If you’re exploring the possibility of an exciting new career by getting a real estate license in Tennessee, you’re on the right page. And since your first step toward a license is taking a 90-hour prelicensing course, we’ve chosen the best real estate schools in Tennessee to help you prepare for the state exam.
Because there are so many options to choose from, we wrote this guide to help you find the best school for your schedule, budget, learning style, and more. Let’s dive into our top picks.
- Best Overall: The CE Shop
- Best for Mobile: Aceable Agent
- Best Online Platform: Colibri Real Estate
- Best Live Classes: Tennessee Real Estate Academy
- Best Budget School: RealEstateU
5 Best Real Estate Schools in Tennessee
| Our Top 5 Picks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The CE Shop | The CE Shop ↓ | ||
| Aceable Agent | Aceable Agent ↓ | ||
| Colibri Real Estate | Colibri Real Estate ↓ | ||
| Tennessee Real Estate Academy | Tennessee Real Estate Academy ↓ | ||
| RealEstateU | RealEstateU ↓ |
(Tennessee prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Tennessee Real Estate Governing Body:
Tennessee Real Estate Commission
Prelicensing Requirements:
90 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
120 Hours Within the First Three Years
Continuing Education Requirements:
120 Hours Every Three Years
If you’re curious about the difference between brokers and affiliate brokers or want to know the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Tennessee, simply jump to the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to select your education provider, read on to find out why these are our top choices for best real estate schools in Tennessee.
Best Overall Tennessee Real Estate School: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
The CE Shop is our top pick because of its wide variety of real estate education options. Specialists in continuing education (CE), they now offer exam prep and CE classes in all 50 states.
The school’s transparent pricing, affordable packages, and useful course features are why people continue to return to The CE Shop. Best of all, they’re the only school to offer a free trial, so you can sample the materials before you buy.
Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!
The CE Shop lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
In Tennessee, The CE Shop offers four online self-paced prelicensing course packages.
- Courses Only ($375): Besides your 90-hour course, you’ll also receive flashcards, a study schedule, real estate glossary, e-books, and career resources.
- Standard Package ($465): You’ll get the above features as well as Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s useful bundle to prepare you for your license exam.
- Value Package ($499): On top of the Standard Package features, this includes The CE Shop’s business-building courses to help you succeed as a new agent.
- Premium Package ($655): This all-inclusive package includes all the previous features plus 16 hours of continuing education (CE) courses to get you started on your renewal cycle.
(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
There’s plenty to love about The CE Shop. With course offerings that span prelicensing to CE classes to broker prelicensing, they’re a one-stop shop for all your education needs.
Room to Improve
Although their packages offer a variety of helpful features, they’re not the most affordable school on our list. For a budget school, check out Aceable Agent or RealEstateU.
Bottom Line
You won’t be disappointed with The CE Shop’s quality instruction and packages stacked full of extra features.
Best Tennessee Real Estate School for Mobile: Aceable Agent
Aceable Agent offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
Aceable Agent is another popular online real estate school serving agents nationwide. Their online platform shifts seamlessly to mobile devices and tablets, making it a breeze to study at home or on the go.
But what sets Aceable Agent apart is the level of live instructor support offered by the online school. Most students expect they’ll have to be motivated to get through self-paced courses, but Aceable Agent offers several live support options to help you when you get stuck.
Aceable Agent Pricing
In Tennessee, Aceable Agent offers three online prelicensing course packages.
- Basic Package ($195): Far from basic, you’ll enjoy your course with instructor support via email, audio guide for all lessons, and Lite Exam Prep with 1,000 practice questions.
- Deluxe Package ($367): You’ll get everything from the basic package plus premium study aids with video and audio lessons, flashcards, a Deluxe Exam Prep package with more than 1,660 additional practice questions, and an exam prep e-book.
- Premium Package ($536): In addition to all the above features, this package focuses on extra support with one-on-one tutoring, live webinars, live Q&A sessions and access to the webinar archive.
(Aceable Agent prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
We love the live support available in Aceable Agent’s Premium Package. With live webinars five times a week and access to tutoring, it’s like getting a customized learning package.
Room to Improve
The only downside of Aceable Agent’s live instructor support is that it isn’t offered in lower-grade packages.
Bottom Line
Aceable Agent is for you if access to support for challenging materials is important to you.
Tennessee Real Estate School With the Best Online Platform: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
With more than 25 years of experience, Colibri Real Estate is a real estate education powerhouse. It’s no surprise their online learning platform is so well designed, since this institution was one of the first real estate schools to experiment with online classes.
