Becoming a real estate agent in Tennessee requires completing approved education, passing the state licensing examination, submitting fingerprints and supporting documents, and affiliating with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. The standard entry-level credential is the affiliate broker license, which allows a licensee to perform real estate activities under the supervision of a principal broker.

Tennessee requires 90 hours of education for an affiliate broker license: 60 hours before the examination and an additional 30-hour course before the license is issued.

For many aspiring agents, a flexible option is Leap’s Tennessee real estate pre-licensing course, which can help you complete the required education while balancing work and family responsibilities.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To apply for an affiliate broker license, applicants generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete 60 hours of approved real estate principles and fundamentals education.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Submit an application to TREC.
• Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Submit an electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Complete the state’s eligibility verification requirements.
• Affiliate with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker.

TREC’s application instructions and forms control if requirements change or if an applicant has unusual circumstances, such as a criminal record, prior licensure, or education completed in another state.

Step 1: Complete the Required Education

The 60-hour pre-licensing course

Before taking the licensing exam, applicants must complete 60 hours of real estate education in principles and fundamentals. The school must provide PSI with proof of completion before the applicant can register for the examination.

An online Tennessee pre-licensing program can be a convenient way to get started. Before enrolling, confirm that the course is approved for Tennessee licensure and that the provider reports completion properly.

Online education can be useful for people who need flexible scheduling, but students should verify:

• Whether the course is approved for Tennessee licensure.
• Whether it is self-paced, livestreamed, or instructor-led.
• How attendance and course completion are documented.
• Whether technical requirements apply.
• How the school reports completion to PSI.
• Whether the course includes exam preparation or a separate study program.

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

The remaining 30 hours must be completed through Tennessee’s Course for New Affiliates before the license can be issued.

This requirement is separate from the 60-hour course used to qualify for the examination. Applicants should retain the certificate or letter of completion because TREC requires proof with the license application.

Step 2: Register for and Pass the Tennessee Real Estate Exam

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

The affiliate broker examination has both national and state portions. The current listed examination fees are:

• Full examination: $63
• State-only examination: $26
• National-only examination: $37

Applicants should consult the current PSI candidate information before scheduling because testing procedures, identification rules, payment policies, and retesting procedures may change.

At the testing center, candidates must bring the required admission notice and an acceptable photo identification document bearing a signature.

How to prepare

A practical study plan should include:

• Tennessee license law and Commission rules.
• Agency relationships and fiduciary duties.
• Contracts and transaction procedures.
• Real estate finance.
• Property ownership and land-use concepts.
• Valuation and market analysis.
• Fair housing and federal real estate law.
• National real estate terminology and calculations.
• Tennessee-specific rules and practices.

Passing requirements and score reporting policies should be confirmed in the current PSI candidate bulletin rather than assumed.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

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

Applicants should use the fingerprint instructions supplied by TREC and provide the required service information and ORI number. The current TREC instructions identify the real estate service code as 28TZ99 and the ORI number as TN920784Z.

Fingerprinting is part of the licensing application process; it is not the same as examination eligibility. Applicants with convictions, expunged matters, disciplinary history, or other background concerns should contact TREC before investing in education or assuming approval is guaranteed.

Step 4: Choose a Sponsoring Principal Broker

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

A sponsoring broker can provide:

• Brokerage supervision.
• Transaction systems and forms.
• Training and mentoring.
• Access to listing and transaction platforms.
• Office policies and compliance guidance.
• Compensation and commission information.
• Business development support.

Brokerages differ substantially in commission splits, desk fees, transaction fees, training, technology, lead programs, and culture. Before selecting a brokerage, compare the written fee and compensation structure and ask how new agents are trained and supervised.

TREC’s requirements include a PSI examination application signed by the principal broker, proof of errors and omissions insurance, and other application documents.

Step 5: Submit the Tennessee License Application

Applicants complete the initial affiliate broker application through Tennessee’s online licensing system, CORE. The current initial affiliate broker application fee is $91.

The application package generally includes:

• The completed application.
• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
• Proof of 60-hour pre-licensing education.
• Proof of the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• PSI examination documentation.
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Required payment.

TREC may request additional documentation. Applicants should submit complete, consistent information and respond promptly to requests because incomplete applications can delay issuance.

Current Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The unavoidable government and testing charges currently identified by TREC and PSI include:

| Item | Current listed fee |
|---|---:|
| Affiliate broker examination, full | $63 |
| State examination portion only | $26 |
| National examination portion only | $37 |
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Affiliate broker license renewal every two years | $75 |

Additional costs may include:

• Tuition for the approved education courses.
• Fingerprinting and background-check charges.
• Textbooks or exam-preparation materials.
• Errors and omissions insurance, if not arranged through the brokerage.
• Brokerage startup, technology, association, lockbox, marketing, and transaction fees.
• Travel or rescheduling expenses.

