How to Get Your Real Estate License in Oakland, Tennessee

If you want to sell homes, represent buyers, or pursue residential and commercial real estate opportunities in Oakland, Tennessee, you must obtain a real estate license through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). Oakland does not issue its own 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 Oakland.

The standard entry-level credential is the Tennessee affiliate broker license. The process generally requires:

Completing 60 hours of approved pre-license education.
Passing the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
Completing the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Completing electronic fingerprinting and a criminal-history background check.
Obtaining errors and omissions insurance.
Selecting a Tennessee principal broker.
Submitting an application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.
Paying the required state, examination, education, and fingerprinting fees.

Oakland is in Fayette County and forms part of the broader Memphis-area real estate market. After becoming licensed, an affiliate broker may pursue business in Oakland, Arlington, Collierville, Memphis, and other Tennessee communities, subject to Tennessee licensing and brokerage rules.

Does Oakland Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No. Real estate licensing is regulated statewide by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

Applicants do not apply to the Town of Oakland for an affiliate broker license. Instead, they apply for a Tennessee affiliate broker license and place that license with a Tennessee firm supervised by a principal broker.

Oakland or Fayette County may have separate business, tax, zoning, signage, or registration requirements. Those local obligations are different from the state license required to perform licensed real estate activities.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License 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 real estate principles or fundamentals education.
Pass the required PSI examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Complete Tennessee’s eligibility-verification process.
Submit electronic fingerprints for a criminal-history background check.
Provide proof of high school graduation.
Affiliate with a Tennessee principal broker.
Submit the required application and fee to TREC.

TREC requires supporting documentation, including education records, proof of insurance, proof of high school graduation, eligibility verification, fingerprinting documentation, and a PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.

Applicants with questions involving a criminal conviction, prior professional discipline, or another potential eligibility issue should contact TREC before enrolling in a course or scheduling the examination.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

New affiliate broker applicants must complete two education components:

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

The total initial education requirement is therefore 90 hours. However, the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a separate requirement from the 60-hour pre-license course.

The education provider 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 certificate or letter of completion for submission with the license application.

Choose a provider approved for Tennessee real estate licensing. Course approval, delivery methods, tuition, exams, and completion policies can vary by school.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

An online course can be convenient for Oakland residents who need to study around work, family, or other obligations. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider’s course is approved for Tennessee affiliate broker licensing and satisfies the state’s required education components.

One available option is Leap’s Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course, which advertises a 90-hour Tennessee course covering the education needed for licensure.

Before purchasing, review:

Whether the course includes both required education components.
Course access periods.
Tuition and payment policies.
Included textbooks or digital materials.
Practice exams and exam preparation.
School support and completion procedures.
How the provider reports education to PSI or the appropriate state systems.

An online course does not automatically grant a license. Students must still pass the PSI examination, complete fingerprinting, obtain insurance, affiliate with a principal broker, and submit the TREC application.

For another convenient study option, prospective applicants can review Tennessee online pre-licensing education through Leap before comparing the provider’s current format and course terms with other approved schools.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Real Estate License in Oakland

1. Confirm the basic qualifications

Verify that you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

If you have questions about criminal history, previous licensing action, or eligibility, contact TREC before committing to education or examination expenses.

2. Complete the 60-hour pre-license course

Enroll in an approved Tennessee real estate principles or fundamentals course and complete all 60 hours.

The school must submit the required education information to PSI before you can register for the affiliate broker examination. Keep your completion certificate or letter for the license application.

3. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license is issued.

Submit the course certificate or letter of completion with the license application.

4. Research and interview Tennessee brokerages

An affiliate broker must work through a Tennessee firm under the supervision of a principal broker. Begin contacting brokerages while studying or preparing for the examination.

Ask each brokerage about:

Commission splits.
Monthly or transaction fees.
Desk and technology fees.
Training and mentoring.
Lead distribution.
Marketing support.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Transaction coordination.
Compliance procedures.
Office attendance requirements.
Coverage of Oakland and the greater Memphis area.

The PSI examination application must be signed by the principal broker, so broker selection is part of the licensing process rather than a task to handle only after receiving the license.

