Tennessee Reciprocity Requirements
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance does not offer formal licensing reciprocity. However, if you’re a real estate agent licensed in another state and wish to also have a real estate license in Tennessee, you may be able to expedite the licensing process.
Once you have confirmed you pass the basic requirements, you can submit your credentials to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance for evaluation. Based on the commission’s findings, some of the standard educational and examination requirements may be waived for you.
In order to become a real estate agent in Tennessee, even if you’re licensed elsewhere, you’ll still need to meet a few basic requirements.
Be at least 18 years of age
Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
Pass a screening on your licensing and criminal history*
*If you have a felony or misdemeanor conviction involving theft of money, services, or property, you are ineligible unless two years have passed from incarceration, probation, parole, or conviction, whichever is later in time.
Once you have confirmed you pass the basic requirements, you can submit your credentials to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance for evaluation. Based on the commission’s findings, some of the standard educational and examination requirements may be waived for you.
Tennessee License Portability and Reciprocity
Portability: Cooperative
Reciprocity: None
Tennessee does not have reciprocity with any state, so if you're looking to become a Tennessee Real Estate Broker or Salesperson, you’ll need to get creative. If you’re a real estate licensee from another state or jurisdiction, you cannot ‘‘cooperate’’ or ‘‘partner’’ with a Tennessee licensee in order to conduct business that requires a real estate license in this state without obtaining a license.
In order to start your licensing process for a Tennessee Real Estate License, you will be required to submit a worksheet and a certified license history from ALL states you have ever been licensed for real estate (if you are licensed in another state).
Non-Resident:
You must pass the Tennessee (state law) portion of the examination for the same type of license you have in your resident state.
Submit a Certified License History.
Your exam requirements will be determined after a review of your documents.
Resident:
You may qualify to have your real estate education, the National portion of the exam, and/or your experience (if applying for a Broker License) substitute for Tennessee's education, national portion of the examination, and/or experience under Tennessee statute.
Submit a Certified License History.
Your exam requirements will be determined after review of your documents.
For more information on obtaining a reciprocal real estate license in Tennessee, review the application for a Tennessee Affiliate Broker Reciprocal License and visit the Tennessee Real Estate Commission's website.
Tips for Getting Your Tennessee Reciprocity Completed Faster
If you are pursuing licensure in Tennessee, it is a good idea to make sure you have all your credentials and necessary forms ready. For applicants currently or previously licensed in another state, the application package will include:
Certified License History from all states in which you are or have been licensed;
Certificates showing completion of Continuing Education requirements; and
Certificates showing completion of Pre-Licensing education.
Additionally, all applicants are required to submit:
Electronic fingerprints captured by IdentoGo with the accompanying form; and
A signed Eligibility Verification for citizenship status and applicable identification
Applicants are advised to send their documents to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s official email, core.tn.gov, for faster processing.
States Where Tennessee Agents Commonly Get Another License
Real estate agents may decide to expand their business and become licensed in surrounding states. Some Tennessee agents pursue licenses in the following states:
