Broker license reciprocity in Connecticut: states, fees, and rules

Connecticut offers real estate license reciprocity through mutual recognition agreements with 12 states, allowing licensed agents and brokers from those states to obtain a Connecticut license without completing Connecticut's pre-licensing education requirement. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) administers these agreements, which cover both salesperson and broker license reciprocity. Some reciprocal applicants must still pass the state portion of the Connecticut exam, and all reciprocal licensees must meet continuing education obligations once licensed.

What is Connecticut real estate license reciprocity?

Connecticut real estate license reciprocity is a system of mutual recognition agreements that lets active licensees from partner states obtain a Connecticut license without retaking the full pre-licensing coursework. The Connecticut DCP reciprocity page^[1] describes these as arrangements "encouraged when mutually advantageous," under which each state honors the other's licensing examination and education standards.

Reciprocity differs from portability. Portability lets an out-of-state agent complete a single transaction in Connecticut without obtaining a Connecticut license. Under cooperative portability, an out-of-state broker can co-broker a transaction through a Connecticut-licensed brokerage. Reciprocity, by contrast, grants a full Connecticut license to qualifying out-of-state licensees.

The Connecticut Real Estate Commission oversees reciprocity decisions and rulemaking. The commission page^[2] describes a body of eight members appointed by the governor: three licensed real estate brokers, two licensed real estate salespersons, and three public members, with no more than a bare majority from one political party and at least one member from each congressional district.

Which states have reciprocity with Connecticut?

Twelve states hold mutual recognition agreements with Connecticut for real estate licensing. Licensees from these partner states who hold an active license obtained by examination may apply for a Connecticut reciprocal license, bypassing the standard 60-hour pre-licensing course requirement.

Does Connecticut have reciprocity with New York?

No. The Connecticut DCP reciprocity page^[1] states that "the New York Department of State has terminated our reciprocal agreement. Effective immediately, all New York applicants must apply by Non-Reciprocity." The New York Department of State FAQ page^[3] independently confirms that it "does not currently have reciprocity with any other state." New York ceased reciprocity as of December 21, 2022, when new educational standards took effect.

Some online resources still list New York among Connecticut's reciprocal states, but that information predates the termination and is no longer accurate. New York licensees must apply through Connecticut's non-reciprocal pathway.

Can I transfer my Massachusetts real estate license to Connecticut?

Yes. Massachusetts real estate license reciprocity with Connecticut allows active Massachusetts licensees who obtained their license by examination to apply for a Connecticut reciprocal license. Massachusetts applicants are not required to take the state portion of the Connecticut exam, since they already passed the Massachusetts licensing exam. Salesperson applicants must have a Connecticut-licensed supervising broker, as with all reciprocal salesperson applications.

Requirements for a reciprocal Connecticut real estate license

To qualify for a reciprocal license, an applicant must hold an active real estate license in good standing in a reciprocal state and have passed that state's real estate licensing examination at the time of obtaining the license. The CT DCP reciprocal license page^[4] lists these prerequisites. Broker reciprocity follows the same mutual recognition framework and state list as salesperson reciprocity.

Salesperson applicants must have a supervising broker who holds an active Connecticut broker license. Broker applicants apply independently. If operating as a business entity such as an LLC, corporation, or LLP, a broker license must be obtained in the name of that entity rather than as an individual.

Required documentation includes:

• A completed reciprocal application
• A certification of license history or verification received directly from the reciprocal state, confirming an active license issued by examination
• Certifications of license history from every other state in which the applicant has ever held a real estate license

If the applicant's license is not in good standing, or if the applicant did not obtain their original license by examination, the reciprocal pathway is not available. The applicant must apply through the non-reciprocal process instead.

Reciprocal license fees in Connecticut

Connecticut charges a single bundled fee for reciprocal licenses that covers the application, initial license, and guaranty fund. The CT DCP reciprocal license page^[4] lists the following fees:

The application fee is non-refundable. Applicants who must take the state portion of the Connecticut exam pay the exam fee separately when scheduling with PSI.

Do reciprocal applicants need to take the Connecticut exam?

