How Long to Study for the Colorado Real Estate Exam
Colorado's 168-hour prelicense requirement is the longest in the country. Here's how much more study is needed after completing the courses.
Colorado has the highest prelicense hour requirement in the country at 168 hours. Despite this extensive preparation, a focused review before the exam is still necessary.
After 168 Hours: How Much More?
No real estate background: 4-6 weeks additional, 1-2 hours/day (the prelicense courses cover more, so less gap-filling needed) Licensed in another state: 3-4 weeks focused on Colorado-specific content (CREC forms, transaction broker, broker associate structure)
Week-by-Week Plan
Week 1: CREC and license law — 5-member commission under DORA, CRS Title 12/Article 10, broker associate vs. independent broker, 3-year renewal, 24 hours CE per cycle.
Week 2: CREC contract forms — CBS contract sections, Inspection Objection and Resolution, Termination Deadline, using CREC forms (mandatory).
Week 3: Agency — transaction broker default, single agent option, disclosure timing (before substantive discussion), brokerage disclosure form.
Week 4: Trust accounts — employing broker responsibilities, 4-year record retention, permitted uses.
Week 5: Full 154-question timed practice exams (4 hours). Target 80%+ before scheduling.
Scheduling
Apply to DORA at dora.colorado.gov. Schedule through PSI. Colorado's exam has two separately scored sections (national and state) taken in the same sitting.
[Start Colorado practice questions at CARealestate.com/states/colorado](https://carealestate.com/states/colorado)
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