Independent real estate brokers in Colorado are allowed to operate their own brokerages without the supervision of an employing broker, but are not allowed to supervise and employ other real estate licensees. You must meet a set of education, examination and experience requirements as set by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the state body responsible for real estate licensing, to qualify for the independent broker license. While not required, joining the Colorado branch of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers gives you access to resources and services such as a referral network.

Complete at least a bachelor’s degree with a major course of study in real estate.

Sit for your two-hour Colorado broker examination with PSI Examination Services, the third party agency responsible for delivering exams for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Apply for your exam through PSI Examination Services. As of 2011, the fee for the Colorado broker examination is $85.

Apply with real estate brokerage agencies to work as an associate broker.

Apply for an associate broker license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. You can download and print application forms from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website. Submit a set of fingerprints for a background check before you submit your application and include your school transcripts and exam scores, along with proof of your error and omission insurance, which you can generally get through your employing broker, and your application fee, which is $200 as of 2011.

Gain two years of experience working under the supervision of a licensed employing broker.

Apply to upgrade your associate broker license to an independent broker license with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Download and print application forms from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website. Include proof of your work experience along with your license upgrade fee of $50 as of 2011.

Join the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers. Membership applications are available on the association's website. As of 2011, membership fees range from $90 for one year to $777 for a lifetime membership.