West · Real Estate License
Colorado
Broker License Requirements
Governing Authority
DORA/DRE
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate
Official website →168
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$365.95
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
6–24 weeks
Timeline
start to license
3 years
Renewal Cycle
24 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete 168 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Take 6 DORA-approved courses totaling 168 hours from accredited colleges/universities or CDHE-approved schools.
Estimated time: 4–16 weeks
Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam
Register at candidate.psiexams.com. Pay $44.95 exam fee. Pass both National (60/80 = 75%) and State (53/74 ≈ 72%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
Submit fingerprints via Colorado Fingerprinting or IdentoGO. CBI + FBI check. Cost: ~$50.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Obtain E&O Insurance
Purchase Errors & Omissions insurance from an approved provider (~$188–$239/year).
Estimated time: 1–2 days
Find an Employing Broker
Secure affiliation with a licensed Colorado Employing Broker.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Submit License Application to DORA
Apply online via DORA portal. Pay $83 application fee. Processing: up to 10 business days.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks processing
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
Verified168 hours — one of the highest in the US. Six required courses. Licensed attorneys need only 12 hours. Reduced hours available for out-of-state licensees.
Required Topics / Courses
- Real Estate Law and Practice (48 hrs)
- Colorado Contracts and Regulations (48 hrs)
- Practical Applications (32 hrs)
- Real Estate Closings (24 hrs)
- Trust Accounts and Record-Keeping (8 hrs)
- Current Legal Issues (8 hrs)
Provider type: Nationally accredited colleges/universities or CDHE-approved occupational schools
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Colorado-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 75% |
| State (Colorado) | 74 | 110 min | 72% |
| Total | 154 | 230 min | — |
Retake policy: Unlimited retakes. Only failed section needs retaking. Passed section valid 1 year. ~$42.50–$48 per retake attempt.
154 total questions over 3 hours 50 minutes. State passing: 53/74 (71.6%). Q1 2025 first-time pass rate: 57%. Test centers: Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Durango.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Colorado real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee Note: Official DORA page lists $83 application fee. Multiple third-party sources cite $485, which likely represents the total collected at application (application + license period fee + recovery fund + other assessments). Used the official $83 figure. (Alt: $485 per Multiple third-party education providers) | $83.00 | Division of Real Estate | |
| Exam Fee (initial attempt) | $44.95 | PSI Services | |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check | $50.00 | Colorado Bureau of Investigation / IdentoGO | |
| E&O Insurance (annual) | $188.00 | Insurance Provider | |
| Estimated Total | $365.95 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
High school diploma or GED
Residency
Not required
Non-residents may obtain a license.
Citizenship
Not explicitly required
SSN needed for practical purposes.
Background Check
Required
Fingerprint-based CBI + FBI check. Cost: ~$50. Case-by-case review for criminal history.
E&O Insurance
Required
Errors & Omissions insurance mandatory before active license issuance. $188–$239/year.
Sponsoring Broker
Required
Must work under an Employing Broker for minimum 2 years as Associate Broker.
Reciprocity
Colorado has reciprocity agreements
Type: Universal Partial Recognition
2+ years experience: state exam only, no education required. <2 years (salesperson): 120 hours education + both exam portions. <2 years (broker): 72 additional hours education + both exam portions. Must pass applicable exam sections and meet all other CO requirements.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing Education Hours
24 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$252.00
First Renewal Notes
No CE required during initial license year. No post-licensing education requirement (unlike some states).
Deadlines
December 31 of expiration year. Renewal window opens before expiration.
No post-licensing education required. Annual Commission Update (4 hrs) is mandatory each year within the 3-year cycle.
Find Continuing Education Courses
Colorado requires 24 hours of continuing education every 3 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
21 updated forms + 2 new forms mandatory. Confidential information consent enforcement effective.
Effective: 2026-01-01 · Affects: requirements
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) requirements effective per HB24-1152.
Effective: 2025-06-30 · Affects: requirements
NAR settlement changes affecting buyer broker compensation and agency agreements.
Effective: 2024-08-01 · Affects: requirements
Sources
https://dre.colorado.gov/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dre.colorado.gov/real-estate-broker
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://cdhe.colorado.gov/occupational-schools
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://candidate.psiexams.com
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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https://dre.colorado.gov/real-estate-commission
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
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