- CT-RE-B stands for the Connecticut Real Estate Broker Exam, administered by PSI on behalf of the state.
- The exam has 120 total questions (75 general + 45 state) worth 125 points, in 180 minutes.
- Each of the two portions-general and state-requires a 75% score to pass.
- Domain 13, Connecticut Laws Governing the Activities of Licensees, is the single largest state domain at 26.67%.
What CT-RE-B Actually Means
CT-RE-B stands for the Connecticut Real Estate Broker Exam - the licensing test that a Connecticut real estate salesperson must pass to upgrade to broker status. It is not a national designation, a college certification, or any other credential that happens to share the same letters. In this context, CT-RE-B refers specifically to the state-mandated exam overseen by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Connecticut Real Estate Commission, delivered through PSI's testing network.
If you've landed here after searching around, you may have also seen related questions answered on our companion pages: What Is CT-RE-B?, CT-RE-B Meaning, and What Does CT-RE-B Stand For?. This article focuses narrowly on defining the exam itself - what it covers, who can take it, and what passing actually requires.
Who Governs the CT-RE-B and Who Delivers It
Two bodies sit above the exam. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Connecticut Real Estate Commission set licensing rules, education requirements, and renewal cycles. PSI is the third-party vendor that actually builds and delivers the test - it's closed-book and computer-delivered, offered either at a physical PSI test center or via remote proctoring from home.
This separation matters for candidates because scheduling, fees, and identification rules come from PSI's testing policies, while eligibility requirements (education hours, transaction history, license tenure) come from the state. Confusing the two sources is a common reason candidates show up to test day with the wrong paperwork.
Exam Structure: Questions, Points, and Time
The CT-RE-B is split into two distinct portions that are scored independently:
- General portion: 75 questions worth 80 points, covering national real estate practice concepts (Domains 1-11).
- State portion: 45 questions worth 40 points, covering Connecticut-specific law and practice (Domains 12-16).
That totals 120 questions and 125 points, all within a 180-minute window. Some national broker-level items can be worth up to two points each, which is why raw question counts don't map one-to-one with point totals. You may also encounter 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions mixed into the exam - these look identical to scored items but don't count toward your result, so there's no way to identify and skip them.
Key Takeaway
Because the general and state portions are scored separately, you must hit 75% on each portion independently - a strong general score cannot offset a weak state score, or vice versa.
For a deeper breakdown of exactly how the scoring cutoffs work, see CT-RE-B Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. And if you're wondering how the format compares in difficulty to other licensing exams, How Hard Is the CT-RE-B Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 walks through that in detail.
The 16 CT-RE-B Domains Explained
The CT-RE-B bulletin organizes content into 16 domains. Domains 1 through 11 live in the general portion; domains 12 through 16 live in the state portion. State-portion percentages are calculated from PSI's official item counts, not simple rounding, which is why some numbers look unusual (like 26.67%).
Domain 5: Contracts (19%)
The single largest domain in the general portion. Expect scenario questions on offer and acceptance, contingencies, contract remedies, and listing/buyer agreements.
- Elements required for a valid contract
- Breach, rescission, and remedies
Domain 6: Agency (13%)
Covers fiduciary duties, types of agency relationships, and disclosure obligations that overlap heavily with Domain 14's state-specific agency rules.
- Dual agency and designated agency distinctions
- Duties owed to clients versus customers
Domain 13: Connecticut Laws Governing the Activities of Licensees (26.67%)
The largest domain on the entire exam. This is where Connecticut statute, not generic real estate theory, decides right and wrong answers.
- Licensee conduct and disciplinary grounds
- Recordkeeping and escrow handling under CT rules
Domain 14: Connecticut Real Estate Agency (22.22%)
State-specific agency law layered on top of the general Domain 6 concepts - expect questions that test Connecticut's exact disclosure timing and forms.
- Connecticut agency disclosure requirements
- Broker supervisory responsibilities
Domain 16: Brokers Exam Only (17.78%)
Content exclusive to the broker-level test - not tested on the salesperson exam - covering the added responsibilities of running or supervising a brokerage.
