How to Get Your Real Estate License in Connecticut (2026)
Compare 6 DCP-approved Connecticut real estate schools. All require live instruction (live virtual Zoom or in-person) — no self-paced courses qualify. Find the best fit and get licensed faster.
Course Cost
$399 – $619
Time to License
4 – 12 weeks
Avg Salary
$80K – $99K/yr
Required Hours
60 hours (live)
Connecticut Requires Live Instruction for All 60 Pre-License Hours
Unlike most states, Connecticut's DCP mandates that every one of the 60 required pre-license hours be completed in a live setting — either in-person classroom or live virtual (Zoom/webinar). Fully self-paced or on-demand online courses do not qualify. All schools listed here meet this requirement. This also means popular self-paced providers like RealEstateU and Colibri do not offer Connecticut pre-licensing.
Top 3 Connecticut Real Estate Schools at a Glance
1. Dream Big School of Real Estate
Best value — bilingual English & Spanish classes. Flexible morning and evening Zoom schedules. Required textbooks included. Perfect 5.0 Google rating.
$399
current enrollment price
2. Capital Real Estate School
All 4 required textbooks included & shipped free. Live Zoom webinar format. Multiple day/evening schedules. Serving Fairfield County.
$425
3. National Real Estate Institute (NREI)
Connecticut's premier pre-licensing school since the 1990s. Top-rated 4.9 Google score. Three schedule options: weekday mornings, evenings, or Saturdays.
$450
Best Real Estate Schools in Connecticut
All 6 schools are Connecticut DCP-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
Dream Big School of Real Estate
Best for Spanish SpeakersStarting at
$399
- Perfect 5-star Google rating — 71+ verified reviews
- Bilingual classes available — English AND Spanish sessions
- Flexible scheduling: mornings (M/W/F) and evenings (T/Th) in English; evenings (M/W) in Spanish
- Required textbooks included in price
- Open to students statewide — not just local
Available Packages (1)
Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Course
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course (live virtual Zoom)
- 20 modules — attend morning or evening sessions
- English classes Tue/Thu evenings & Mon/Wed/Fri mornings
- Spanish classes Mon/Wed evenings
- Required textbooks included
- Certificate of completion upon passing final exam (70% required)
Capital Real Estate School
Best ValueStarting at
$425
- All 4 required textbooks included — shipped free via USPS Priority Mail
- Live Zoom webinar format — meets CT DCP live requirement
- Multiple session schedules (day and evening options)
- Serving Fairfield County area — Shelton, Westport, Trumbull
- Online quizzes and course videos included for review
Available Packages (1)
Principles & Practices Course
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course (live Zoom webinar)
- All 4 required textbooks shipped free
- Instructor study guides
- Online practice quizzes
- Course review videos
National Real Estate Institute (NREI)
Best Local SchoolStarting at
$450
- Connecticut's premier pre-licensing school — serving CT since the 1990s
- Three schedule options: weekday mornings, evening, or Saturdays
- Live Virtual Classroom via Zoom — no self-paced component
- Experienced CT-licensed instructors
- Textbooks available separately through the school
Available Packages (1)
Principles & Practices Course
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course (live virtual Zoom)
- Weekday, evening, or Saturday schedule options
- Live interactive instruction
- Access to required textbooks (purchased separately)
Eastern CT Association of Realtors (ECAR)
Starting at
$499
- Serving Eastern Connecticut — based in Norwich, CT
- Three schedule options: Saturday 12-week, weekday accelerated 5-week, weeknight 10-week
- Required textbooks included in tuition
- Scholarship & mentorship programs available for under-represented applicants
- Experienced licensed CT Realtor® instructors
Available Packages (1)
Principles & Practices Course
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course (live virtual Zoom)
- Saturday, weekday, or weeknight schedule options
- Required textbooks included
- Live interactive classes with experienced REALTOR® instructors
- Identity verification via photo ID at each class
Greater Hartford Association of REALTORS® (GHAR)
Starting at
$525
- Greater Hartford area — live virtual nights OR in-person day classes
- In-person day sessions available at GHAR office (Hartford, CT)
- Continuous start program for night course — join any Monday
- Required textbooks included — shipped before class begins
- Strict no-recruitment policy — focus is entirely on education
Available Packages (1)
Principles & Practices Course
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course
- Night option: live virtual Zoom (Mon & Wed, 6–9pm) — continuous start
- Day option: in-person Hartford office (Mon & Wed, 9am–3:30pm) — 5-week format
- All required textbooks included and shipped prior to class
- 6 months to complete from start date
The CE Shop
Editor's PickStarting at
$619
- LEAP 2.0 interactive learning platform
- Live online sessions — meets CT DCP 60-hour live requirement
- 5-day free trial available before purchase
- Scenario-based learning with digital flashcards
- Pass Guarantee included (Standard & Value packages)
Available Packages (3)
Courses Only
- 60-Hour CT Salesperson Pre-Licensing Course (live online)
- Business eBooks
- Career Resources
- Downloadable Resources
- Digital Flashcards
- Real Estate Glossary
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Connecticut?
