If you want to sell homes, represent buyers, assist with leases, or pursue other real estate opportunities in Tullahoma, you need a Tennessee real estate license. Tennessee regulates standard real estate licensing at the state level through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC); there is no separate Tullahoma real estate salesperson license for affiliate brokers. 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 Tullahoma.

Most applicants begin by earning a Tennessee affiliate broker license. The process includes approved education, a licensing examination, fingerprinting, a background review, a sponsoring principal broker, insurance documentation, and an application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system.

Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

To apply for an initial Tennessee affiliate broker license, you generally must:

• Complete 60 hours of TREC-approved education in real estate principles and fundamentals before taking the examination.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued.
• Pass the Tennessee affiliate broker examination administered by PSI.
• Provide proof of high school graduation or its equivalent.
• Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting and submit the receipt with the required ORI number.
• Obtain a sponsoring Tennessee principal broker.
• Submit the PSI examination application signed by the principal broker.
• Provide proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Pay the applicable state application and examination fees.

TREC’s affiliate broker instructions identify the 60-hour education requirement, 30-hour new-affiliate course, proof of high school graduation, fingerprint receipt, insurance documentation, broker signature, and $91 initial application fee.

Applicants with criminal convictions, prior professional discipline, or other issues in their background may need to submit additional documentation. A criminal record does not automatically determine the outcome of every application, but all information should be disclosed accurately.

Required Tennessee Real Estate Education Hours

New Tennessee affiliate brokers must complete two separate education components.

1. The 60-hour principles and fundamentals course

Before registering for the licensing examination, applicants must complete 60 hours of approved education covering real estate principles and fundamentals. The education provider must submit proof of completion to PSI before the applicant can schedule the examination.

The school should also provide a completion certificate or letter. Keep this documentation because it is required with the license application.

2. The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Tennessee also requires a 30-hour Course for New Affiliates. This course must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued, rather than only before the examination.

Together, the two courses total 90 hours of required education:

• 60 hours of principles and fundamentals
• 30 hours of Course for New Affiliates

Both courses should come from providers and programs approved by TREC. Verify current approval before paying tuition.

Online Tennessee Real Estate Courses

Online education can be useful for Tullahoma residents who are balancing employment, family obligations, or other commitments. An online course may allow you to study from home, although the licensing examination and other application steps still must be completed.

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider:

• Is approved for Tennessee real estate education.
• Offers the required 60-hour principles course.
• Offers the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Explains how completion is reported to PSI and TREC.
• Provides certificates or letters required for the license application.
• Clearly identifies whether the program is self-paced, instructor-led, or scheduled.
• States the current tuition, refund policy, and course-completion requirements.

One Tennessee-focused option is Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program. Before enrolling, compare the program’s current approval status, delivery format, tuition, and completion procedures with other approved providers.

Online education does not replace the PSI examination, fingerprinting, background review, sponsoring broker, insurance, or CORE application. It changes only how the education is delivered.

Step-by-Step Tennessee Licensing Process

Step 1: Complete the 60-hour course

Enroll in an approved Tennessee principles and fundamentals course. Complete the provider’s assignments, tests, attendance requirements, and final examination, if applicable.

Retain your certificate or letter of completion.

Step 2: Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Complete the required 30-hour course and keep the completion documentation. TREC requires this course before issuing the affiliate broker license.

Applicants who prefer online study can review options such as Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee licensing course, while independently confirming current course approval and requirements.

Step 3: Wait for education eligibility to be submitted to PSI

Your education provider submits the required education information to PSI. PSI reviews the information and sends instructions for paying for and scheduling the examination after eligibility is approved.

Do not assume that completing coursework automatically means you can schedule immediately. Confirm that the provider has submitted the required information.

Step 4: Schedule and pass the PSI examination

PSI administers the Tennessee Real Estate Commission examinations. The affiliate broker examination includes a national portion and a Tennessee-specific state portion.

The current examination fees listed by PSI are:

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

The state portion is listed as 80 minutes, while the national portion is listed as 160 minutes.

Review PSI’s current admission, identification, scheduling, cancellation, and retesting policies before visiting the testing center.

Step 5: Complete electronic fingerprinting

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

TREC identifies the following information for affiliate broker applicants:

• Service code: 28TZ99
• ORI number: TN920784Z

Fingerprinting and background-processing charges are separate from the TREC application fee and may change. Confirm the current price with IdentoGO when scheduling.

Step 6: Choose a sponsoring principal broker

A new affiliate broker must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker or brokerage firm. The principal broker signs the required PSI examination application and provides supervision after licensing.

Interview several brokerages before submitting the application. Compare:

• Commission splits.
• Desk, transaction, technology, and administrative fees.
• Training and mentoring.
• Lead-generation support.
• Local office and remote-supervision arrangements.
• Marketing and advertising rules.
• Errors and omissions insurance arrangements.
• Expectations for prospecting, open houses, and office coverage.
• Experience with residential, rental, land, farm, relocation, or commercial transactions in the Tullahoma area.

