How to Get a Colorado Real Estate License in 7 steps

I was 19, tired of long hours at Beau Jo’s Pizza, and ready to invest in my future. That’s when I came across a real estate investment series on VHS by Carlton Sheets (remember VHS?). Little did I know this class would change the entire trajectory of my life. It inspired me to get my real estate license and pursue a career in real estate. Just a few years later, I was breaking sales records, and at age 27, I was on the cover of Realtor Magazine’s 30 Under 30.

That was in the mid-90s, and let me tell you, times have changed. Back then, you had two choices to get your real estate license education: one was to spend long hours in a classroom or two was to watch low-quality, instructor-led VHS videos and endless workbooks. I opted for the latter.

Today, getting your Colorado real estate license is a streamlined process with all the tools and resources you need to succeed right at your fingertips. If you are interested in changing your life by getting your Colorado real estate license, these are the seven simple steps to follow.

Quick Facts: Colorado real estate licensing

To be eligible for a Colorado real estate license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a U.S. citizen

The Colorado Division of Real Estate (part of the state Dept. of Regulatory Agencies or DORA) requires all students to complete an approved course of study totaling 168 class hours. Read on to see how those 168 hours are broken down at the course level.

Some of our favorite online real estate schools to quickly and conveniently complete these hours in Colorado include The CE Shop and Colibri Real Estate Education. You can save 30% using our promo code HW30 at The CE Shop or promo code HousingWire30 at Colibri.

The Colorado real estate exam includes 80 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 3.5 hours to complete it. You’ll need a passing grade of 75% to get your real estate license in Colorado.

How to get a Colorado real estate license in 8 steps

Next, I’ll detail the steps to get a real estate license in Colorado. The total estimated cost of getting a Colorado real estate license ranges from $1,080 to $1,800, depending on the real estate course you choose and the cost of your E&O insurance. Read on to learn more.

1. Know what to expect

In order to get your real estate license in Colorado, you’ll need to complete 168 hours of coursework at one of Colorado Division of Real Estate’s approved schools. This is no small task. Back when I got licensed, it was only 72 hours, and even that felt like a lot to balance with work and life.

All of the educational requirements today can be completed online. This is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you can do your educational requirements on your own time and at your own pace. It is a curse for the same reasons. It is extremely common for people to sign up for online real estate classes and never finish the courses. Some estimates are as high as ninety percent!

To prevent this, be prepared to treat your coursework like a part-time job. When I was studying, I set aside early mornings and late evenings to stay consistent, and that rhythm made all the difference. I also gave myself a deadline of six weeks to complete all my assignments. This helped me prioritize (when my friends were partying) and keep my focus.

Most educational providers recommend giving yourself three to six months to complete your courses. I highly recommend moving quickly through the classes. This will not only keep your focus, but it will also help you with the retention of information when you are taking your state exam.

Once you have a grasp on what to expect, it’s time to choose a school that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

2. Complete a 168-hour real estate course at an approved school

Estimated cost: $350 to $850

My experience with real estate schools was a stack of VHS videos that we checked out, like library books. These days, you’ve got an incredible variety of options that cater to every situation, learning style, and budget.

168 hours of required education

The required 168 hours you’ll need to complete are divided into six key topics you can expect to see on your exam:

• Practical Applications (32 hours)
• 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)

Pick a real estate school that fits your schedule and preferences. If you thrive in a classroom setting, go for in-person options. Need flexibility? Online courses make it easier to balance your studies with life. Online courses tend to be easy to navigate, convenient, and at your own pace.

While it’s great to check in with friends or colleagues who have had success in their career and see if they have recommendations, be sure to do your own research as well, using reliable sources. To save you some time, here are Vetted by HousingWire’s top six real estate schools in Colorado:

By now, you should have a good idea of two to three options you’d like to explore. While you attend your classes, keep in mind the end goal: passing your exams.

Real estate license scholarships

Cost can be a barrier for some aspiring agents, but it doesn’t have to be. Keller Williams offers scholarships for eligible candidates to attend Kaplan’s online courses. This is a fantastic resource for getting started with a career in real estate without the financial stress.

Practice tests and exam prep

Most real estate schools provide unit and practice tests. However, if you have taken longer than 90 days to complete your educational requirements, I recommend paying a little extra money for an exam prep course. The educational providers above offer exam prep courses for as little as $50.

Take advantage of all your testing and learning opportunities before taking your state exam.

3. Pass the Colorado real estate exam

Estimated cost: $44.95

Colorado requires new Realtors to pass both a national and state real estate exam. This is no joke… The Colorado exam is said to be one of the most difficult to pass in the country! A minimum passing score of 75%, or answering 60 of the 80 questions correctly, is your first hurdle.

The Colorado real estate exam is administered in-person by PSI Testing Centers, or you can now take it online. But don’t get too excited —  it’s not an open-book test. A proctor monitors the online exam, so make sure you’re just as prepared as you would be for an in-person examination. Be sure to schedule your exam well in advance, as space is limited, and spaces can fill up quickly.

