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 IndentoGO®, 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 $39 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 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.

Your Path To Success Begins Here

Memphis Area Real Estate School is dedicated to your success! Whether a new licensee or a seasoned agent we offer the best of real estate training at our convenient East Memphis office.