Step-by-Step
Colorado Real Estate License Checklist
Follow this checklist in order to go from zero to a licensed Colorado broker — with each DORA requirement in the right sequence.
Quick Answer
What is the checklist to get a Colorado real estate license?
Complete 168 hours of DORA-approved pre-license education, complete a fingerprint background check, pass the PSI state exam (national 75%, state ~71.6%), then submit your broker application to the Colorado Division of Real Estate.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
Your Colorado license checklist, in order
- Confirm you are at least 18 years old.
- Complete 168 hours of DORA-approved pre-license education.
- Pass your school’s course final exam.
- Submit fingerprints for a CBI and FBI background check.
- Schedule and pass the Colorado Broker exam (PSI) — you must pass both the national portion (60/80, 75%) and the state portion (53/74, ~71.6%).
- Obtain Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance.
- Submit your broker license application to the Colorado Division of Real Estate.
- Activate your license under an employing broker (or as an independent broker).
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step to getting a Colorado real estate license?
Start your DORA-approved education: the 168-hour pre-license course. Most approved courses are online and self-paced so you can begin right away.
Do the steps have to be done in a specific order?
Education comes first, then fingerprinting and the PSI state exam, then your application to the Colorado Division of Real Estate. Confirm the exact sequence on the DORA site.
How long does the whole process take?
Motivated students often finish in a few months. Course access, exam scheduling, and application review each add time depending on your pace and the state’s current turnaround.
Do I need Errors & Omissions insurance to get licensed in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires active E&O insurance coverage before you can activate your broker license. You arrange this after you pass the exam and before you submit your application to activate.
Reviewed by
Jennifer Williams
Founder of Click2CE Real Estate School and the designated School Director for Arizona (ADRE School S26-0002). Licensed real estate broker in 40+ states, Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI), and ARELLO-certified. Jennifer reviews every course and guide for regulatory accuracy.
Read Jennifer’s full bioSources & references
Check off the exam with confidence
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