The Most Frequently Asked Colorado Real Estate
Career Questions

• Complete 168 Hours of Approved Broker Pre-Licensing Education. First, you must complete 168 hours of Broker Pre-Licensing coursework. You can complete this education 100% online and in as little as four weeks (when treated like a 40-hour workweek). If you have earned a college degree with a major course of study in real estate — or are a licensed attorney — you'll follow a different educational path. Learn more about these paths here.
• Pass the Broker Pre-Licensing Course Final Exam. After completing your Colorado Broker Pre-Licensing coursework, which consists of six courses, you’ll need to pass your final exams. These exams include shorter final exams at the end of each course and a longer final exam covering the entire program.
• Pass the Colorado Real Estate Broker Exam. Next, you'll take and pass the Colorado Real Estate Broker License Exam. This exam is administered and proctored by PSI. Learn more about scheduling the exam, where you’ll take it, and its content in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
• Complete a Background Check. Next, you’ll complete a background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This involves submitting your fingerprints for a criminal history background check run by CBI.
• Obtain Errors & Omissions Insurance. According to Colorado license law, you must obtain Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance prior to applying for a Real Estate Broker license. Learn more about Colorado’s broker insurance requirements.
• Find an Employing Broker.Before you apply to be a licensed Colorado Broker, you need to find an Employing Broker. You’ll need to show proof of sponsorship when you complete your Broker license application. It's important to find the right broker to work with. Your Employing Broker will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.
• Apply For Your Broker License.Finally, you’ll apply for your Colorado Real Estate Broker license. You’ll do this by registering with eLicense as a new license candidate and completing your application.

Learn more about the steps for Colorado Broker licensure at the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) website.

You must take and pass 168 course hours from an approved education provider to be eligible to apply for a Real Estate Broker license in Colorado. If you treat your education like a 40-hour workweek, you can finish your coursework in as little as four weeks.

If you hold a college degree with a concentration in real estate, or you’re a licensed attorney, you’ll take a shorter, alternative path to earning your Broker license. Learn about alternative educational paths here.

• Your Pre-Licensing education in Colorado ranges in cost from $500 to $700, depending on the package you purchase.
• The initial license and new application fee for a Colorado Real Estate Broker is $485.
• The Colorado Broker exam fee (through PSI) is $44.95.
• The criminal background check and fingerprinting fee ranges between $31.50 and $54.50.

Learn more about Colorado Broker application fees.
*Note that licensing fees are subject to change.

According to DORA, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Colorado Broker license.

It depends. According to Colorado real estate law, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony within the past 10 years, you’ll need to provide supplementary information to DORA. That information is outlined in DORA’s Real Estate Broker Application Instruction Guide.

DORA will review your documentation and provide an advisory opinion before you can apply for your Broker license.

Yes, Colorado real estate law requires you to work under an Employing Broker (aka Sponsoring Broker) for at least two years after getting your Broker license.

When you initially become a licensed Colorado Broker (with no previous experience), you are considered an Associate Broker. To begin your career, you must be supervised by an Employing Broker for two years.

After you’ve earned two years of experience as an Associate Broker, you can upgrade your license to an Independent Broker license and work as a sole proprietor.

You may also choose to upgrade your Broker license to become an Employing Broker. In this case, you must meet additional education and experience requirements before you can apply to upgrade your license.

Learn more about the Associate Broker, Independent Broker, and Employing Broker license qualifications in DORA’s Rules Regarding Real Estate Brokers.

Colorado accepts reciprocity from all U.S. states and territories. Licensed real estate agents outside of Colorado are eligible for reciprocity if they've been licensed and active for at least two years in their state. To become licensed through reciprocity, you must:

• Pass the Colorado portion of the Real Estate Broker exam
• Complete a fingerprint background check
• Provide a certified license history
• Apply for your license using the eLicense portal.

Learn more about license reciprocity in Colorado in the CO License Portability and Reciprocity Guide and in DORA’s Broker License Application Requirements.

