How to Get a Real Estate License in Colorado

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Colorado, it’s essential to obtain a Colorado Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Colorado article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Colorado Real Estate License

In order to get your Colorado real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Colorado Real Estate Exam
4. Undergoing a Background Check
5. Obtaining E&O Insurance
6. Submitting a License Application

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Meet the Colorado Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for a Colorado real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must possess a Social Security Number (SSN)

Be aware that while you’re not immediately ineligible for this license if you’re a felon, you will have to declare any felonies or misdemeanors that you’ve committed. According to the Commission Rule A-12 of the Code of Colorado Regulations, this must be done by submitting Form BAA alongside your application.

On top of this, you’ll also be expected to submit a written and signed statement containing your account of the facts and the phrase “I have been charged with no other criminal violations either past or pending, other than those I have stated on the application”.

Note: If you have a criminal record, we recommend getting a Preliminary Advisory Opinion (PAO) from the Colorado Division of Real Estate via their eLicense platform before you begin the application process for a license. This can give you an idea of how your past actions and violations might affect your application.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Colorado real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete 168 hours of pre-licensing education that’s approved by the Colorado Department of Regulatory. This time must be broken down as follows:

• Real Estate Law and Practice (48 hours)
• Colorado Contracts and Regulations (48 hours)
• Trust Accounts and Recordkeeping (8 hours)
• Current Legal Issues (8 hours)
• Real Estate Closings (24 hours)
• Practical Applications (32 hours)

Once that is completed, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which you must present at the exam site in order to sit for your course final exam.

Note: You can also substitute this pre-licensing education requirement for a degree from an accredited institution if the primary focus of your studies was on real estate.

Step 3: Pass the Colorado Real Estate Exam

The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Colorado Real Estate Exam, which is administered by PSI. This exam is made up of 154 questions spread across two sections that you’ll have 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete.

It will cost $49 to make an exam reservation with PSI, with extra cancellation protection available for an additional $9.

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.

The first part of the exam is the National section (80 questions) and the second part is the State section (74 questions). In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain a minimum score of at least 60 on the National section and 53 on the State section.

You’ll need to complete the rest of the application process quickly after passing your exam as passing scores are only valid for up to a year after the date they were obtained.

Note: For more information regarding the real estate licensing exam, be sure to check out PSI’s Real Estate Candidate Information Bulletin.

Step 4: Undergo a Background Check

One of the last steps you’ll need to take as part of the licensing process before you can submit your application is to undergo both a state and federal background check.

To do this, you will need to submit your fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) using one of the following options:

1. Colorado Fingerprinting: If you’re applying from within Colorado, you’ll be able to submit your fingerprints using the Colorado Fingerprinting service. In order to schedule an appointment, you’ll need to register for the service by inputting the service code for real estate brokers: 0800REEI.
2. IdentoGO by Idemia: Applicants from any state in the US can schedule an appointment at their local IdentoGO enrollment center to have their fingerprints taken. Note that this service, like the prior option, will also require you to book an appointment online beforehand — walk-ins are not accepted.
3. Fingerprint Card with Electronic Transfer: Alternatively, if there are no physical centers near to your location that you can easily get to, you can submit your fingerprints using hard copy submissions by completing the pre-registration process with either of the above services and inputting the real estate broker service code: 0800REEI.

Be aware that fingerprints cannot be submitted any earlier than three weeks before the date you plan to submit your broker license application.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance

The final step you’ll need to complete before you can submit your license application is to obtain qualifying Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.

This is a requirement in order to maintain an active license according to Colorado Real Estate Commission (CREC) Rule 3.9, though you can buy a policy that goes into effect after the date you’re going to submit your license application.

The State’s contracted partner for E&O insurance is Rice Insurance Services, though you’re not under any obligation to only this provider. In fact, you can use any independent insurance policy you like, as long as it meets the requirements stipulated under Rule 3.9.

Following this route will require you to include an “E&O Insurance Certificate of Independent Coverage” form alongside the rest of your application. This must be filled out by an authorized representative of the insurance provider you end up selecting, and is essentially just used to confirm the company meets the criteria listed under Rule 3.9.

Note: If you don’t include this certificate when you submit your application, the resulting license you’ll be issued (if your application is approved) will be inactive.

Step 6: Submit a License Application

After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your license application. This is typically done online through the Colorado Real Estate Commission eLicense Online page and paying a $200 application fee.

As part of this application, you’ll also be expected to include all of the following:

• A high school diploma or an similar certification showing you graduated
• Certificate of Completion for the pre-licensing course
• Evidence of passing the real estate licensing examination
• Copy of your Errors & Omissions insurance policy
• Proof you submitted you’ve submitted your fingerprints

Step 7: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you’ll just need to wait for your background report to be processed.

Once this is done, you can expect to receive an email from the Colorado Division of Real Estate (CDRE) containing a license document within ten business days.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, you can reach out directly to the Colorado Department of Business and Professional Regulation by phone or email.

Colorado Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every three years by December 31 and pay the renewal fee.

During this period, you’ll also be required to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education (CE), divided up accordingly:

• Three unique four-hour ACU courses for each year of the renewal cycle (12 hours)
• Elective Commission-approved credits (12 hours)

Since renewal fees vary annually, brokers will need to check the Division’s licensing management website to find out the current fee.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

Note: While renewals can be submitted up to 31 days later without penalty, CE must be completed by this deadline. Additionally, if you still haven’t submitted your renewal by January 31, your license will expire.

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies

Mailing Address:

Division of Real Estate
1560 Broadway, Suite 925
Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone: (303) 894-2166

Email: dora_realestate_website@state.co.us

Website: https://dre.colorado.gov/brokers