Colorado Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules
Who regulates whom
The Colorado Real Estate Commission, part of the Division of Real Estate within DORA, licenses broker associates, employing brokers, and independent brokers - the old 'salesperson' category ended in 2003. Entry requires 168 hours of pre-licensing education, a background check, the state exam, errors-and-omissions insurance, and a supervising employing broker before the license becomes active. An associate broker may hang a license with only one employing broker at a time and must notify the Commission when that affiliation changes.
Ongoing obligations
Licenses renew on a three-year cycle with 24 hours of continuing education, at least 12 of which must be Commission-approved Annual Commission Update (ACU) hours. Employing brokers must supervise associates and review their contracts; teams must be registered with the Commission; unlicensed assistants may perform clerical and administrative work but may not negotiate, advise, or handle substantive property discussions. Advertising must identify the brokerage firm, not only the individual.
Traps: (1) A client's check belongs to the brokerage - an associate cannot accept compensation directly from a client or another broker without the employing broker's consent. (2) 'Independent broker' is not a synonym for associate; it is an employing broker who works alone. (3) Advertising a team name without the registered firm name violates the rule. (4) Unlicensed assistants cannot hold open houses to discuss terms.
Rule of thumb: 24 hours per cycle, half of it ACU - 12 elective hours alone leaves the renewal short.