This program provides the foundational education needed for the pre-licensing exam that Tennessee real estate agents must take.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Many recent high school graduates have already decided on their path, whether that be going to college or getting a full-time job, but now the Tennessee Real Estate Commission wants to offer another option.
The Tennessee Real Estate Commission is offering the Tennessee High School Senior Real Estate Licensing Program for students graduating high school in 2024. The program provides the foundational education needed for the pre-licensing exam that Tennessee real estate agents must take. Students can complete the program at their own pace within six months of their enrollment date.
Justus Hayes, who will graduate from Central High School in 2023, said he has always been interested in real estate.
“I’ve always wanted to be in real estate,” Hayes said, “I don’t know what it was that made me want to do real estate. When I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to change careers and get into real estate.”
Hayes said a career in real estate is the perfect path for him, with his goal to eventually own his own real estate company.
“Personally, I consider myself a busybody,” Hayes says, “I love being able to go out and make people happy and make them happy. And, to be honest, I’m a chatty person. So even if you’re not in the home selling business, just being able to go out and make someone’s day, and be able to talk to people and communicate and network, I think that opens a lot of doors.”
He said he wishes the program had been available when he graduated because the courses he takes cost about $500.
“We have access to funding and all that stuff,” Hayes said, “but honestly, if I could get into this program, it would be amazing.”
Kate Usbell taught her son at Central High School and said her own son, Jackson Usbell, was interested in real estate and was excited to see the program being offered.
“I’m very happy that my son is being given this opportunity,” Uzbel said. “I think it’s great and a good way for him to start his career.”
She said she hopes the program will be available to him in the near future.
“He’ll be a senior in high school next year, so I’d really like him to continue doing this just to see if it’s something he’s really interested in, rather than investing a ton of my own money to see if it’s something he really wants to do,” Uzbel said.
Hayes said he encourages high school seniors to take advantage of the program, even if they had never considered participating before.
“If it’s free and it’s offered and you get good resources, why not do it? I think you should just do it. Open yourself up to more career opportunities, even if it’s just one or two. I’ve thought about it. I mean, why not do it? Go for it. And be prepared when the time comes,” Hayes said.
Uzbel recommends the program to other students.
Due to high interest, the program will close to accepting new applications on June 7. We will reopen the program to new applications at a later date. Applications can be submitted here.
Anyone with questions should contact TREC Executive Director Denise Baker at trec.hsprogram@tn.gov.
