Real Estate License from Tennessee to Kentucky: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) ↗
Yes — Kentucky has a reciprocity arrangement covering Tennessee license holders. Apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Tennessee is on Kentucky's recognition list, which puts this move on the streamlined track: your education and national exam are credited, and the requirements below are what Kentucky still insists on — typically its own law exam and a background check. One caution: agreements are directional and revocable. This page's verification date tells you when we last confirmed Tennessee on the list; the commission link is the live truth.
What changes, Tennessee → Kentucky
| Tennessee (current) | Kentucky (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 90 | 96 |
| Application fee | $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply) | $130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.) |
| Processing time | Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate | KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam |
| Licensing authority | Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance | Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kentucky sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Meet the partner-state experience threshold — at least one (1) year actively licensed as a sales associate (Tennessee: as an associate broker) in the reciprocal state immediately preceding application.
- Complete the 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved education provider.
- Submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check (valid 90 days; you must pass the exam and apply before it expires).
- Pass the Kentucky law portion via the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam, then file the application within 60 days of passing.
- Provide a license history certification / letter of good standing from every state where you are licensed and proof of errors and omissions insurance.
- Pay the fees ($130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.)) and allow KREC does not publish a stated processing time; the application must be filed within 60 days of passing the exam.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky accept a Tennessee real estate license?
Yes — Kentucky has a reciprocity arrangement covering Tennessee license holders. Apply to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Which exams will I take moving from Tennessee to Kentucky?
Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider..
What does the move cost?
$130 ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.) ($130 fee for an active license ($120 if issued inactive). Separate costs: national criminal-history fingerprint check, the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam fee, and 40-hour reciprocal law course tuition.).
Can I keep selling in Tennessee after I'm licensed in Kentucky?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Tennessee 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.
- Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Reciprocal Licensing (agreements with Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee; MOUs with Illinois and Ohio; 40-hour reciprocal license law course; national criminal check; $130 active / $120 inactive license fee; 60-day filing window) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 201 KAR 11:210 — Licensing, education, and testing requirements (reciprocal applicants: 6 academic credit hours or equivalent, pass Kentucky law portion, certification of licensure within 90 days, national criminal history check) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Kentucky Real Estate Commission — Education (Sales Associate new-applicant pre-license: 96 hours or 6 academic credit hours) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]