How to Get a Connecticut Real Estate Broker License

Written by: Mary Gerardine

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How to Get a Connecticut Real Estate Broker License

Becoming a Connecticut real estate broker is a strong step forward in your career. Not only does this advanced license look great on a resume, it also allows you to work independently, open real estate brokerage firms, and manage other agents within these firms.

Getting the Connecticut Real Estate Broker License is a fairly simple process, but it does require you to complete four steps, and have a few prerequisites before applying or taking the broker’s exam.

This guide covers all of these requirements in a simple, easy-to-understand way that will make it easier for you throughout this process.

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Connecticut Real Estate Agent vs Real Estate Broker

Connecticut offers two different types of real estate license: Sales and Broker.

sales agent’s license is the initial license that real estate agents get in order to sell real estate.

A broker’s license is an advanced license that allows the license holder to operate at a higher level within real estate businesses in Connecticut.

People often confuse sales agents and brokers. A simple way to look at the difference is that holders of the sales agent’s license are called real estate agents, while holders of the broker’s license are called real estate brokers.

If you are working towards getting your first license, check out our Connecticut Real Estate License guide. If you’re working on the Connecticut real estate broker license, keep reading this page!

Connecticut Real Estate Broker License Requirements

First, to be eligible for a real estate broker’s license, you must meet the prerequisites to become a real estate broker in Connecticut.

These prerequisites are:

  • Been actively working as a real estate salesperson in the state of Connecticut for at least 1500 hours. This work must be under the supervision of a Connecticut-licensed real estate broker during the three years right before your application. Supervising brokers must certify that the applicant meets these hourly requirements
  • Successfully finalized at least four real estate transactions in the past three years. To qualify, the applicant may represent a buyer or seller in the legal transfer of real property, or a lessor or lessee in the execution of a lease agreement

How to Become a Real Estate Broker in Connecticut

Once you meet all the requirements listed above, you can follow these four steps to easily help you get your Connecticut real estate broker license.

Step 1: Complete a Connecticut Broker Pre-Licensing Course

The first thing you will need to do to get your Connecticut real estate broker license is obtain 120 hours of pre-license education.

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The pre-license coursework consists of three required courses, totaling 90 hours. For the additional 30 hours, the applicant can choose between two 15-hour classes or one 30-hour Appraisal course. This coursework can be completed in person or online, but must be taken from an educator approved by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP).

This real estate coursework covers the basics of working in the industry and completing real estate transactions. Pre-licensing courses must be completed before applying for your broker’s license.

The 120 hours of real estate broker pre-licensing education include the following required courses:

  • Real Estate Principles and Practices (60 hours)
  • Real Estate Brokerage Principles and Practices (15 hours)
  • Legal Compliance (15 Hours)
  • The applicant must also choose from the following options: Two 15-hour pre-license elective classes (totaling 30 hours) or one 30-hr pre-licensing Appraisal class

Unlike some states, Connecticut does offer reciprocity for brokers carrying an active license in a reciprocal state. Applicants applying for reciprocity must have passed a written exam in the state they were initially licensed in.

Once you’ve completed the required pre-licensing education, you must also pass the final pre-license broker exam. This is intended to confirm that you have retained the necessary information and are ready to take the Connecticut state exam.

The minimum passing grade is 75%. There is no limit on how many times you may take this test. This is not the same as the state broker exam.

After passing your broker course exam, your course completion paperwork will be submitted to PSI Examination Services for pre-approval. Once you’re pre-approved by PSI, you will receive an Examination Eligibility Postcard. This card will include instructions on how to schedule your state broker exam.

You must be pre-approved before you can schedule your examination. You must take the broker’s exam and receive a passing grade within 12 months of completing your coursework.

Step 2: Pass the Connecticut Real Estate Broker Exam

After completing the steps above, you must take the real estate broker licensing exam via PSI. PSI has multiple testing locations in Connecticut.

The fee for this exam is $59.

In Connecticut, brokers must take both a national section and a state-specific section for their broker’s exam. The national section consists of 75 scored questions and the state-specific section of the broker’s exam consists of 40 scored questions. You must complete the Connecticut real estate broker exam within 180 minutes (three hours total). You must complete the state-specific portion of the test within 60 minutes.

