How to Get Your Real Estate License in Nashville, Tennessee

If you want to represent buyers, sellers, landlords, or other real estate clients in Nashville, you must obtain a Tennessee real estate license. Nashville does not issue a separate city license for real estate salespeople. Licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). 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 Nashville.

The standard entry-level credential is the Tennessee affiliate broker license. Affiliate brokers conduct real estate activities under the supervision of a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

This guide explains the current requirements, education, exam, application process, costs, timeline, fingerprinting rules, and career considerations for becoming a real estate agent in Nashville.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

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

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Submit the required application documents.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker before practicing.

TREC requires the education provider to submit proof of the 60-hour course to PSI before an applicant can register for the examination.

A Tennessee affiliate broker license is statewide. Once licensed and properly affiliated with a brokerage, an agent may work in Nashville and other Tennessee markets, subject to Tennessee law and the supervision of the affiliated principal broker.

How Many Hours of Education Are Required?

Tennessee requires aspiring affiliate brokers to complete 60 hours of approved education in real estate principles or fundamentals before taking the licensing exam.

Applicants must also complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the initial license is issued. The applicant must submit a course completion certificate or letter with the license application.

These requirements have different purposes:

60-hour pre-licensing course: Must be completed before examination eligibility.
30-hour Course for New Affiliates: Must be completed before the initial affiliate broker license is issued.

The 30-hour course is not a substitute for the 60-hour pre-licensing course. Choose a provider and course specifically approved for Tennessee affiliate broker licensing.

A general real estate course from another state, an unapproved provider, or a course intended for continuing education may not satisfy Tennessee’s requirements.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be useful for Nashville applicants balancing employment, family obligations, or other commitments. Depending on the provider, an online course may include:

Self-paced lessons.
Digital textbooks.
Practice quizzes.
Online progress checks.
Instructor assistance.
Live or recorded instruction.
Mobile-accessible coursework.

Applicants comparing providers can review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course information as one starting point. Before enrolling, confirm that the specific course is currently approved for Tennessee’s 60-hour principles or fundamentals requirement.

Before paying for an online course, verify:

The provider appears on TREC’s approved education resources.
The course satisfies the 60-hour affiliate broker requirement.
The provider explains how completion is reported to PSI.
Any required final exam or identity-verification procedure is clearly described.
Course completion documentation will be acceptable for the TREC application.
Access periods, refund terms, and technology requirements are provided in writing.

TREC maintains a list of approved pre-licensing and continuing-education courses for applicants and licensees. Course providers generally have 10 working days to submit education rosters, so applicants should not assume that completing the final lesson immediately creates examination eligibility.

Online education does not grant a real estate license. It only satisfies an education requirement. You must still pass the exam, complete the application, submit fingerprints and supporting documents, and affiliate with an appropriate brokerage.

For another comparison point, applicants may review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee licensing information and then confirm course approval and current enrollment terms with both the provider and TREC.

Step-by-Step Process for Getting a Tennessee Real Estate License

1. Confirm that you meet the basic requirements

Before enrolling, confirm that you are at least 18 and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent documentation. Applicants with criminal convictions, professional discipline, or other background concerns should contact TREC before submitting incomplete or inaccurate information.

2. Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course

Enroll in a TREC-approved affiliate broker course covering Tennessee’s required real estate principles or fundamentals education.

The school must submit proof of completion to PSI. The school should also provide a completion certificate or letter for the license application.

3. Obtain examination eligibility through PSI

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

Retesting and out-of-state candidates may need to submit a request through a CORE account before PSI can authorize examination scheduling.

4. Schedule and take the affiliate broker examination

After PSI confirms eligibility, schedule the examination through PSI. The affiliate broker exam contains national and Tennessee state components.

Follow the current PSI admission instructions and bring acceptable identification. PSI’s candidate information controls the current testing procedures, identification rules, appointment policies, and retesting requirements.

