Choosing the best real estate licensing school shouldn’t be hard, but there are countless real estate schools available to choose from. How do you know you’re getting the right education you need to pass the exam? Is the curriculum up-to-date? How can you check if the real estate school is accredited? These are just some of the questions that might be running through your mind as you begin your search.
After walking through this checklist, you’ll be able to make a confident decision in choosing the real estate school that’s best for you so you can start the process of becoming a real estate agent.
14-step checklist to find the best real estate school in your state:
1. Search for reviews and ask for recommendations. The first step to getting into real estate is to look online to find out what former students have to say about the program and their experience. Reach out to family and friends who have earned their real estate license to see if they have any school recommendations.
2. Confirm the real estate school is approved by the state’s real estate division. Licensing happens at the state level, and real estate schools must meet the state’s educational requirements.
3. Research the real estate school’s pass rate. This can give you a good idea of how thorough the education is at a certain school. The course completion rates are also a good indication of the student support provided at the real estate school.
4. Talk to an administrator and ask about the school’s learning methodology. Generate a list of questions about the course. What sort of learning practices and teaching methodologies does the real estate school use? If you can’t reach a real person and can only reach an automated message, this might suggest that you wouldn’t receive adequate student support during your program.
5. Research the history of the school and check for accreditation. Does the real estate school have a long history of success? You’ll want to be sure your education won’t be hindered by issues they’re still trying to fix, such as leadership concerns, operational problems, technical difficulties, or a poor learning environment. You’ll also want to confirm that the school is accredited by a qualified accrediting agency. Accreditation proves that the real estate classes you’re taking will lead to a usable certificate.
6. Make sure the real estate classes are taught by licensed agents and brokers. The real estate classes at your chosen school should be taught by licensed real estate agents and brokers. Your teachers should not only know the subject matter thoroughly but should also be able to speak to real-world experiences.
7. Ask if real estate practice questions are included in the curriculum. Practice questions and exams will help you familiarize yourself with the test-taking experience and similar questions you may come across. The real estate classes you attend and coursework should incorporate similar questions into the daily curriculum. This will help you retain the information and understand where you may need to improve.
8. Inquire about the class format. Be sure to consider whether the real estate classes are online or in-person. The type of learner you are can determine whether online or in-person real estate classes would be better for you, and ultimately make a difference in your success on the exam. Also, take into consideration your availability. If you need more flexibility and less structure, an online program might be best for you so you can work through your classes and coursework at your own pace.
9. Confirm the course content is current and fulfills your state’s requirements. The real estate school you choose needs to have the most recent information on your state’s prelicensing education requirements, and the topics covered in the course should be relevant for today’s market. You’ll want to attend a school where you feel confident that you’re receiving the most recent news and information regarding real estate licensing. You can on the CE Shop.
10. Find out if the real estate school offers continuing education courses and broker licensing education. Inquire about continuing education (CE) courses and real estate broker prelicensing education. Once it comes time to take additional real estate classes to further your career and stay up-to-date in the industry, it’s convenient to be able to use the same school.
11. Find out the number of students who have attended the real estate school. The more students that have attended means more feedback and information about their experiences. If the school has thousands of students who have attended, a high passing rate, and positive reviews, you can almost be certain that you’ll get a great education.
12. Find out about the student support provided at the school. A responsive student support team is valuable if any issues arise, such as technical issues or questions about the curriculum.
13. Compare prices and payment plans. Once you’ve narrowed your selection to just 2 or 3 schools, begin comparing prices and payment plans. If one school has a much higher or much lower pricing than the others, this should be a red flag. If you’re planning to pay via a payment plan, be sure to double-check if they charge any extra fees for this service.
14. Choose the best school in your state. Pick a real estate school that meets your criteria and checks all the above boxes. Don’t know where to start? Find some of the most popular real estate license schools in your state below.