5. Create a Tennessee CORE account

Tennessee uses the CORE online licensing system for the initial affiliate broker application. Applicants should create or access their account and follow the current instructions for submitting the application electronically.

6. Complete electronic fingerprinting

Tennessee requires real estate license applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal-history background check. Tennessee residents generally schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO, which transmits the fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The TREC fingerprinting service code is 28TZ99. The current ORI number listed by TREC for the affiliate broker application is TN920784Z.

Keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt and submit it with the license application. Fingerprinting fees are separate from the state application fee and may vary by provider.

7. Schedule and pass the PSI examination

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews the applicant’s eligibility and sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the test.

Applicants should bring:

The examination admission notice.
A photo identification document with a signature, such as a driver’s license or state identification card.

The examination covers both national and Tennessee-specific real estate topics.

8. Submit the affiliate broker application

After passing the examination, submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.

The application generally requires:

PSI examination documentation signed by the principal broker.
Proof of 60-hour pre-license education.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Errors and omissions insurance information.
Eligibility verification.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
Applicable payment.

Review the application carefully before submitting it. Missing documents, incorrect information, or unresolved background-check issues can delay processing.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker Examination

The Tennessee affiliate broker examination includes national and state portions. PSI lists the following examination fees:

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

The examination fee is separate from:

Real estate course tuition.
The $91 TREC application fee.
Fingerprinting charges.
Textbooks and study materials.
Optional exam-preparation products.
Brokerage-related expenses.

Study topics may include:

Property ownership.
Land use and controls.
Valuation and market analysis.
Contracts.
Agency relationships.
Real estate finance.
Transfer of title.
Fair housing.
Property management.
Tennessee license law.
Brokerage operations.
Real estate calculations.

Leap’s Tennessee course information states that applicants must achieve a passing score on both the national and Tennessee portions of the examination. Applicants who do not pass should follow PSI’s current retesting instructions and confirm which examination portion must be repeated.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The current TREC initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

Other listed TREC fees include:

Initial affiliate broker application: $91.
Affiliate broker or firm renewal every two years: $75.
Transfer to a new firm: $25.
Continuing-education penalty: $50 per month, where applicable.

The estimated total cost will be higher than $91 because applicants may also pay for:

Pre-license education.
PSI examination fees.
Electronic fingerprinting.
Background-check processing.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Books and exam-preparation materials.
Local REALTOR® association or MLS participation, if applicable.
Brokerage and technology fees.

Fees can change. Confirm the current TREC fee schedule before submitting payment.

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

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

How quickly the applicant completes the education.
Course availability and school reporting.
PSI examination availability.
Examination results and retesting.
Fingerprint processing.
Insurance arrangements.
Principal broker coordination.
Completeness of the application.
Any additional review requested by TREC.

A typical sequence is:

Complete the 60-hour pre-license course.
Wait for the provider to submit education eligibility information to PSI.
Schedule and pass the PSI examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Select a principal broker and obtain the required signature.
Submit the application through CORE.
Respond promptly to any TREC request for additional information.

TREC advises that education providers may have up to 10 working days to submit an education roster, so provider reporting can affect when an applicant becomes eligible to test. Applicants can reduce delays by scheduling fingerprinting early, keeping all certificates, and submitting a complete application.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements in Tennessee

A Tennessee affiliate broker cannot operate independently. The license must be affiliated with a Tennessee firm and supervised by a principal broker.

The principal broker is responsible for supervising brokerage activities and helping ensure compliance with Tennessee law, including matters involving:

Advertising.
Agency relationships.
Contracts.
Transaction files.
Trust-related procedures.
Consumer disclosures.
Commission policies.
License placement and transfers.

When comparing brokerages in Oakland and the Memphis area, consider the firm’s training, supervision, technology, transaction support, and local market coverage—not only its advertised commission split.

Useful training areas may include:

Fayette and Shelby County transaction practices.
Buyer representation.
Listing presentations.
Inspections and repair negotiations.
New construction.
Relocation.
Land and acreage.
Rental and investment property.
Regional MLS procedures.
Marketing suburban homes.

