How to Get Your Real Estate License in Savannah, Tennessee

If you want to sell or lease real estate in Savannah, Tennessee, you must obtain a Tennessee affiliate broker license and affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. The license is issued by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, not by the City of Savannah. 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 Savannah.

This guide explains the education, examination, application, fingerprinting, costs, sponsorship, post-license education, continuing education, career options, and earnings considerations for entering the Savannah real estate market.

Tennessee Real Estate License Types

Most people entering residential or commercial real estate sales begin as an affiliate broker. Tennessee’s affiliate broker license allows you to perform licensed real estate activities under the supervision of a principal broker.

A separate broker license is generally a later-career credential. Broker applicants must satisfy additional education and active-license experience requirements.

This article focuses primarily on the Tennessee affiliate broker license because it is the standard entry point for new real estate professionals in Savannah.

Does Savannah Have Its Own Real Estate Licensing Rules?

No separate Savannah real estate license is identified by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s licensing requirements. Real estate licensing is regulated at the Tennessee state level under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 13.

That means an applicant living in or serving Savannah follows the same state requirements as an applicant in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, or any other Tennessee location.

Local rules can still affect how a business operates. For example, a brokerage may need ordinary business registrations, tax registrations, zoning compliance, or advertising compliance. Those issues are separate from the individual Tennessee real estate license and should be verified with the appropriate local or state office.

Tennessee Affiliate Broker Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements and can provide the required documentation. TREC requires applicants to submit proof of high school graduation or its equivalent, complete the required education, pass the licensing examination, provide an errors and omissions insurance policy, complete eligibility verification, and submit fingerprints.

The core requirements include:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete the required Tennessee-approved real estate education.
Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
Complete the criminal background and fingerprinting process.
Obtain a sponsoring principal broker.
Submit the required license application and supporting documents.
Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an application will be denied in every situation. However, applicants should disclose information accurately and allow TREC to evaluate eligibility under applicable Tennessee law and commission rules.

Required Real Estate Education Hours

Tennessee requires a total of 90 hours of approved education for an initial affiliate broker license.

The education is divided into two parts:

60-hour pre-license course: This course covers real estate principles and fundamentals and must be completed before taking the licensing examination.
30-hour Course for New Affiliates: This course must be completed before the license is issued.

The education provider must submit proof of completion of the 60-hour course to PSI before the applicant can register for the examination. The applicant must also submit the applicable course-completion documentation with the license application.

Pre-license education cannot be used as continuing education credit.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a practical option for applicants preparing from Savannah, especially if traveling to an in-person classroom is inconvenient. The key requirement is that the course be approved for Tennessee licensing education and satisfy TREC’s required subject matter and hour requirements.

When comparing online schools, verify:

The provider is approved to offer Tennessee real estate education.
The course provides the required 60 hours of principles and fundamentals.
The provider can transmit eligibility information to PSI.
The school issues the completion certificate or letter required for the application.
The school offers or clearly explains the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
The course format, examination rules, refund terms, and student-support options meet your needs.

A Tennessee-focused online pre-licensing option is available through Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing course. Confirm directly with the provider that the selected package includes all education needed for the Tennessee affiliate broker application.

Completing the course is only one part of the process. You still must satisfy TREC’s application, fingerprinting, examination, broker-sponsorship, insurance, and documentation requirements.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour course

Finish the Tennessee-approved 60-hour real estate principles and fundamentals course. The school must provide PSI with proof of completion before you can qualify for the examination.

2. Schedule the PSI examination

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination. The exam provider reviews education eligibility and provides the procedures for scheduling the test.

3. Pass the examination

The affiliate broker examination includes national and Tennessee-specific portions. Applicants should prepare for both sections and bring the required admission notice and acceptable photo identification to the testing location.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the license can be issued. Keep the completion letter or certificate for the application file.

5. Select a sponsoring principal broker

An affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee principal broker. The principal broker supervises the affiliate broker’s licensed activities and signs the PSI examination application required for the license file.

Before choosing a brokerage in Savannah, compare:

Commission and fee structures.
Training and mentoring.
Technology and transaction-management systems.
Lead-generation support.
Office policies and supervision.
Geographic coverage in Hardin County and surrounding West Tennessee markets.
Commercial, residential, land, or property-management opportunities.

