Connecticut requires all first-time applicants to complete 60 hours of Connecticut-approved pre-licensing education before they can move ahead on the path to obtain their license. There are various education providers to choose from, each with their own distinct instructional style, modes of communication, and price points. But all must cover the real estate topics set forth by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

After completing your required coursework, it’s time to submit your application to the State. It typically takes around two weeks for your application to be processed; while you can apply by mail, you are strongly encouraged to submit your application online to expedite the process.

Before submitting your application, make sure you have ready access to the following documentation:

• Personal information (name, date of birth, social security number and contact information);

• License history/verifications for each state in which you currently hold or have ever held a real estate license;

• Information regarding professional disciplinary action(s) (if applicable);

• Relevant documents regarding any felony convictions or of a conviction related to forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, extortion, criminal conspiracy to defraud or any like offense (if applicable).

If you have a criminal record, you may be required to perform a background check, which will be reviewed by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protections (DCP) for eligibility. Having a criminal record does not immediately disqualify you from obtaining licensure, and a lot of factors are taken into consideration during the review process. Ultimately, the DCP will inform you of whether or not you are eligible to move forward in the licensing process.

After you’ve submitted your application, it’s now time to complete your Connecticut real estate exam. With a pass rate of only about 60%, you’ll want to consider signing up for an exam prep program which can give you an edge on the test.

The tests are administered by a company called PSI, who also handles a large majority of the nation’s licensing exams in a bunch of other states.

You must be approved before you can register and schedule to take the examination. After the application is reviewed and approved, you will receive instructions on how to register and schedule the examination.

Scheduling Your Exam Online Through PSI

Once you’ve been granted access to the scheduling portal on PSI’s website, all that’s left is for youto select the correct exam and pay the accompanying fee. First-time exam fees run $59, and a retake fee is $51. As you can see, taking the test multiple times can get very costly, very quickly; so, it’s probably a good idea to sign up for that exam prep sooner rather than later.

Helpful Tips to Know Before Registering with PSI

Details About the Connecticut Real Estate Examination

You will need to bring 2 valid forms of identification to the exam:

• A government-issued photo ID and signature

• An ID that contains a signature matching the official photo ID

• You may take the examination as many times as you need for up to one year from the date of eligibility.

• You must pass both portions of the examination within one year of eligibility.

• If you do not pass both portions within one year, you must reapply for an additional year of eligibility.

• After you pass both portions of the exam (within one year of eligibility), you have two years from the date of the most recently passed portion to activate your license.

• All real estate salesperson licenses expire biennially.

• The format is multiple choice

• There are 110 questions total; 80 are national, and 30 are state

• You will have 165 minutes (about 3 hours) to finish

• You must receive at least a 70% to pass

After passing your licensing exam, you must become associated with a current and active sponsoring broker. This broker will be a career and education mentor providing you with an inside view into the day-to-day operations of a real estate agent.

Here are some questions to consider when searching for the right broker:

• What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?

• What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?

• Are they technologically advanced and up-to-date with the latest systems?

• How do they support their agents with education and training?

• What kind of commission structure do they offer?

• Do they offer benefits?

• Do they provide their agents with leads and marketing material?

• Is there room to grow with the brokerage?