If you’re thinking about becoming a real estate agent in Tennessee, there’s a good chance one of your first questions is:
How long does it take to get a Tennessee real estate license?
The answer depends partly on you.
Your education format, study schedule, how quickly you complete the required coursework, when you take your licensing exam and how quickly you complete the application requirements can all affect your timeline.
But the process itself becomes much easier to understand when you break it into steps.
Here’s an overview of the journey from thinking about real estate to applying for your Tennessee affiliate broker license.
Step 1: Make Sure You Meet Tennessee’s Basic Licensing Requirements
Before investing time in real estate school, it’s important to understand the basic requirements.
Tennessee requires applicants for an affiliate broker license to meet state eligibility requirements, including age and education requirements.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old when applying for the license and provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Other requirements, including the licensing examination, background check/fingerprinting and application documentation, are also part of the process.
Step 2: Complete the Required Tennessee Real Estate Education
Education is where most future agents begin.
Tennessee requires 90 total hours of approved real estate education before an affiliate broker license is issued.
That includes:
60-Hour Basic Principles of Real Estate Course
and
30-Hour Course for New Affiliates
The 60-hour course must be successfully completed before taking the licensing examination, and the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates must be completed before applying for the license.
At Level-Up Real Estate Academy, students can complete the full required education through available course options designed for different schedules and learning preferences.
How Long Does Tennessee Real Estate School Take?
This is where individual timelines begin to differ.
A student attending scheduled classes follows the school’s class calendar.
A student taking a self-paced online course has more flexibility over when coursework is completed, subject to the course requirements.
That means two students who begin their real estate education on the same day might finish at different times.
One might have significant time available for studying.
Another may be balancing a full-time job, children and other responsibilities.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to finish as quickly as possible.
You also want to learn the material you’re going to need for your examination and future career.
Step 3: Choose How You Want to Complete Real Estate School
Level-Up Real Estate Academy gives Tennessee students different ways to learn.
In-Person Real Estate Classes
Students who prefer traditional instruction can attend scheduled classes at our Kingsport, Tennessee location.
Our classroom serves future real estate professionals from Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol and communities throughout Northeast Tennessee.
Self-Paced Online Real Estate School
Students who need greater scheduling flexibility can explore our online option.
Self-paced education can be particularly useful for full-time employees, parents, shift workers and students who don’t live near Kingsport.
You can learn more about the online option here:
https://www.leveluprealestateacademy.com/online-school/
The right format is the one that helps you complete your education while actually understanding what you’re learning.
Step 4: Prepare for the Tennessee Real Estate Exam
After completing the education required to become eligible for testing, the next major step is the licensing examination.
Tennessee’s affiliate broker examination includes both national and state portions.
Don’t make the mistake of treating your course completion certificate as the finish line.
Set aside time to review the material, identify areas where you need additional work and prepare seriously for the exam.
Passing the examination is an essential step toward licensure.
Step 5: Schedule and Take Your Licensing Examination
Tennessee’s real estate licensing examinations are administered through PSI.
Once your education eligibility has been processed, you’ll be able to move forward with scheduling the appropriate examination.
Testing availability can affect your overall timeline, so students should pay attention to scheduling instructions and available examination dates.
The current Tennessee affiliate broker examination fee is $63 for the full examination, although fees are subject to change.
Step 6: Complete the Remaining Licensing Requirements
Passing the exam is a major accomplishment, but you’re not finished yet.
Tennessee’s licensing process also involves additional requirements such as fingerprinting/background-check procedures and required application documentation.
You’ll need to follow the current instructions from the Tennessee Real Estate Commission and submit the required materials.
Because licensing rules, procedures and fees can change, students should always rely on current Tennessee Real Estate Commission information when completing the application process.
Step 7: Apply for Your Tennessee Affiliate Broker License
After completing the required education, examination and other licensing requirements, you’ll move toward submitting your license application.
Tennessee currently lists the initial affiliate license application fee at $91.
Again, state fees can change, so always verify the current amount when you’re ready to apply.
So, How Fast Can You Become a Real Estate Agent in Tennessee?
There isn’t one universal number of days that applies to everyone.
Your timeline depends on several factors:
- How you take your required education
- How consistently you study
- Your class or online-course schedule
- When you complete the required courses
- Examination availability
- Whether you pass both portions of the exam
- How quickly you complete the remaining application requirements
Instead of asking only, “What’s the fastest I can do this?”, consider asking:
“What’s the best way for me to complete the process successfully?”
Getting licensed is important.
Being prepared for what comes after licensing is important too.
Can You Get Your Tennessee Real Estate License While Working Full-Time?
Yes, many future real estate professionals begin their education while continuing to work.
You don’t necessarily need to leave your current job before beginning real estate school.
That’s one reason having different education formats can be valuable.
Someone with a predictable schedule may prefer a scheduled classroom.
Someone working changing shifts may find self-paced online education easier to manage.
The first step toward a different career can happen while you’re still working in your current one.
Where Can You Take Real Estate Classes in Kingsport, Johnson City or Bristol?
Level-Up Real Estate Academy is physically located in Kingsport, Tennessee and serves students throughout the Tri-Cities and Northeast Tennessee.
Students regularly come to us from areas including:
Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Blountville, Gray, Elizabethton, Jonesborough and surrounding communities.
For students who aren’t close enough for regular classroom attendance—or simply prefer online learning—we also offer an online real estate education option.
Ready to Start Your Tennessee Real Estate License Journey?
You don’t have to figure out your entire future today.
You just need to understand your first step.
For most future Tennessee real estate professionals, that means choosing an education option and beginning the required coursework.
At Level-Up Real Estate Academy, you can explore traditional in-person education or a flexible online learning option.
Explore Online Real Estate School:
https://www.leveluprealestateacademy.com/online-school/
Explore Level-Up Real Estate Academy:
https://www.leveluprealestateacademy.com/
Level-Up Real Estate Academy
Kingsport, Tennessee
Serving Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, the Tri-Cities, Northeast Tennessee and online students across Tennessee
Call or Text: 423-408-2871
You don’t have to complete the entire journey today.
You just have to start.
