How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Tennessee (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Tennessee real estate license?

If you want to become a real estate agent in Tennessee, the process is very simple, compared to many other states in the US. Your legal title will be “affiliate broker” and you’ll just have to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing courses, pass the state exam, and select a brokerage to work with. We’re going to walk you through the entire process and help you get your Tennessee real estate license quickly so you can start your new career.

We’ll cover:



5 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Tennessee

The Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) has a few requirements to become a real estate agent. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), and pass a background check. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 90-hour Affiliate Broker Real Estate Pre-License Course

  • Your 90-hour real estate course will include 60 hours of the basic principles of real estate and another 30 hours for New Affiliate Brokers. Topics include real estate contracts, understanding agency, land use, mortgage financing, real estate formulas (math) as well as a variety of other subjects.

STEP 2 | Get a Background Check

  • We recommend scheduling your fingerprinting appointment as soon as you start the affiliate broker course, as the fingerprinting and background check can often take 3 to 6 weeks. Once you have your appointment with IdentoGO®, they will send your fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing.

STEP 3 | Schedule + Pass the Tennessee Real Estate Exam

  • Once you’ve completed the 90-hour course, the school will send a certificate of completion to PSI, the approved testing center. Once they’ve confirmed that you are eligible to sit for the exam, you can schedule your state examination with PSI. The cost is $63 and you can schedule your exam online at candidate.psiexams.com or by calling PSI’s dedicated Tennessee Candidate Service Center at 1-855-340-3710.
  • There are 120 questions on the exam and you’ll need a minimum score of 70% to pass. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 4 |  Find a Sponsoring Brokerage

  • In order to activate your license after passing the exam, you’ll need to select a broker. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 5 |  Submit Your Tennessee Real Estate License Application

  • Once you have the results of your exam, the next step is simple. Just complete the license application on the Comprehensive Online Regulatory & Enforcement System (CORE) website. You’ll have to pay the $91 licensing fee and submit several documents including ID, pre-license certificate of completion, background check/electronic fingerprinting, and proof of your Errors & Omissions Insurance policy.

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

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Tennessee, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 2 to 8 weeks to complete your 90-hour Tennessee pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks for real estate school to submit Completion Certificate to the state so you’ll be approved to take the real estate examination
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 3 to 6 weeks to get fingerprints made and a background check approved
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a real estate brokerage
  • 1 to 2 weeks for the real estate commission to approve your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, two to four times weekly, you can learn at your own pace online. 

We also highly recommend getting the process started with your background check as soon as you start your course. This is usually the biggest delay for many aspiring agents. We would also recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Tennessee in about 8 to 10 weeks.


Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Tennessee

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Tennessee…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $200 to $550
  • Application Fee – $91
  • State Exam Fee – $63 ($37 to retake the national section, $26 to retake the state section)
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting (IdentoGO) – $35 to $40
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)
** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $389 to $744

More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Tennessee. Whether you’re building a new business and opening a gift shop, restaurant, or your real estate empire, please keep in mind there are always start-up costs involved.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Tennessee:

  • E&O Insurance – $115 to $560 (average is about $230 for a standard two-year policy)
  • Post-License Continuing Education Fee – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years) – $75
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • Sentrilock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly

** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Tennessee = $1,140 to $2,650



Find the Top Real Estate Schools in TN

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. There are at least a dozen approved real estate schools throughout the state. Most of the real estate courses are offered online, but there are a few that offer a classroom or virtual style setting. Please note that some of the school links below are affiliate links. If you enroll through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are a few of the most popular pre-license classes:

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH SCHOOL >

QUICK TIPS: When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider:

  • Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
  • Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
  • Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
  • Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course? If they don’t, you can also try an effective but inexpensive option like PrepAgent or Exam Scholar


How to Select a Tennessee Real Estate Broker

In Tennessee, you must affiliate with a real estate brokerage in order actively help home buyers and sellers. This is often referred to as the “sponsoring broker” or “principal broker.” Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list.

The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents. Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Tennessee!

Common questions about getting a real estate license TN

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Tenneesee: FAQs

What is the entry-level real estate license title in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, entry-level agents hold the official legal title of Affiliate Broker. To legally practice real estate, you must work under the supervision of a licensed Principal Broker who holds and manages your license.