Colorado brokers must complete 24 hours of CE coursework approved by the Colorado Division of Real Estate. CE hours must be completed every three-year license renewal period.

Required CE includes:

• 12 hours of the 4-hour Annual Commission Update Course (completed once each year)
• 12 hours of elective courses

Your CE hours are due by December 31st in year three of the three-year license renewal period.

Your initial Broker license period will expire on December 31st during its year of issuance. Then, your license renews on a three-year cycle. The renewal cycle begins on January 1st of year one and expires on December 31st of year three. Your CE hours are due by the end of this three-year cycle.

Keep in mind that 4 hours of your CE must be completed each year by taking Colorado’s 4-Hour Annual Commission Update course.

Immediately upon your CE course completion, The CE Shop will provide you with an electronic copy of your course certificate(s) of completion. You can also download a copy of your course completion certificates using your account at The CE Shop at any time.

Though you aren’t required to submit proof of your CE each year, you’ll want to make sure to save your course completion certificates. DORA runs a periodic CE audit to ensure Broker licensees have completed their required CE hours. DORA randomly selects several licensees each renewal period to receive an email CE audit notification. If you receive this notification, you’ll need to submit copies of your CE course completion certificates.

As an Associate Broker in Colorado with less than two years of experience, you can help clients buy, sell, and lease properties. You must work under the supervision of an Employing Broker for two years after becoming licensed.

Once you have two years of active experience as an Associate Broker in Colorado, you are eligible to upgrade your license to an Independent Broker license.

At this license level, you can operate an independent real estate business as a self-employed sole proprietor, helping clients buy, sell, and lease properties. You cannot hire other brokers to work for you, however.

To upgrade your license to an Independent Broker license, you’ll need to show proof that you’ve had two years of experience as an active Associate Broker and that you’ve passed the state portion of Colorado’s broker exam. You can upgrade your license using eLicense.

After you have two years of experience as an Associate Broker in Colorado, you are also eligible to work toward the Employing Broker license level. Employing Brokers can establish real estate brokerages and hire other brokers to work for them.

To become an Employing Broker, you’ll need to:

• Complete 24 hours of broker administration education
• Complete DORA’s Employing Broker Experience Affidavit

Learn more about becoming a Colorado Employing Broker in this document.

According to ZipRecruiter, real estate brokers in Colorado make as much as $97,000 per year on average. See the current average salary range here. Your average broker salary depends on your education, experience, and license level.

Yes! Many brokers choose to only work part time, and for good reason. You can sell properties full time to receive a high salary or sell just a few homes a year for some extra pocket money.

To find a real estate brokerage to work for in Colorado, you can:

• Search Online. Conduct an online search looking for real estate brokers in your area. In general, brokers are looking for new agents and will be happy to talk to you.
• Talk to Other Agents. Get advice from other agents in your area!
• Consider an Online Brokerage. There are many real estate brokerages today that have a virtual office. You’ll meet with clients over the phone or in public places.
• Learn More Here. If you still want more advice on how to find a real estate brokerage to work for, check out this blog.

If you’ve earned an Independent Broker license, then yes! You are eligible to upgrade your license to an Independent Broker license after gaining two years of experience working as an Associate Broker working under an Employing Broker.

Independent Brokers can start real estate businesses as self-employed sole proprietors who don’t have to be affiliated with an Employing Broker.

As an Independent Broker, you are also eligible to work toward becoming an Employing Broker. You’ll have additional education and experience requirements to meet. Becoming an Employing Broker means you can open your own real estate brokerage and hire other Colorado Brokers to work for you.

Some of the best skills sales associates can have include:

• Good Communication & Negotiation: Good communication is imperative as a sales associate. You can learn good oral communication skills and negotiation strategies here.
• Market Insight: It’s important to stay up-to-date with industry changes in real estate. You can stay ahead of the competition by investing in professional development courses.
• Tech Savviness: Learning how to be tech-savvy is important to communicating with your clients and marketing your business well.
• Networking: Real estate is a career for social butterflies! Make sure to get out there and attend social events to network.

Note: These courses are optional, non-credit courses.