Will My Out-of-State Real Estate License Be Valid in Colorado?

If you’re a licensed real estate agent in another state planning to move to Colorado, you may be wondering whether your real estate license will be valid in Colorado. The good news is that Colorado is one of five states that offers full reciprocity. That means no matter what state you’re licensed in, you’ll be able to bypass some of the initial licensure requirements when you get your Colorado real estate license.

What Is Real Estate Reciprocity?

Real estate reciprocity refers to an agreement between states that allows real estate agents to transfer their license to other states. Reciprocity rules vary from state to state, so it’s important to research the specific laws governing the state in which you currently have a license and the state where you want to use your license.

There are different types of real estate reciprocity:

• Full Reciprocity – A state will allow you to transfer your real estate license from any state in the country as long as you hold an active license in another state for at least two years and complete the state-specific portion of the real estate exam for the new state you plan to work in. If your out-of-state license isn’t active, or active but not held for at least two years, you’ll need to complete a few additional requirements (see below).
• Partial Reciprocity – A state only includes a specific set of states in their reciprocity agreement. If your original state is included in your new state’s partial reciprocity agreement, then you’ll only need to complete the abbreviated requirements listed above. If your original state isn’t included in the partial reciprocity agreement, you’ll need to complete a different set of requirements to get your real estate license.
• Mutal Reciprocity – Mutual reciprocity works similarly to partial reciprocity, but the ability to transfer your license goes both ways. In other words, agents from either state moving to the other state have the same reciprocity rules apply to them, whereas full reciprocity and partial reciprocity rules only apply to the requirements to get a license in the new state you’re moving to.
• No Reciprocity – A few states don’t offer any reciprocity with other states.

For individuals whose out-of-state license isn’t active or is active but hasn’t been held for at least two years, the additional requirements for transferring your real estate license in a reciprocity state include:

• Must pass both the national and state portions of the real estate exam
• Must complete additional education – 120 hours for people with a Salesperson’s license or 72 hours for people with a Broker’s license

Since Colorado is a full reciprocity state, you will be able to have an expedited process for transferring your real estate license no matter where your existing license is held.

Basic Conditions for Real Estate License Reciprocity in Colorado

Colorado’s reciprocity rules give licensed real estate agents from other states credit for their pre-license education. Therefore, agents looking to transfer their license to Colorado will only need to demonstrate their command of Colorado real estate laws, which involves passing the state portion of the real estate exam.

Keep in mind that if your out-of-state license is no longer active or is active, but not held for at least two years, you’ll also need to complete the additional requirements listed above. If you have a Salesperson’s license, you can take our Salespersons from Other Sates course to complete your additional educational requirement. If you have a Broker’s license, you can take our Colorado Contracts and Closing course to satisfy these educational requirements.

In addition, out-of-state real estate agents looking to get a Colorado real estate license will have to complete a criminal background check and have a current license that is in good standing.

We’ve created an overview of the reciprocal licensing requirements to help you easily see what you’ll need to do to get your Colorado real estate license.

What Are the Steps to Convert My Out-of-State License to a Colorado Real Estate License?

In order to transfer an out-of-state license to a Colorado real estate license, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

• Complete additional educational coursework (if applicable to our situation)
• Pass the Colorado portion of the real estate exam
• Complete a fingerprint background check
• Provide a license history and proof of a valid out-of-state license
• Register your Social Security number or other tax ID number with the Colorado Real Estate Commission
• Have a sponsoring broker who files your real estate license application
• Provide proof of Errors and Omissions insurance

How Long Does the Reciprocity Process Typically Take in Colorado?

Due to Colorado’s full reciprocity rules, you will benefit from an expedited licensure process regardless of where you currently hold a license. In general, the reciprocity process takes two to four weeks. However, the time can vary based on how long it takes you to complete your coursework and pass the state portion of the Colorado real estate exam. In addition, if you’ve held your out-of-state license for less than two years or your license is inactive, the additional educational requirements may extend the amount of time it takes to transfer your license.

Colorado Real Estate School Can Help

If you’re a licensed real estate agent in another state looking to get a Colorado real estate license, Colorado Real Estate School can help. Our online real estate courses contain all the information you need to pass the state portion of the real estate exam. In addition, the online format of our courses allows you to complete them from the comfort of your own home. This means you can get a head start on your studies and complete all your courses before moving to Colorado, ensuring the fastest possible timeline for transferring your license.

Our online real estate courses include a strong video component, and our exclusive VideoConnect Success Learning System™ contains the largest library of video content available. These video lessons relay the information in an engaging format that creates an authentic classroom experience, making it easy to master the concepts you’re learning.

You’ll also benefit from our TruSupport Pass Guarantee™. If you don’t pass your exam on the first try, you’ll receive extended access to all our course materials. One of our instructors will also work with you to analyze your results and create a customized study plan that emphasizes the concepts and subjects you found most challenging the first time you took the exam. This will place in you the greatest position for success when you retake the exam.

Contact us today to learn more about our online real estate courses.