Tennessee Real Estate License | StateRequirement (2024)

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Tennessee, it’s essential to obtain aTennessee Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, thisHow to Get a Real Estate License in Tennesseearticle will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Tennessee Real Estate License

In order to get your Tennessee real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Tennessee Real Estate Exam
4. Obtaining Errors and Omissions Insurance
5. Passing a Background Check
6. Submitting a License Application

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

Step 1: Meet the Tennessee Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for a Tennessee real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites underTenn. Code Ann. § 62-13-303:

• You must be a high school graduate or possess an equivalent qualification
• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must be either a U.S. citizen or a qualified resident alien
• You must have a clean record concerning any real estate or timeshare license — no refusals, revocations, suspensions, reprimands, or fines

It should be noted that if you currently hold or have previously held a real estate license in any other state, you will need to obtain a license certification from each of these jurisdictions — until these are received, your application will not be processed.

Note:If you have ever voluntarily surrendered a license during an investigation or pending disciplinary action, you could face potential disqualification from licensure if you fail to disclose this information.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Tennessee real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete a total of 90 hours of pre-licensing real estate education, broken down as follows:

• Real Estate Principles and Fundamentals (60 hours):This comprehensive course covers topics like property ownership, appraisals, real estate law, financing, and agency relationships, and must be completed before taking the state licensing exam
• Course for New Affiliates (30 hours):This course covers practical aspects of starting a real estate career, including marketing, business planning, client management, and ethical practices. You can take this course on your own schedule, either concurrently with or after the principles course, as long as it is completed before submitting your license application

After the successful completion of the Real Estate Principles and Fundamentals course, your educational provider will send your results to the state examination vendor (PSI).

PSI will then process your results and notify you when you have been cleared to schedule your state licensing examination.

Step 3: Pass the Tennessee Real Estate Exam

The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Tennessee real estate exam, which is administered by PSI and is divided into two distinct parts:

• National Portion:This part consists of 80 questions and lasts 160 minutes
• State Portion:This part consists of 40 questions and lasts 80 minutes

You will need to achieve at least 70% on each portion to successfully pass the examination.

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to thePSI websiteand make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation. Alternatively, you can also schedule your examination by directly calling PSI at(855) 340-3710.

Keep in mind that you will need to pay a $39 processing fee to PSI in order to take the examination; this applies regardless of whether you are scheduling one portion of the exam or both portions together.

Note:Remember, all fees must be paid in advance — walk-ins are not accepted at the testing center.

Step 4: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

Prior to submitting your license application, you will need to obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, which is a type of professional liability insurance.

This can be done either throughRISC, the state-sponsored group policy provider, or through any third-party provider that meets the standards set by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

The cost of E&O insurance will depend on many factors — including when you start the coverage — but as of 2024, if you choose RISC, you’ll need to pay approximately $115 for a two-year policy term.

Step 5: Pass the Background Check

As part of the licensing process, you’ll be required to request a fingerprint-based background check from the state’s vendor, IdentoGO.

To schedule your appointment, you will need to either visit theIdentoGO websiteor call them at(855) 226-2937and complete the following steps:

1. Select Tennessee for the state
2. Select “Digital Fingerprinting”
3. Select “Schedule a New Appointment”
4. Input service code: 28TZ99 (Real Estate Commission)
5. Enter your zip code
6. Click “Schedule” to book your appointment

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a processing fee of $39.15 directly to IdentoGO in order to schedule your fingerprinting appointment.

Once your fingerprints are taken, IdentoGO will forward the results to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing. Depending on the results, the commission will determine whether you should be allowed to proceed with your license application.

Step 6: Submit a License Application

After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move on to submitting your license application.

This can be done online by visiting the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’sCORE Online Platformand paying a $91 Initial License Application fee.

Once you have submitted your application, the Tennessee Real Estate Commission will review all your documents and contact you if any additional information or documentation is needed.

Step 7: 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 receive communication from the Tennessee Real Estate Commission regarding the status of your application within ten 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!

Tennessee Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years.

To do this, you will need to log in to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’sOnline Portaland pay a $75 renewal fee to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.

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.

Note:During each two-year renewal period, you must complete at least 16 hours of Continuing Education — out of which at least six hours must be on a Core Course designated by the commission.

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

Mailing Address:

Tennessee Real Estate Commission
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0565

Phone:(615) 741-2241

Email:[email protected]

Website:https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html