Tennessee real estate licensing in one screen
This hub is the starting point for Tennessee candidates. Use the linked guides below for a deeper look at course choice, cost, exam prep, the application, renewal, and out-of-state situations.
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The Tennessee Affiliate Broker path, start to finish
The Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC), operating under the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, regulates real estate licensure in Tennessee under the Tennessee Real Estate Broker License Act of 1973. Most first-time candidates follow the same general sequence toward the Affiliate Broker license, Tennessee's entry-level credential.
- Pre-exam education — complete a 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course to become eligible to sit for the state exam.
- Exam — register with PSI and pass both the national and Tennessee state-specific portions of the Affiliate Broker exam.
- Issuance education — complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, which must be completed before license issuance and documented with the application.
- Background check — submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check through the state-contracted vendor.
- Application & principal broker affiliation — apply for licensure and affiliate with a Tennessee principal broker, who bears supervisory responsibility.
- E&O insurance — carry continuous Errors and Omissions coverage; a lapse can suspend an active license.
- Renewal & CE — renew on a two-year cycle and complete continuing education, including the TREC Core Course, if verified against current rules.
Education: two separate courses, two separate stages
Tennessee uses a bifurcated pre-licensure model. The first stage is a 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course, completed before the state exam. The second stage — the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates — must be completed before license issuance and documented with the application. See the TN real estate license course guide and the online course guide if you're comparing formats.
Application and principal broker affiliation
Once education, exam, and background steps are complete, candidates apply for licensure. An active Affiliate Broker license requires affiliation with a Tennessee principal broker, who bears ultimate supervisory liability. See the full TN real estate license application guide for the sequence.
The PSI exam
PSI Services is the exam vendor contracted by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission to administer the Affiliate Broker exam. For current question counts, section splits, timing, and passing-score details, verify in the current PSI candidate handbook — see the TN real estate license exam guide.
Cost
Costs include course tuition for both the 60-hour and 30-hour courses, the PSI exam fee, a fingerprinting/background-check fee, and licensing fees. Tuition varies by provider, so treat it as a range rather than a fixed number. See the TN real estate license cost guide for a breakdown and verify-current-fee framing.
Timeline
Realistic timelines depend on how quickly you complete the 60-hour course, schedule the PSI exam, finish the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, and clear fingerprinting. See how long it takes to get a real estate license in Tennessee for a stage-by-stage estimate. RealReady does not guarantee any specific timeline.
Renewal, CE, and E&O
Affiliate Broker licenses generally renew on a two-year cycle. Continuing education requirements and E&O insurance rules carry real consequences for a lapse. See the TN real estate license renewal guide for the full breakdown, verified against current Commission rules.
Watch out for these Tennessee-specific traps
TREC, PSI, Schools, and Your Principal Broker
Four different parties control different parts of this path. Contacting the right one saves time.
| Party | Role | Contact for |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) | Regulator; issues, reviews, and approves licenses; sets education, CE, and E&O rules; handles discipline and the recovery account | Application status, licensing rules, complaints |
| PSI Services | Administers the Affiliate Broker exam | Exam scheduling, format, retake logistics |
| Approved schools | Deliver the 60-hour Basic Principles course and the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates | Course scheduling, format, completion reporting |
| Principal Broker | Supervises active Affiliate Brokers; needed for active status, not Initial Retired issuance | Sponsorship, day-to-day supervision |
See the Commission guide for more on TREC's role specifically.
Choose the application status path deliberately
Active Affiliate Broker: complete the active application path, including Principal Broker or firm affiliation and E&O documentation. A license must be issued and active before relying on it for licensed activity.
Initial Retired Affiliate: if you have not found a firm, ask TREC about the Initial Retired Affiliate option. It does not authorize activity requiring an active license; later activation has separate requirements.
The 60-hour course controls exam eligibility. The separate 30-hour Course for New Affiliates controls license issuance and must be documented with the application.