Transfer Your Real Estate License to Tennessee: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance ↗
Tennessee has no blanket reciprocity agreement, but the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance evaluates out-of-state licensees for endorsement individually. 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. Application fee: $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply).
Moving to Tennessee from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Tennessee calls the salesperson-level license an 'affiliate broker.' The Commission states plainly that it 'does not offer a reciprocal license at this time,' but its statute allows an out-of-state licensee to have their education, the national exam portion, and/or experience substitute for TN's requirements while still passing the TN state exam portion. That partial-recognition pathway is why full_reciprocity is false, reciprocity_partners is empty, yet endorsement_available is true (an incoming licensee is not forced into full re-qualification). Verified against the live TREC site on 2026-07-21.
Tennessee requirements at a glance
| Exam | 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 |
|---|---|
| Training hours | 90 hours |
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply) |
| Processing time | Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate |
Step by step
- Confirm Tennessee's current requirements on the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance (application linked on this page).
- 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
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Tennessee:
Frequently asked questions
Does my real estate license transfer to Tennessee?
Tennessee has no blanket reciprocity agreement, but the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) / TN Department of Commerce & Insurance evaluates out-of-state licensees for endorsement individually. 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. Application fee: $91 (Initial Real Estate Affiliate Broker application fee filed at core.tn.gov; separate PSI exam and IdentoGO fingerprint vendor fees apply).
Do I have to retake real estate exams in 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 a Tennessee real estate license cost an out-of-state applicant?
$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).
How long does the Tennessee process take?
Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate — Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate.
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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]