Connecticut Real Estate License Laws

To represent sellers and buyers in a real estate transaction in Connecticut, you must have a real estate license from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. The department offers two types of real estate licenses: a salesperson license and a broker license. The Department of Consumer Protection has the right to suspend or revoke the license of a salesperson or broker who act unethically in a real estate transaction.

Experience

No prior experience is required to apply for a salesperson license. To become a broker, you must have at least two years of experience as a real estate salesperson.

Pre-Licensing Education

New applicants for a salesperson license must complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course, approved by the Department of Consumer Protection, in real estate principles and practices. Broker applicants must complete an additional 60 hours of education in appraisals and other miscellaneous real estate related subjects. You can find a list of approved educational providers and courses on the Department of Consumer Protection web site.

License Application

The Department of Consumer Protection uses a private company, PSI, for the processing of real estate licensing applications. You can download the salesperson and broker applications from the PSI website. After completing the appropriate application, submit it along with a copy of the certificate of completion for your pre-licensing courses and a check or money order for the application fee. As of January 2011, the application fee is $80 for the salesperson license and $120 for the broker license. After approving your application, PSI will mail you an approval to register for the licensing examination.

Examination

PSI also administers the real estate licensing examination for the State of Connecticut. You can register for the salesperson and broker examinations from the PSI website or by calling 800-733-9267. As of January 2011, the cost of each examination is $52. The Department of Consumer Protection will issue your license upon receiving notification that you passed the examination.

Reciprocity

As of January 2011, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has reciprocity agreements with 15 states. You can find a list of those states on the department's web site. Licensed salespersons and brokers from those states are exempt from the educational requirement and from taking the Connecticut real estate licensing examinations. To obtain a reciprocal license, download a reciprocal application from the Department of Consumer Protection website and submit it along with a letter of good standing from the jurisdiction that currently licenses you. Applicants with real estate licenses from non-reciprocal states may receive a waiver of the education requirements, but not the examination requirement.

Continuing Education

As a condition of the bi-annual renewal of your real estate license, you must either complete 12 hours of an approved continuing education course or pass the continuing education examination given by PSI.

References

• PSI: Connecticut Salesperson Real Estate Licensing Candidate Information Bulletin
• PSI: Connecticut Broker Real Estate Licensing Candidate Information Bulletin
• Department of Consumer Protection: License Reciprocity for Real Estate Salesperson and Broker Licensing
• Department of Consumer Protection: Real Estate Instructions for Non-Reciprocal State Applicants