Applicants from most reciprocal states who passed their home-state licensing exam do not need to take any Connecticut exam. The CT DCP reciprocal license page^[4] requires applicants from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to take the state portion of the Connecticut Real Estate Examination. Applicants who did not take a licensing examination in their reciprocal state must also take the state portion.

PSI administers the Connecticut real estate licensing exam. PSI began offering online-proctored Connecticut exams on May 13, 2025, in addition to in-person testing at centers including West Hartford and Milford. After the DCP reviews and approves the reciprocity application, the applicant receives instructions to register and schedule the exam with PSI.

How to apply for a reciprocal Connecticut real estate license

The application process for a reciprocal Connecticut license follows these steps:

1. Verify eligibility. Confirm you hold an active license in good standing in a reciprocal state and that you obtained it by examination.
2. Gather license history certifications. Request a certification of license history from your current state's licensing authority, plus certifications from every other state where you have ever held a real estate license.
3. Secure a supervising broker, if applying as a salesperson. Identify a Connecticut-licensed broker who will supervise you. Salesperson applicants from Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island must complete and upload a Salesperson Supervising Broker Form, per the CT DCP online application instructions^[5].
4. Submit the application online. Individual broker and salesperson applicants with an active license issued by examination in a reciprocal state may apply through the DCP portal. The online application is not available for broker businesses or legal entities.
5. Pay the required fee. The fee structure is detailed in the reciprocal license fees section above.
6. Take the state exam if required. If you are from a state that requires the Connecticut state exam, schedule and pass it through PSI after the DCP approves your application.

Applying from a non-reciprocal state

Licensees from states without a mutual recognition agreement with Connecticut, including New York, must apply through the non-reciprocal pathway^[6]. This process applies to any active licensee from a non-reciprocal state who passed a written real estate licensing examination in their home state.

Non-reciprocal applicants must pass the state portion of the Connecticut Real Estate Licensing Examination administered by PSI. After passing, the fees to activate the license are:

Business entities such as LLCs, corporations, and partnerships must obtain a broker license in the entity's name. After passing the broker exam, the entity submits a New Business Entity Application with a fee of $1,270 and the passing exam score report.

Salesperson applicants must provide the original PSI score report signed by themselves and their Connecticut-licensed supervising broker. Broker applicants provide the original signed PSI score report.

Continuing education for reciprocal licensees in Connecticut

Connecticut does not exempt reciprocal license holders from continuing education. All licensed real estate professionals must complete 12 hours of CE per two-year renewal cycle, including one 3-hour mandatory course covering current real estate and fair housing legislation, licensing laws, and regulations, plus elective courses to complete the remaining hours. The CT REALTORS® licensing and CE page^[7] confirms that "Connecticut DOES NOT EXEMPT ANYONE from completion of Connecticut specific continuing education, including reciprocal license holders."

First-time licensees who obtained their license through Connecticut licensing exams receive a CE exemption during their first renewal period. Reciprocal licensees do not receive this exemption and must fulfill CE requirements in their first renewal cycle.

CE must be completed 90 days before the license renewal date. Salesperson licenses expire on May 31 of every even-numbered year, and broker licenses expire on November 30 of every even-numbered year.

Connecticut licensees seeking reciprocity in other states

Connecticut licensees who want to practice in another state should first contact that state's licensing authority, because requirements vary by state. Most states require a certificate of license history from Connecticut, which licensees can request through the DCP.

Rhode Island offers a streamlined reciprocal process for Connecticut licensees. According to the RI REALTORS® reciprocity page^[8], Connecticut licensees can obtain a Rhode Island reciprocal license in three steps: complete a 3-hour lead paint hazards course, obtain a BCI background check from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, and apply through the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation eLicensing portal. Rhode Island does not require Connecticut licensees to take a state exam.

Next steps

If your state has mutual recognition with Connecticut, gather your license history certifications and identify a Connecticut supervising broker for salesperson applications. Submit the reciprocal application through the DCP online portal with the required fee. If your state requires the Connecticut state exam, prepare to take it through PSI after your application is approved. If your state is not reciprocal, apply through the non-reciprocal pathway and plan to take the state exam. Either way, budget for continuing education in your first renewal cycle, since Connecticut does not exempt reciprocal licensees from CE.