Average Annual Income
$80,000 – $99,000
ZipRecruiter Jan 2026: $81,613 avg; Indeed 2025: $98,957
Top Earners
$140,000+
Greenwich & Fairfield County Gold Coast luxury agents
Commission Structure
Connecticut real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. On a $425,000 home (Connecticut median), that's approximately $10,625–$12,750 per sale. New agents on a 70/30 split with their brokerage would keep $7,438–$8,925. Closing 6–8 deals in your first year is a common benchmark, putting first-year earnings at $44,625–$71,400. The Fairfield County Gold Coast — Greenwich, Westport, Darien — is one of the highest-value residential markets in the entire country, with top producers earning $200,000–$400,000+.
Top Connecticut Real Estate Markets
Is a Connecticut Real Estate License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + High Earning Potential: Connecticut's median home price of ~$425,000 and the Gold Coast luxury market create exceptional commission opportunities.
- + No Fingerprinting: Connecticut skips fingerprinting for most applicants, simplifying and reducing the cost of the process.
- + Strong Reciprocity: Connecticut has Mutual Recognition Agreements with multiple states including Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
- + Live Instruction Quality: The mandatory live-course format means you get real instructor interaction and stronger preparation for the exam.
👎 Cons
- - High Activation Fee: The $590 DCP license activation fee is unusually high compared to most states, pushing total costs toward $1,229.
- - No Self-Paced Options: All 60 hours must be live (Zoom or in-person) — you can't study fully at your own pace like in many other states.
- - Competitive Market: Fairfield County and Hartford-area markets are competitive with many experienced agents.
- - Commission-Only Income: No salary — you don't get paid until you close a deal.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Connecticut
Complete 60 Hours of Live Pre-License Education
Enroll in a DCP-approved 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course. Connecticut requires all 60 hours to be completed in a live setting — live virtual (Zoom/webinar) or in-person classroom. The curriculum covers property law, contracts, agency relationships, finance, ethics, and Connecticut-specific real estate statutes. Upon finishing, you receive a certificate of completion required for your exam application.
Submit Your Exam Application to CT DCP
Apply online at elicense.ct.gov or submit a paper Salesperson Examination Application to the CT DCP. Pay the $80 non-refundable application fee. Once approved, the DCP forwards your information to PSI and you'll receive an authorization to schedule your exam. You have 1 year from the approval date to pass both exam sections.
Schedule and Pass the PSI State Exam
Register at test-takers.psiexams.com/ctre and pay the $59 exam fee. The exam has 110 multiple-choice questions: 80 national (general principles) and 30 Connecticut-specific questions, with a 2-hour 45-minute total time limit. You must score 70% on each section independently. Testing centers are in West Hartford and Milford, CT; remote proctoring is also available (effective May 2025). About 73% of candidates pass on the first attempt.
