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Tennessee: what an unlicensed TC can do

What an unlicensed transaction coordinator may do in Tennessee, what needs a license, and TREC's limits on contract forms and pay.

Last reviewed October 2026 from Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Tennessee contract deadlines →

Yes, you can work as a TC in Tennessee without a real estate license.Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them. Here's where the line is.
Tennessee infographic for unlicensed transaction coordinators: administrative tasks that need no license, including typing contract forms for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker, and six things that require a license: cold calls, showings and open houses, discussing offers or contracts outside the firm, negotiating transaction terms, negotiating commission splits or referral fees, and pay dependent on or directly related to a transaction.

What you can do without a license

TREC's FAQ ties several tasks to the Principal Broker: contract forms are typed for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker, ads and flyers must be approved by the Principal Broker, and earnest money is handled under the Principal Broker's direct supervision.

You can do (no license needed)

  • 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 the multiple listing service.
  • Follow up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and get status reports on the loan.
  • Type contract forms for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker.
  • Assemble documents for closing.
  • Get public information from courthouses, utility districts and similar offices.
  • Receive, record and deposit earnest money under the direct supervision of the Principal Broker.
  • Deliver documents and pick up keys.

Needs a license

  • Make cold calls by phone or in person to potential clients.
  • Show properties or host open houses, home show booths or fairs.
  • Discuss or explain listings, offers, contracts or similar matters with anyone outside the firm.
  • Negotiate any terms of a real estate transaction.
  • Negotiate or agree to a commission split or referral fee for a licensee.
  • Be paid any compensation that depends on, or is directly related to, a real estate transaction.
How you're paid mattersTREC lists being "paid any compensation which is dependent upon, or directly related to, a real estate transaction" among the tasks that require a license. Talk to your Principal Broker about how your pay is set up before you take on files.

A practical example

You can:
Type the purchase agreement for your agent and Principal Broker to approve.
Refer to the agent:
The other agent asks you to explain an offer term. Your agent answers.

Staying on the right side of the rules

Contract forms

TREC allows an unlicensed assistant to "type contract forms for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker." Discussing or explaining offers or contracts with anyone outside the firm requires a license.

Long-standing guidance

TREC printed the same lists in its Fall/Winter 2011 News-Journal under "What may an unlicensed employee, assistant or secretary do?" and added that an unlicensed assistant "cannot be compensated for the performance of duties that require a license."

How Closima handles it

You can fill out contract forms in Closima. Before you send one for signature, Send to agent for approval gives your agent a link to check the filled form and approve it or ask for changes, and the file records who approved it and when. If your agent signs off another way, you can still send it, and the file notes that. Tennessee also requires your Principal Broker's approval of contract forms, so confirm how your broker wants to sign off; Closima's approval link records the agent's.

Thinking about a license?

You don't need one to work as a TC in Tennessee. A license lets you also do the work in the "Needs a license" column, under a broker. Here's what's involved:

Tennessee requires 60 hours of real estate principles before the PSI exam, which has national and state sections, plus the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued. You apply within one year of passing your first exam and submit electronic fingerprints, proof of errors and omissions insurance and proof of high school graduation. Your exam application must be signed by your Principal Broker. How to apply.

Quick answers

Do you need a license to be a transaction coordinator in Tennessee?

No. You can work as a TC in Tennessee without a real estate license. Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them.

Can an unlicensed TC fill out a purchase agreement in Tennessee?

Yes, for approval. Tennessee lets unlicensed staff "type contract forms for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker."

What can an unlicensed TC do in Tennessee?

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 the multiple listing service; follow up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and get status reports on the loan; type contract forms for approval by the licensee and Principal Broker; assemble documents for closing.

What needs a real estate license in Tennessee?

Make cold calls by phone or in person to potential clients; show properties or host open houses, home show booths or fairs; discuss or explain listings, offers, contracts or similar matters with anyone outside the firm; negotiate any terms of a real estate transaction; negotiate or agree to a commission split or referral fee for a licensee.

How do you get a real estate license in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires 60 hours of real estate principles before the PSI exam, which has national and state sections, plus the 30-hour Course for New Affiliates before the license is issued. You apply within one year of passing your first exam and submit electronic fingerprints, proof of errors and omissions insurance and proof of high school graduation. Your exam application must be signed by your Principal Broker.

Resources

Questions about what's allowed? Ask the regulator: Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC), (615) 741-2273, [email protected].

Source: Tennessee Real Estate Commission, FAQ: Do I need a license to...? (Updated August 28, 2026).

Buying or selling a home yourself? These pages are for people who work in real estate. Work with a licensed agent or a real estate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change, and your broker's policies may be stricter: confirm your duties with your supervising broker and your state's real estate regulator.

See also: Tennessee contract deadlines · How to become a transaction coordinator

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