Connecticut Real Estate License Requirements & Costs

In comparison to requirements in other states, obtaining a real estate license in Connecticut is rather simple.

You’ll start your way to a successful real estate career with 60 hours of thorough Connecticut real estate pre-licensing instruction, an application, a passing exam, and a sponsoring Connecticut brokerage.

By following our step-by-step instructions, you will be on the right track to obtaining your Connecticut real estate license in no time.


Connecticut Real Estate License Requirements and Fees

When it comes to becoming a real estate agent in Connecticut, you will need to meet the following criteria.

1. What Are The Connecticut Real Estate License Prerequisites?

The requirements for getting a real estate license in Connecticut are pretty conventional.

1. You must be at least 18 years old
.
2. You must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant
.
3. You must have a high school diploma or GED to qualify.


It’s also worth noting that if you already have a real estate license in another state, you might be able to represent buyers and sellers simply by taking and passing the exam. 
Connecticut is a very cooperative state in license portability.

The implication is that Connecticut permits out-of-state real estate agents or brokers to enter the state without a Connecticut-issued license and readily conduct real estate business.

On the other hand, out-of-state agents must have a co-brokerage agreement with a local agent to work on a real estate transaction or conduct real estate business.

Due to this, Massachusetts, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island have mutual recognition agreements with Connecticut.

You can check if you qualify by going to the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) website and filling out the reciprocal application online or by mailing the paper form.


2. Complete all Required Connecticut Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses

Those who want to become sales agents in the state of Connecticut must first complete 60 hours of real estate pre-licensing coursework if they don’t already have a license from a reciprocal state like Massachusetts.

The lessons can be taken in person or online at a Connecticut accredited and recognized online real estate school, with rates ranging from $229 to $495.



Topics covered in the Connecticut pre-licensing classes include:

• Home Ownership Concepts
• Brokerage services for real estate
• Connecticut Buyer Representation and Listing Agreements
• Real Estate Interests and Real Estate Ownership Structures
• Connecticut Title Transfers and Title Records
• Financing for Real Estate
• Property Management and Leases
• Appraisal of Real Estate
• Property Development and Land Use Regulations
• Practices of Fair Housing and Ethics
• Closing the Real Estate Transaction and Environmental Issues
• Investment in Real Estate
• Connecticut’s Licensing Regulations
• Liens and Real Estate Taxes
• Connecticut Contracts for Real Estate

It’s crucial to note that real estate courses taken in law school or at another institution or university may count toward your required hours, allowing you to skip the education requirement.

There are no exemptions for online or correspondence courses, and you must still pass the Connecticut real estate exam.

It can be quite confusing to start looking for an online real estate school that meets your goals and learning style.

To get an idea of what’s available, research the best online real estate schools.  Based on our research, we recommend The CE Shop to complete your Connecticut real estate pre-licensing courses. 

We have a full CE Shop review article on our site if you want to learn more about this online Connecticut pre-licensing school.

Two additional popular real estate schools you may have heard about are Real Estate Express and AceableAgent. Unfortunately, they do not offer pre-licensing classes for Connecticut just yet but they are working on it.

3. Submit an Application for your Connecticut Real Estate License.

To minimize unplanned delays, Connecticut candidates are recommended to apply for their license online rather than by mail.

You can apply for your initial license on the CT.gov website by first creating an account and then filling out the “New Application” tab with all of the relevant papers.

The initial Connecticut real estate license cost is $285 and this is payable with a credit or debit card via the internet. Your application will take about two weeks to process.


To be considered for licensing, you must fill out the Criminal Conviction Review Worksheet and include all documentation of your crime, rehabilitation, and time since your conviction and release.

If you have a criminal background, it does not automatically exclude you from receiving a Connecticut real estate license.

The DCP will examine your file to see if you are eligible to continue with the application procedure.


If you’ve already decided on a Connecticut brokerage to hang your license with, you can use the Salesperson Sponsoring Broker Form to specify the brokerage you’ll be working for. If you’re not sure yet, you can fill out this form after passing your exam.

4. Take the State of Connecticut Real Estate Exam

After you’ve finished your application, you’ll have to take the state real estate exam.

The pass percentage for the Connecticut real estate exam is 60%, which is higher than the national average. Since the exam is computer-based, you will receive your score instantly after completion.


If you pass, you will be notified, but if you do not, you will be sent a diagnostic exam report that outlines your strengths and shortcomings so that you may be better prepared when you repeat the exam.

We recommend that you take a Connecticut real estate exam preparation course such as PrepAgent,  Real Estate Exam Scholar, or Compucram before taking the final exam.

Within a year of completing your Connecticut real estate pre-licensing coursework, you must pass both the state and national components of the exam, and you can therefore retake the test as often as you like throughout the year.

You have a maximum of two years from the date of passing your exam to activate your real estate license.

Details on the Connecticut Real Estate Exam

The Connecticut real estate exam has a total of 110 questions which consists of:

• 80 questions with a national focus.
• 30 questions about each state.

You’ll have 165 minutes to complete the Connecticut real estate exam.

What Do You Bring to the Connecticut Real Estate Exam?

Two forms of identification are acceptable:
1. A government-issued ID with a photo ID and signature is required.
2. ID with a signature that matches the official photo ID

Passing the Connecticut Real Estate Salesperson Exam requires a 70% score.