Students are given three chances to pass the exam. These exams are the gateway to your new career, and the right preparation will give you the confidence to pass the first time. Continuously refer back to the exam topics. This should help you focus on the topics that will matter most during the next steps in your career and give you that final boost of confidence for your exam.

Regardless of your chosen method, ensure you bring all required documentation, including your proof of coursework completion and a valid ID. The exam is good for one year after your passing date. The exam fee is $44.95 for your first attempt and $42.50 for subsequent tries.

Now that you have passed your exam, you can get ready to get your real estate license in Colorado.

5. Complete your background check

Estimated cost: $40 to $50

Like most states, Colorado requires a fingerprint-based background check as part of the licensing process. This step ensures you meet the state’s ethical standards for practicing real estate. While you don’t have to have a perfect background, the following crimes may prevent you from qualifying for a real estate license in Colorado.

Crimes that can restrict you from getting a real estate license include: 

• Felonies: Especially those related to fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes 
• Misdemeanors: Such as theft or assault
• Drug or alcohol-related offenses: If recent or severe
• Sexual offenses: Including attempting, conspiring to commit, aiding, or abetting
• Driving-related offenses: Especially those involving driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI)
• Crimes against property: Including the sale or disposition of someone else’s real or personal property without legal authorization
• Violations of Fair Housing laws: Or any history of discriminatory practices in housing 
• License revocation or suspension: In another profession or from another state’s real estate licensing commission

The background check is straightforward, but it can take a few weeks, so don’t leave it until the last minute. To complete this step, you need to schedule an appointment through a Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) approved vendor. The cost of the CBI background check is around $40.

Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) approved vendors:

1. Colorado Fingerprinting
2. IdentoGO by Idemia

Now you can pause and give yourself a pat on the back. You’re halfway to your new career! While you’re waiting for your background check results, you can move to the next steps.

6. Get errors & omissions (E&O) insurance

Estimated cost: $200 to 400 per year

Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, or public liability insurance, is a requirement for all Colorado real estate agents. It protects you from potential legal claims that a mistake on your part caused someone financial harm. It can also give your clients peace of mind to know you’ve planned for any incidents.

E&O insurance covers losses your client may experience, but can also help you and your business by paying legal expenses and managing claims. This coverage is essential for safeguarding your career, especially when stuff hits the fan — (and believe me, at some point, it will).

Colorado professionals need to carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage and a minimum annual aggregate limit of $300,000. This will cost between $200 to $400 a year. However, hold off on paying this upfront. Many brokerages offer a group E&O insurance policy and others may have additional requirements.

Therefore, you should do your due diligence on your brokerage before investing in an E&O policy.

7. Interview and choose a vision-aligned brokerage

Finding a supportive real estate brokerage means more than finding a place that shares your vision. It also means finding somewhere that fosters the growth you desire, at the pace you desire.

I started my career as a buyer’s agent on a RE/MAX team. This was a good move since, in the 1990s, most real estate brokerages didn’t specialize in training brand new licensees to start a career in real estate.

While not all brokerages are geared toward new licensees, and some won’t even take your call, many others have mastered onboarding new agents and getting them into production quickly.

Today, I lead one of Colorado’s most successful Keller Williams brokerages. Joining Keller Williams was a no-brainer for me. Their focus on mentorship, training, and agent growth perfectly aligns with my vision for my career.

When evaluating brokerages, ask yourself:

1. Does their mission, vision, and values resonate with mine?
2. Does this brokerage offer the training and tools I need?
3. Will I have a mentor or full-time coach?
4. Will their compensation and fee help or hinder my success?
5. Will I have opportunities to grow my career beyond sales?

The right brokerage will not only set the foundation for your career but will also become a source of inspiration. If you’re interested in learning more about starting your career at Keller Williams, you can schedule a meeting with me.

8. Apply for your Colorado real estate license

Estimated cost: $495

Now, after all your hard work, it’s time to make your real estate licensure official! With your coursework, exam, broker selected, and insurance squared away, it’s time to apply for your license through the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DRE).

While the brokerage you select will likely walk you through this process, it is completed online and is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to set up your online account with DORA and pay your initial License Application fee of $495. Just make sure all your documents are in order to avoid any delays.

Congratulations! You are now an officially licensed real estate broker in Colorado!

The full picture: Enjoy your new career

Getting your Colorado real estate license isn’t just about checking boxes —i t’s about taking the first step toward a fulfilling career. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking for a new challenge, I hope that this is your gateway to financial independence and success.

The road to becoming an agent requires effort and focus, but it’s worth every moment. If a pizza cook with a stack of VHS videos can make it, so can you. Take it one step at a time, trust the process, and get ready to thrive in one of the most exciting and beautiful real estate markets in the country.