokerage

A principal broker is responsible for supervising affiliated licensees and helping ensure that transactions, advertising, records, and brokerage practices comply with Tennessee law and Commission rules.

7. Submit the Initial Affiliate Broker Application

TREC’s current affiliate broker instructions identify the following types of supporting documentation:

PSI examination application signed by the principal broker
Proof of high school graduation
Proof of the 60-hour pre-licensing course
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates
Proof of Errors and Omissions insurance
Eligibility verification documentation
Electronic fingerprinting receipt
Required application fee

The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91. Submit the application through the method specified by TREC and carefully review every answer before filing.

Incomplete or inconsistent information can delay processing or result in a request for additional documentation.

8. Wait for License Issuance

Do not perform activities that require a Tennessee real estate license until the license has been issued and properly affiliated with an authorized principal broker.

Tennessee Real Estate Examination

The affiliate broker examination covers two broad areas:

National content: property ownership, contracts, agency, financing, valuation, general real estate practice, and related concepts.
Tennessee-specific content: Tennessee license law, Commission rules, brokerage relationships, disclosures, and state practice requirements.

A practical preparation plan includes:

Completing all required education before scheduling the exam.
Reviewing the current TREC and PSI candidate information.
Studying Tennessee-specific rules separately from national concepts.
Taking timed practice examinations.
Reviewing missed questions and weak subject areas.
Memorizing relevant real estate formulas and definitions.
Scheduling the examination soon after completing the course.

If you do not pass, follow the current PSI instructions regarding score reports, waiting periods, and retesting.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the education provider, testing choices, fingerprinting vendor, brokerage, and professional services selected. Common expenses include:

60-hour pre-licensing education
30-hour Course for New Affiliates
Textbooks or digital materials
Examination fees
Fingerprinting and background-check costs
Initial affiliate broker application fee
Errors and Omissions insurance
Brokerage fees
REALTOR® association membership, if you choose to join
Multiple Listing Service access, if available through your brokerage
Signs, lockboxes, business cards, website, and advertising
Transportation and business-development expenses

Current state fees include:

Initial affiliate broker application: $91
Full affiliate broker examination: $63
License renewal: $75 every two years

Additional fees may apply for late renewal, license transfers, education, or other services. Confirm all amounts through TREC before submitting payment.

Ask prospective brokerages for a written schedule of recurring fees, transaction charges, technology costs, marketing expenses, and any required training or mentoring fees.

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

Tennessee does not guarantee one fixed timeline for every applicant. The total time depends on:

How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
When the education provider reports course completion.
Examination availability.
Whether you pass on the first attempt.
Fingerprinting and background-check processing.
The completeness of your application.
Whether TREC requests additional documentation.
How quickly you select a principal broker.

An applicant with no eligibility complications who studies consistently, passes the exam, completes fingerprinting promptly, and submits a complete application may finish in several weeks. Retesting, incomplete paperwork, background-record issues, or difficulty finding a brokerage can extend the process.

To reduce delays:

Gather identification and education records early.
Begin comparing brokerages while completing the course.
Schedule fingerprinting as soon as permitted.
Review the application before submission.
Keep copies of every certificate, receipt, and form.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Affiliate brokers must work under a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. The brokerage must be properly licensed, and the principal broker must supervise affiliated licensees.

When evaluating a Murfreesboro brokerage, ask:

What commission split applies to new agents?
Are there transaction, desk, technology, or monthly fees?
Is a mentor required?
Are leads provided?
Who pays for listing photography and marketing?
What training is available?
How are compliance questions handled?
Are agents expected to attend office meetings?
What markets and neighborhoods does the brokerage serve?
What happens if you later transfer your license?

A brokerage offering the highest advertised split may not provide the strongest overall value. New agents should consider supervision, training, support, lead opportunities, and total expenses.

Post-License Education

New affiliate brokers must complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued. This course is distinct from the 60-hour pre-licensing course and from continuing education.