As a result, Colibri Real Estate’s web interface is incredibly easy to use. Their material is expertly curated and organized, making it easy to navigate between course material and exam prep.
Colibri Real Estate Pricing
In Tennessee, Colibri Real Estate offers five comprehensive online prelicensing packages with one livestream course.
- The Basics ($313): A great package for a self-starter, you’ll get your course, state-approved instructor support, and three e-books.
- Exam Preparation ($413): You’ll enjoy everything in the Basics package alongside exam prep.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($484): All of the previous features are included, as well as live Q&A sessions, a real estate dictionary, and access to the Live Exam Crammer Series.
- Ultimate Learning ($556): This top-shelf package includes all of the above features plus a copy of the course textbook and a professional development membership with McKissock.
- Livestream Learning ($539): Attend your livestream classes every Tuesday and Thursday evenings and enjoy all the features of the Ultimate Learning package.
(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
We love Colibri Real Estate’s expertly designed courses and user experience across your computer, tablet, and mobile device for a convenient learning environment.
Room to Improve
You’ll have to upgrade to Colibri Real Estate’s higher-grade packages for live support like Q&A sessions, livestream classes, and webinars. Also, we’d love it if livestream classes were also available during weekends for more schedule flexibility.
Bottom Line
Colibri Real Estate is a great option if you’re looking for an easy-to-use online platform.
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)
Best Tennessee Real Estate School for Live Classes: Tennessee Real Estate Academy
Tennessee Real Estate Academy offers:
- Prelicensing
Tennessee Real Estate Academy only offers prelicensing courses, which you can take in person or via livestream. They focus on packing their Tennessee prelicensing package with many of the features students who are new to the industry will value most.
Tennessee Real Estate Academy Pricing
Tennessee Real Estate Academy offers in-person, live online, and self-paced course packages.
- TN Prelicense Course On-Demand ($299): The perfect package for a self-motivated learner, this package includes your prelicensing course, an exam cram e-book, over 1,700 practice test questions, guaranteed placement with a local brokerage, live instructor support, career coaching, and lifetime access to the company’s member-only website.
- TN Prelicense Course Live ($450): Enjoy all the features above, but take your course in-person in Johnson City or at home via Zoom. Classes are scheduled Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
(Tennessee Real Estate Academy prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
We’re happy to see Tennessee Real Estate Academy offers placement with local brokerages. Because all agents are required to affiliate with a brokerage prior to working in real estate, this takes care of one of their major post-exam hurdles.
Room to Improve
Tennessee Real Estate Academy’s in-person classes only run Monday through Friday during the day, leaving out students looking for evening and weekend classes.
Bottom Line
Tennessee Real Estate Academy is your local choice for feature-packed livestream and in-person class options.
Best Tennessee Real Estate School for Students on a Budget: RealEstateU
RealEstateU offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
RealEstateU is geared toward providing quality real estate education for less. They operate in 14 states nationwide and offer self-paced prelicensing courses. On their simplified online platform, you can enjoy audio lectures and interactive infographics to master the material.
RealEstateU Pricing
In Tennessee, RealEstateU offers three 90-hour prelicensing packages.
- Course Only ($199): You’ll get access to online audio lectures, a course glossary, and course certificate.
- Course + Study Guide ($324): This includes everything in the previous package plus the State Exam Study Guide.
- Course + Study Guide + E-textbook ($353): For $29 more, you’ll get e-books that cover all course content, key terms, and supporting documents.
(RealEstateU prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
RealEstateU’s package is by far the most affordable on our list, and their course is well-designed and taught by industry experts.
Room to Improve
You won’t find exam prep included in RealEstateU’s prelicensing course. You’ll either have to purchase it separately for $125 or consider Colibri Real Estate for packages that include exam prep.
Bottom Line
Perfect for the agents who are getting back into real estate or looking to expand into Tennessee, RealEstateU is for you if you’re self-motivated and not looking for extra features.
How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in Tennessee
To narrow down the list of best real estate schools in Tennessee, our team at The Close used a weighted rubric and scored each school according to the following criteria:
Read more about The Close’s methodology here.
Best Real Estate Schools in Tennessee: Helpful Info
Each state’s real estate requirements differ, so we’ve compiled the information you need to start off on the right footing. First, regular real estate agents in Tennessee are called brokers, though when agents first receive their licenses, they are called affiliate brokers.
Affiliate brokers are entry-level agents. They can obtain full broker status by completing 120 hours of continuing education, including a 30-hour office management course. You’ll need to complete these requirements within the first three years of getting your affiliate broker license.
Now that you’re in the know, let’s look into the real estate programs offered by the schools on our list.
