The direct answer
To get a Tennessee real estate license, complete a 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course, pass the PSI Affiliate Broker exam, complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, clear a fingerprint-based background check, work under a Principal Broker, and carry E&O insurance. The Tennessee Real Estate Commission issues the license once all steps are complete.
The 60+30 sequence, step by step
Step 1: Complete the 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course
This Commission-approved course covers real estate fundamentals, contracts, and agency, and is a prerequisite to sit for the PSI state exam. See the TN real estate license course guide.
Step 2: Pass the PSI Affiliate Broker exam
Register with PSI Services and pass both the national and Tennessee state-specific portions. See the TN real estate license exam guide and the exam prep guide for state-specific study areas.
Step 3: Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates
Unlike many states, Tennessee requires this second education stage before license issuance the exam but before your license is issued. It focuses on day-to-day brokerage operations and risk reduction.
Step 4: Clear the fingerprint-based background check
Candidates submit fingerprints through a state-contracted vendor for a criminal history record check. Fingerprint clearances are time-limited, so sequence this step carefully against your application timeline.
Step 5: Affiliate with a principal broker and secure E&O coverage
An Affiliate Broker license cannot go active without affiliation with a supervising principal broker and continuous Errors and Omissions insurance coverage.
Step 6: Apply and receive your license
Once education, exam, background, affiliation, and insurance steps are complete, the Commission can issue an active Affiliate Broker license. See the full application guide.
What Each Step Produces, and Who Controls It
A companion table to the checklist above: what evidence exists at each step, who controls the pace, and where to confirm status.
| Step | Evidence produced | Who controls it | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60-hour Basic Principles course | Course completion record | Your approved school | Ask the school how/when it reports to TREC/PSI |
| PSI Affiliate Broker exam | Pass/fail result, section scores | PSI Services | PSI candidate portal |
| 30-hour Course for New Affiliates | Completion record | Your approved school | School confirmation |
| Background check / fingerprints | Criminal-history record result | State-contracted vendor + TBI/FBI | Vendor confirmation; TREC guidance |
| Principal Broker affiliation | Signed affiliation agreement | You and your Principal Broker | Direct agreement with the firm |
| E&O insurance | Proof of coverage | State group policy or independent carrier | TREC E&O requirements page |
| License issuance | Issued Affiliate Broker license | TREC | TREC license verification / your Principal Broker |