How to Get Your Real Estate License in Philadelphia, Tennessee

If you want to buy, sell, lease, or otherwise provide licensed real estate services in Philadelphia, Tennessee, you generally need a Tennessee affiliate broker license. Tennessee regulates real estate licensing statewide through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC), so Philadelphia does not issue a separate city 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 Philadelphia.

The standard process involves completing approved education, passing the Tennessee real estate examination, completing fingerprinting and eligibility verification, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, affiliating with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker, and submitting an application through the state’s CORE system.

Does Philadelphia, Tennessee, Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No. Philadelphia does not have a separate municipal real estate license for people working as real estate agents. Licensing requirements come from Tennessee state law and TREC rules.

The same state requirements generally apply whether you plan to work in Philadelphia, Sweetwater, Madisonville, Athens, Knoxville, or another Tennessee community. Philadelphia and other local governments may regulate matters such as business registration, zoning, taxes, signs, and local operations, but those rules do not replace a Tennessee real estate license.

For licensing purposes, the relevant entry-level credential is usually the Tennessee affiliate broker license. An affiliate broker must conduct licensed activities under the supervision of a Tennessee principal broker.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker License Requirements

Applicants generally must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete 60 hours of approved Tennessee real estate education before taking the examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
Pass the required national and Tennessee portions of the affiliate broker examination.
Complete the required fingerprinting process.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Obtain a PSI examination application signed by a principal broker.
Submit the initial application through Tennessee’s CORE system.
Pay the applicable application, examination, education, fingerprinting, and other charges.

Tennessee’s official affiliate broker instructions identify proof of high school graduation, education certificates, insurance, eligibility verification, fingerprinting, and the principal broker-signed PSI application as part of the licensing documentation.

Criminal History and Eligibility

A criminal record does not automatically mean an applicant will be denied a Tennessee license. However, applicants must provide accurate information and should disclose information required by TREC.

Tennessee also states that a person on parole or probation cannot be scheduled for the examination and must generally have been off parole or probation for at least two years before testing. Anyone with questions about a specific record should contact TREC before enrolling or scheduling an examination.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education

Tennessee requires 90 hours of approved education for the standard affiliate broker licensing process:

60 hours: Real estate principles and fundamentals, completed before the examination.
30 hours: Course for New Affiliates, completed before the license is issued.

The 60-hour course qualifies the student for examination eligibility. The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before the applicant can register for the examination, and the provider should issue a certificate or letter that must later be included with the license application.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is a separate licensing requirement. It is not a replacement for the 60-hour principles and fundamentals course.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

An online course can be useful for students in Philadelphia who prefer a flexible schedule or want to avoid commuting to a classroom in another city. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and course appear on TREC’s approved education information and that the school reports completion in the manner required by TREC and PSI.

You can review a Tennessee-focused online option through this Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course. Compare providers based on:

TREC approval.
Total tuition and materials costs.
Self-paced or instructor-led format.
Student support.
Exam preparation.
Practice testing.
Course completion and reporting procedures.
Refund and course-transfer policies.

TREC states that pre-license courses cannot be used as continuing education after licensure. Keep all completion certificates and related records for the initial application.

How to Get a Real Estate License in Philadelphia, Tennessee

1. Complete the 60-hour principles and fundamentals course

Enroll in an approved Tennessee affiliate broker pre-license course. Complete all required lessons, exams, and attendance or participation requirements.

The school must provide completion information to PSI before examination registration. Request a course certificate or letter because TREC requires proof with the license application.

2. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the affiliate broker license can be issued. Obtain the provider’s certificate or letter of completion for the application file.

3. Register for the Tennessee real estate examination

PSI administers the Tennessee real estate examination for TREC. Once the education provider submits the required information, PSI sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

The examination includes:

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

The current PSI fee for the full affiliate broker examination is $63:

State portion: $26.
National portion: $37.

The passing score for one section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever comes first.

At the testing center, bring the admission notice and an acceptable photo ID bearing your signature, such as a driver’s license or state identification card.

4. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

Fingerprinting is required for Tennessee license applicants. It is part of the initial licensing process, although it is not required merely to take the examination.

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

TREC identifies the following information for the real estate fingerprinting process:

Service code: 28TZ99.
ORI number: TN920784Z.

Fingerprinting and background-check charges are separate from the TREC application fee and PSI examination fee. Confirm the current vendor charge when making the appointment.

5. Choose a sponsoring principal broker

An affiliate broker cannot operate as an unsupervised independent practitioner. The license must be affiliated with a Tennessee firm and principal broker.

The principal broker must sign the PSI examination application, and the brokerage relationship must be established before the license can be activated for practice. Ask prospective brokerages serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas about:

Commission splits.
Transaction and administrative fees.
Desk, technology, and marketing charges.
Training and mentoring.
Lead distribution.
Transaction coordination.
Errors and omissions insurance.
Office and meeting access.
Residential, land, rental, commercial, or investment specialties.
Prospecting and availability expectations.
Procedures for supervising transactions and advertising.

The highest advertised commission split is not always the best option for a new licensee. Training, supervision, transaction support, lead quality, and fixed monthly costs can have a greater effect on early-career results.

6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

TREC requires proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy with the affiliate broker application. Some brokerages provide coverage for affiliated licensees, while others require agents to obtain or help pay for an individual policy.

Confirm the coverage arrangements in writing before submitting the application.

7. Submit the initial license application

Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application through Tennessee’s CORE system. The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

The application generally requires:

PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
Proof of the 60-hour principles and fundamentals course.
Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
Electronic fingerprinting receipt and required identifying information.
Required payment.

The license application must be filed within one year after passing the examination. If it is not filed within that period, the applicant may need to retake the examination.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The known TREC and PSI charges include:

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| Tennessee examination portion | $26 |
| National examination portion | $37 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Pre-license education | Varies by provider |
| Fingerprinting and background processing | Separate vendor charge |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Varies by policy or brokerage |
| Brokerage and transaction expenses | Varies by firm |

The minimum application and full examination charges total $154, before tuition, fingerprinting, insurance, study materials, transportation, marketing, association or MLS costs, and brokerage expenses.

For course pricing and format information, review Tennessee pre-licensing education through Leap and compare it with other TREC-approved providers. Fees can change, so verify all amounts before submitting payment.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

Tennessee does not publish one guaranteed end-to-end timeline for every applicant. The total time depends on:

Whether the course is self-paced or scheduled.
How quickly the student completes the 60-hour course.
When the provider reports education to PSI.
PSI appointment availability.
Whether both examination portions are passed on the first attempt.
Fingerprint and background-check processing.
The time required to select a sponsoring broker.
Insurance documentation.
TREC application processing.
Whether the application is complete and accurate.

A student studying full time may finish the education faster than someone attending evenings or weekends. A practical plan is to allow several weeks for education, examination scheduling, fingerprinting, brokerage selection, documentation, and application processing. Retesting or missing documents can extend the timeline.

Preparing for the Tennessee Real Estate Examination

The PSI examination tests both national real estate concepts and Tennessee-specific laws and practices.

Preparation should include:

Studying real estate vocabulary.
Practicing calculations involving commissions, prorations, finance, and closing transactions.
Reviewing Tennessee agency, licensing, disclosure, escrow, and advertising rules.
Taking practice examinations.
Identifying weak subjects and reviewing them repeatedly.
Reading the current PSI candidate materials.
Scheduling enough study time for both examination portions.
Bringing the required admission notice and signed photo identification.

If one portion is failed, follow PSI and TREC instructions for retesting. Examination fees and license application fees are separate.

Sponsoring Broker and License Activation

Passing the examination does not authorize an applicant to practice independently. The affiliate broker must be affiliated with an eligible Tennessee firm and supervised by a principal broker.