Find a Sponsoring Broker
To activate your Connecticut real estate license, you must affiliate with a licensed Connecticut supervising broker. Your broker provides mentorship, training, and supervision as required by state law. You can take the exam before finding a broker, but the license will remain inactive until broker sponsorship is established. Research brokerages carefully — your first brokerage shapes your career foundation.
Activate Your License and Pay the $590 Fee
After passing both exam sections, submit your score report to the DCP's Licensing Services Division within 2 years. Activate your license through elicense.ct.gov with your supervising broker and pay the $590 license activation fee. This fee is notably higher than most states. Once active, you are authorized to represent buyers and sellers in Connecticut real estate transactions.
Start Your Career and Maintain Your License
With an active license, you can begin earning commissions on Connecticut real estate transactions. Connecticut's market — especially the Fairfield County Gold Coast and Hartford suburbs — offers strong earning potential. Renew your license by May 31 of each even-numbered year with 12 hours of continuing education completed beforehand.
Connecticut Real Estate License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- No college degree required
- No Connecticut residency required
- No fingerprinting required (standard applicants)
- Criminal convictions require DCP review worksheet
Education & Exam Requirements
- 60-hour DCP-approved Principles & Practices course (live only)
- Pass PSI exam: 110 questions, 70% on each section
- 80 national questions + 30 CT-specific questions
- Must affiliate with a licensed CT supervising broker
- Pay $590 DCP license activation fee after passing exam
Connecticut Real Estate License Cost
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your Connecticut real estate license in 2026:
| Pre-License Course (60 hours, live) | $399 – $619 | All formats are live Zoom or in-person — no self-paced options in CT |
| DCP Exam Application Fee | $80 | Non-refundable; paid to CT DCP to establish exam eligibility |
| State Exam Fee (PSI) | $59 | Paid to PSI when scheduling; remote proctoring available |
| License Activation Fee (DCP) | $590 | Paid to CT DCP after passing exam and affiliating with sponsoring broker |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check | N/A | Not required for standard applicants |
| Estimated Total | $1,128 – $1,348 | Note: $590 activation fee is the largest single cost |
* The $590 license activation fee is significantly higher than most states. Budget accordingly before enrolling.
The Connecticut Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- Format: Multiple-choice (national + state sections)
- Questions: 110 total (80 national + 30 CT-specific)
- Passing score: 70% on each section independently (56/80 national; 21/30 state)
- Time limit: 2 hours 45 minutes total
- Provider: PSI Exams
- Fee: $59 per attempt
- Test sites: West Hartford, Milford, CT; remote proctoring available
- First-attempt pass rate: ~73%
Exam Topics
- Property ownership, rights, and interests
- Land-use controls, regulations, and zoning
- Valuation, market analysis, and appraisal principles
- Financing, mortgages, and lending concepts
- General principles of agency and fiduciary duties
- Contracts, disclosures, and transfer of title
- Connecticut license law & Real Estate Commission regulations
- Real estate calculations (area, proration, commission, mortgage)
💡 Exam Prep Tip
The Connecticut state section covers CT-specific license law, agency statutes, and Real Estate Commission regulations — a common stumbling block. Since all CT pre-license courses are live (Zoom or classroom), your instructors will cover state law in real time. Schools like The CE Shop also include dedicated Exam Prep Edge tools for both the national and Connecticut state portions. Ask your school what exam prep resources are included before enrolling.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Connecticut Real Estate License?
3–4 weeks
Accelerated
Attend daily sessions — NREI or ECAR weekday accelerated track
6–8 weeks
Evening/Weekend
2–3 evenings/week or Saturday schedule
10–14 weeks
Casual Pace
Weekend-only schedule; ECAR Saturday 12-week program
Note on self-pacing: Because Connecticut requires live sessions, you can't binge-study at your own pace the way you can in states with self-paced courses. Your timeline is tied to your school's session schedule. Plan ahead — some schedules fill up weeks in advance.
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Compare Real Estate Licensing in Other States
Connecticut's 60-hour live-only requirement is unique. See how it compares to other states' licensing paths, costs, and timelines.
