License Maintenance

License Maintenance — TREC & License Law License maintenance questions appear consistently in the Tennessee-specific section of the exam (10–14 TN questions total), and errors here are costly because the rules are precise and detail-oriented. Expect questions on renewal timelines, continuing education requirements, reinstatement procedures, and what happens when a licensee falls out of compliance. --- ## What "License Maintenance" Means Once you earn your Tennessee real estate license, keeping it active is an ongoing obligation. TREC does not automatically renew licenses, and failing to meet the requirements on time can result in your license lapsing — with increasingly serious consequences the longer you wait. --- ## Key Concepts ### License Term and Renewal Tennessee real estate licenses operate on a 2-year license cycle. Every two years, a licensee must renew their license to remain legally active. ### Continuing Education (CE) Requirements To renew, a licensee must complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) per cycle. This is not a free-for-all — there is a mandatory component built in: - 3-hour Core Course: Required every cycle; TREC designates this specific course and updates it each cycle. It is not optional or substitutable. - Remaining 13 hours may be approved elective CE topics. > Scenario: Maria is an Affiliate Broker renewing her license for the third time. She completed 13 hours of elective CE but forgot the Core Course. Even though she has 13 hours logged, she cannot renew — the 3-hour Core Course is a non-negotiable requirement. She must complete it before her renewal is accepted. ### Sponsoring Broker Requirement A salesperson (Affiliate Broker) in Tennessee must have an active sponsoring broker at all times. This is not just…