Colorado licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in Colorado
A practical step-by-step guide to Colorado licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
Colorado licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 27, 2026
- License type
- Broker
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 168 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Estimated cost
- $1,080–$1,800
- Estimated timeline
- 2–4 months
- Renewal cycle
- Triennial (every 3 years)
Colorado brokers must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each three‑year license cycle. Twelve hours must come from three 4‑hour Annual Commission Update courses (one each year), and the remaining 12 hours can be any combination of approved elective credits.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Complete 168‑hour qualifying education
Finish 168 hours of state‑approved courses: 48 hours Real Estate Law and Practice, 48 hours Colorado Contracts & Regulations, 8 hours Trust Accounts & Record‑Keeping, 8 hours Current Legal Issues, 24 hours Real Estate Closings and 32 hours Practical Applications.
Schedule and pass the PSI exam
Register with PSI, pay the $44.95 examination fee and pass both the national and Colorado sections of the broker exam.
Complete fingerprinting and background check
Obtain fingerprints through an approved vendor and pass a criminal background check.
Obtain errors and omissions insurance
Purchase E&O insurance coverage, which is mandatory before applying for licensure.
Submit license application
Apply online with the Colorado Division of Real Estate, pay the $83 application fee and upload your education certificates and exam score.
Maintain license and continuing education
Renew your license every three years and complete 24 hours of CE. Complete three 4‑hour Annual Commission Update courses (one per year) and an additional 12 hours of elective credits.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $1,080–$1,800. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing education | $399–$600 | Cost of 168‑hour qualifying courses depending on provider. |
| Exam fee | $44.95 | PSI examination fee for both exam portions. |
| Application fee | $83 | Colorado Division of Real Estate broker application fee. |
| Errors & omissions insurance | $200–$500 | Annual E&O insurance premium required for licensure. |
| Background check & fingerprints | $50 | Approximate cost for fingerprinting and background check. |
| Total estimated cost | $1,080–$1,800 | Includes education, exam, application, fingerprinting and insurance according to industry estimates. |
| Renewal fee | $252 | Base renewal fee every three years. |
| Continuing education | $150–$300 | Cost of 24‑hour CE package for a three‑year cycle. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How many hours of pre‑licensing education are required in Colorado?
Broker candidates must complete 168 hours of qualifying education covering real estate law and practice, contracts, trust accounts, current legal issues, closings and practical applications.
What is required to renew a Colorado broker license?
Licensees must renew every three years and complete 24 hours of continuing education, including three 4‑hour Annual Commission Update courses (one per year) and 12 hours of electives.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.