Oregon Real Estate License Requirements
150 hours · $631–$1,031 total · PSI exam
Oklahoma Real Estate License Requirements
90 hours · $369–$620 total · Pearson VUE exam
Utah Real Estate License Requirements
120 hours · $216–$766 total · one FREE school option
Iowa Real Estate License Requirements
96 hours (hybrid) · $615–$915 total · PSI exam
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Connecticut?
Total costs typically range from $879 to $1,229. This includes the 60-hour live pre-license course ($399–$619), the DCP exam application fee ($80), PSI exam fee ($59), and the license activation fee ($590). Connecticut does not require fingerprinting for most applicants, which keeps costs lower than many states. Use a CertLaunch discount code to save on your course.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Connecticut?
Most candidates complete the process in 4–12 weeks. The 60-hour live pre-license course can be finished in as little as 3–4 weeks attending sessions full-time, or 6–10 weeks on an evening or weekend schedule. After DCP approval, you can schedule the PSI exam within days. License activation processing adds another 1–2 weeks. The full process is commonly 6–8 weeks.
What are the requirements to get a real estate license in Connecticut?
You must be at least 18 years old, complete a DCP-approved 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course (live classroom or live virtual Zoom — no self-paced formats), pass the PSI exam (110 questions, 70% on each section independently), and affiliate with a licensed Connecticut supervising broker to activate your license. No college degree or Connecticut residency is required.
Is the Connecticut real estate exam hard?
The Connecticut real estate exam has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 73%, making it moderately challenging. The exam has 110 multiple-choice questions split into a national portion (80 questions) and a Connecticut-specific portion (30 questions), with 70% required on each section independently. Thorough exam prep materials significantly improve your results.
Can I take the Connecticut real estate course online?
Yes — but with an important caveat. Connecticut law requires all 60 pre-license hours to be completed in a live setting. This means live virtual Zoom classes qualify, but fully self-paced or on-demand online courses do NOT meet the CT DCP requirement. All schools listed on CertLaunch offer live virtual (Zoom) formats that satisfy the requirement. As of May 2025, the PSI exam itself can also be taken via remote proctoring.
How much do real estate agents make in Connecticut?
Connecticut real estate agents earn an average of $80,000–$99,000 per year. ZipRecruiter (Jan 2026) puts the state average at $81,613, while Indeed reports $98,957. Agents in Greenwich and Fairfield County's Gold Coast luxury market can earn $140,000–$400,000+. Connecticut's median home price of ~$425,000 creates strong commission potential — a 3% buyer's agent commission on a typical sale equals $12,750.
Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut does not require a college degree for a real estate salesperson license. The only educational requirement is completing the 60-hour DCP-approved live pre-license course. Attorneys may qualify for an alternative pathway through approved law school real estate coursework.
What is the best real estate school in Connecticut?
The best school depends on your learning style, schedule, and budget. All Connecticut pre-license schools must offer live instruction (classroom or live virtual Zoom). Top options include Capital Real Estate School (best value with textbooks included), NREI (Connecticut's premier school since the 1990s), and The CE Shop (interactive LEAP platform). Compare all options on CertLaunch to find the best fit.
Why does Connecticut require live classes for real estate pre-licensing?
Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) mandates that all 60 pre-license hours be completed in a live setting — live classroom or live virtual (Zoom/webinar). This requirement ensures students receive real-time interaction with instructors. Self-paced or on-demand online formats, common in other states, do not qualify in Connecticut. All schools listed on CertLaunch meet this requirement.
Can I get a Connecticut real estate license with a criminal record?
Possibly. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-80, the Real Estate Commission cannot automatically deny applications based solely on a criminal record. The DCP evaluates the nature of the offense, its relation to real estate practice, and time elapsed since the conviction. Applicants with convictions must submit a Criminal Conviction Review Worksheet with their exam application. Contact the DCP at dcp.licenseservices@ct.gov for guidance before enrolling.