TREC’s fee schedule does not establish the price of private education, fingerprinting, or brokerage services. Applicants should obtain current written pricing from the school, IdentoGO, and prospective brokerages instead of relying on an old estimate.

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

A realistic timeline depends on course format, study time, exam availability, fingerprint processing, application completeness, and TREC review.

A motivated applicant may be able to complete the process in several weeks, while part-time students or applicants needing additional documentation may take longer. No single timeline is guaranteed by TREC.

The process usually involves:

1. Completing the 60-hour education requirement.
2. Waiting for the school to report completion to PSI.
3. Scheduling and passing the examination.
4. Completing the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
5. Completing fingerprinting.
6. Securing a principal broker affiliation.
7. Submitting the application and supporting documents.
8. Waiting for TREC to review and issue the license.

Build extra time into the schedule if a background check requires review, an exam retake is needed, documents are missing, or the brokerage has internal onboarding requirements.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is the principal post-course requirement that must be completed before an affiliate broker license is issued.

Applicants should distinguish this course from continuing education. The 30-hour course is part of the initial licensing process; continuing education applies after licensure and is connected to renewal.

A Tennessee pre-licensing program can also be a helpful starting point for new applicants who want to move efficiently through the licensing steps.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

Tennessee affiliate brokers renew their licenses on a two-year cycle, and TREC currently lists a $75 renewal fee.

The exact continuing-education requirements, including the required hours, core content, deadlines, and reporting procedures, should be verified directly with TREC for the licensee’s renewal period. Education providers generally report completed hours through the state’s designated education-record system, but licensees remain responsible for confirming that their records are accurate.

Failure to complete required education or renew on time can affect the ability to practice. TREC also lists late-renewal fees that vary according to how long the license remains expired.

Can an Out-of-State Agent Get Licensed in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not offer a simple reciprocal license at this time. However, a person licensed in another state may qualify to substitute certain education, national examination, or experience requirements under Tennessee law.

TREC instructs out-of-state applicants to submit relevant documents, including a worksheet and certified license histories, for review. Because eligibility depends on the applicant’s license history and circumstances, out-of-state professionals should obtain a written determination from TREC before choosing an education or examination path.

Career Opportunities in Tennessee Real Estate

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

• Residential sales.
• New-construction sales.
• Commercial real estate.
• Property management, where separately applicable requirements are satisfied.
• Leasing and tenant representation.
• Relocation services.
• Land and rural property sales.
• Investment-property transactions.
• Real estate teams and brokerage operations.
• Referral-based real estate business.

Income varies significantly. Compensation may depend on transaction volume, market conditions, commission arrangements, brokerage fees, experience, specialization, location, and the amount of time spent prospecting and serving clients. New licensees may have uneven income while building a client base.

For authoritative occupational wage and employment information, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Tennessee’s official labor-market resources. A national or statewide occupation statistic should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for an individual Tennessee agent.

Affiliate Broker or Principal Broker?

Most new entrants begin as affiliate brokers. A principal broker has additional education, experience, examination, and supervisory responsibilities.

Tennessee broker candidates generally must have:

• 36 months of active affiliate-broker experience if licensed after May 12, 1988; or
• 24 months of active licensure if licensed on or before that date; or
• 24 months of active licensure when holding a bachelor’s degree with a real estate major.
• 120 classroom hours of approved education, including a 30-hour Office/Broker Management course.

TREC also identifies additional post-broker education and continuing-education requirements for applicable brokers. The broker path is best viewed as a later career step rather than the normal starting point for a new applicant.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Confirm the current requirements with TREC.
2. Complete 60 hours of approved Tennessee real estate principles and fundamentals education.
3. Have the school report completion to PSI.
4. Register for and pass the PSI affiliate broker examination.
5. Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
6. Arrange electronic fingerprinting through the approved process.
7. Select a Tennessee principal broker and obtain sponsorship.
8. Gather education certificates, identification, insurance, verification, and examination documents.
9. Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE and pay the current fee.
10. Wait for TREC review and license issuance.
11. Complete required continuing education and renew the license on schedule.

Final Checklist

Before applying, confirm that you have:

• Completed the required 60-hour education.
• Completed the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Passed the required examination portions.
• Completed electronic fingerprinting.
• Obtained a sponsoring principal broker.
• Secured proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Obtained proof of high school graduation or GED.
• Completed the eligibility verification form.
• Prepared the PSI examination documents.
• Paid the current application fee.
• Reviewed TREC’s latest forms and instructions.

Authoritative Sources

• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission affiliate broker requirements]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission examination information and PSI fees]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission licensing overview]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission official fee schedule]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission candidate information bulletin]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission renewal and reciprocity information]
• [Tennessee Real Estate Commission approved education courses]
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics real estate occupation data

Before enrolling, testing, or submitting an application, verify all requirements and fees with TREC because official policies and schedules may change.