- Broker-specific supervisory obligations
- Trust account and office management duties
Together, Domains 12 through 16 make the state portion noticeably law-heavy compared to the general portion. For a full walkthrough of every domain with weightings and sample topics, see CT-RE-B Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 16 Content Areas.
| Portion | Questions | Points | Domains | Passing Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 75 | 80 | 1-11 | 75% |
| State | 45 | 40 | 12-16 | 75% |
| Total | 120 | 125 | 16 domains | 180 minutes |
Who Can Sit for the CT-RE-B
The CT-RE-B isn't open to first-time real estate candidates - it's an upgrade exam. To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have held an active Connecticut salesperson license for at least three years
- Document 1,500 hours and at least four transactions in the immediately preceding three years
- Complete 60 hours of Real Estate Principles and Practices
- Complete 15 hours of Brokerage Principles and Practices
- Complete 15 hours of Legal Compliance
- Complete either 30 elective hours or qualify via the 20-transaction alternative
These prerequisites explain why CT-RE-B candidates are typically experienced agents rather than newcomers - the exam assumes working familiarity with transactions, not just classroom theory. For the full eligibility breakdown with documentation tips, see CT-RE-B Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Fees and Licensing Costs
Budgeting for the CT-RE-B involves several separate line items, not just an exam fee:
- First exam attempt: $59
- Retake fee: $51
- State application fee: $120
- Broker license activation: $1,150
For a complete cost breakdown across every stage - education hours, application, exam, and activation - see CT-RE-B Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
After You Pass: Renewal and CE
Once licensed, Connecticut broker licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years, and license holders must complete 12 continuing-education hours per two-year cycle to renew. This cycle is worth marking on a calendar early, since missing the November 30 deadline in an even-numbered year can lapse an otherwise active license.
Brokers who hold this credential typically supervise salesperson teams, open or manage their own brokerage offices, or take on transaction oversight roles that salespersons legally cannot perform. If you're evaluating whether pursuing the credential fits your career goals, Is the CT-RE-B Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and CT-RE-B Jobs cover the practical career angle in more depth.
Mapping a Study Plan to the Domains
Because the general and state portions are scored separately, an effective plan treats them as two distinct study tracks rather than one blended review. A simple way to sequence preparation:
General Portion Foundations
- Contracts (Domain 5) and Agency (Domain 6) - the two heaviest general-portion domains
- Financing and Valuation basics, since calculations questions (Domain 11) draw from both
Remaining General Domains
- Property Ownership, Land Use Controls, Property Disclosures, Property Management
- Transfer of Title and Practice of Real Estate
State Portion Deep Dive
- Prioritize Domain 13 (Connecticut Laws Governing the Activities of Licensees) given its 26.67% weight
- Then Domain 14 (Connecticut Real Estate Agency) at 22.22%
Review and Practice Testing
- Domains 12, 15, and 16 for remaining state-specific gaps
- Timed full-length practice runs to build 180-minute pacing
Rotating short, timed review sessions between domains - rather than cramming one domain for an entire week - tends to keep both portions fresh going into test day. For a more detailed week-by-week framework built specifically around this exam's scoring structure, see CT-RE-B Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. A one-page reference of the must-know facts from every domain is also compiled in CT-RE-B Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts.
Key Takeaway
Study Domain 13 earlier and longer than any other single domain - at 26.67% of the state portion, it carries more weight than several general-portion domains combined.
Running full-length, timed practice tests that mirror the real 120-question, 180-minute format is one of the most reliable ways to confirm you're ready before spending money on an actual attempt. You can work through domain-by-domain practice questions modeled on this exact structure over on our main practice test platform, and track how your general-portion and state-portion scores compare separately before scheduling with PSI.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In this context, CT-RE-B refers specifically to the Connecticut Real Estate Broker Exam, a state licensing exam administered through PSI on behalf of Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection and Real Estate Commission.
120 total questions: 75 general questions worth 80 points and 45 state questions worth 40 points, for 125 total points across 180 minutes.
You need 75% on the general portion and 75% on the state portion - each is scored independently, so passing one does not offset failing the other.
Candidates must be at least 18, have held an active Connecticut salesperson license for at least three years, and document 1,500 hours with at least four transactions in the prior three years, plus required coursework.
You submit the state application ($120) and pay broker license activation ($1,150). Once active, your license expires November 30 of even-numbered years and requires 12 continuing-education hours per two-year cycle to renew.