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

Most Tennessee agents will describe the real estate licensing exam as “not easy.”  There are 120 questions on the exam and you’ll need to answer at least 70% of them correctly. You’ll have 160 minutes to complete the state exam.

What if I fail the real estate exam in Tennessee?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try. There are two sections on the exam. If you pass one but not the other, you’ll be allowed two more attempts to pass the remaining section within six (6) months. The cost to retake the Tennessee real estate exam is $37 for the national section or $26 for the state section.

Please note: If you don’t pass after two attempts, you’ll have to wait 30 days before retaking the exam.

Can I get a Tennessee real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

Yes, it’s possible. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony that involves the theft of money, services, or property, you are ineligible unless 2 years have passed from incarceration, probation, parole, or conviction, whichever is later in time. You may have to appear before the TN Real Estate Commission to be considered for licensure. Your new Principal Broker may also need to appear with you. Visit the TREC website to learn more.

How much do real estate agents make in Tennessee?

According to Indeed.com, the average Tennessee agent makes about $85,000. To earn this much, an Affiliate Broker would need to sell at least 15 homes each year. Of course, what you earn can vary greatly based on the home prices in your area, so we looked at the earnings in the top TN cities:

Nashville agents average $105,556
Murfreesboro Realtors average $96,908 per year
Maryville is $91,601 per year
Johnson City is $90,600 per year
Franklin, TN is $90,394 per year
Knoxville, TN agents average $85,807 per year

QUICK TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example. the median sales price in Nashville is $420,000. If you earn 2.75% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be abou

How long do I have to activate my license after passing the TN state exam?

You have six months from your exam date to complete all application requirements and submit your application to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC). If you submit within 6 months, the application fee is standard ($91). If you apply between 3 and 12 months, additional late fees apply. If you wait past 12 months without activating, your passing exam score expires, and you must retake the exam.

Can I do real estate part-time in Tennessee?

Yes, but it depends on your choice of Principal Broker. Tennessee state law allows part-time real estate work, but your Principal Broker sets office rules and must agree to supervise you. To make part-time successful in Tennessee:

Choose Low-Fee Brokerages: Look for cloud-based or flat-fee brokerages (like eXp, Fathom, or local independent firms) so monthly desk fees do not eat up your income.
Account for Fixed Overhead: MLS dues (e.g., RealTracs or East Tennessee REALTORS®), local board fees, and Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance run $1,500 to $2,500 annually regardless of how many hours you work.
Partner for Weekday Coverage: Home inspections and closing proceedings happen during 9-to-5 business hours, so many part-time agents partner with a full-time agent in their firm to cover weekday emergencies.

** Also, when interviewing potential brokers, please confirm that they allow part-time agents at the brokerage firm.

How many education hours are required for a Tennessee license?

TREC mandates 90 total hours of education before applying for an active license:
60-Hour Basic Principles of Real Estate: Must be completed before taking the state exam.
30-Hour Course for New Affiliates: Focuses on practical application and contract training, completed after passing the exam but before applying for your active license.

What score do I need to pass the Tennessee real estate exam?

Administered by PSI, the exam consists of 120 total questions split into two sections. You must pass both parts – the National Section (80 questions) requires a score of 70% or higher (56/80) and the
State Law Section (40 questions) requires a score of 70% or higher (28/40).

If you fail one section, you only need to retake and pay for the portion you failed within your eligibility window.

Does Tennessee require Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance?

Yes. Unlike many states where E&O insurance is optional, Tennessee state law strictly mandates E&O insurance for all active licensees. You cannot activate your license with TREC without providing proof of active policy coverage.

Does Tennessee offer real estate license reciprocity with other states?

Tennessee does not have full automatic reciprocity agreements, but it offers a simplified license-by-reciprocity pathway. If you hold an active, clean real estate license in another state, you can submit a Worksheet A evaluation to TREC. If approved, you may bypass the 60-hour pre-licensing education and only sit for the Tennessee State-specific portion of the PSI exam.

You'll be able to sell charming abodes like this one when you become a real estate agent in Tennessee