Real estate license requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee’s entry-level license is called “Affiliate Broker,” not “salesperson” — and unlike most states, its 30-hour “Course for New Affiliates” happens before licensure, not after.
Education
We want to be direct about a real gap here: our verified source data confirms that the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires pre-licensing coursework before the exam, and specifically confirms a 30-hour “Course for New Affiliates” as part of it — but we could not confirm the total pre-licensing classroom-hour requirement from a primary source this session. Rather than publish an estimated number, we’re telling you to confirm the current total directly with TREC.
| Requirement | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Total pre-licensing hours | Not confirmed this session | Check TREC’s current course-hour requirement directly |
| Course for New Affiliates | 30 hours, confirmed | Classified as pre-licensing, not post-licensing — unusual among states |
| Exam eligibility | Confirmed | Required before you can schedule the PSI exam |
What Tennessee calls your first license
Tennessee’s entry-level license is called “Affiliate Broker,” not “salesperson” — a naming choice that trips up people used to the more common term. Functionally, it works the way a salesperson license does elsewhere: you’re licensed to practice, but only while affiliated with a supervising broker.
The licensing exam
Tennessee contracts with PSI. The combined exam — both national and state portions together — costs $63. If you need to retake just one portion, the state-only retake is $26 and the national-only retake is $37, with no additional separate retake fee beyond that. The national portion has 80 items (56 correct needed, 70%) and the state portion has 40 items (28 correct needed, 70%).
| Portion | Items | To pass | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined (national + state) | 120 total | 56/80 national, 28/40 state | $63 |
| National only (retake) | 80 | 56 (70%) | $37 |
| State only (retake) | 40 | 28 (70%) | $26 |
Tennessee's background check runs through IdentoGO under service code 28TZ99, but across multiple research passes, no published fee figure has turned up anywhere. Confirm the current cost directly with IdentoGO or TREC before you schedule, rather than assuming a number.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (combined) | $63 | PSI |
| Application & license fee | $91 | Tennessee Real Estate Commission (Initial Affiliate) |
| Background check | Fee not published | IdentoGO, service code 28TZ99 |
The $91 initial Affiliate Broker fee and the $63 combined PSI exam fee are confirmed. The background-check fee is the one genuine unresolved gap here — it hasn’t turned up in any research pass, so plan to confirm it directly rather than budgeting off a guess.
How to apply, step by step
Tennessee’s sequence has one twist most other states don’t: your 30-hour New Affiliates course comes before you’re licensed, not after.
Confirm the current total hour requirement with TREC — our source data confirms the 30-hour course but not the full total.
Combined national and state portions for $63, or split retakes if needed.
Service code 28TZ99.
Along with the $91 initial Affiliate Broker fee.
Your Affiliate Broker license activates once you're affiliated.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Tennessee doesn’t have a distinct post-licensing tier the way many states do. The 30-hour “Course for New Affiliates,” despite its name, is classified as pre-licensing — you complete it before you’re licensed, not after. Once you’re an Affiliate Broker, you move into Tennessee’s standard ongoing continuing education cycle rather than a separate new-licensee requirement.
Reciprocity
TREC maintains reciprocity and renewal-related agreements with several other states, but we did not re-research the specific state list this session and can’t publish it with confidence. Check TREC’s own renewal and reciprocity resources page for the current list and terms before assuming your out-of-state license qualifies.
Common questions
Why is Tennessee's license called “Affiliate Broker” instead of “salesperson”?
That’s simply Tennessee’s chosen terminology — it functions like a salesperson license elsewhere: you practice while affiliated with, and supervised by, a broker.
Is the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates a post-licensing requirement?
No, and this is a common point of confusion — despite the name, it’s classified as pre-licensing education in Tennessee. You complete it before you’re licensed, not after.
How much does the Tennessee background check cost?
We can’t tell you a confirmed number. It runs through IdentoGO under service code 28TZ99, but no published fee has turned up across multiple research passes. Confirm directly with IdentoGO or TREC.
How much does the PSI exam cost in Tennessee?
$63 for the combined national-and-state sitting. If you need to retake just one portion, it’s $37 for national-only or $26 for state-only, with no extra retake fee on top.
Does Tennessee have reciprocity with other states?
TREC maintains agreements with several states, but we weren’t able to confirm the specific list this session. Check TREC’s renewal-and-reciprocity resources page directly for current terms.
Next step
Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) — https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/trec.html
Compare the real estate prep courses we've reviewed, with current pricing.
See the best real estate courses