5. Complete electronic fingerprinting

Tennessee requires fingerprinting for initial real estate license applicants. Fingerprinting is separate from the examination and may be completed before or after testing, but the receipt must be included with the initial license application.

Tennessee residents generally arrange electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation processing.

TREC identifies the following information for affiliate broker fingerprint submissions:

ORI: TN920784Z
Service code: 28TZ99

Fingerprinting charges are separate from the TREC application fee. Confirm the current vendor fee, appointment process, and submission instructions before scheduling.

6. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Before the initial license is issued, complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. Submit the completion certificate or letter with the application.

Do not confuse this course with the initial 60-hour principles or fundamentals course. Both are part of the initial affiliate broker licensing process.

7. Choose a Tennessee brokerage and principal broker

An affiliate broker must be associated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker before practicing. This arrangement is commonly called finding a sponsoring broker.

The principal broker supervises affiliated licensees and oversees the brokerage’s compliance procedures. Begin interviewing Nashville brokerages early, preferably before completing the application.

Important questions include:

What commission split or compensation structure applies?
Are there transaction, technology, desk, or monthly fees?
Is training included?
Is a formal mentor available?
Who reviews contracts?
How are leads distributed?
What marketing support is provided?
Does the firm provide transaction coordination?
Are MLS and REALTOR® association fees separate?
What advertising and social-media policies apply?
How quickly can agents contact the principal broker?
Does the brokerage specialize in residential, commercial, luxury, relocation, investment, or new-construction transactions?

The highest advertised commission split is not always the best choice for a new agent. Training, supervision, lead support, contract review, and transaction systems may have greater practical value during the first year.

8. Submit the initial license application

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

The application may require:

Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
The PSI Examination Application signed by the principal broker.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates certificate or letter.
The Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
An electronic fingerprinting receipt.
The applicable ORI information.
Payment of the application fee.

Review every document before submitting the application. Missing or inconsistent information can delay processing.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. The test includes:

A national portion covering general real estate concepts.
A Tennessee state portion covering Tennessee laws, rules, and practices.

The current PSI fee schedule lists:

Full affiliate broker examination: $63.
State portion only: $26.
National portion only: $37.

The exam fee is separate from education tuition, the TREC application fee, fingerprinting, insurance, and brokerage expenses.

According to the current TREC affiliate broker information, a passing score for one section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever occurs first.

Exam preparation suggestions

Study Tennessee-specific rules separately from national real estate concepts.
Review agency, contracts, disclosures, property ownership, finance, valuation, and license law.
Use practice questions to identify weak subjects.
Read the current PSI candidate bulletin.
Schedule the exam soon enough after the course that the material remains familiar.
Confirm which section must be retaken if only one portion is failed.
Bring the admission materials and identification required by PSI.

The exam is only one part of the licensing process. Passing it does not automatically create an active license or authorize independent practice.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The following state and examination fees are currently listed by TREC and PSI:

| Expense | Current listed amount |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State examination section only | $26 |
| National examination section only | $37 |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by provider |
| Fingerprinting | Vendor-dependent |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Policy-dependent |
| Brokerage and transaction fees | Varies |
| MLS and association fees | Varies |
| Business, marketing, and technology expenses | Varies |

TREC lists the licensee and firm renewal fee as $75 every two years.

A realistic Nashville budget should include more than the $91 application fee and $63 full examination fee. Additional expenses may include:

Course tuition.
Textbooks or study materials.
Fingerprinting.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Transportation to the testing location.
Brokerage fees.
MLS access.
REALTOR® association membership, if applicable.
Marketing and technology.
Signs, photography, and business supplies.

TREC also lists late-renewal and continuing-education penalty fees, so maintaining an accurate renewal calendar can help avoid unnecessary costs.