Make Your Connecticut Real estate Exam Appointment

PSI, a national platform for state licensing exams, is the source of your Connecticut licensing exam.

In contrast to other states, all exam candidates must be approved by PSI before registering for the exam.

To be approved, you must notarize and submit the Real Estate Salesperson Application included in the Candidate Information Bulletin, as well as an $80 application fee and your course completion certificate from your education institution.


PSI will issue an Examination Eligibility Postcard with advice on registering and scheduling the exam after the application has been approved.

You must first register an account on the PSI website to gain access to the scheduling portal. The exam costs $65 and can be paid straight through the website.

Connecticut Real Estate Exam Prep Options

We recommend Real Estate Exam Scholar or Prep Agent for a full Connecticut exam prep course if you need help studying for the state examination.

Both of those courses provide excellent exam preparation at a reasonable cost. They even have a policy that if you don’t pass the first time, they will refund your money.

5. Decide The Connecticut Brokerage You Want to Work For

You must find a sponsoring brokerage to affiliate your Connecticut real estate license to keep it valid.

If you’ve already decided on a brokerage, you can fill out the Salesperson Sponsoring Brokerage Form. If not, read our in-depth guide on picking the proper real estate company to work for to make your decision a little easier.

Although Connecticut has several profitable brokerages, the top five brokerages reported for 2021* are listed below:

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Connecticut Real Estate License?

Here are the estimated costs of obtaining your Connecticut real estate salesperson license.

• 60-hour Connecticut salesperson pre-license course: $199
  This cost will vary based on your real estate pre-licensing school choice.
• Connecticut State Exam Fee: $65
• License Application Fee: $80
• License Activation Fee: $285
  Total Cost: $629

It is essential to note that these licensing costs are spread out during the application process and are not required to be paid upfront.

What Is the Deadline for My Application for A Connecticut Real Estate License?

You have two years to find a sponsoring broker and activate your license after passing both components of the state real estate licensing exam.

If you passed both the national and state components on different days, the latter of the two determines the deadline.

Go to DCP’s Licensing Services Division and submit your license money and original exam passing score report(s) when you’re ready.

How and When Do I Renew a Connecticut Real Estate License?

All Connecticut salesperson licenses must be renewed by May 31st of each year.

Your license’s expiration date would be pushed out a year if it was issued between March 1st and May 31st.

In other words, if you got your real estate license between those dates, your initial renewal period will be between 12 and 15 months.

Your first license renewal period would be between 3 and 12 months if your license was granted on a different date.

What Are the Connecticut Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements?

Real estate license renewals are due every year in Connecticut, but continuing education hours are due every two years.


For salespeople, proof of continuing education must be reported by May 31st of each even-numbered year, and it’s March 31st in even-numbered years for brokers.

You are exempt if you took your licensing exam during the current CE period.

Connecticut requires all real estate licensees to complete 12 hours of continuing education from an approved provider every two years.

Those 12 hours are divided between necessary and elective courses, with the number of each varying from cycle to cycle. For example, in 2018, there were three mandatory hours and nine optional hours, and it will be six required hours and six elective hours in 2020.

The necessary CE courses’ content varies from cycle to cycle as well. To learn about the current necessary courses and find an approved provider, go to the DCP website.


We recommend getting your Connecticut Real Estate Continuing Education through The CE Shop. If you purchase their Connecticut CE package, you’ll get the chance to receive all 12-hours needed. You’ll also get to choose your course electives.

What Kind of Real Estate Jobs Can I Get with A Real Estate License in Connecticut?

Obtaining a real estate license in Connecticut can lead to a variety of professional opportunities, including:

• Agent for residential real estate
• Agent for commercial real estate
• Broker in real estate
• Manager of rental properties

Whatever role you pick, you can discover a specialization in one of the many specialties and niches available.

How Much Does the Average Connecticut Real Estate Agent Make?

Real Estate Sales Agents in Connecticut make an average of $31.86 per hour or $66,260 per year.

Since a real estate agent’s salary is usually based on commission, your earnings will be determined by how well you sell.

Some people work part-time, and others make a lot of money to augment their income. In Connecticut, for example, the top 90th percentile of real estate agents earns $173,310.

What Is The Connecticut Real Estate Commission?

The Connecticut Real Estate Commission (CREC) is a state agency that regulates the real estate industry in Connecticut. The commission is responsible for licensing real estate brokers and salespersons, investigating complaints against licensees, and enforcing the state’s real estate laws.

The CREC was established in 1919, and the governor appoints its members. The commission consists of nine members: six licensed real estate brokers, two licensed real estate salespersons, and one public member.

The CREC sets educational requirements for licensing, conducts examinations of applicants, and issues licenses to those who qualify. To become a licensed broker in Connecticut, an individual must have at least three years of experience as a licensed salesperson; complete a 60-hour course in real estate principles, practices, and law; and pass an examination.

The commission also investigates complaints against licensees and may impose disciplinary action, including revocation of a license. The CREC’s enforcement actions include issuing cease and desist orders, fining violators, and seeking civil penalties in court.

The Connecticut Real Estate Commission is an important part of the state’s real estate industry, and its members work hard to protect consumers and ensure compliance with the law.

Connecticut Real Estate License Requirements – Final Thoughts

Obtaining a real estate license in Connecticut doesn’t have to be a difficult task!

By following our step-by-step real estate license requirements, you will be on the fast track to being licensed and earning from your real estate profession.

Read about the top online real estate schools.