Prelicensing
In Tennessee, you must take a total of 90 hours of prelicensing coursework before you can get your real estate license. Tennessee real estate schools may offer a 90-hour course or split the requirements into two courses of 60 hours and 30 hours each. That’s because you only really need to complete the first 60 hours of your education before taking the licensing test. Once you’ve passed your license exam, you’ll need to complete the remaining 30 hours of coursework to obtain your license.
You can either take your classes online or in person. We recommend considering your learning style and the optimal amount of time in which you’d like to complete your course. Exam preparation, access to an instructor, and career resources are all common extras in prelicensing courses.
Exam Preparation
You’ll cover a lot of content in your course, but extra preparation can be very useful when it comes time for your license exam. Many real estate schools create individual exam prep packages that focus solely on equipping you with the test-taking skills to ace your license exam. For example, Colibri Real Estate’s exam prep package comes with flashcards, a glossary, and practice questions.
Post-licensing
Once you obtain your license and become an affiliate broker, you’ll be required to complete 120 hours of continuing education (CE) within the first three years. Then you’ll be eligible to apply for full broker status with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Our guide specifically notes which schools teach post-licensing courses, but in general, you’ll find them at institutions that also offer CE.
Continuing Education
In Tennessee, you are required to complete 120 hours of continuing education every three years from the time you first become licensed. Many schools that offer prelicensing courses also offer CE, so you’ll have your pick from a variety of schools. We recommend checking out The CE Shop, our top pick overall, since they’ve long been providing quality CE courses to agents nationwide.
Tennessee Real Estate Schools: FAQs
If you have more questions, check out our most commonly asked questions below. If there’s something we’ve missed, don’t forget to let us know in the comment section. We’d love to hear from you!
How much does real estate school in Tennessee cost?
You can expect to pay about $500 to get your Tennessee real estate license, with additional renewal costs every two years. Though there are some set fees involved, how much you’ll pay will depend on the course you buy and the features it includes. Tennessee real estate schools offer prelicensing packages starting at $195. We recommend reviewing courses that include extra features because they really end up paying off in the long run.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Tennessee?
Usually, it takes prospective affiliate brokers six months to complete their prelicensing hours and get their license. If the online real estate school you choose offers self-paced classes, you normally get access for six months. Plus, students can use the flexibility of self-paced classes to work around their current schedules.
In-class or livestream webinar classes can be completed in as little as a few weeks, but require more of your time to complete in a short time frame. You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of finishing your course quickly and taking your time to understand key concepts.
What if I already have a real estate license in another state?
Tennessee does not offer reciprocal licenses for real estate agents currently licensed in another state. However, you may be eligible for a simplified licensing process. You’ll need to provide the Tennessee Real Estate Commission with information from every state where you’ve held or currently hold a real estate license.
If approved, you won’t need to take the national portion of the license exam, but will still be responsible for taking the state portion.
Related article: Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide
Can I get my Tennessee real estate license if I live out of state?
In order to qualify for a Tennessee real estate broker license, you must be a Tennessee resident for at least 45 days prior to obtaining the license.
This means that you may start or complete your 90-hour prelicensing course outside of Tennessee, but you’ll need to show proof that you live in the state before applying for your license. This still works out conveniently if you’re moving to Tennessee but want to start your prelicensing course early.
How much do real estate brokers make in Tennessee?
A real estate career in Tennessee can be lucrative. According to The Close’s salary information database, an average Tennessee real estate broker makes $77,961 per year, which is a little bit higher than the national average of $73,985.
Remember that there is no limit to the income you can earn in a commissioned-based career. With persistence and a solid work ethic, there’s no reason you can’t have a high-earning real estate career in Tennessee.
Can you take the Tennessee real estate exam online?
Unfortunately, you cannot take the Tennessee real estate exam online. While you can complete your real estate education online, you will need to take your license exam in person at a PSI testing center. You’ll need two forms of picture ID when you arrive at a testing site. The license exam consists of a national and state portion, and you’ll need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.
How many Realtors are there in Tennessee?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ data, there are $35,679 Realtors in Tennessee. This is a very slight increase from the previous month, and a 1.8% increase from this time last year.
What’s the average home price in Tennessee?
According to Zillow, average home values in Tennessee rose just 1.1% over the past year, to $311,678. Home values in Nashville are considerably higher, averaging $430,946.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
Bringing It All Together
Our guide to the best real estate schools in Tennessee is designed to help you take a first step into your new career. We’re here to support and celebrate your success throughout this journey, which is why we offer actionable steps and advice for every stage of your career. Have advice, insights, or questions? Leave us a comment below!
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