Post-License Education: The 30-Hour Course for New Affiliates

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued. It is separate from the 60-hour pre-license course and separate from future continuing education.

Applicants should retain copies of all course certificates and verify that education records are properly reported. If a course does not appear in the expected system, contact the education provider first and then TREC if the issue remains unresolved.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

TREC lists a two-year renewal fee of $75 for licensees and firms.

Renewal and continuing-education requirements may depend on the license type, renewal cycle, and current TREC rules. Licensees should review the latest education and renewal instructions before each renewal period.

Do not wait until the expiration date to complete continuing education. Courses may need to be reported by the provider, and late compliance can create renewal problems. TREC lists a continuing-education penalty of $50 per month, where applicable.

Licensees should maintain a personal record of:

License expiration dates.
Completed courses.
Course certificates.
Brokerage changes.
Insurance documentation.
Renewal confirmations.

Potential Real Estate Earnings in Oakland and the Memphis Area

Authoritative public wage data may not be available specifically for Oakland real estate agents. The most relevant published comparison is typically the broader Memphis metropolitan area, which includes the region surrounding Oakland.

Real estate income is not guaranteed and may vary considerably because many agents earn commissions rather than a fixed salary. Earnings may be affected by:

Number of closed transactions.
Average transaction value.
Commission structure.
Brokerage split.
Lead generation.
Repeat and referral business.
Experience.
Marketing expenses.
Transportation costs.
MLS, association, technology, and licensing expenses.
Specialization in residential, commercial, land, relocation, or new construction.

Applicants should treat metropolitan wage estimates as broad occupational information rather than a prediction of what a newly licensed Oakland affiliate broker will earn. For current labor-market information, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Memphis metropolitan wage data and review the newest available release.

Career Opportunities in Oakland, Tennessee

A Tennessee affiliate broker license may support several career paths in Oakland and the surrounding Memphis-area market, including:

Residential buyer representation.
Residential listing services.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Land and acreage transactions.
Investment-property sales.
Leasing and rental-property services, subject to applicable laws and brokerage policies.
Commercial real estate support.
Real estate teams.
Inside-sales positions.
Transaction coordination.
Brokerage operations.

Oakland’s suburban market may create opportunities for professionals who understand:

New residential development.
Resale housing.
Local commute patterns.
Buyer preferences.
Schools and community amenities.
Property taxes and municipal differences.
The connection between Oakland and the broader Memphis region.

Agents should describe market conditions accurately and follow Tennessee requirements governing advertising, agency relationships, disclosures, and supervision.

Those who want to compare flexible education formats can review Leap’s Tennessee pre-licensing course options and confirm current approval, tuition, course access, and completion policies before enrolling.

Practical Tennessee License Checklist

Before submitting an affiliate broker application, confirm that you have:

Met the minimum age requirement.
Obtained a high school diploma or equivalent.
Completed the approved 60-hour principles or fundamentals course.
Confirmed that the provider submitted education information to PSI.
Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Passed the national and Tennessee portions of the PSI examination.
Selected a Tennessee principal broker.
Obtained the principal broker’s required signature.
Obtained errors and omissions insurance.
Completed electronic fingerprinting.
Used the correct TREC fingerprinting service code.
Retained the fingerprint receipt.
Completed eligibility verification.
Gathered proof of high school graduation.
Created or accessed a CORE account.
Submitted the application through CORE.
Paid the $91 initial affiliate broker application fee.
Budgeted separately for education, examination, fingerprinting, insurance, and brokerage expenses.
Recorded future renewal and continuing-education deadlines.

Final Takeaway

To get a real estate license in Oakland, Tennessee, complete the state-required 60-hour pre-license course, complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, pass the PSI affiliate broker examination, submit fingerprints, obtain errors and omissions insurance, affiliate with a Tennessee principal broker, and apply through CORE.

Oakland does not administer a separate municipal real estate licensing program. The license is issued under Tennessee law, while career opportunities are shaped by the Oakland, Fayette County, and greater Memphis-area real estate markets.

Authoritative Sources