If you want to become a real estate agent in Springfield, Tennessee, you will generally apply for a Tennessee affiliate broker license. “Affiliate broker” is Tennessee’s licensing term for a real estate salesperson who works under a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. 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 Springfield.

The process typically involves:

1. Meeting Tennessee’s eligibility requirements.
2. Completing the required pre-license education.
3. Passing the Tennessee real estate examination.
4. Completing electronic fingerprinting and a background review.
5. Finding a sponsoring principal broker.
6. Submitting the initial license application through Tennessee’s online licensing system.
7. Completing required post-license education after receiving the license.
8. Maintaining the license through continuing education and renewal.

Does Springfield Have Its Own Real Estate License?

No separate Springfield real estate salesperson license is identified in Tennessee’s licensing framework. Real estate licensing is regulated at the state level by TREC under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 13.

That means an agent serving Springfield, Robertson County, Nashville’s northern suburbs, or another Tennessee market must satisfy the same state licensing requirements. Local business registrations, tax obligations, zoning rules, and brokerage policies may still apply to a business or office, but they do not replace the Tennessee real estate license.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

Tennessee’s affiliate broker requirements include the following:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete the required pre-license education.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination.
• Submit the required application documentation.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting.
• Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.
• Complete the required eligibility and entitlement-verification forms.

TREC’s affiliate broker instructions specifically require proof of high school graduation, an errors and omissions insurance policy, an electronic fingerprinting receipt, and an Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.

Applicants with criminal convictions or prior disciplinary history should review TREC’s requirements before investing in education. A criminal record does not automatically answer whether a license will be issued; TREC may require additional information or a formal review.

Required Real Estate Education: 90 Hours Total

Tennessee requires two education stages for a new affiliate broker.

1. Sixty-hour pre-license course

Before taking the examination, you must complete 60 hours of approved real estate education in real estate principles or fundamentals.

The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before you can register for the examination. The school also provides a course-completion certificate or letter for the license application.

2. Thirty-hour Course for New Affiliates

You must also complete Tennessee’s 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. This certificate is submitted with the license application.

Together, the two education requirements total 90 hours:

• 60 hours of pre-license principles or fundamentals education
• 30 hours of Course for New Affiliates

The 30-hour course is not simply an optional professional-development class. It is part of the initial licensing process and must be completed for the application.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be a convenient option for Springfield residents who need to complete the coursework around work, family, or other commitments. Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are approved for Tennessee licensing education.

A Tennessee-focused online pre-licensing course can help you complete the required education without attending a traditional classroom. Review available course formats and enrollment details at Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing page.

When comparing online programs, check:

• Whether the course satisfies Tennessee’s 60-hour requirement.
• Whether the provider offers the separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Whether course completion is reported to PSI and TREC as required.
• Whether the course includes quizzes, final exams, instructor support, or exam preparation.
• Whether access expires after a specific period.
• Whether tuition includes textbooks, digital materials, or retake support.

Completing an online course does not eliminate the state examination, fingerprinting, application, or sponsoring-broker requirements.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete the 60-hour course

Finish the approved 60-hour principles or fundamentals course. Your education provider must report completion to PSI before examination eligibility is approved.

Step 2: Complete the 30-hour new-affiliate course

Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates and retain the certificate or letter of completion for the application.

Step 3: Prepare for the examination

Tennessee’s examination is administered by PSI. After the education provider submits the required information, PSI reviews the candidate’s eligibility and sends instructions for paying and scheduling the test.

Step 4: Schedule and take the exam

The affiliate broker examination includes national and Tennessee state portions. You must bring the admission notice and a photo identification document bearing your signature to the test center.

Step 5: Complete fingerprinting

TREC requires fingerprints for initial applicants. Fingerprinting is not a testing requirement, but it is required when applying for an initial real estate license.

Tennessee applicants generally schedule an appointment through IdentoGO. The fingerprints are transmitted for Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation processing.

TREC lists the following ORI number for the affiliate broker application:

ORI: TN920784Z

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

Step 6: Choose a sponsoring principal broker

A new affiliate broker cannot operate independently. You must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

The principal broker’s role may include:

• Supervising your real estate activity.
• Reviewing brokerage agreements and transaction procedures.
• Providing access to the firm’s systems and forms.
• Ensuring compliance with Tennessee law and brokerage policies.
• Helping you understand the firm’s commission and expense structure.

Interview several brokerages before selecting a sponsor. Ask about training, lead distribution, desk or technology fees, commission splits, transaction fees, mandatory office hours, marketing rules, and support for new agents in the Springfield market.

