How to Pass the Connecticut Real Estate Exam on Your First Try

Connecticut's real estate salesperson exam is 140 questions — 80 national and 60 state-specific. You need 70% on each section to pass. The exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Connecticut Real Estate Commission.

Connecticut Exam Fast Facts - Questions: 140 (80 national + 60 state) - Passing score: 70% on each section (56 national, 42 state) - Time limit: 4 hours - Provider: PSI - Pre-license education: 60 hours (salesperson) - Governing body: Connecticut Real Estate Commission (under the Department of Consumer Protection)

The Connecticut Real Estate Commission

The Connecticut Real Estate Commission (CREC) regulates real estate brokers and salespersons under CGS Chapter 392. The Commission has 9 members (5 licensees, 4 public members) appointed by the Governor.

Key CREC facts: - Salesperson licenses renew every 2 years; 12 hours of CE required - New salespersons must complete a 10-hour post-licensing course within the first year - The Commission can investigate complaints, hold hearings, and revoke or suspend licenses - Connecticut does not have a Recovery Fund — instead, the bond/insurance requirement applies

Connecticut Agency Law

Connecticut uses the Working With a Real Estate Broker disclosure form, which must be provided at first contact.

Connecticut recognizes three agency relationships: - Seller's agent: fiduciary duties to seller; must disclose to buyer - Buyer's agent: fiduciary duties to buyer; must disclose to seller - Dual agent (consensual): represents both with written consent; limited fiduciary duties

Connecticut requires the agency disclosure to be signed before any substantive information is exchanged. This is tested as: "When must the disclosure form be presented?" — Answer: at first contact, before substantive conversation.

Connecticut-Specific Disclosures

Property Condition Disclosure Report: Required for residential sales (1-4 family homes). The seller completes the form; buyer has the right to rescind within 3 business days of receiving it.

Lead paint disclosure: Federally required for pre-1978 homes; Connecticut enforces this through the Department of Public Health.

Well and septic disclosure: Required when a property has a private well or septic system. This is common in rural Connecticut.

Offshore Wind Development Zone: Connecticut has added disclosures related to coastal energy projects — an emerging exam topic.

Flood Zone and Environmental Issues

Connecticut has significant coastal and river floodplain activity. The exam tests: - FEMA flood zone designations (Zone AE, Zone X, etc.) - When flood insurance is required (Zones A and V for federally backed loans) - Environmental hazards: lead, asbestos, radon, and underground storage tanks - Connecticut's brownfields remediation program

Topics That Catch Candidates Off Guard

The 3-day rescission right: After receiving the Property Condition Disclosure Report, the buyer has 3 business days to rescind. If the seller doesn't deliver the report, the buyer gets a $500 credit at closing.

Attorney review: Connecticut is an attorney state — real estate attorneys are commonly used to review contracts. The exam may test whether an attorney's involvement is required (it's common practice, not strictly required by law).

Post-license education: The 10-hour post-licensing requirement within year one is often missed by new licensees — and tested on the exam.

60 state questions: Connecticut's state section is the largest section of the exam by question count. Do not neglect it.

Your 4-Week Connecticut Study Plan

Week 1: National — agency, contracts, ownership, land use, fair housing Week 2: National — financing, valuation, math, environmental Week 3: Connecticut-specific — CREC, agency disclosure, Property Condition Disclosure, flood zones Week 4: Full practice exams. Target 75%+. Drill the rescission timeline, dual agency consent, and post-license requirements.

Practice for the Connecticut Exam

[CARealestate.com/states/connecticut](https://carealestate.com/states/connecticut) has Connecticut-specific practice questions covering CREC rules, agency disclosure, the Property Condition Disclosure Report, and flood zone requirements. 5 free questions, no signup needed.

With 60 state questions, Connecticut's state section carries more weight than the national section. Candidates who focus only on national content routinely fail the state portion. Allocate at least half your study time to Connecticut law.