If you want to become a real estate agent in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, you will apply for a Tennessee affiliate broker license through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Tennessee requires 90 hours of approved education, a licensing examination, electronic fingerprinting, a sponsoring principal broker, and an application submitted through the state’s licensing system. 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 Soddy-Daisy.

Soddy-Daisy does not have a separate city real estate license for practicing real estate brokerage. Real estate licensing is regulated at the state level under Tennessee’s real estate laws and rules.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

Before beginning the application process, make sure you meet Tennessee’s basic eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete the required Tennessee-approved pre-licensing education.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
• Complete the required fingerprinting and background-check process.
• Submit the required documentation and application fee.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance coverage through the applicable Tennessee process.

A criminal record does not necessarily mean automatic denial, but applicants should disclose information accurately and completely. TREC reviews licensing applications under Tennessee law, and additional documentation may be requested.

How Much Real Estate Education Is Required in Tennessee?

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

The education is divided into two parts:

1. 60-hour Real Estate Principles or Fundamentals course
2. 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The 60-hour principles course must be completed before you can qualify for the licensing examination. Your education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI, the examination administrator, before you register for the exam.

The separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before the license can be issued. You must submit the certificate or letter of completion with your license application.

Choosing an Online Tennessee Real Estate Course

Online education can be a convenient option for students in Soddy-Daisy, especially those balancing work, family, or other commitments. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and course are approved for Tennessee licensing education.

A Tennessee-focused online pre-licensing program can help you complete the required coursework from home and prepare for both the national and state portions of the exam. Review the Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course options to compare available online training.

When evaluating an online course, consider:

• Whether it includes the required 60-hour principles education.
• Whether the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is included or offered separately.
• Course format and access period.
• Instructor support and student assistance.
• Practice exams and exam-preparation materials.
• Whether the provider reports completion to PSI as required.
• Whether the total price includes textbooks, testing tools, or other materials.

Completing an online course does not eliminate the requirement to pass the official PSI examination or submit a Tennessee license application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Complete the 60-hour principles course

Begin with the approved 60-hour Tennessee real estate principles or fundamentals course. Your school will provide completion documentation and submit eligibility information to PSI.

2. Register for the licensing examination

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s affiliate broker examination. Once your education provider submits the required information and PSI approves your eligibility, PSI provides instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination.

3. Pass the affiliate broker examination

The examination includes national and Tennessee-specific content. PSI lists the full affiliate broker examination fee as $63, with separate state-only and national-only fees of $26 and $37, respectively.

Bring the admission notice and an acceptable photo identification document bearing your signature to the testing appointment.

4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

After passing the exam, complete the required 30-hour Course for New Affiliates if you have not already done so. This course must be completed before the license is issued.

5. Select a sponsoring principal broker

A Tennessee affiliate broker must be affiliated with a licensed Tennessee firm under a principal broker. The principal broker signs the PSI examination application and provides the brokerage affiliation necessary for the license application.

Interview several brokerages before choosing one. Ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Monthly desk, technology, or administrative fees.
• Training and mentorship.
• Lead-generation systems.
• Whether the firm serves Soddy-Daisy and nearby communities.
• Office support, contract review, and transaction coordination.
• Independent-contractor policies.
• Expectations for open houses, prospecting, and marketing.

6. Complete fingerprinting and the background check

TREC requires fingerprints for initial real estate license applications. Tennessee applicants generally schedule electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO, which transmits fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Use TREC’s required service information when scheduling the appointment:

• Service code: 28TZ99
• ORI number: TN920784Z
• IdentoGO scheduling: through the IdentoGO website or by calling 855-266-2937.

Keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt because it must be submitted with the application.

Fingerprinting is an initial-licensing requirement and is not required merely to sit for the examination.

7. Submit the application through CORE

Complete the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system. TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

The application package may include:

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

After passing all portions of the examination, the application must be submitted within one year of passing the examinations.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The total cost depends on the school, study materials, fingerprinting charge, examination attempts, and brokerage-related expenses. Known state-listed costs include:

| Expense | Current amount or description |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| State-only examination portion | $26 |
| National-only examination portion | $37 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |
| Pre-licensing education | Varies by provider |
| Fingerprinting | Fee set by the fingerprinting vendor |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Cost varies by coverage and arrangement |
| Brokerage startup expenses | Varies by firm |

The $91 application fee and $63 full examination fee do not represent the complete cost of becoming licensed. Budget separately for education, fingerprinting, transportation, exam preparation, insurance, business supplies, marketing, and any fees charged by a sponsoring brokerage.

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

Tennessee does not publish one guaranteed end-to-end processing timeline for every affiliate broker applicant. The time required depends on how quickly you complete the 90 hours of education, obtain an exam appointment, pass the exam, complete fingerprinting, select a broker, and submit a complete application.

A practical sequence is:

1. Complete the 60-hour course.
2. Wait for the school to submit education eligibility to PSI.
3. Schedule and pass the examination.
4. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
5. Choose a sponsoring principal broker.
6. Complete fingerprinting.
7. Submit the CORE application and supporting documents.
8. Wait for TREC processing and license issuance.

Students who study full time may finish the education portion faster, while part-time students may spread it over several weeks or months. An incomplete application, missing documents, exam failure, or delayed background-check information can extend the process.

What Happens if You Fail the Exam?

If you do not pass both required examination portions, review PSI’s retesting procedures and use your CORE account as directed by TREC. PSI administers the exam and provides examination scheduling information, while TREC handles Tennessee licensing eligibility and application requirements.

