How to Get Your Tennessee Real Estate License

Tennessee offers Affiliate Broker (entry-level) and Broker licenses through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

Affiliate Broker License Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 60 hours of real estate education covering Principles/Fundamentals before you're eligible to take the exam
• Pass both the national (80 questions) and state (40 questions) portions, 70% each
• Complete the 30-hour "Course for New Affiliates" after passing but before your license is issued
• Apply for your license at core.tn.gov within one year of passing the examinations
• Complete fingerprinting (required for all initial applications)

Broker License Requirements

• If licensed as an Affiliate Broker on or before May 12, 1988: at least 24 months of active licensure, or a bachelor's degree with a real estate major and 12 months of activity
• If licensed after May 12, 1988: at least 36 months of active licensure, or a bachelor's degree with a real estate major and 24 months of activity
• Complete 120 classroom hours of approved education, 30 of which must be "Office/Broker Management"
• Submit a Broker Examination Application to TREC for approval before making an exam appointment
• Complete 120 hours of post-licensing education within 3 years of receiving an original broker's license

Candidates Licensed in Another State

Nonresident candidates seeking a Tennessee license must meet the same educational criteria as Tennessee residents and must be affiliated with a Tennessee-licensed firm with a Tennessee-licensed principal broker. Certified license history from every other state you've held a license in is required.

Step 1: Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates

Required after passing but before your license is issued — schedule it promptly.

Step 2: Complete fingerprinting

Required for all initial license applications in Tennessee.

Step 3: Apply for your license

Submit your application at core.tn.gov within one year of passing.

Step 4: Affiliate with a principal broker

Your Affiliate Broker license needs a supervising principal broker to activate.

Step 5: Wait for license issuance

Typical processing runs 4-8 weeks for a complete application.

Realistic income expectations

Median Tennessee agent income runs around $49,000; brokers average $68,000.

• Year 1: $25K-$42K
• Year 2-5: $42K-$72K
• Top 25%: $72K-$130K+

Nashville and the greater Memphis area are Tennessee's strongest markets, with roughly 105,000 home sales a year statewide across about 55,000 active licensees — a market that's grown substantially in recent years.

The first 30 days

Week 1: Set up MLS access, learn your brokerage's systems. Week 2: Announce your license to your network. Week 3: Shadow your principal broker on active transactions. Week 4: Start prospecting.