Tennessee real estate license and CE requirements
What the Tennessee Real Estate Commission asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Tennessee's entry license is the affiliate broker. Affiliate brokers and brokers renew every two years with 16 hours, including the 6-hour TREC CORE course. The core course is a hard requirement: completing 16 hours without it does not allow renewal.
Newly licensed Tennessee brokers have a larger task, 120 additional classroom hours within three years of the original broker license, after which the regular 16 hours apply. From January 1, 2026, grandfathered principal brokers who supervise others must also complete the 16 hours. The affiliate broker figure is from a search result on the official site.
Tennessee at a glance
| Licensing body | Tennessee Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Affiliate broker (entry level) and broker, including principal broker |
| Affiliate broker CE | 16 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: TREC CORE course (6 hrs) plus 10 elective hours |
| Broker CE | 16 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: TREC CORE course (6 hrs) plus 10 elective hours |
| Post-license education | Brokers must complete an additional 120 classroom hours within 3 years of the original broker license, after which the 16-hour biennial CE applies. |
| Source | TREC official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Tennessee Real Estate Commission is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Tennessee requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Questions about Tennessee
How many CE hours does a Tennessee affiliate broker need?
16 hours every 2 years, according to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: TREC CORE course (6 hrs) plus 10 elective hours.
How many CE hours does a Tennessee broker need?
16 hours every 2 years, according to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: TREC CORE course (6 hrs) plus 10 elective hours.
Is there post-license education in Tennessee?
Brokers must complete an additional 120 classroom hours within 3 years of the original broker license, after which the 16-hour biennial CE applies. Confirm the details with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission.
Do ACI designations count toward Tennessee CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of Tennessee's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.