The highest commission split may not be the best overall arrangement for a new agent if the brokerage provides little training or charges substantial additional fees.

Step 7: Submit the CORE application

Complete the initial affiliate broker application through Tennessee’s CORE licensing system. TREC lists the initial affiliate broker application fee as $91.

The application may require:

• Proof of 60-hour course completion.
• Proof of 30-hour Course for New Affiliates completion.
• PSI examination documentation.
• Proof of high school graduation.
• Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• ORI number.
• Proof of errors and omissions insurance.
• Sponsoring principal broker information.
• Applicable payment.

Review the application carefully before submitting it. Inconsistent names, addresses, dates, missing documents, or incomplete disclosures can cause delays.

Background Checks and Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is a required part of the Tennessee real estate licensing process. Applicants residing in Tennessee generally schedule an electronic fingerprint appointment through IdentoGO.

The fingerprints are used for state and federal criminal-history processing. Applicants should:

• Use the TREC-related service code provided in the current licensing instructions.
• Submit the correct ORI number.
• Keep the electronic fingerprinting receipt.
• Disclose convictions and disciplinary history accurately.
• Allow additional time if TREC requests supporting records or explanations.

TREC does not publish one guaranteed processing timeline for every applicant. Review time can vary based on application completeness, fingerprint processing, examination status, education records, and the need for additional background documentation.

Tennessee Real Estate Licensing Examination

PSI administers the affiliate broker examination for TREC. Applicants cannot schedule the examination until the education provider submits the required eligibility information and PSI approves the applicant for testing.

Current examination structure and fees

| Examination component | Fee | Time |
|---|---:|---:|
| Tennessee state portion | $26 | 80 minutes |
| National portion | $37 | 160 minutes |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 | Combined testing appointment |

The examination covers general real estate concepts and Tennessee-specific laws and rules. Prepare for topics such as:

• Agency relationships.
• Contracts and disclosures.
• Real estate finance.
• Property ownership.
• Valuation and market analysis.
• Leasing and property management concepts.
• Fair housing and consumer protection.
• Tennessee licensing law and commission rules.
• Brokerage relationships and responsibilities.

Effective preparation strategies include:

• Study Tennessee law separately from national real estate concepts.
• Use practice questions to identify weak areas.
• Review agency, contracts, finance, property ownership, and license law.
• Confirm PSI’s current identification and admission requirements.
• Schedule the examination after the education provider confirms eligibility.

If you do not pass one or both portions, follow PSI and TREC procedures for retesting and eligibility.

Tennessee Real Estate License Costs

The current TREC and PSI fees identified for an affiliate broker include:

| Expense | Current listed amount |
|---|---:|
| Initial affiliate broker application | $91 |
| Full affiliate broker examination | $63 |
| Tennessee examination portion only | $26 |
| National examination portion only | $37 |
| License renewal every two years | $75 |

TREC’s fee schedule lists the $91 initial affiliate application fee and $75 renewal fee. PSI lists the $63 full affiliate broker examination fee.

Additional expenses may include:

• Approved pre-licensing education.
• Fingerprinting and criminal-history processing.
• Textbooks and examination-preparation materials.
• Document or record fees for background disclosures.
• Errors and omissions insurance.
• Travel to a testing or fingerprinting location.
• Brokerage, technology, transaction, or desk fees.
• MLS, association, lockbox, marketing, and advertising expenses.

Education prices, fingerprinting charges, brokerage costs, and business expenses vary. Confirm current amounts with the education provider, IdentoGO, PSI, and the brokerage rather than relying on an old estimate.

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

TREC’s licensing instructions do not promise one standard number of days from enrollment to license issuance. The timeline depends on course availability, study pace, education reporting, examination appointments, fingerprint processing, broker selection, and application review.

The process generally includes:

1. Completing the 60-hour course.
2. Completing the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
3. Waiting for education information to be submitted to PSI.
4. Scheduling and passing the examination.
5. Completing electronic fingerprinting.
6. Choosing a sponsoring principal broker.
7. Gathering application documents.
8. Submitting a complete CORE application.
9. Waiting for TREC review and license issuance.

You can reduce avoidable delays by:

• Choosing a currently approved education provider.
• Asking when course completion will be reported to PSI.
• Keeping every certificate and receipt.
• Scheduling fingerprinting promptly.
• Interviewing brokerages before completing the application.
• Using the same legal name and personal information on every document.
• Responding quickly to requests for additional records.

Sponsoring Principal Broker Requirements

A Tennessee affiliate broker does not operate independently as a principal broker. Affiliate brokers must work under the supervision of a Tennessee-licensed principal broker or brokerage firm.

The sponsoring broker generally helps with:

• Signing required licensing documentation.
• Supervising brokerage activities.
• Providing transaction forms and systems.
• Explaining company policies.
• Arranging or documenting errors and omissions insurance.
• Reviewing transactions for compliance.
• Providing training and operational guidance.

For someone entering the Tullahoma market, ask potential brokerages whether they handle:

• Residential sales.
• Rentals and leasing.
• Land and farm transactions.
• New construction.
• Relocation.
• Commercial property.
• Investment property.

Also ask whether the brokerage actively serves Tullahoma and nearby south-central Tennessee communities and how agents are supported when working outside the immediate office area.

Post-License Education

The 30-hour Course for New Affiliates is an initial licensing requirement. It must be completed before the affiliate broker license is issued and should not be confused with continuing education after licensing.

Tennessee also has additional education requirements for broker license categories. TREC states that brokers licensed after January 1, 2001, must complete 120 additional hours of commission-approved education before the applicable deadline.

Affiliate brokers who later want to become principal brokers should review current TREC broker requirements, including education, experience, examination, and application requirements. TREC’s broker information states that many candidates need 36 months of active affiliate broker experience, while a qualifying real estate bachelor’s degree may affect the experience requirement.

Because requirements can change, verify the current rules with TREC before planning an affiliate-to-broker upgrade.

Continuing Education and Renewal

Tennessee real estate licenses and firms generally renew every two years. TREC’s current fee schedule lists a $75 renewal fee for licensees and firms.

Continuing education requirements can depend on license type and post-license status. After brokers complete the applicable 120-hour post-broker education requirement, TREC identifies a 16-hour continuing education requirement during each two-year renewal period:

• Six hours of the required CORE course.
• Ten elective hours.

Affiliate brokers should confirm their specific continuing education obligations through TREC and the state’s reporting system. Complete courses early enough for providers to report the hours before the renewal deadline.

The TREC CORE course is a mandatory renewal course for applicable licensees.

Potential Real Estate Earnings in Tullahoma

No authoritative source identified here provides a reliable, current median income specifically for real estate agents in Tullahoma. Individual earnings can vary widely because many real estate professionals receive commission-based income rather than a fixed salary.

For a national benchmark, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported May 2025 median annual pay of:

• $52,830 for real estate sales agents.
• $73,220 for real estate brokers.
• $57,400 for the combined brokers-and-sales-agents occupational category.

These figures are national benchmarks, not guaranteed Tullahoma earnings. They do not account for local transaction volume, commission splits, business expenses, part-time work, taxes, or the time required to build a client base.

Income may depend on:

• Number of closed transactions.
• Average transaction value.
• Commission arrangements.
• Brokerage splits and fees.
• Local housing conditions.
• Repeat and referral business.
• Lead-generation ability.
• Full-time or part-time work.
• Specialization in homes, rentals, land, farms, relocation, or commercial property.

New agents should maintain a financial reserve and budget for licensing, marketing, transportation, association, technology, and other business expenses.

Career Opportunities in Tullahoma

A Tennessee affiliate broker working in or around Tullahoma may pursue several types of real estate activity, depending on brokerage support, experience, competence, and local demand:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Rental and leasing assistance.
• Property management support.
• Land and farm transactions.
• New-construction sales.
• Commercial real estate.
• Relocation services.
• Real estate investment assistance.
• Transaction coordination.
• Brokerage operations and administrative roles.

Tullahoma professionals may also evaluate opportunities in nearby communities and the broader south-central Tennessee region. However, licensees should work within their legal authority, follow their broker’s supervision and policies, and avoid advertising expertise they do not possess.

Is a Tullahoma Business License Required?

The standard real estate license is regulated by TREC at the Tennessee state level. The current sources reviewed do not identify a separate City of Tullahoma real estate license for affiliate brokers.

Separate local or business obligations may apply if you:

• Open a real estate office.
• Operate a home-based business.
• Install exterior signage.
• Hire employees or contractors.
• Collect and remit business taxes.
• Conduct property management or other activities beyond ordinary brokerage.

Before opening an office or separate business, verify applicable requirements with the City of Tullahoma, Coffee County, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Local registration and zoning requirements are separate from professional licensing.

Tennessee Real Estate Licensing Checklist

Use this checklist when planning your application:

• Select a TREC-approved education provider.
• Complete 60 hours of principles and fundamentals.
• Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates.
• Confirm that the education provider submitted eligibility information to PSI.
• Apply for and schedule the PSI examination.
• Pass the national and Tennessee portions.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
• Use the correct service code and ORI number.
• Choose a sponsoring principal broker.
• Obtain proof of high school graduation.
• Gather education completion certificates.
• Obtain the required errors and omissions insurance documentation.
• Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
• Submit the initial affiliate broker application through CORE.
• Pay the $91 application fee.
• Track license issuance and renewal dates.
• Complete applicable continuing education on time.

A Tennessee-focused online education option is available through Leap Real Estate’s Tennessee pre-licensing program. Verify all current requirements, course approvals, fees, and procedures before enrolling or submitting an application.

Authoritative Sources

• Tennessee Real Estate Commission — Affiliate Broker
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission — PSI and Exam Information
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission — Real Estate Commission Fees
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission — Broker Licensure
• Tennessee Real Estate Commission — Education Courses
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
• Leap Real Estate — Tennessee Pre-Licensing