🗺️ Colorado Broker License

Which best describes you?

Select your situation to see a personalized requirements checklist.

Your path

New Applicant — No Prior License

  • 168 hours of pre-licensing education:
    • Real estate law and practice: 48 hours
    • Colorado contracts and regulations: 48 hours
    • Trust accounts and recordkeeping: 8 hours
    • Current legal issues: 8 hours
    • Real estate closings: 24 hours
    • Practical applications: 32 hours
  • Pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam (administered by PSI)
  • Complete a fingerprint-based background check (CBI + FBI)
Resulting license level Associate Broker (FA) — works under a supervising employing broker until completing 2 years of active experience

Your path

Out-of-State License — 2+ Years Active

  • No education requirement
  • Pass only the state portion of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam
  • Complete a fingerprint-based background check
  • Provide certified license history dated within 90 days of application (includes any disciplinary actions)
  • Colorado accepts reciprocity from all U.S. states and territories
Your out-of-state license must be non-expired at the time of the Colorado application.
Resulting license level Independent License if you have 2+ years of active broker experience (salesperson roles don't count). Associate Broker (FA) if that experience doesn't qualify.
To add an Employing License All of the above, plus a 24-hour brokerage administration course and an Employing Broker Affidavit.

Your path

Out-of-State License — Under 2 Years or Expired

Education hours depend on your credential type

Salesperson credential: 120 hours required

  • Colorado Contracts & Regulations: 48 hours
  • Trust Accounts & Recordkeeping: 8 hours
  • Current Legal Issues: 8 hours
  • Real Estate Closings: 24 hours
  • Practical Applications: 32 hours

Broker credential: 72 hours required

  • Colorado Contracts & Regulations: 48 hours
  • Real Estate Closings: 24 hours
  • Pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam
  • Complete a fingerprint-based background check
  • Provide certified license history dated within 90 days of application (includes any disciplinary actions)
  • Colorado accepts reciprocity from all U.S. states and territories
Resulting license level Associate Broker (FA)

Your path

Former Colorado Broker — Lapsed 3+ Years

Requirements depend on when you were originally licensed

Originally licensed after January 1, 1997:

Pass both exam portions and complete a fingerprint-based background check. No additional coursework required.

Originally licensed before December 31, 1996:

Same education as the out-of-state/expired path — 120 hours (salesperson credential) or 72 hours (broker credential) — plus both exam portions and a fingerprint-based background check.

Resulting license level Independent or Employing License if you have 2+ years of active experience. Associate Broker (FA) if less than 2 years.
To add an Employing License A 24-hour brokerage administration course and an Employing Broker Affidavit are also required.

Your path

Licensed Attorney

  • Proof of an active license to practice law in any U.S. state or territory
  • 12 hours of education in trust accounts, closings, and recordkeeping
  • Pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam
  • Complete a fingerprint-based background check
Resulting license level Associate Broker (FA)

Your path

Active Servicemember or Military Spouse

  • Hold a valid, non-expired broker license (or equivalent) from another jurisdiction
  • Complete a fingerprint-based background check
  • Submit proof of military orders demonstrating relocation to Colorado
  • If you are the spouse, also submit a copy of your marriage certificate
No exam or education requirement under this pathway.
Applies to all paths: