Colorado Real Estate Agent License

Complete 168 hours of qualifying education from a nationally accredited college/university or Colorado-approved school. Licensed attorneys only need 12 hours.

Education must be completed before taking the state exam. Attorney and out-of-state education exceptions were not re-verified in this pass.

Retake Policy: Initial exam $49; retake $48 per attempt. Results valid for 1 year (per PSI bulletin 649, October 1, 2023).

Type: CBI/FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check through an approved vendor

A fingerprint-based check is required; CBI lists state and FBI fees plus a vendor-set surcharge, so no single official amount is certified.

Application must be signed by an employing broker

Fee Breakdown

Listed fees: application $83 + PSI exam $49 = $132. The fingerprint background check (state/FBI fees plus a vendor surcharge) is additional, so this is not a complete startup cost. Unknown fees are not zero.

License Renewal

24 credit hours over 3 years, including 12 hours from three 4-hour Annual Commission Update Courses.

Base-rate renewal for the 3-year cycle (DRE fee table)

License Reciprocity

Colorado accepts applicants licensed in any U.S. state or territory. With a non-expired license held at least 2 years: pass the Colorado state exam portion only (no pre-licensing education), plus a fingerprint check and a certified license history dated within 90 days. With an expired license or under 2 years licensed: complete the required education and both exam portions. Applicants with under 2 years of broker experience start at the associate broker level.