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How to get a real estate license in Colorado. 168 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $356. 3-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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18% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$356
Total Gov Fees
154
Exam Questions
3.8 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Colorado
Take 6 DORA-approved courses totaling 168 hours from accredited colleges/universities or CDHE-approved schools.
Estimated time: 4–16 weeks
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
Submit fingerprints via Colorado Fingerprinting or IdentoGO. CBI + FBI check. Cost: ~$50.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Purchase Errors & Omissions insurance from an approved provider (~$188–$239/year).
Estimated time: 1–2 days
Secure affiliation with a licensed Colorado Employing Broker.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Apply online via DORA portal. Pay $83 application fee. Processing: up to 10 business days.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks processing
| 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. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
Nationally accredited colleges/universities or CDHE-approved occupational schools
Required Courses
Course cost typically $350–$1,250 depending on provider and format. Exam scores valid 1 year.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
154
Total Time
230 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. Available in-person at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 120 min | 75% |
| State (Colorado) | 74 | 110 min | 72% |
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.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Paid to: Division of Real Estate ⚠ Conflict: Multiple third-party education providers reports $485. 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. | |
Exam Fee (initial attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: Colorado Bureau of Investigation / IdentoGO | |
E&O Insurance (annual) Paid to: Insurance Provider | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $356 |
Ready to get started in Colorado?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Colorado with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
December 31 of expiration year. Renewal window opens before expiration.
First Renewal Notes
No CE required during initial license year. No post-licensing education requirement (unlike some states).
No post-licensing education required. Annual Commission Update (4 hrs) is mandatory each year within the 3-year cycle.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
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.
6–24 weeks from start to active license.
168-hour education requirement is the longest phase. Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 8–16 weeks.
2026-01-01
21 updated forms + 2 new forms mandatory. Confidential information consent enforcement effective.
2025-06-30
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) requirements effective per HB24-1152.
2024-08-01
NAR settlement changes affecting buyer broker compensation and agency agreements.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#35 of 49
Salary
#11 of 49
Cost
#38 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$36,870
25th percentile
Median
$61,690
+10% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$90,400
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+4% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$61,690
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$61,690
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$79,400
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$64,260
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
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.
Estimated total: 6–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-21.
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