Step 7: Submit the initial application

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

The application package should include the documents TREC requires, such as:

• Proof of education completion.
• Proof of high school graduation or GED.
• PSI examination documentation.
• Errors and omissions insurance information.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt and ORI number.
• Sponsoring principal broker information or signature, as required.

For the latest application instructions, use TREC’s official affiliate broker page and CORE system rather than relying on an older checklist.

Tennessee Real Estate Examination

PSI administers the Tennessee real estate examination for TREC.

The current listed affiliate broker examination fee is:

• Full examination: $63
• Tennessee state portion only: $26
• National portion only: $37

The examination fee is separate from the education cost, fingerprinting cost, and license application fee. PSI states that examination registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable, and the examination fee is valid for one year.

What to bring

At the examination appointment, bring:

• Your admission notice.
• A current photo ID bearing your signature.

PSI’s instructions state that the education provider must submit the candidate’s eligibility information before examination scheduling is authorized.

If you do not pass

Review PSI’s current retesting procedures before registering again. A retake may involve paying another examination fee and scheduling the applicable portion. Keep all score reports and follow the instructions provided by PSI and TREC.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Every initial applicant must complete the fingerprinting process required by TREC. The fingerprints are used for state and federal background processing.

Fingerprinting should be completed early enough to avoid delaying the application. A fingerprint receipt alone does not guarantee licensure. TREC evaluates the complete application, including any required information about criminal convictions or disciplinary history.

If you have a potentially disqualifying criminal or professional-history issue, contact TREC before enrolling or submitting an application. The commission provides forms for requesting a decision regarding prior criminal convictions or disciplinary sanctions.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total cost depends on your school, fingerprinting provider, study materials, travel, and whether you need to retake the examination. The currently identified state and examination charges include:

| Expense | Current amount or treatment |
|---|---:|
| 60-hour and 30-hour education | Varies by approved provider |
| Affiliate broker examination, full | $63 |
| National examination portion only | $37 |
| Tennessee examination portion only | $26 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Fingerprinting | Provider charge varies |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Policy or brokerage cost varies |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |

The minimum known state and examination charges are not the same as the total cost of becoming licensed. Budget separately for education, fingerprinting, insurance, transportation, exam preparation, and brokerage onboarding.

Because fees can change, verify the amount on TREC’s official fee schedule and PSI’s current candidate information before paying.

How Long Does It Take?

Tennessee does not establish one universal completion time for every applicant. The timeline depends on:

• How quickly you complete the 90 hours of education.
• When the school reports your education to PSI.
• PSI examination appointment availability.
• Whether you pass both required examination portions.
• Fingerprint-processing time.
• How quickly you select a sponsoring broker.
• Whether TREC requests additional documentation.

A motivated student may complete the education relatively quickly through an online format, while a part-time student may take longer. The safest approach is to build a schedule around the education provider’s course-access rules and reserve time for exam preparation, fingerprinting, brokerage interviews, and application processing.

Do not schedule the examination until your education provider has submitted the required proof and PSI has confirmed eligibility.

Sponsoring Broker Requirements

A Tennessee affiliate broker must work under a principal broker. This requirement affects both your application and your ability to begin practicing after licensure.

Before choosing a sponsor in or near Springfield, compare:

• Commission split and graduated split programs.
• Monthly, transaction, technology, and desk fees.
• Training for contracts, disclosures, and negotiations.
• Availability of a managing or principal broker.
• Lead-generation and prospecting expectations.
• Geographic coverage in Robertson County and surrounding markets.
• CRM, electronic-signature, and transaction-management tools.
• Marketing approval procedures.
• Independent-contractor or employee classification.
• Policies for referrals, teams, open houses, and personal transactions.

The highest commission split is not always the best arrangement for a new agent. Strong supervision, accessible training, and transaction support can be especially valuable during the first year.

Post-License Education

Tennessee requires new affiliate brokers to complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates as part of the initial licensing process.

This course should be treated as practical preparation for working under a broker. It helps bridge the gap between foundational licensing concepts and day-to-day brokerage activity, including transaction procedures, documentation, and professional responsibilities.

Confirm with TREC and your education provider whether a specific course has been completed and reported correctly before submitting the application.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee licenses and firms renew every two years, and TREC lists a $75 renewal fee for licensees and firms.

Licensees must also satisfy Tennessee’s continuing-education requirements before renewal. The number and course structure can change through statute, commission rule, or TREC policy, so verify the current education cycle and deadline directly through TREC before renewing.

