State of Colorado Real Estate License Requirements
Colorado Real Estate Requirements
Article Summary: This article provides an overview of real estate requirements in the state of Colorado. It will help anyone looking for information about becoming a real estate Broker in Colorado or Employing Broker within the state. Contents may include insight into educational requirements, laws, exams, renewal, etc.
For the state of Colorado, the Division of Real Estate within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is responsible for regulation of licensed real estate professionals within the state. They provide regulation and requirements within the industry and protect consumers.
Unlike most states, to get your Colorado real estate license, it refers to what most states would consider an agent or salesperson, a “broker.” Two types of licenses are issued, including a Broker License or an Employing Broker License.
When getting a real estate broker license in Colorado, the first prerequisite starts with someone having to be at least 18 years of age. Fingerprinting and background checks are required, which can take several weeks for them to complete the process.
Each person needs to finish an approved 168 hours of Pre-license education successfully. The qualifying education is made up of mandatory courses that the CO Division of Real Estate decides. There are specific required courses listed here. Each course has a final exam and another one after all hours are complete. This exam requires an individual to pass at 75% or higher.
Once the education courses and exams are finished, each person should take and pass the Colorado Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam. These are administered at a PSI testing center and can be scheduled online. All fees and application forms can be found here. After passing the exam, each person has to work with an Employing broker who would sponsor their license. They also must acquire Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance before obtaining an active license.
The continuing education requirements for license renewal include 24 hours of courses complete for each 3-year license cycle. The continuing education requirement for CO can be found on the division’s website.
In order to become a licensed Employing Broker, a person must fulfill the work experience requirement. These requirements are based on a point system to track real estate work experience. There are a total of 50 points needed within the 5 years before an application. There is also a pre-licensing refresher course that needs to be fulfilled in order to upgrade a license to Employer Broker status.
Colorado Real Estate License Requirements
Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Colorado is a bit different than most other states. Colorado is a state that’s referred to as a Broker-Only state. This means there are no salespeople. You have to become a licensed broker to obtain a license. It’s a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. It also means the basic requirements are stricter. All applications for a broker’s license must be submitted by a persona of at least 18 who can pass a state and national background check to prove good character.
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Age | Must be at least 18 years old. |
Citizenship | No citizenship requirement. |
Background Check | Must pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. |
Pre-license Education | Must complete 168 hours of approved pre-license education. |
Exam | Must pass the Colorado state real estate exam. |
Errors and Omissions Insurance | Must provide proof of E&O Insurance prior to licensure. |
For Broker License Requirements in Colorado:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Experience | There is no additional experience required; Colorado only issues broker licenses. |
Education | No additional education is required beyond the initial 168-hour coursework. |
Exam | No additional exam is required beyond the initial state exam for licensure. |
Continuing Education Requirements in Colorado:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Hours | Must complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years. |
Post-Licensing Requirements in Colorado:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Post-License Education | There are no post-licensing requirements in Colorado. |
Please note that these requirements can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Division of Real Estate – Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Education Requirements
The Colorado Division of Real Estate Licensing requires all broker license applicants to take 168 hours of pre-licensing classes. These classroom hours are available by CDRE-approved facilities in both a physical classroom and online. The fees for these classes depend on where and how you take them, but they must all meet the same level of organization:
– 48 hours of Real Estate Law and Practice
– 48 hours Colorado Contracts and Regulations
– 32 hours Practical Applications
– 24-hour Real Estate Closings
– 8 hours Current Legal Issues
– 8 hours Trust Accounts and Record Keeping
You must pass each portion of these classes with a satisfactory grade to become a licensed real estate broker in Colorado.
State Exam
To become a licensed broker in Colorado, you must pass the state broker’s exam. It’s broken down into two sections: National Portion and State Portion. To pass the test, you must correctly answer 60 of 80 national questions and 53 of 74 state questions. The fee for this exam is $85 due upon registration, which you must do at least 24 hours before taking the exam. You can take any portion you don’t pass over again until you do, but not on the same day. You have to pay the exam fee every time you take the test.
Application Process
Before your application is sent off, you must go to the nearest police station and submit your fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. You can also do this at the exam location when you take the state exam, but you have to pay a fee. The application is available when you pass your exam and is due with a $400 application fee. Once this is approved, you become a licensed real estate broker able to sell homes in Colorado.
Disclosure:: Please be aware that these requirements change from time to time, we do our best to monitor the changes but it is always best to go to the source to confirm the requirements!