The course may address practical subjects such as:

Brokerage operations
Tennessee forms and contracts
Agency responsibilities
Transaction management
Advertising compliance
Recordkeeping
Risk management
Fair housing
Professional conduct

Confirm completion and documentation requirements with TREC and the education provider.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers generally renew their licenses every two years. After completing the applicable initial education requirements, licensees must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, including the required TREC core course.

Continuing-education subjects may include:

Tennessee license law
Commission rules
Agency and brokerage relationships
Contracts and disclosures
Fair housing
Risk management
Ethics and professional conduct
Current real estate practices

Renewals are completed through Tennessee’s online licensing system. The current renewal fee for licensees is $75 every two years.

Track your expiration date and verify that completed education has been reported. Late renewal can result in additional fees, and an expired or inactive license may prevent you from legally practicing.

Potential Earnings for Murfreesboro Real Estate Agents

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Many affiliate brokers are paid primarily through commissions, so earnings can vary based on:

Number of closed transactions
Sales prices
Commission agreements
Brokerage splits
Lead-conversion rates
Market conditions
Business expenses
Experience and specialization
Time spent building a client base

A new Murfreesboro agent may have irregular income during the first several months while developing relationships, learning transaction procedures, and building a referral network.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupational information for real estate sales agents and brokers, but national or metropolitan wage data should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for an individual Murfreesboro agent. Independent contractors may also pay business expenses that are not reflected in wage estimates.

Before entering the field, prepare a personal budget that accounts for education, transportation, marketing, association dues, technology, insurance, taxes, and periods without a closing.

Career Opportunities in Murfreesboro

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

Residential buyer representation
Residential listing services
New-construction sales
Relocation services
Investment-property transactions
Land and acreage sales
Commercial real estate
Leasing
Property-management-related work, subject to applicable Tennessee licensing rules
Real estate development support
Transaction coordination
Brokerage administration
Real estate technology and customer-success roles

Murfreesboro-area agents may serve buyers and sellers interested in established neighborhoods, new construction, rental properties, land, relocations, and communities throughout Rutherford County and the broader Nashville region.

Local market knowledge can help agents better serve clients. Useful areas of knowledge include:

Neighborhood characteristics
New-development activity
Commuting patterns
Public amenities
Local transportation
Property taxes
Schools and community resources
Zoning and land-use issues
Municipal processes that affect transactions

Appraisal, mortgage lending, title, escrow, and property-management careers may require separate licenses or qualifications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Enrolling in a course that is not approved for Tennessee licensing education.
Assuming Murfreesboro issues a separate real estate license.
Confusing the school final exam with the PSI licensing examination.
Waiting until after the exam to research brokerages.
Delaying fingerprinting.
Failing to disclose required criminal or disciplinary information.
Submitting an incomplete application.
Practicing before the license is issued and affiliated.
Treating the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates as optional.
Confusing initial post-license requirements with continuing education.
Choosing a brokerage solely because of its commission split.
Underestimating marketing, transportation, insurance, technology, and transaction expenses.
Treating an advertised income figure as a guaranteed salary.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Confirm that you are at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour affiliate broker course.
Complete the course and retain proof of completion.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Review current TREC and PSI examination information.
Register for and pass the affiliate broker examination.
Complete electronic fingerprinting and the background-check process.
Interview Tennessee principal brokers.
Select a sponsoring principal broker.
Obtain Errors and Omissions insurance documentation.
Gather education, identification, eligibility, and examination records.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application.
Pay the current $91 application fee and other applicable charges.
Wait for license issuance before conducting licensed activity.
Track the two-year renewal date.
Complete 16 hours of continuing education during each renewal period after applicable initial requirements.
Renew the license on time.

Final Takeaway

To get your real estate license in Murfreesboro, complete Tennessee’s statewide affiliate broker licensing process. You must complete 60 hours of approved education, pass the affiliate broker examination, complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, undergo fingerprinting and background review, affiliate with a principal broker, and submit the required application to TREC.

For course options, review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course. Before enrolling or applying, verify current requirements, fees, forms, examination procedures, and renewal rules with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

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