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How to become a licensed Property Manager in Colorado. Real Estate License required. 168 hours pre-licensing education. Total initial fees: $357. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Property Manager — PM
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60% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
Real Estate License
License Type
168 hours
Pre-Licensing Hours
Yes
Exam Required
$357
Total Initial Fees
Every 3 years
Renewal Period
Colorado property management licensing requirements
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Real Estate License
Separate PM License
No
Standard real estate license covers property management activities
Own Property Exempt
Exempt
Managing your own property typically does not require a license
On-Site Manager Exempt
Exempt
Most states require a real estate license to manage property for others (collecting rent, leasing, marketing). Managing your own property typically does not require a license. A few states (Oregon, Montana, DC, Nevada, South Carolina) offer specific property management license categories separate from or in addition to the standard real estate license.
Education, Exams & Professional Certifications
VerifiedPre-Licensing Education
168 hours
Exam Required
Yes
State real estate exam administered by PSI. Includes national and Colorado-specific content.
Education Details
Complete 168 hours of pre-licensing education. Colorado requires the most pre-licensing hours among states requiring standard RE license.
Professional Certifications (Voluntary)
Most states that require a license for property management mandate completion of pre-licensing real estate education courses and passing a state exam. Professional certifications such as CPM (Certified Property Manager from IREM), ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager from NAA) are voluntary but can significantly enhance career prospects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee for real estate license in Colorado | $50 |
Exam Fee Examination fee paid to testing provider (PSI, Pearson VUE, or state) | $82.40 |
License Fee Initial license issuance fee for Colorado | $225 |
Renewal Fee License renewal fee — renews every 3 years | $225 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, exam, and license fees. Does not include education costs, background check fees, or E&O insurance. | $357 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedEvery 3 years
Renewal Period
24 hours per renewal
Continuing Education
$225
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Details
24 hours including Annual Commission Update course.
Regulatory Board
Most states require continuing education for license renewal. Topics typically include fair housing law, ethics, property management best practices, agency law, and state-specific regulatory updates. Failure to complete CE requirements may result in license suspension or lapse.
Step-by-step licensing process for Colorado
Mostly verifiedComplete 168 hours of pre-licensing education from a Colorado-approved provider
Pass the Colorado real estate licensing examination (national and state portions)
Submit license application to Colorado Division of Real Estate
Pass a background check (most states require fingerprinting)
Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance if required by your state
Affiliate with a licensed broker (if obtaining salesperson license) or establish your own brokerage
Begin property management operations
Estimated Timeline
2-8 weeks after completing pre-licensing education and passing the exam
Colorado requires one of the longest pre-licensing education programs at 168 hours. Property management activities fall under brokerage activities requiring a license.
Property management of others' properties in Colorado requires a Real Estate License.
Managing your own property does not require a license in most cases.
On-site managers employed directly by the property owner may be exempt from licensing requirements.
Activities requiring a license typically include: collecting rent, leasing units, marketing properties, negotiating leases, and managing security deposits on behalf of property owners.
There is no interstate compact for property managers.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#10 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (SOC 11-9141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$65,180
+7% vs. national avg ($60,670)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+5%
High DemandNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Colorado Division of Real Estate
Estimated total: 8–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Colorado Division of Real Estate
8–16 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Colorado Division of Real Estate
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Colorado requires a Real Estate License for property management. 168 hours of pre-licensing education required. Complete 168 hours of pre-licensing education. Colorado requires the most pre-licensing hours among states requiring standard RE license. Licensing is managed through the Colorado Division of Real Estate.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.