How to Get a Broker License in Tennessee

Obtaining a Tennessee Real Estate Broker License is crucial if you’re looking to advance your real estate career. Despite the streamlined online application process, many aspiring real estate brokers find the requirements and procedures complex and challenging.

This How to Get a Broker License in Tennessee article will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve this license and elevate your real estate career as quickly as possible.

Tennessee Real Estate Broker License

In order to get your Tennessee real estate broker license and take your career to the next level, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Eligibility and Experience Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Submitting a Tennessee Broker Exam Application
4. Passing the Tennessee Broker Licensing Exam
5. Submitting a “Broker Upgrade” Application

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Note: If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to check out our Tennessee Real Estate License guide instead.

Step 1: Meet the Tennessee Eligibility and Experience Requirements

Before proceeding with the application process for your Tennessee real estate broker license, you’ll need to first make sure that you meet the general prerequisites outlined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-13-303:

• You must be able to provide high school graduation proof (or an accepted equivalent qualification)
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be either a U.S. citizen or a qualified resident alien

In addition to the general eligibility requirements outlined above, you’ll also be expected to satisfy one of the following experience requirements under Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-13-303(c)(3):

• Must have been actively licensed as an affiliate broker for at least 24 months (if initially licensed on or before May 12, 1988)
• Must have been actively licensed as an affiliate broker for at least 36 months (if initially licensed after May 12, 1988)
• Must have been actively licensed for at least 24 months (if you hold a baccalaureate degree with a major in real estate)

Note: It’s important to note that the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) will not deny any applicant a license based on personal factors such as religion, race, religion, gender, or where you were born.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

Beyond the general requirements mentioned earlier, you must also fulfill specific educational prerequisites under Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-13-303(c)(2) to be able to apply for a Tennessee real estate broker license.

In particular, this will involve completing a total of 120 hours of pre-licensing education that’s broken down as follows:

• Qualifying Real Estate Courses (90 hours)
• Office/Broker Management Course (30 hours)

Since this total time includes the 90 hours of pre-licensing education needed to obtain an affiliate broker license in Tennessee, if you already hold this license you’ll only be required to complete the additional 30 hours of broker education and pass the course final exam in order to qualify.

With this education out of the way, you should receive a certificate of completion as proof that you’ve satisfied this requirement — be sure to hold onto this as you’ll need it later when submitting your application for a broker’s license.

Step 3: Submit a Tennessee Broker Exam Application

After the successful completion of your pre-licensing education — and ensuring that you satisfy all other eligibility requirements — the next step is to submit a completed Broker Examination Application to TREC.

This can be filled out electronically, though you’ll need to have the following information on-hand:

• Your Tennessee License Number
• Details about your Tennessee license (e.g., its date of issuance and if it’s ever been inactive)
• Your personal details (e.g., legal name, street address, and date of birth)
• Your Social Security Number
• The details of your current real estate firm affiliation

Once you’ve filled out all this information and answered the six Yes/No questions at the end of the application, you’ll need to sign and date it.

TREC will then review this document — as well as your pre-licensing education and experience documentation — to confirm your eligibility. This process usually takes around four weeks to complete, after which you’ll receive a notice that you’re eligible to schedule a date to take the broker exam.

Note: This application must be submitted to TREC by email at trec.info@tn.gov.

Step 4: Pass the Broker Licensing Exam

In Tennessee, this 4-hour exam is administered by PSI and comprises 125 questions worth 130 points, which are divided across two sections: a National portion (75 questions) and a State-Specific portion (50 questions).

After receiving authorization from TREC regarding your eligibility, you’ll be able to log in through the PSI website in order to schedule your real estate broker exam. Note that you’ll need to create an account for this service if this is your first time using it, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete your reservation.

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a $63 fee at the time of reservation if you plan to take both of the exam’s portions at the same time. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay either $37 (National portion) or $26 (State portion) if you’ll be taking one part at a time.

In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain a minimum passing score of at least 75% overall, which is equal to 60/80 on the National portion and 38/50 on the State-Specific portion. You should receive your exam results at the PSI testing center before you leave; it’s important to look after these as you’ll need them for the next step.

Note: Be aware that you’ll have a year from the date you pay the registration fee to take and pass the broker examination — after this date, the exam fee will expire.

Step 5: Submit a “Broker Upgrade” Application

After passing the Tennessee broker licensing examination and making sure that you’re otherwise eligible, you’ll be ready to go ahead and submit a “Broker Upgrade” license application.

To do this, you’ll need to submit this application electronically through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s CORE Online Platform for a fee of $91.

Remember that, in addition to this application, you’ll be required to submit all of the following documentation:

• Your Passing Exam Results (must be signed by Principal Broker)
• Proof of Your Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy
• A Completed Eligibility Verification Form
• 30-Hour Office Broker Management Course Completion Certificate
• Electronic Fingerprinting Receipt (if you’re not currently an active broker affiliate in Tennessee)

Once you’ve submitted all of this to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, all that’s left to do is wait for them to review your application.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations!

With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should hear something back from the Tennessee Real Estate Commission regarding the status of your application within a few business days.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, we recommend reaching out to TREC directly, either by phone or email.

Tennessee Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your real estate broker license valid, you’ll need to renew it every two years by the date it was initially granted. Submitting a renewal application costs $75 fee and must be done through the CORE Online Portal.

To be able to renew your Tennessee broker license during each two-year cycle, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education (CE) broken down accordingly:

• Elective Education (10 hours)
• TREC-Designated Core Course (6 hours)

In addition to the CE requirements expected of all licensees, real estate brokers in Tennessee must also complete 120 hours of post-licensing education within the three years immediately following their initial date of licensure in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-13-303(h).

If you fail to complete these required hours within the indicated time period, you’ll have a grace period of a year to do so and pay the relevant penalty fee, or risk having to downgrade your license to an affiliate broker.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance

Mailing Address:
Real Estate Commission
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-1151

Phone: (615) 741-2273

Email: trec.info@tn.gov

Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/real-estate-commission