Failure to complete required education can result in a continuing-education penalty. TREC’s fee schedule lists a $50-per-month continuing-education penalty.

Maintain copies of course certificates and monitor your CORE account for license status, education records, renewal dates, and commission notices.

Potential Earnings in Springfield

Real estate income is not guaranteed and can vary significantly. Earnings depend on closed transactions, commission agreements, brokerage fees, market conditions, business expenses, experience, specialization, and whether the agent works full-time or part-time.

Reliable, authoritative city-level earnings data for Springfield, Tennessee may not be available. Therefore, a precise Springfield salary figure should not be presented as a guaranteed expectation. Real estate agents are often paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary, and early income may be irregular.

When evaluating the career financially, account for:

• Pre-license education.
• Examination and application fees.
• Fingerprinting and insurance.
• Association and multiple-listing-service expenses, if applicable.
• Brokerage and transaction fees.
• Marketing, signs, mileage, phone, and technology.
• Taxes and self-employment obligations.
• Periods with no closed transactions.

Ask prospective brokerages for a written explanation of the commission split, deductions, payment timing, and typical recurring expenses. Do not rely on advertised commission percentages without understanding the complete compensation model.

Career Opportunities in Springfield and Robertson County

A Tennessee license can support several real estate career paths in the Springfield area, including:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Relocation and referral transactions.
• New-construction sales.
• Land and rural-property transactions.
• Investment-property sales and leasing.
• Commercial real estate, subject to the brokerage’s specialization and training.
• Property-management-related work where separately applicable requirements are satisfied.
• Transaction coordination, sales support, or brokerage operations.

Springfield’s location near the Nashville metropolitan area can create opportunities to serve both local clients and buyers or sellers considering communities north of Nashville. Local opportunity, however, should be assessed rather than assumed. Research current inventory, average marketing times, new construction, rental demand, development activity, competing brokerages, and commuting patterns.

A practical market-entry plan may include:

1. Interviewing at least three brokerages serving Springfield and Robertson County.
2. Studying recent listings and closed sales in the neighborhoods you want to serve.
3. Building a database of personal, professional, and community contacts.
4. Learning Tennessee contracts, disclosures, fair-housing obligations, and brokerage procedures.
5. Selecting a niche such as first-time buyers, land, new construction, relocation, or rentals.
6. Creating a realistic first-year operating budget.
7. Participating in local community and professional organizations.
8. Tracking leads, appointments, offers, closings, expenses, and conversion rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Springfield-only real estate license?

No separate city license replaces the Tennessee real estate license. TREC regulates the licensing process statewide.

How many hours of education are required?

You must complete 60 hours of real estate principles or fundamentals education and the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, for a total of 90 hours.

Can I take the education online?

Yes, online education may be available, but the course must satisfy Tennessee’s approved education requirements. Verify approval and course coverage before enrolling.

How much is the Tennessee real estate exam?

The full affiliate broker examination fee is currently $63; the state-only portion is $26 and the national-only portion is $37.

How much is the initial application?

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

Do I need fingerprints?

Yes. TREC requires fingerprints for all initial applicants. Fingerprinting is separate from examination eligibility.

Do I need a broker before I can work?

Yes. An affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm and principal broker.

Is real estate a salaried job?

Often, no. Many agents earn commissions from completed transactions rather than receiving a fixed salary. Compensation depends on the brokerage agreement and business results.

Final Checklist

Before applying for a Tennessee affiliate broker license, confirm that you have:

• Completed the 60-hour approved pre-license course.
• Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Received education-completion documentation.
• Passed the required PSI examination portions.
• Completed electronic fingerprinting.
• Obtained the fingerprint receipt and correct ORI number.
• Secured errors and omissions insurance as required.
• Chosen a Tennessee principal broker and firm.
• Prepared proof of high school graduation or GED.
• Completed the eligibility-verification documentation.
• Submitted the application through CORE.
• Paid the current $91 application fee.
• Confirmed the license status before conducting licensed activity.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Affiliate Broker Licensing Requirements: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/license-how-to/affiliate-broker.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, PSI and Examination Information: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/psi.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Fee Schedule: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/fees.html
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
• PSI, Tennessee Real Estate Examination Candidate Bulletin: https://home.psiexams.com/api/tests/G953M5ZB/bulletins
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission, Forms and Downloads: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec/license/forms.html
• Leap Real Estate, Tennessee Pre-Licensing Education: https://leaprealestate.com/state-licenses/tennessee-pre-licensing