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

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

How quickly you complete the 60-hour course.
When the school submits your education information.
PSI eligibility processing.
Exam appointment availability.
Whether you pass both examination sections.
Fingerprint processing.
How quickly you select a brokerage.
Whether all application documents are complete.
Whether TREC requests additional information.

The usual sequence is:

Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course.
Wait for the education provider to submit eligibility information to PSI.
Schedule and pass the examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Choose a Tennessee firm and principal broker.
Obtain insurance and supporting documents.
Submit the CORE application.
Wait for TREC processing and license issuance.

Applicants can often reduce delays by interviewing brokerages while studying, requesting documents early, and confirming that the education provider has submitted the required PSI information.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

All Tennessee real estate licensees are subject to fingerprinting requirements, and initial applicants must submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt with the application.

IdentoGO generally handles electronic fingerprinting for Tennessee residents, with results transmitted for state and federal background-check processing.

A criminal record does not automatically determine whether an applicant will qualify. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and provide any documentation requested by TREC. Concealing or misstating relevant information can create additional licensing problems.

If you have a conviction, disciplinary history, license denial, or another eligibility concern, contact TREC before applying so you can understand the appropriate documentation and review process.

Choosing a Nashville Sponsoring Broker

Because Tennessee licenses are issued at the state level, Nashville applicants may choose from brokerages serving many different local markets, including:

Downtown Nashville.
Midtown and Music Row.
East Nashville.
Germantown.
Green Hills.
Bellevue.
Donelson.
Antioch.
Brentwood.
Franklin.
Other communities throughout Middle Tennessee.

Evaluate each brokerage based on the type of business you want to build. A firm focused on relocation or new construction may operate differently from a boutique residential brokerage, commercial firm, luxury office, or investor-focused company.

Ask prospective principal brokers:

How are contracts reviewed?
Is mentorship included or separately charged?
How frequently is training offered?
What happens when an agent has an urgent transaction question?
How are leads assigned?
What costs are deducted from commissions?
Which transaction-management systems are included?
What are the rules for personal advertising?
Does the firm support open houses and showings?
Does the company provide administrative or transaction coordination?
What types of Nashville-area clients and properties does the firm serve?

Do not perform activities requiring a real estate license until your affiliation is properly established and your license status is active.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a required early-career education component for new Tennessee affiliate brokers.

It is separate from the 60-hour pre-licensing course and must be completed before the initial license is issued. The course helps new licensees transition from examination preparation to supervised practice.

Because education procedures and administrative requirements can change, confirm the course provider’s current reporting process and any applicable deadline with TREC before enrolling.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate broker licenses renew on a two-year cycle, and TREC lists a $75 renewal fee for a licensee or firm.

Affiliate brokers must complete the continuing-education requirements that apply to their license and renewal period. TREC identifies approved continuing-education courses and mandatory CORE course information through its education resources.

Before renewing, verify:

The current number of required education hours.
Whether a CORE course is required for the applicable renewal period.
That each course is approved for your license type.
That completed hours have been reported through the state’s approved education reporting system.
The renewal deadline.
Whether your errors and omissions insurance remains current.

TREC states that education providers have 10 working days to submit education rosters. Do not wait until the final days before expiration to complete required courses.

Tennessee lists late-renewal and continuing-education penalty fees, including monthly penalties for late renewal and education deficiencies. Keep copies of completion certificates even when providers report hours electronically.

Potential Earnings as a Nashville Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents generally earn income through commissions or other compensation tied to completed transactions rather than a guaranteed salary.

Income can vary based on:

Number of completed transactions.
Property prices.
Commission agreements.
Buyer and seller lead volume.
Brokerage splits and fees.
Market conditions.
Business expenses.
Experience and specialization.
Full-time or part-time status.

TREC’s licensing materials establish education, examination, application, and renewal requirements, but they do not provide a reliable current Nashville-specific income figure. No salary should be treated as guaranteed.

New agents should prepare for an uneven income cycle. Marketing, transportation, technology, insurance, association, and brokerage costs may occur before a transaction closes. Prospective agents should create a personal budget and ask brokerages to explain all recurring and transaction-based expenses.

Career Opportunities in Nashville

After obtaining an affiliate broker license and affiliating with a Tennessee brokerage, agents may pursue several career paths, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
First-time-buyer representation.
Relocation services.
New-construction sales.
Luxury real estate.
Commercial sales and leasing.
Investment-property transactions.
Land and development.
Condominium and multifamily transactions.
Real estate teams.
Transaction coordination and brokerage support.

Nashville agents may specialize by neighborhood, property type, or client group. Potential niches include relocation clients, downtown condominiums, East Nashville homes, suburban buyers, investors, new construction, luxury listings, or clients moving into Middle Tennessee.

The Tennessee license is not limited to Nashville. However, local knowledge remains valuable. Agents should understand neighborhood characteristics, pricing patterns, commuting routes, zoning considerations, property taxes, development activity, and the needs of clients relocating to the Nashville area.

Certain activities, such as property management or specialized commercial work, may involve additional legal, contractual, or business considerations. Confirm the applicable requirements before offering services outside ordinary affiliate broker activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Enrolling in a course that is not approved for Tennessee licensing.
Assuming Nashville issues a separate real estate license.
Registering for the exam before PSI receives education verification.
Forgetting the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Waiting too long to complete fingerprinting.
Choosing a brokerage based only on its advertised commission split.
Failing to review brokerage fees and policies.
Treating the exam fee as the total cost of becoming licensed.
Submitting an incomplete CORE application.
Providing inaccurate or incomplete background information.
Ignoring continuing-education and renewal deadlines.
Assuming that a real estate license guarantees income.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

[ ] Confirm age and education eligibility.
[ ] Select a Tennessee-approved 60-hour affiliate broker course.
[ ] Complete the pre-licensing education.
[ ] Confirm that the provider submitted education information to PSI.
[ ] Receive PSI examination eligibility.
[ ] Schedule and pass the affiliate broker exam.
[ ] Complete electronic fingerprinting.
[ ] Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
[ ] Select a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
[ ] Obtain errors and omissions insurance documentation.
[ ] Gather diploma, GED, and other supporting documents.
[ ] Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
[ ] Submit the initial application through CORE.
[ ] Track application processing and license issuance.
[ ] Record continuing-education and renewal deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate Nashville real estate license?

No. Real estate licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Nashville applicants apply for a Tennessee affiliate broker license.

How many education hours are required?

You must complete 60 hours of approved real estate principles or fundamentals education before taking the exam. You must also complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the initial license is issued.

How much is the Tennessee real estate exam?

The full affiliate broker examination is currently listed at $63. The state-only portion is $26, and the national-only portion is $37.

How much is the Tennessee license application?

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

Are fingerprints required before the exam?

Fingerprinting is required for the initial license application, but TREC’s licensing information indicates that applicants do not have to complete fingerprinting before taking the examination.

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. An affiliate broker must be associated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker before practicing under the brokerage’s supervision.

Can I take the Tennessee course online?

An online course may satisfy the requirement if it is approved for Tennessee’s affiliate broker education requirements and follows TREC and PSI documentation procedures. Review Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing information, then verify current course approval and policies before enrolling.

How long does licensing take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. Course completion, PSI processing, exam availability, fingerprint processing, brokerage selection, application completeness, and TREC review can all affect the time required.

How much can a Nashville real estate agent earn?

Tennessee licensing sources do not establish a reliable current Nashville-specific earnings figure. Income varies by transaction volume, property type, commission agreements, expenses, specialization, and experience.

Does Tennessee offer reciprocal licensing?

TREC states that it does not currently offer a reciprocal license. However, an out-of-state licensee may qualify for certain education, examination, or experience substitutions under Tennessee law. TREC advises applicants to submit the required license history and related documents for review.

Authoritative Sources