Connecticut Real Estate License

[Mike Rubin]

To those of you from Connecticut,

Can someone help me understand what is involved in obtaining a real estate license? I am interested in accrediting myself as much as possible, but it seems as though online resources for real estate licensing are scarce.

- Are there different types of real estate licenses?
- Are their pre-requisites before one can take the exam?
- What type of prep materials are most common for preparing?
- How long is the exam?
- How often is offered?

I have many questions so if someone can help me it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

[Karin Crompton]

Hi, Mike Rubin - I just got my CT r.e. license a little over a year ago so this is fairly fresh to me. I do remember it being a royal pain to find out how and where to take classes and what the requirements were!

You'd start off getting your salesperson license (i.e. agent), which entails 60 hours of course work called "Principles and Practices." The CT state Department of Consumer Protection is the licensing agency. After you complete the classwork, you'd qualify to sit for the salesperson exam. If I remember correctly, it takes a couple of hours; I think they give you up to 3 hours to complete it. There are 2 parts, federal and state. You need to pass both parts to get your license.

Classes are offered pretty much all the time, w/various options. I was lucky to be able to take a quick 6-week course during which I attended class all day Mon and Wed. Most are once/week for 12 weeks, and you have choices of daytime, evening and weekend times.

Once you pass your exam, you are required to "hang your license" with a broker - which basically means you need to join an office - before you can officially become registered w/the state and practice real estate. You can't just pass your exam and then be a lone ranger as a salesperson. In CT, a broker is someone who has had their salesperson license for 2 years or more and has taken extra coursework and passed the corresponding exam. You can also look at becoming an appraiser, though personally I'm not sure that's worth it for investment purposes; you learn enough in the field. And if you ever become a broker, appraisal is part of that coursework.

Prep materials are up to you. I found that the books they gave us in class were more than enough and the teachers were well qualified. I also took a practice exam online prior to the actual exam.

Here are a few websites that should help out:

Real estate schools, which you can search by town: https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx

A chart that tells you where to find classes (you want pre-licensing; also, it's quite confusing but hopefully the above link just took you right there): http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/realestate_licensing_forms/directions_to_find_schools_and_or_courses.pdf

This is one that includes a chart of various licenses: http://www.theconnecticutrealestateinstitute.com/licensing.html

A good FAQ: http://www.theconnecticutrealestateinstitute.com/FAQ_answers.html

Hope that helps, and good luck!!