Real Estate License from Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa, 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, Iowa → Tennessee
| Iowa (current) | Tennessee (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 90 |
| Application fee | $125 ($125 salesperson license fee. Reciprocity applicants also complete a criminal-history background check (fingerprint packet fee separate) and must carry E&O insurance. Rule 5.3 (non-reciprocal) applicants additionally pay the $95 PSI examination fee.) | $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply) |
| Processing time | DIAL / Iowa Real Estate Commission does not publish a stated processing time for reciprocity or Rule 5.3 applications | Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate |
| Licensing authority | Iowa Real Estate Commission (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) | 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 Iowa real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa after I'm licensed in Tennessee?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Iowa 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)
- Iowa DIAL — Reciprocity Licensing (reciprocal states: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota; residency + original-license + same-company requirements; no exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Iowa DIAL — Licensed in Another State (Rule 5.3): Iowa state-portion exam only; CA/FL/NJ/NY/WI must take full national + state exam ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam (60-hour pre-license course; state + national exam; $95 PSI exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Iowa Real Estate Commission — Licensing Information Bulletin (PSI): salesperson license fee $125; 60-hour pre-license; $95 exam fee ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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