| Requirement | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Pre-license education | 168 hours |
| Exam administrator | PSI |
| License / application fee | n/a |
| Exam fee | n/a |
| Regulator | Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) |
| Payroll-employed agents (BLS) | 6,120 |
| Agent median pay (BLS May 2025) | $63,670 |
Licensing & state law
How to become a real estate agent in Colorado
To get a Colorado real estate salesperson license you complete 168 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) sets the rules and issues the license.
What are the requirements for a Colorado real estate license?
Colorado requires 168 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.
What are the steps to get licensed in Colorado?
Getting licensed in Colorado takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 168 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA).
1/ 6
Meet the basic eligibility
Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) lists any residency or other conditions.
2/ 6
Complete 168 hours of pre-license education
Colorado requires 168 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.
3/ 6
Pass the Colorado salesperson exam
The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Colorado law.
4/ 6
Clear the background check
Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA).
5/ 6
Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
A new Colorado salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.
6/ 6
Apply and activate the license
File the application and pay the license fee to the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA), then activate under your broker.
How much does a Colorado real estate license cost?
Colorado's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) before applying.
How much do licensed agents earn in Colorado?
Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Colorado earned a median of $63,670 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $37,040. See the full Colorado agent salary breakdown.
What are Colorado’s housing markets like for new agents?
WealthyBud tracks 20 Colorado housing markets. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $591,200 as of September 2026, from $249,250 in Sterling to $3.4M in Telluride; 16 of 20 are below last year's asking price.
| Market | Median list price | YoY | Days on market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $569,900 | -4.9% | 58 | 13,365 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $484,950 | -2.8% | 67 | 4,266 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $567,500 | -4.9% | 64 | 1,929 |
| Greeley, CO | $499,999 | -5.2% | 53 | 1,608 |
| Boulder, CO | $769,975 | -4.7% | 60 | 1,452 |
All tracked markets: Colorado housing market hub.
Colorado real estate license FAQ
How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Colorado?
Colorado requires 168 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) requirements.
How much does a Colorado real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Colorado real estate exam?
PSI administers the Colorado salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Colorado?
No. Colorado requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Colorado?
The Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) licenses and regulates Colorado real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Colorado Division of Real Estate (DORA) before enrolling.