How long does it take to get a Tennessee real estate license?

Most people finish in 2 to 4 months. A smart sequencing trick: only the 60-hour Basic Principles course is required before the exam, so you can test after 60 hours and knock out the 30-hour New Affiliates course while lining up your broker and E&O insurance. Just don't dawdle — you must apply within 6 months of passing the exam.

How much does a Tennessee real estate license cost?

Budget roughly $700–$1,100: $350–$700 for the 90 hours of coursework, a bargain $39 exam fee (one of the lowest PSI fees in the country), about $35 for fingerprinting, a $91 application fee, and $165–$230 for the required E&O insurance through the state group policy.

What score do I need to pass the Tennessee affiliate broker exam?

70% on each portion, scored separately — that's 56 of 80 on the national section and 28 of 40 on the Tennessee section. If you fail your first attempt you can retake immediately, but after a second failure you'll wait 30 days between attempts.

Do I need a sponsoring broker before getting my Tennessee license?

Yes — unlike Washington or Virginia, Tennessee won't issue your license without one. Your principal broker must sign the PSI examination application, and your affiliate broker license issues active under that firm. Start interviewing brokerages while you're still in the 60-hour course so there's no gap after you pass.

Can I get a Tennessee real estate license with a felony or criminal record?

It's possible but not guaranteed. TREC runs a fingerprint-based TBI and FBI background check and evaluates convictions case by case, weighing the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. Full disclosure is essential — TREC treats concealment as grounds for denial on its own.

Why does Tennessee require E&O insurance, and what does it cost?

Tennessee is one of about a dozen states that mandate errors & omissions insurance for every licensee — it protects you and consumers if a transaction goes wrong. TREC contracts a group policy through Rice Insurance Services Center (RISC), historically around $165–$230 per policy term with $100,000/$300,000 limits. You can buy independent coverage instead if it meets state minimums, but proof of coverage must be filed with your application and kept current.

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How to get your Tennessee real estate license

Everything you need to earn a Tennessee salesperson license — from eligibility to your first sponsoring broker.

Requirements last verified July 8, 2026 by Matt Cochrell, licensed broker.

Quick answer · Verified July 8, 2026

How to get a Tennessee real estate license

Hours required: 90 hrs
Total cost: $700 – $1,100
Typical timeline: 6–16 weeks
Minimum age: 18+

Step 1

Confirm you're eligible for a Tennessee real estate license

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED to apply for a Tennessee real estate license. A criminal background check is required — most non-violent offenses are reviewed case-by-case.

Step 2

Complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education

Note: Tennessee's entry license is called 'affiliate broker.' The 90 hours splits into two courses with different deadlines: the 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course must be done BEFORE you can take the exam, while the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates only has to be done before you apply for the license — so you can sit for the exam after 60 hours and finish the last 30 while you wait.

Complete the 60-hour Basic Principles of Real Estate course at a TREC-approved school; the school reports your completion directly to PSI
Register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the affiliate broker exam
Complete the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates (before licensure — many students do it right after the exam)
Keep your certificates: both course completion certificates must be submitted with your license application

Step 3

Pass the Tennessee real estate exam

Tennessee uses PSI to administer the licensing exam. You'll need a passing score of 70% on each portion (56 of 80 national, 28 of 40 state), scored separately. The exam fee is $39. Expect roughly 100 national questions and 40–50 state-specific questions. Format: 120 multiple-choice questions (80 national + 40 state), computer-based at PSI test centers; immediate retakes allowed after a first failure, then a 30-day wait after the second failed attempt.

Step 4

Apply for your Tennessee license

Pass the exam and have your PSI examination application signed by your sponsoring principal broker — Tennessee requires broker sponsorship BEFORE you can be licensed, and the license issues active under that firm
Get electronically fingerprinted through IdentoGO — about $35 — and keep the receipt for your application
Obtain errors & omissions (E&O) insurance — a distinctive Tennessee requirement. The state group policy through RISC runs about $165–$230; proof of coverage must accompany your application
Submit the Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker Application online at core.tn.gov with the $91 fee, plus proof of high school graduation, both course certificates, and your fingerprint receipt
Apply within 6 months of passing the exam, or your scores expire and you'll retest

Step 5

Find a sponsoring broker

Your Tennessee license stays inactive until a licensed broker sponsors you. Interview at least 2–3 brokerages, compare commission splits, training, and lead sources, and pick the one that fits your career goals — not just the highest split.

Tennessee real estate license cost breakdown

Here's a realistic estimate of everything you'll pay to earn your license. Course price is the largest variable — state fees are fixed.

Cost breakdown
Item	Amount
90-hour pre-license education (60-hr Basic Principles + 30-hr New Affiliates)	$350 – $700
PSI exam fee	$39 per attempt
Fingerprinting (IdentoGO, TBI + FBI)	~$35
TREC application fee	$91
E&O insurance (state group policy)	$165 – $230
Estimated total	$700 – $1,100

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Frequently asked questions

Renewal & continuing education

Tennessee: 2-year renewal cycle; $75 renewal fee. 16 hours of continuing education every cycle, including the mandatory 6-hour TREC Core course. E&O insurance must stay continuously in force — a lapse can suspend your license..

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Moving your license?

See how Tennessee handles out-of-state licenses — full reciprocity, partial agreements, recognition, or start-over — and how every other state stacks up.

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