The passing rate is 75% for the Connecticut real estate broker exam.

If you happen to fail the exam, you are not limited on the number of times you can retake the exam, as long as you’re still eligible for testing. Testing eligibility expires one year after your PSI pre-approval. Your Exam Eligibility Postcard will include this expiration date.

For more information on the exam, PSI provides a Candidate Handbook containing the Connecticut Real Estate Broker Exam Content Outline.

Taking an exam prep course provides you helpful tools and materials, such as quizzes and specific state-only practice exams, to increase your chances of passing your broker license exam the first time.

Step 3: Submit a Connecticut Broker License Application

Once you meet the broker pre-licensing education requirements and pass the course exam, you’re ready to apply for your license.

PSI will provide you with an application, which will include detailed instructions and a document checklist. Applications must be submitted within 24 months (two years) of passing both sections of the examination.

Connecticut broker license applications should be submitted to the Licensing Services Division of the CDCP. This can be done by eLicense portal, mail or in person. The application fee is $120.

The address for submissions is:

License Services Division – Real Estate Unit
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – CDCP
450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 901
Hartford CT 06103

Step 4: Application Review

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the CDCP to review and approve your application.

Application processing times are approximately 10 business days. To check on the status of your application, you can register and sign on to CDCP’s eLicense portal.

Congratulations!

Now that you’ve successfully passed the broker licensing exam and obtained your license, there are a few things you need to do to keep your broker license active and updated.

Connecticut Real Estate Broker License Renewal and CE

In Connecticut, you must renew your real estate broker license every year. The CDCP will send you a renewal notice 30-45 days before your expiration date. This is done by mail and email, so it’s critical that you keep your license information current with the state. The renewal date is November 30 of each year.

Renewals are done online using the eLicense portal. You will need the Fast Track Renewal PIN that was sent with your renewal notice, or your User ID and Password. The renewal fee is $383 every even year and $375 every odd year. late fee of $37.50 is assessed on all renewals not received by November 30.

As part of renewing your Connecticut broker license, you must also complete the state-required continuing education (CE) coursework. The 12 hours of CE coursework must be completed every even year. There are two three-hour courses required by the state: Understanding and Preventing Racial Bias in Real Estate and CT Real Estate Law for Brokers & Salespersons. Brokers may choose which real estate elective courses they take to fulfill the remaining six hours of CE.

Licensed brokers can opt to take and pass a Connecticut Continuing Education Examination instead of the 12 hours of CE. To learn more about how to schedule this 40-question exam, contact PSI Examination Services at (800) 733-9267.

CTDCP – Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Mailing Address

Connecticut License Services Division
450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 901
Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: (860) 713-6100

EmailDCP.OccupationalProfessional@ct.gov 

Websitehttps://portal.ct.gov/dcp

Connecticut Real Estate Broker License FAQ

How much does it cost to get a real estate broker license in Connecticut?

The costs of getting a real estate broker license in Connecticut can range between $388 and $578.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
Pre-license education courses: $209-$399
Application fee: $120
Broker exam fee: $59

How long does it take to get a real estate broker license?

The steps that typically take the most time when getting a broker license include taking pre-license education courses and exams. The average amount of time to get a broker license is generally three to six months.

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?

Real estate agents focus on working with clients on individual real estate transactions, while real estate brokers have more experience with the added responsibility of managing a team of real estate agents or brokerage business. See our Real Estate Agent vs. Broker vs. Realtor page for more information.

How much does a real estate broker make?

Real estate brokers get paid just like real estate agents by earning commissions on their agents’ sales. Brokers can also charge the real estate agents they manage a fixed monthly fee or have the option to earn money on commission sales by helping their own clients buy and sell property. According to Payscale data, brokers earn $61,314 per year in base salary, with anywhere between $10,000 and $147,000 in commissions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the median broker salary is $62,010.

How do I get a job as a real estate broker in Connecticut?

Browse through available real estate broker jobs in your area using our StateRequirement Job Board!

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