Real Estate License from Arkansas to Tennessee: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance ↗
A real estate license transfers from Arkansas to Tennessee by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance, verify your Arkansas license, and meet Tennessee's endorsement requirements. Tennessee offers no reciprocal license, but a holder of an active out-of-state real estate license may qualify under Tennessee statute to substitute their real estate education, the national portion of the examination, and/or their experience for Tennessee's requirements; the Tennessee (state) portion of the PSI exam is still required.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Tennessee publishes no agreement covering Arkansas, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Tennessee's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, Arkansas → Tennessee
| Arkansas (current) | Tennessee (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 90 |
| Application fee | $75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).) | $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply) |
| Processing time | AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the exam. | Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate |
| Licensing authority | Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) | Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Tennessee sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Tennessee's current requirements on the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Complete a 60-hour real estate principles/fundamentals course plus the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates (may be substituted for a qualifying out-of-state licensee).
- Pass the PSI licensing examination (Tennessee state portion required).
- Provide proof of errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and proof of high school graduation.
- Complete the Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form.
- Complete an electronic fingerprint-based TBI/FBI background check (ORI# TN920784Z, service code 28TZ99).
- Application must be signed by your Principal Broker.
- Pay the fees ($91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply)) and allow Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee accept a Arkansas real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Arkansas to Tennessee by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance, verify your Arkansas license, and meet Tennessee's endorsement requirements. Tennessee offers no reciprocal license, but a holder of an active out-of-state real estate license may qualify under Tennessee statute to substitute their real estate education, the national portion of the examination, and/or their experience for Tennessee's requirements; the Tennessee (state) portion of the PSI exam is still required.
Which exams will I take moving from Arkansas to Tennessee?
Tennessee offers no reciprocal license, but a holder of an active out-of-state real estate license may qualify under Tennessee statute to substitute their real estate education, the national portion of the examination, and/or their experience for Tennessee's requirements; the Tennessee (state) portion of the PSI exam is still required.
What does the move cost?
$91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply) (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply).
Can I keep selling in Arkansas after I'm licensed in Tennessee?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Arkansas license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- TN Real Estate Commission - Renewal, Reciprocity & Other Resources ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TN Real Estate Commission - Affiliate Broker Licensure (requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Reciprocal States (list of 15 reciprocal-agreement states) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Real Estate Applicants (60 classroom hours; out-of-state general-exam waiver, Reg. 4.2) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Frequently Asked Questions (exam fee $75; license fee $50 + $25 recovery fund) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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