Tennessee real estate exam
Format, passing score, fees and what to study — compiled from the official candidate handbook and state sources, with a link and a confidence level for every fact. Last verified 2026-10-31.
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Tennessee exam format and requirements
| Fact | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Tennessee Real Estate Commission (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) Entry-level license is 'affiliate broker' (salesperson-equivalent). | Official source | Link |
| Exam provider | PSI Services LLC Bulletin updated 7/1/2025; test-takers.psiexams.com/tnre. | Official source | Link |
| National-portion questions | 80 80 items (80 points); 5-10 unscored experimental questions possible. | Official source | Link |
| State-portion questions | 40 40 items (40 points). | Official source | Link |
| Exam time (minutes) | 240 National 160 min + State 80 min. | Official source | Link |
| Passing score | National 56 of 80 (70%); State 28 of 40 (70%) | Official source | Link |
| Exam fee (USD) | $63 Full exam $63; state only $26; national only $37. Valid one year. | Official source | Link |
| Pre-licensing hours | 90 90 hours total: first 60 hours (principles/fundamentals) required to sit for the exam; 30-hour 'Course for New Affiliates' required before license issuance (T.C.A. 62-13-303; Rule 1260-05-.03). | Official source | Link |
| Languages | English No other language mentioned. | Secondary source | Link |
| Active licensees | 33378 33,378 active affiliate brokers as of Dec 8, 2025 (TREC Winter 2026 newsletter; 48,330 active licenses total all categories per search summary; broker count printed '8.072'). | Official source | Link |
“Official source” = read in a state agency page or the exam provider’s candidate handbook on 2026-10-31. Anything marked “Vendor claim” or “Not verified” should be confirmed before you rely on it. Fees and formats change.
What this means for your study plan
- Time per question: about 2 minutes each (240 minutes ÷ 120 questions). Practice at that pace.
- Both portions count: you must reach the pass mark on each portion — a strong national score does not make up for a weak Tennessee score.
- Where people lose points: math word problems, wording traps (NOT/EXCEPT), and state rules that differ from the national rule. Our formula sheet covers the math.
- Good to know: Retake rule: after a second failed attempt, 30-day wait between further attempts (first retake can be scheduled the next day). Apply for license at core.tn.gov within 1 year of passing all portions. Education provider sends eligibility to PSI electronically.
State-portion topics published for Tennessee
- Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission (4 items)
- Licensing Requirements (4 items)
- Advertising and Marketing (7 items)
- Broker/Affiliate Relationships (5 items)
- Handling of Documents and Record Keeping (4 items)
- Handling of Trust/Escrow Funds (4 items)
- Other Improper Activities and Consumer Protection (3 items)
- Agency and Disclosure Issues (6 items)
- Special Areas of Practice (3 items)
Sample Tennessee practice questions
Original questions written from the law, each with an explanation and a citation. Tennessee-specific questions are coming soon; these samples come from the national portion.
Seller Lim offers his house to buyer Dev for $410,000, open for three days. Dev replies the next day, 'Would you consider $400,000? If not, I am still thinking about your offer.' Lim says no. The following day, still within the three days, Dev accepts at $410,000. Most likely,
- no contract exists, because Dev's reply was a counteroffer that ended his power to accept
- no contract exists, because any mention of a lower price is treated as a rejection
- a contract exists, because Dev's reply was a mere inquiry that left the offer open
- a contract exists only if Lim signs a new written offer at the $410,000 price
Answer: C. A counteroffer ends the offeree's power of acceptance, but a mere inquiry about whether different terms might be possible ordinarily does not, especially when the offeree says he is still considering the original offer. Dev's question left Lim's offer alive, so his timely acceptance formed a contract. A definite counterproposal, such as 'I will pay $400,000,' would have had the opposite effect.
Topic: Contracts & Leasing · Source: Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 38 (rejection); § 39 (counter-offers)
A roofing contractor who is not paid for work done on Kim's home may generally file what type of claim to secure payment from the property?
- A lis pendens
- A mechanic's (construction) lien
- A homestead declaration
- A writ of escheat
Answer: B. Mechanic's lien statutes give contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who improve real property a lien for unpaid work or materials. Deadlines and procedures are set by state law, but the concept is nearly universal in the United States.
Topic: Property Ownership & Interests · Source: Black's Law Dictionary (12th ed. 2024), "mechanic's lien"
An appraisal management company tells a fee appraiser that the fee for a home-loan appraisal will be paid only if the loan closes. Under 12 C.F.R. § 1026.42, this arrangement is:
- Permitted, because AMCs are not covered by the rule at all
- Prohibited, because pay cannot depend on consummation
- Permitted if the appraiser agrees to it in writing
- Prohibited only when the value comes in low
Answer: B. Conditioning the compensation of a person who prepares a valuation on consummation of the covered transaction is listed in the rule as an example of prohibited influence. Appraisal management companies are covered persons under the official commentary. The appraiser's written consent does not cure the violation.
Topic: Valuation & Market Analysis · Source: 12 C.F.R. § 1026.42(c)(1)(i)(E); comment 42(b)(1)-1
Try the full 20-question Tennessee quiz
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Tennessee real estate exam?
The Tennessee exam format we found is 80 national questions plus 40 Tennessee questions (120 in total) in 240 minutes. Confirm in the official handbook before exam day.
What is the passing score for the Tennessee real estate exam?
National 56 of 80 (70%); State 28 of 40 (70%) (Official source).
How much does the Tennessee real estate exam cost?
The exam fee we found is $63, paid to PSI Services LLC. Fees change, so check the current handbook.
How many pre-licensing hours does Tennessee require?
90 hours for the entry-level license, according to the sources below. Pre-licensing education must come from a state-approved school; GablePrep is exam prep and is not an approved course.
Official sources for Tennessee
- Regulator: Tennessee Real Estate Commission (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)
- Exam provider: PSI Services LLC
- Official candidate handbook / content outline
Independent exam prep. Not affiliated with any state real estate commission or testing provider. Not an approved pre-licensing course. Not legal advice.