Use the score report to identify weak areas. Additional preparation should focus on Tennessee license law, agency relationships, contracts, finance, calculations, and national real estate principles.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

Tennessee affiliate brokers work under a licensed real estate firm and principal broker. The principal broker is responsible for supervising affiliated licensees and must sign the examination application associated with the initial licensing process.

A new agent should choose a sponsoring broker before submitting the final license application. The brokerage relationship affects training, supervision, compensation, marketing, transaction procedures, and the practical support available during your first transactions.

For someone in Soddy-Daisy, consider firms that actively work in:

• Soddy-Daisy.
• Hixson.
• Harrison.
• North Chattanooga.
• Chattanooga.
• Ooltewah.
• Hamilton County and surrounding communities.

Local familiarity can be useful when learning neighborhood characteristics, commuting patterns, lake-area properties, new construction, and buyer and seller expectations.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is Tennessee’s required education completed before the initial affiliate broker license is issued.

This course is separate from the 60-hour education needed to qualify for the exam. Confirm with your school and TREC that the course satisfies the current Tennessee requirement before submitting your license application.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers and brokers renew their licenses every two years. TREC lists the renewal fee for a licensee or firm as $75.

Licensees should confirm their current continuing-education obligations and renewal deadline directly with TREC or the state’s designated education-record system. Education providers report completed hours to CE Broker, according to TREC’s licensing information.

Do not wait until the expiration date to check your education record. Late renewal can result in additional fees; TREC lists a late fee of $50 per month for the first 120 days after expiration, with a higher $100-per-month fee applying during the later period described by the Commission.

Because education rules can change, verify the current affiliate-broker continuing-education requirements before each renewal cycle.

Potential Earnings for Soddy-Daisy Real Estate Agents

Reliable, authoritative city-level earnings data specifically for Soddy-Daisy real estate agents is not established in the Tennessee licensing materials cited here. Real estate income also varies substantially because many agents are paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary.

Earnings can be affected by:

• Number and value of closed transactions.
• Commission agreements and brokerage split.
• Buyer-versus-listing business.
• Lead-generation expenses.
• Market conditions.
• Part-time or full-time work.
• Experience and repeat-client business.
• Property types and service area.

The safest approach is to treat income projections cautiously and ask prospective brokerages for transparent information about commission structures, fees, training costs, and typical transaction volume. Do not rely on a guaranteed-income claim unless it is supported by verifiable evidence.

Career Opportunities in and Around Soddy-Daisy

A Tennessee affiliate broker can pursue several real estate career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing and seller representation.
• New-construction sales.
• Relocation assistance.
• Investment-property sales.
• Land and acreage transactions.
• Property management, where separately applicable requirements are satisfied.
• Commercial real estate.
• Leasing and rental representation.
• Transaction coordination or brokerage operations.
• Future advancement toward a Tennessee broker license.

Soddy-Daisy’s location in the greater Chattanooga region gives agents the opportunity to develop business in both a smaller community and nearby urban and suburban markets. A local agent may serve buyers and sellers interested in residential neighborhoods, rural or larger-lot properties, lake-area housing, new construction, and commutes to Chattanooga.

To build a compliant and sustainable business, learn Tennessee agency law, fair-housing obligations, advertising rules, contracts, disclosures, and recordkeeping requirements. Work closely with the sponsoring principal broker while developing a geographic specialization.

How to Start Your Soddy-Daisy Real Estate Career

A focused launch plan can make the licensing process more manageable:

• Confirm that you meet Tennessee’s age and education prerequisites.
• Enroll in a TREC-approved 60-hour principles course.
• Compare online and classroom options, including Tennessee online pre-licensing education.
• Create a study schedule for the national and Tennessee exam portions.
• Research brokerages serving Soddy-Daisy and Hamilton County before testing.
• Schedule fingerprinting through the approved process.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Prepare every required application document before submitting through CORE.
• Track license renewal and continuing-education deadlines after issuance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Soddy-Daisy issue its own real estate license?

No separate Soddy-Daisy real estate license is identified in the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s licensing requirements. Real estate brokerage licensing is regulated statewide by TREC.

How many hours of education are required?

Tennessee requires 90 total hours: 60 hours of principles or fundamentals before the exam and a 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.

Can I complete the education online?

Online courses may be available, but the provider and course must satisfy Tennessee’s approval and reporting requirements. Confirm approval before enrolling.

Is fingerprinting required?

Yes. TREC requires electronic fingerprinting for initial real estate license applications.

How much is the Tennessee real estate exam?

PSI lists the full affiliate broker exam fee as $63. The state-only portion is $26 and the national-only portion is $37.

How much is the initial Tennessee affiliate broker application?

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

Do I need a sponsoring broker?

Yes. Affiliate brokers must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker. The principal broker signs the examination application associated with the licensing process.

Can I get a Tennessee license through reciprocity?

TREC states that Tennessee does not offer a reciprocal license at this time. However, an out-of-state licensee may qualify for substitutions involving education, the national exam, or experience under Tennessee law, subject to TREC review.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Affiliate Broker” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/affiliate-broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “How to Get a License” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/get.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “PSI & Exam Information” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/psi.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Real Estate Commission Fees” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Renewal, Reciprocity & Other Resources” — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/renewal-reciprocity-resources.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, “Candidate Information Bulletin” — https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/trec/forms/PSI-Bulletin.pdf
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, official commission page — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
• Leap Real Estate, Tennessee Pre-Licensing Education — https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing