StateLicensed

Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Colorado

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
168 hrs
Upfront cost
$127.95
Exam
Colorado Real Estate Broker's Examination (National + State portions)
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Issuing board
Colorado Division of Real Estate (Department of Regulatory Agencies)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, 168 hours of DPOS-approved or accredited-college coursework (or a real-estate-major college degree), per the training fact group., pass a criminal background check. Requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Colorado law (SB21-077, enacted 2021) removed the prior lawful-presence/citizenship verification requirement for occupational licenses; applicants may use an SSN or ITIN. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 168 hours of training at a state-approved program. Colorado has no separate 'salesperson' tier — every entry-level licensee is a 'Real Estate Broker.' First-time applicants need 168 hours across six courses (48 hrs Real Estate Law & Practice, 48 hrs Colorado Contracts & Regulations, 8 hrs Trust Accounts & Recordkeeping, 8 hrs Current Legal Issues, 24 hrs Real Estate Closings, 32 hrs Practical Applications) at a DPOS-approved school or accredited college, OR a real-estate-major college degree. Applicants with less than 2 years' active experience elsewhere qualify only for the entry-level 'Associate Broker (FA)' credential and must work under an employing broker's supervision; 2+ years of active experience qualifies for the Independent or Employing Broker level. [1]

  3. 3

    Colorado Real Estate Broker's Examination (National + State portions)

    Pass the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Examination (National + State portions) (fee: $44.95). Computer-based, national and state portions; must pass both Retake fee $42.50. Fee confirmed on the Division's own current fee page (Broker Examination Fee $44.95) as of the 2026-01-24 snapshot; PSI's Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin (last updated 10/1/2023) lists the same $44.95 first-time fee. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Colorado Division of Real Estate (Department of Regulatory Agencies) with the $83 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Colorado Division of Real Estate (Department of Regulatory Agencies) issues your Real Estate Broker License for Colorado.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $83
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $252
Colorado Real Estate Broker's Examination (National + State portions) [2] $44.95
Broker Examination Fee (PSI) [3] $44.95
Broker Transfer / Upgrade / Activation [3] $5

No fee separate from the $83 broker application fee is published for license issuance itself — the application fee covers both review and issuance in DORA's eLicense system, so license is null rather than guessed. Renewal is the $252 'Base Rate Renewal' listed on the Division's fee page; this is a 3-year cycle. Fees verified via archive snapshot [2026-01-24] because dre.colorado.gov blocks automated fetches.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 3 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Brokers complete 24 hours of continuing education each 3-year cycle, of which 12 hours must be three separate 4-hour Annual Commission Update Courses. Online renewal opens 45 days before expiration; a 31-day grace period follows expiration for the license fee (does not extend the CE deadline).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

No interstate compact covers real estate licensing. Colorado accepts reciprocity applications from all US states and territories. An applicant with a non-expired license held 2+ years elsewhere need only pass the state portion of the Colorado exam plus a fingerprint background check and certified license history. Applicants with an expired license, or one held less than 2 years, must also complete reduced Colorado-specific coursework (120 hours for salesperson-equivalent experience or 72 hours for broker-equivalent experience) and pass both exam portions.

1 state-approved training provider in Colorado — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $83
  • $44.95
Total$127.95

Frequently asked questions

Does Colorado have a 'real estate salesperson' license?

No. Colorado licenses everyone at entry level as a 'Real Estate Broker.' New licensees with under 2 years of experience hold the Associate Broker (FA) credential and must work under an employing broker; 2+ years of active experience qualifies for Independent or Employing Broker status.

How many pre-licensing education hours does Colorado require?

168 hours across six required courses, from a DPOS-approved school or accredited college (or a real-estate-major college degree in lieu of coursework).

Who administers the Colorado broker exam and what does it cost?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with the Division of Real Estate. The exam fee is $44.95 (national + state portions); the retake fee is $42.50.

How often do Colorado broker licenses renew, and is continuing education required?

Every 3 years. Renewal requires 24 hours of continuing education, including three 4-hour Annual Commission Update Courses (12 of the 24 hours).

Can an out-of-state real estate licensee transfer to Colorado without full pre-licensing coursework?

Yes, if the license is current and was held for at least 2 years — only the state portion of the exam, a fingerprint background check, and a certified license history are required. Colorado accepts reciprocity applicants from all US states and territories.

Sources

  1. [1] dre.colorado.gov/division-programs/real-estate-broker/licensing/broker-license-application-requirements — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] proctor2.psionline.com/programs/Instructions/163.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dre.colorado.gov/broker-applications-documents-and-fees — accessed 2026-07-12