6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance

Proof of an errors and omissions insurance policy is required as part of the affiliate broker application.

Ask the sponsoring brokerage whether it provides coverage or whether you must obtain individual coverage.

7. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

TREC requires fingerprints for initial real estate license applicants. Fingerprinting is a licensing requirement, not an examination requirement.

Tennessee residents must schedule an appointment through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for processing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The TREC service information identifies:

ORI number: TN920784Z
Service code: 28TZ99
Fingerprint provider: IdentoGO
IdentoGO phone: (855) 266-2937

Submit the electronic fingerprinting receipt and ORI information with the license application. The fingerprint vendor may charge a separate processing fee; confirm the current amount when scheduling.

8. Submit the application through CORE

Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application online through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system. The current TREC application fee is $91.

The application generally includes:

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

Review the current application checklist before submitting documents because incomplete applications can delay issuance.

Tennessee Real Estate Exam

PSI administers the Tennessee affiliate broker examination for TREC.

The current PSI fee for the full affiliate broker examination is $63, consisting of a $26 state portion and a $37 national portion. PSI also lists separate state-only and national-only fees.

The exam fee is valid for one year, and examination registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable according to the Tennessee candidate information bulletin.

Exam format and preparation

The examination requires preparation in both general real estate principles and Tennessee-specific laws and rules. Useful preparation methods include:

Completing all course quizzes and practice exams.
Reviewing vocabulary, contracts, agency, financing, and valuation concepts.
Studying Tennessee license law and commission rules.
Practicing timed questions.
Reviewing missed questions rather than memorizing answers.
Taking a separate exam-preparation course if needed.

The examination admission notice will provide the testing details. Bring the admission notice and a photo ID bearing your signature.

If you fail one portion, confirm PSI’s current retest instructions and whether you need to retake only the failed portion or the full examination.

Estimated Costs

The minimum known state and examination charges include the following:

| Expense | Current amount or description |
|---|---:|
| 60-hour and 30-hour education | Varies by approved provider |
| Full PSI affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Fingerprinting and background check | Vendor charge; verify current amount with IdentoGO |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Varies by policy or brokerage |
| License renewal | $75 every two years |
| Exam preparation and study materials | Varies by provider |

The known state application and full examination charges total $154, excluding education, fingerprinting, insurance, and other private-provider costs.

Do not rely on an outdated fee schedule. TREC’s fee page should be checked before submitting payment.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

Tennessee does not publish one universal processing timeline that applies to every applicant. The total time depends on:

How quickly you complete the 90 hours of education.
The availability of PSI examination appointments.
Whether you pass the exam on the first attempt.
Fingerprint-processing time.
Whether your application is complete.
How quickly the sponsoring broker and education provider submit documentation.
TREC processing requirements.

A straightforward application can move efficiently when education, fingerprints, insurance, broker sponsorship, and application documents are completed without errors. Applicants should avoid making firm employment or transaction plans until TREC confirms license issuance.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A newly licensed affiliate broker does not operate independently. The license application must include a principal broker’s involvement, and the PSI examination application must be signed by that principal broker.

The sponsoring broker is responsible for supervising the affiliate broker’s licensed work. Interview multiple Savannah-area brokerages before selecting one rather than choosing solely on commission percentage.

Questions to ask a prospective broker include:

Is the brokerage actively recruiting new agents?
What training is provided during the first 90 days?
What fees are charged besides the commission split?
Does the brokerage provide transaction coordination?
What technology and listing tools are included?
Are agents expected to pay for leads or marketing?
Does the broker serve Savannah, Hardin County, and nearby markets?
What are the office’s rules for advertising and social media?

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is part of the initial licensing process and must be completed before issuance of the affiliate broker license.

Do not confuse this course with Tennessee’s later post-license or continuing-education obligations. Keep all education records and monitor the deadlines associated with your license.

Continuing Education and Renewal

TREC’s current fee schedule lists license renewal at $75 every two years.

