Colorado Real Estate Broker

Colorado Real Estate Broker Exam: Complete 2026 Study Guide

You've completed your pre-licensing education, and now the Colorado Real Estate Broker exam stands between you and your license. That's a big deal — passing this exam opens the door to a career in one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the country. This guide covers everything you need to know: exam format, topic breakdowns, sample questions, study materials, and practical tips to help you pass on your first attempt. Start with our free practice exam to get a feel for the question style before you sit for the real thing.

Colorado Real Estate Broker Exam Overview

The Colorado Real Estate Broker exam is administered by PSI and consists of two separate portions — you must pass both to qualify for licensure.

• National portion: 80 questions, 120 minutes, passing score of 60 correct
• State portion: 74 scored questions, 110 minutes, passing score of 53 correct (roughly 72%)

This guide focuses on the State portion, which tests Colorado-specific law, forms, brokerage relationships, and closing procedures. All questions are multiple-choice with up to four answer options. There are no open-book sections — no reference materials or calculators are allowed in the testing room. PSI provides scratch paper and a pencil.

You can take the exam at a PSI test center or via remote proctoring. Check the official exam bulletin for full candidate instructions, and visit the state licensing website for Colorado Division of Real Estate requirements.

Topics Covered on the Colorado Real Estate Exam

The state portion covers eight topic areas. Here's how they break down by question count — and where you should concentrate your time.

Colorado Forms and Contracts is by far the heaviest section — 23 of your 74 questions come from here. Know the Commission-approved forms inside and out: listing contracts, buyer representation agreements, the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate, deeds of trust, and disclosure documents.

Brokerage Relationships and Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees each carry 11 questions. Together they account for nearly 30% of the exam, so they deserve serious attention.

Closing and Settlement (10 questions) tests proration math and closing statement accuracy — skills that require practice, not just reading.

Colorado Real Estate Exam Practice Test: Sample Questions

Below are five representative questions drawn from the state exam topic areas. Read them carefully — but we're not going to tell you the answers here. Take our free practice exam to test yourself and see how you score.

Question 1 — Colorado Forms and Contracts (Medium)

Under Colorado's Statute of Frauds (§ 38-10-108, C.R.S.), a contract for the sale of real property that is not signed by the seller is considered:

• A) Voidable at the option of the buyer
• B) Voidable at the option of the seller
• C) Void
• D) Valid and enforceable if the buyer has signed

What it tests: Your understanding of Colorado's statute governing real property contracts and the legal effect of a missing seller signature.

Question 2 — Colorado Additional Topics (Easy)

As of August 7, 2023, what is the maximum security deposit a landlord may require from a tenant in Colorado?

• A) One month's rent
• B) Two months' rent
• C) Three months' rent
• D) There is no statutory maximum

What it tests: Knowledge of the Colorado Landlord Tenant Act and recent legislative changes to security deposit limits.

Question 3 — Colorado Brokerage Relationships (Medium)

As a broker in Colorado, you want to change your brokerage relationship with a buyer client from Single Agent to Transaction-Broker during the course of a transaction. According to Colorado practice, what form should be used to accomplish this change?

• A) A new Listing Contract must be executed from scratch
• B) The Change of Status Form
• C) The Commission-Approved Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate
• D) No form is needed; a verbal agreement is sufficient

What it tests: Procedural knowledge of brokerage relationship transitions and Commission-approved documentation.

Question 4 — Colorado Additional Topics (Medium)

Under the Colorado Foreclosure Protection Act, the seller has the right to cancel the contract within five business days following the seller's signature on the contract.

• A) True
• B) False

What it tests: Specific statutory rights under the Foreclosure Protection Act — an area candidates often underestimate.

Question 5 — Colorado Forms and Contracts (Medium)

Which section of the CREC Form Contracts addresses water rights and well rights?

• A) Section 8.1
• B) Section 10.8
• C) Section 2.7
• D) Section 15.7

What it tests: Detailed familiarity with the structure and section numbering of CREC standard forms — exactly the kind of precision the exam rewards.

What Types of Questions to Expect

Understanding the question types by topic helps you study smarter. Here's what each area actually asks you to do — along with how many practice questions we offer for each.

Colorado Forms and Contracts (115 practice questions) — The largest topic on the exam demands deep familiarity with CREC-approved forms. Expect questions on listing contract terms, buyer representation agreements, specific section numbers within the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate, deed of trust provisions, and required disclosure documents.

Colorado Brokerage Relationships (100 practice questions) — These questions test the distinctions between Transaction-Broker, Single Agent, and Designated Broker relationships, along with required disclosure timing and the proper forms for changing relationship status.

Colorado Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees (100 practice questions) — Covers advertising rules, trade name requirements, office policy requirements, commission-splitting and referral rules, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and proper document handling.

Colorado Closing and Settlement (100 practice questions) — Expect proration calculations (property taxes, HOA dues, rent), closing statement accuracy, and questions about each party's responsibilities at closing.

Colorado Additional Topics (100 practice questions) — Covers property management under the Landlord Tenant Act (including security deposit caps), water rights disclosures, Colorado-specific tax rules, the Fair Housing Act, and Foreclosure Protection Act procedures.

Colorado Licensing Requirements (100 practice questions) — Tests license types, acts requiring a license, renewal and continuing education requirements, inactive status rules, errors and omissions insurance requirements, and exemptions.

Colorado Record Keeping and Trust Accounts (100 practice questions) — Covers trust account setup, record-keeping standards, deadlines for depositing funds, and audit compliance.

Colorado Real Estate Commission Duties and Powers (10 practice questions) — Focuses on the Commission's general powers, investigation and hearing procedures, and penalties for license law violations.

In total, we offer 725 practice questions across all eight topic areas.

Required and Recommended Study Materials

Required: Colorado Real Estate Manual

The state exam is based on the Colorado Real Estate Manual — 2026 edition. This is not optional. Every CREC form, statute reference, and brokerage relationship rule tested on the exam comes from this manual. Because the state portion is essentially an open-book exam in structure (you should know where to find answers quickly), candidates who know this manual well have a real advantage. Buying the current edition is the single most important investment you can make.

Recommended: Sharpie Highlighters

Once you have the manual, color-code it. Sharpie Tank Highlighters offer a wide barrel with a large ink supply, bright fluorescent colors, and a narrow chisel tip that's ideal for underlining dense statutory text without bleeding through pages. The 12-pack gives you enough colors to organize the manual by topic area.

Recommended: Redi-Tag Permanent White Tabs

Speed is everything when you're working through a thick reference manual. Redi-Tag Permanent White Tabs let you create a custom index for the Colorado Real Estate Manual — tab each major topic so you can flip directly to the right section. The tabs are laser-printable, durable, and come 375 per pack, which is more than enough to fully organize your manual.

Colorado Real Estate Prep: Study Tips That Actually Work

Practice under real conditions. Our practice exam is designed to mimic actual testing conditions — same question count, same time limit, same topic breakdown as the real state exam. Untimed PDF study guides are useful for learning concepts, but they don't prepare you for the pressure of managing 110 minutes on 74 questions. Use timed practice sessions.

Skim the answer choices first. Before committing to an answer, scan all four options for the key term or vocabulary word that signals the right concept. The more you've practiced, the faster the correct phrasing will stand out. This technique also helps you avoid traps set by answers that are partially correct.

Read every explanation — even when you're right. When reviewing practice questions, read the explanation for every single answer, whether you got it right or wrong. Understanding the underlying rule means you can answer a reworded version of the same question on the real exam, instead of just recognizing a memorized answer.

Prioritize by weight. Focus the majority of your study time on Forms and Contracts (23 questions), Brokerage Relationships (11), Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees (11), and Closing and Settlement (10). Together, these four areas account for 55 of your 74 questions.

Know your CREC forms cold. Tab the key forms in your Colorado Real Estate Manual. On test day, knowing exactly which section of the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate covers water rights — or which form handles a brokerage relationship change — can save you critical minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Colorado Real Estate Broker exam cost?
The first-time examination fee is $49.00. If you need to retake the exam, the fee drops slightly to $48.00. Examination fees are not refundable or transferable, so schedule when you're genuinely ready.

How many questions are on the Colorado Real Estate Broker exam and how long do I have?
The exam has two separate portions. The National portion has 80 questions with 120 minutes allowed. The State portion has 74 scored questions with 110 minutes allowed. You must pass both portions to apply for your license.

What is the passing score for the Colorado Real Estate Broker exam?
On the National portion, you need at least 60 correct answers. On the State portion, you need at least 53 correct answers. Both portions must be passed — a high score on one does not compensate for a failing score on the other.

How do I schedule my Colorado Real Estate Broker exam?
You can schedule through PSI at the exam registration page — create an account, select your exam, choose test center or remote proctored, and pick a date and time. You can also call PSI at (855) 744-0313, Monday–Friday 5:30 am–8:00 pm MT or Saturday–Sunday 7:00 am–3:30 pm MT.

How soon can I retake the exam if I fail?
You cannot schedule a new appointment on the same day you tested. You can call the next day to schedule a retest as early as the following day, depending on availability.

How long is my passing score valid?
A passing score on either portion is valid for one year. You must also apply for your license within one year of passing the complete examination — if that window lapses, you'll need to retake both portions.

What ID do I need to bring?
One valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that includes your signature: a state driver's license, state ID card, US passport, US military ID, US Alien Registration Card, or Canadian government-issued ID. The name on your ID must match exactly what you used when scheduling.

Are reference materials or calculators allowed?
No. Reference materials of any kind and all electronic devices — including handheld calculators — are prohibited. The proctor will provide scratch paper and a pencil, which must be returned at check-out.

How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?
You may cancel or reschedule without penalty if your notice reaches PSI at least 2 days before your scheduled exam date. Cancel online through the PSI website or call (855) 744-0313 and speak with a representative — a voicemail does not count.

What is the minimum age requirement?
There is no age restriction on taking the broker examination itself. However, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Colorado real estate broker license.

Ready to Start Your Colorado Real Estate Prep?

Passing the Colorado Real Estate Broker exam is absolutely achievable with the right preparation. Master the CREC forms, know your brokerage relationship rules, and practice closing math until it's second nature. Take our free practice exam today — 10 questions, no account required — to see where you stand. When you're ready for serious preparation, upgrade to the full practice exam for 725 questions across all eight topic areas, timed to match the real test. Your license is within reach.