How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Connecticut (2026 Guide)

A Step-by-Step Guide to get your Connecticut real estate license

To become a real estate agent in Connecticut, your legal license title will be a salesperson. The entry process requires 60 hours of pre-licensing education—specifically the Real Estate Principles and Practices course—approved by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). After completing your course, you’ll submit your application to PSI, pass the two-part state exam, and select a sponsoring broker to activate your license.

Whether you plan to practice full-time or start on a part-time basis, this guide outlines the official licensing steps, exam structure, best schools and total startup costs involved.

We’ll cover:


4 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has a few requirements to become a salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), and be a US citizen or legal resident. If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 60-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

  • Connecticut’s Real Estate Principles and Practices course covers 60 hours and must be taken through a DCP-approved provider. Once complete, you’ll receive a course completion certificate that you’ll need for the next step.

STEP 2 | Apply for Exam Eligibility

  • Submit your Real Estate Salesperson Examination Application to the DCP along with your course completion certificate and an $80 application fee. If you have any criminal convictions, you’ll also need to submit a Criminal Conviction Review Worksheet — having a record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, and each case is reviewed individually. Once approved, DCP forwards your details to PSI, who handles exam scheduling.

STEP 3 | Schedule + Pass the Connecticut Real Estate Exam

  • Once approved, you can register and schedule your exam with PSI. The exam fee is $59, due when you schedule.
  • You may take the exam as many times as needed for up to one year from your date of eligibility — broker supervision isn’t required just to sit for the exam. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 4 |  Find a Sponsoring Broker + Submit Your License Application

  • Once you pass the exam, you have up to 2 years to submit your license fee and required documents — but you’ll need an actively licensed sponsoring broker before you can activate your license. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage. Once you’re ready, submit your license application along with a $285 license fee to the DCP. After approval, you’re officially licensed!

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Connecticut, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 3 to 8 weeks to complete your 60-hour Connecticut pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks for DCP to approve your exam application
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker
  • 1 to 2 weeks for DCP to process your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s realistic to become a real estate agent in Connecticut in about 8 to 12 weeks.


Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Connecticut

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Connecticut…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $300 to $700
  • Exam Application Fee (DCP) – $80
  • State Exam Fee (PSI) – $59 (retake fee is $51 per section)
  • Salesperson License Fee (due after passing) – $285
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $724 to $1,124


More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many new agents don’t realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Connecticut. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Connecticut:

  • Continuing Education (12 hours, due every 2-year renewal cycle) – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years, salesperson licenses expire May 31 of even years) – $293 standard ($285 if you renew early, in an odd year)
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
    • Greater Hartford Association of REALTORS (GHAR) – local dues around $225/year (plus Connecticut REALTORS and NAR dues)
    • Connecticut has many local boards (Fairfield County, Greater Bridgeport, Eastern CT, Greenwich, and more) – contact each directly for current pricing
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly

** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Connecticut = $1,442 to $2,842


Find the Top Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. There are dozens of approved real estate schools throughout the state. Most of the real estate classes are offered online, but there are a few that offer a classroom or virtual style setting. Please note that some of the school links below are affiliate links. If you enroll through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are a few of the most popular:

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to look beyond the price tag. Before evaluating any course, verify that the provider is fully approved by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) and the Real Estate Commission—only accredited courses qualify for your 60-hour pre-licensing requirement.

Once you’ve confirmed state approval, use these criteria to evaluate your options:

  1. First-Time Pass Rates: Ask the provider for their student pass rate on the PSI exam. High first-time pass rates indicate a strong, up-to-date curriculum.
  2. Pass Guarantees: Find out if the school stands behind its curriculum with a money-back offer or by covering your state exam retake fee if you don’t pass right away.
  3. Comprehensive Practice Tests: Check whether full-length practice exams and sample questions are included in tuition or require an extra purchase.
  4. Targeted Review Options: Look for schools that offer standalone exam prep software, live virtual Q&As, or weekend cram sessions to help lock in key real estate law and math concepts.

