What is the Tennessee real estate continuing education requirement?
Tennessee real estate licensees must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years. Four of the 16 hours must be in a TREC-approved “core course” topic.

What is a core course and why should I take the course?
The core course is a specific four-hour course that every licensee must complete prior to submitting his or her license renewal. The core course usually includes an update of new laws and rules, and current trends in the real estate industry. The four-hour core course is included in the total 16 hours of required continuing education, not in addition to it.

How do I receive a certificate of completion?
ProSchools guarantees to notify TREC within 10 days of your course completion.

What’s a passing score on a continuing education course final exam?
70% or better.  However, don’t sweat it – the exams can be completed open-book. 

What happens if I fail my final exam?
If you fail to pass the final for a ProSchools course, an alternate final exam will be issued until you do pass.

What is the difference between an "Inactive" and a "Retired" real estate license?
If a licensee wishes to cease practicing real estate for any reason, but does not want to relinquish the real estate license, that licensee, in actuality, wants to retire the license. However, if that licensee has not completed an education requirement, the license cannot be retired but is in a "holding status" called inactive until education requirements have been timely completed. This individual cannot practice real estate and does not have to have E&O insurance while inactive but cannot retire the license until the education is met. The two education deficits which keep the license from being retired are: (1) incompletion of required continuing education for the licensing period when the license was active for 1 or more days; and (2) incompletion of the broker post licensing education requirement. All of these education requirements must be completed in the required time-frames before the license can be retired. Please note: a license cannot be inactivated/retired to avoid required education. You must continue to pay the renewal fee to keep the license in retirement.

How do I reactivate my real estate license from an inactive or retired status?
A Change of Status from Inactive or Retired to Active Form, TREC form 1, should be completed and mailed to the Commission with a check or money order for $25 to cover the processing of the status change. Discuss E&O with your Principal Broker. If you have not previously purchased E&O Insurance for the current licensing period, obtain state E&O Insurance and obtain certification. Or if your firm has alternative E&O coverage, obtain a certification from the Principal Broker. Include Certification of Coverage Form with the TREC Form 1.

I am an affiliate broker. Can I pay an unlicensed assistant?
Unlicensed assistants can be paid by the affiliated licensee for all clerical and secretarial activities conducted on behalf of the employing licensee. An unlicensed assistant cannot be compensated for the performance of duties that require a license. A person engaged in activities that require a license must have a valid active license, be affiliated with the firm where the licensee is affiliated for whom he/she is acting as an assistant. Compensation received for activities that require a license must be paid by the licensed real estate firm where the assistant is affiliated.

I am an affiliate broker. What can my unlicensed assistants do?
Personal assistants are generally thought of as unlicensed persons performing various functions as employees (including clerical support) or independent contractors of a real estate broker or salesperson within the framework of a real estate transaction. The following list does not define every permitted or prohibited activity, it does provide reasonable guidelines to follow:

An unlicensed employee, assistant or secretary may:

• Answer the phone, forward calls and give information contained only on the listing agreement as limited by the broker,
• Fill out and submit listings and changes to any multiple listing service,
• Follow up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and generally secure status reports on the loan progress,
• Assemble documents for closing,
• Secure public information from courthouses, utility districts, etc,
• Have keys made for company listings,
• Write ads for approval of licensee and Principal Broker and place classified advertising,
• Receive, record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rents under the direct supervision of the Principal Broker,
• Type contract forms for approval by licensee and Principal Broker,
• Monitor licenses and personnel files
• Compute commission checks,
• Place signs on property,
• Order repairs as directed by the licensee,
• Prepare fliers and promotional information for approval by licensee and Principal Broker,
• Deliver documents and pick up keys,
• Place routine telephone calls on late rent payments,
• Schedule appointments for licensees to show listed property,
• Gather information for a comparative market analysis,
• Hand out objective, written information on a listing or rental
• Give a key to a prospect or unlock property,
• Disclose the current sales status of a listed property.

An unlicensed employee, assistant or secretary may not:

• Make cold calls by telephone or in person to potential listers or purchasers,
• Show properties for sale and/or lease to prospective purchasers
• Host public open houses, licensee open houses, home show booths or fairs,
• Answer questions concerning properties listed with the firm except only that information contained on the listing agreement as limited by Principal Broker,
• Prepare promotional material or advertising of properties for sales or lease without the approval of the Principal Broker,
• Discuss or explain listings, offers, contracts, or other similar matters with persons outside the firm,
• Be paid on the basis of real estate activity, such as a percentage of commission, or any amount based on listings, sales, etc.,
• Act as a "go-between" with a seller and buyer such as when an offer is being negotiated,
• Negotiate or agree to any commission split or referral fee on behalf of a licensee.