Colorado · CO
Colorado Real Estate License Checklist (2026)
Every step, fee, and deadline on one page — designed to print cleanly to PDF and check off as you go.
Before you start
- You are at least 18 years old
- You hold a high school diploma or GED
- You can pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting
Education
Colorado is a broker-entry state — there is no 'salesperson' license; everyone starts as an Associate Broker. The 168 hours (second-highest in the U.S. after Texas's 180) breaks down into six courses: Real Estate Law and Practice (48), Colorado Contracts and Regulations (48), Trust Accounts and Recordkeeping (8), Current Legal Issues (8), Real Estate Closings (24), and Practical Applications (32). A degree with a real estate major can substitute for the coursework.
- Complete the 168-hour broker qualifying education through an approved real estate school or an accredited college/university (online or classroom)
- Pass each course's final exam and obtain your certificate(s) of completion
- Register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam (results are valid for one year)
- Gather your education certificates and exam score report for upload to the eLicense application
Application & exam
- Submit fingerprints for a CBI/FBI background check through an approved vendor (IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting, roughly $40–$60) — this can be done before or right after the exam
- Create an account in DORA's eLicense system and submit the online Broker License Application with the $83 non-refundable fee
- Upload your certificates and exam results; the Division estimates about 10 business days to process a complete application, though it waits on fingerprint results
- Secure errors & omissions (E&O) insurance — required for every active Colorado licensee. You can buy into the state group plan or provide a Certificate of Independent Coverage
- To practice, activate your license under an employing broker. Without an employing broker and E&O on file, the license issues/remains inactive
- After 2 years of active experience you can upgrade to an Independent or Employing broker level
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 168-hour pre-licensing education | $400 – $1,300 | |
| PSI exam fee | $44.95 per attempt ($42.50 per-portion retake) | |
| Fingerprinting / CBI-FBI background check | $40 – $60 | |
| Broker license application fee | $83 | |
| E&O insurance (required while active) | $200 – $400 per year | |
| Estimated total | $770 – $1,900 |
Key deadlines
- after Texas's 180) breaks down into six courses: Real Estate Law and Practice (48), Colorado Contracts and Regulations (48), Trust Accounts and Recordkeeping (8), Current Legal Issues (8), Real Estate Closings (24), and Practical Applications (32).
- 3-year cycle (tied to your license anniversary date).
- No separate post-licensing course requirement.
- Register with PSI and pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam (results are valid for one year)
- Submit fingerprints for a CBI/FBI background check through an approved vendor (IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting, roughly $40–$60) — this can be done before or right after the exam
- Upload your certificates and exam results; the Division estimates about 10 business days to process a complete application, though it waits on fingerprint results
- After 2 years of active experience you can upgrade to an Independent or Employing broker level
- Plan on 2 to 6 months.