How to Select a Connecticut Real Estate Broker

In Connecticut, you must be sponsored by an actively licensed broker in order to activate your license and legally help home buyers and sellers. Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents. Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Connecticut!

Getting a Connecticut Real Estate License: FAQs

How long does it take to complete the Connecticut licensing process?

Most applicants earn their license in 4 to 8 weeks. Because Connecticut requires only 60 hours of pre-licensing education, dedicated students taking self-paced online courses can complete the coursework in 2 to 3 weeks. Submitting your application to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), receiving test eligibility, and scheduling the PSI exam usually takes another 2 to 3 weeks.

What score do I need to pass the Connecticut real estate exam?

You must achieve a score of at least 70% on both the National and State-specific portions of the exam. Administered by PSI, the test consists of 115 total questions: 80 national questions (120-minute limit) and 35 state-specific questions (45-minute limit).

How difficult is the Connecticut real estate exam?

Most first-time applicants pass within 1 to 3 attempts. There’s no limit on the number of times you can retake the exam within your one-year eligibility window, though you’ll need to wait a specified period between attempts and pay the fee each time.

What if I fail the real estate test?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! The retake fee is $51 per section. You have up to one year from your original eligibility date to keep retaking the exam.

What happens if I fail one section of the exam?

If you pass one section (National or State) but fail the other, you only need to retake the section you failed. You can reschedule your exam through PSI after paying the re-examination fee. You have up to two years from your initial DCP application approval date to pass both portions.

Do I need to find a sponsoring broker before taking the CT real estate exam?

No. You can complete your 60-hour pre-licensing course, submit your application to the DCP, and pass the PSI exam independently. However, you must affiliate with an active Connecticut sponsoring broker to submit your final license activation form and legally practice real estate.

Can I get a Connecticut real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

Having a felony or criminal background does not immediately disqualify you. You’ll need to complete a Criminal Conviction Review Worksheet as part of your application, and the DCP evaluates every situation on a case-by-case basis. If you have concerns about your background, we’d recommend contacting the DCP directly before investing in a pre-license course.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Connecticut offer reciprocity?

Connecticut has reciprocity agreements with several states, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island. Please note that New York recently terminated its reciprocity agreement with Connecticut.

If you qualify, you’ll typically need to provide an official license history and evidence that you passed an exam in your home state, and you’ll still need to pass the Connecticut-specific portion of the exam through PSI. Reciprocal salesperson applicants also need a sponsoring Connecticut broker. Contact the DCP directly to confirm your state’s current status.

How much do real estate agents make in Connecticut?

According to Indeed.com, the average Connecticut real estate agent makes about $99,039 a year. Keep in mind real estate agents are commission-based, so your actual earnings depend heavily on how many homes you sell and the price points in your market — Fairfield County towns like Westport, along with Stamford and New Haven, tend to be among the state’s strongest markets.

PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $450,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $11,250 per sale. To earn the Connecticut average, you’d have to sell about 9 homes.

Is it worth doing real estate part-time in Connecticut?

Yes, provided you close at least 1 to 3 deals per year. Part-time real estate in Connecticut can be a profitable secondary income stream, but you must account for fixed annual operational costs regardless of how many transactions you complete:

– Fixed Annual Costs (about $2,000 to $3,500/year): Includes mandatory Connecticut salesperson license fees ($285 annually), Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, local REALTOR® association dues, SmartMLS access, and brokerage desk or technology fees. There are also many other costs like signs, marketing materials, etc. See other expenses you may incur as a real estate agent.
– Earning Potential: With the median home price in Connecticut hovering around $400,000, a standard single-side commission check (after a typical brokerage split) yields roughly $7,000 to $8,500 per closed transaction.
– The Bottom Line: A single home sale per year typically covers your yearly operating expenses and yields a modest profit. Closing 2 or more homes generates a clear net income of $10,000 to $15,000+. Success as a part-time agent relies heavily on choosing a sponsoring broker who supports flexible schedules and having enough personal availability for weekend open houses and evening client showings.