Real Estate License from Tennessee to Kentucky: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Tennessee and Kentucky

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Kentucky. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Tennessee to Kentucky (this page): Reciprocity agreement.

Kentucky to Tennessee (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The two directions differ: Tennessee and Kentucky do not give each other's licensees the same route.

Does coming from Tennessee matter?

Coming from Tennessee matters here: only 5 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Kentucky.

The others get: licensure by endorsement (45).

Reciprocity agreements

Kentucky's reciprocity agreement list names 5 states (Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee), including Tennessee.

Tennessee's row names no reciprocity agreement states.

Application fee

Kentucky lists $130 for an out-of-state applicant and Tennessee lists $91 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Pre-license education

Kentucky's first-time-applicant standard is 96 hours of pre-license education; Tennessee's is 90.

Kentucky's is 6 education hours higher than Tennessee's.

Exam rules on record

Kentucky and Tennessee carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Kentucky (this move): Reciprocal applicants take ONLY the Kentucky law portion of the licensing exam (the PSI 'reciprocity sales associate exam'); the national portion and the full 96-hour pre-license course are waived. Instead they complete a 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved provider.
• Tennessee (the reverse move): Tennessee offers no reciprocal license, but a holder of an active out-of-state real estate license may qualify under Tennessee statute to substitute their real estate education, the national portion of the examination, and/or their experience for Tennessee's requirements; the Tennessee (state) portion of the PSI exam is still required

What changes, Tennessee → Kentucky

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kentucky sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the reciprocity application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Meet the partner-state experience threshold — at least one (1) year actively licensed as a sales associate (Tennessee: as an associate broker) in the reciprocal state immediately preceding application.
5. Complete the 40-hour reciprocal license law course through a KREC-approved education provider.
6. Submit fingerprints for a national criminal history check (valid 90 days; you must pass the exam and apply before it expires).
7. Pass the Kentucky law portion via the PSI reciprocity sales associate exam, then file the application within 60 days of passing.
8. Provide a license history certification / letter of good standing from every state where you are licensed and proof of errors and omissions insurance.
9. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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