The principal broker typically oversees the affiliate broker’s transactions, advertising, contracts, and compliance with Tennessee law and TREC rules. Before choosing a brokerage, confirm that the principal broker will sign the required examination paperwork and explain how the firm handles insurance and license activation.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued. It is separate from the 60-hour course used to qualify for the examination.

This course should not be confused with continuing education required during later renewal cycles. Retain proof of completion with the rest of the licensing records.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers and brokers renew their licenses every two years. TREC’s current fee schedule lists the renewal fee as $75.

Licensees must complete the continuing education required for their license and renewal period. TREC identifies a mandatory CORE course as part of continuing education and maintains separate information about approved continuing education courses.

Before renewing:

Check the current TREC education requirements.
Confirm that courses are approved for the correct license type.
Verify that education is reported through the appropriate system.
Complete required education before the renewal deadline.
Confirm the current renewal fee.
Review any late-renewal charges before allowing the license to expire.

TREC’s fee information states that late renewal can result in additional monthly penalties.

Potential Earnings in Philadelphia, Tennessee

No authoritative salary figure should be treated as a guaranteed or Philadelphia-specific income estimate. Real estate income can vary substantially because affiliate brokers commonly earn commissions, and results depend on transaction volume, property prices, brokerage arrangements, expenses, experience, market conditions, and the time required to build a client base.

As a broad national benchmark, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 2025 median annual pay of $73,220 for real estate brokers and $52,830 for real estate sales agents. These figures are not Philadelphia-specific and do not represent expected earnings for a new Tennessee affiliate broker.

New licensees should budget for:

Continuing education.
Marketing and advertising.
Vehicle use and transportation.
Technology and communications.
Insurance.
Association and MLS expenses where applicable.
Taxes.
Brokerage fees.
Periods without a closed transaction.

A written business plan, realistic savings target, and clear understanding of brokerage expenses are more useful than relying on a national median wage.

Career Opportunities in and Around Philadelphia

A Tennessee affiliate broker serving Philadelphia may work in several areas, depending on training, brokerage support, and local demand:

Residential home sales.
Buyer representation.
Listing services.
Land and acreage.
Farms and rural property.
Rentals and leasing.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Commercial property.
Investment property.
Property management-related activities when properly authorized and supervised.

Philadelphia is a smaller Tennessee community, so local knowledge, referrals, community relationships, and familiarity with surrounding rural properties may be valuable. Agents may also serve nearby communities and broader regional markets through their sponsoring brokerage, provided their activities comply with Tennessee licensing and supervision requirements.

Useful early-career strategies include:

Learn Philadelphia neighborhoods and surrounding communities.
Study local residential, land, rental, and commercial inventory.
Build relationships with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, contractors, and other transaction professionals.
Choose a niche such as first-time buyers, land, rentals, relocation, or new construction.
Create a compliant marketing and social media plan.
Track leads and follow-ups consistently.
Attend local business and community events.
Review transactions with the principal broker.
Maintain adequate savings while building a client base.

Tennessee Real Estate License Checklist

Use this checklist when planning to become a real estate agent in Philadelphia, Tennessee:

Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s age and education prerequisites.
Enroll in an approved 60-hour principles and fundamentals course.
Complete the 60-hour course.
Confirm that the provider reports completion to PSI.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Study for the national and Tennessee examination portions.
Register for the PSI examination.
Pass all required examination portions.
Choose a Tennessee sponsoring broker.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance documentation.
Complete electronic fingerprinting.
Complete eligibility verification.
Apply through CORE.
Submit the $91 application fee and required documents.
Complete continuing education.
Renew the license on schedule.

Tennessee requirements, forms, fees, and procedures can change. Verify the current information with TREC and PSI before enrolling in a course, scheduling the examination, arranging fingerprinting, or submitting an application. To compare an online education option, visit this Tennessee real estate license course page.

Authoritative Sources

Does Philadelphia, Tennessee, Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No. Philadelphia does not have a separate municipal real estate license for people working as real estate agents. Licensing requirements come from Tennessee state law and TREC rules.