Tennessee brokers licensed after January 1, 2001 must complete 120 additional hours of commission-approved education before the fourth anniversary of the broker license, according to the current broker licensing information.

After completing the required post-broker education, brokers licensed after January 1, 2005 must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The 16 hours must include the six-hour CORE course and 10 elective hours.

Affiliate brokers should confirm their own current continuing-education obligations and renewal deadlines through TREC and the state’s education-reporting system. Education providers submit completed hours to CE Broker, but licensees should still verify that their records are correctly posted.

Career Opportunities in Savannah, Tennessee

Savannah is the county seat of Hardin County and serves as a regional center for residential, land, agricultural, and small-business activity in southwest Tennessee. A new agent may find opportunities in:

Residential home sales.
Buyer representation.
Listing and seller representation.
Rural and recreational land.
Farm and acreage transactions.
New-construction sales.
Relocation services.
Property management, where separately permitted and properly structured.
Commercial and small-business properties.
Referral business involving nearby West Tennessee communities.

Savannah’s market is smaller than Tennessee’s largest metropolitan areas, so a new agent may need to build a broader service area and develop relationships throughout Hardin County and neighboring communities. Local knowledge, responsiveness, accurate pricing guidance, and consistent prospecting can be especially valuable in a smaller market.

Potential Earnings

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than salary-based. Earnings can vary substantially based on transaction volume, sales prices, commission agreements, brokerage splits, business expenses, and the time required to build a client pipeline.

Reliable, authoritative city-level earnings figures for Savannah, Tennessee real estate agents were not identified in the available TREC materials. TREC publishes licensing rules and fees, not individual-agent income statistics. Prospective agents should therefore avoid treating national salary websites or advertised commission examples as guaranteed earnings.

When evaluating the career financially, budget for:

Pre-licensing education.
Examination and application fees.
Fingerprinting.
Insurance.
Association or multiple-listing-service expenses, if applicable.
Brokerage fees.
Transportation and vehicle costs.
Marketing and advertising.
Technology and phone expenses.
Taxes and health-insurance costs.
Several months of variable income while developing a client base.

A brokerage’s commission split is not the same as take-home income. Ask for a written explanation of all recurring fees, transaction fees, desk fees, marketing costs, and lead charges before affiliating.

Practical Savannah Licensing Checklist

Use this checklist to organize the process:

Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s age and education prerequisites.
Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles and fundamentals course.
Complete the course and confirm that the provider submits eligibility information to PSI.
Study for both the national and Tennessee portions of the exam.
Schedule and pass the PSI affiliate broker examination.
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
Schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
Interview and select a Tennessee principal broker.
Obtain the broker’s signature on the PSI examination application.
Gather proof of education, high school graduation or GED, fingerprinting, insurance, and eligibility verification.
Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
Pay the current $91 application fee.
Confirm license issuance before performing activities that require a real estate license.
Track renewal and education deadlines after activation.

For a convenient overview of Tennessee pre-licensing education, review this Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course page, then verify all licensing documents and deadlines against TREC’s current instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Savannah, Tennessee real estate license?

No separate city real estate license is identified for affiliate brokers. Tennessee real estate licensing is handled by TREC at the state level.

How many hours of education are required?

An initial affiliate broker applicant must complete 90 total hours: 60 hours of principles and fundamentals before the examination and a 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before issuance.

How much is the Tennessee real estate license application?

The initial affiliate broker application fee is currently $91.

How much is the licensing exam?

The full PSI affiliate broker examination fee is currently $63.

Are fingerprints required?

Yes. TREC requires fingerprints for initial applicants, and Tennessee residents generally schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.

Can the education be completed online?

Online education may be used when offered by a provider approved for Tennessee licensing education. Confirm that the course satisfies TREC’s required hours and documentation rules before enrolling.

Do I need a broker to get licensed?

You need a Tennessee principal broker to sponsor and supervise your affiliate broker license. The principal broker must sign the PSI examination application included with the licensing documents.

How soon can I start selling real estate?

You should begin licensed activity only after TREC has issued the license and it is properly affiliated with the sponsoring brokerage. The exact timeline varies according to education completion, examination availability, fingerprint processing, and application review.

Authoritative Sources