Chris Heller, Licensed Agent4/19/2024
Need to get your real estate license in California? I’ve spent over 155 hours evaluating the 11 most popular courses approved by the California Department of Real Estate. I’ve checked out each and every course, and there are clear winners and losers – so be sure to read my guide thoroughly!
Best Online Real Estate School in California
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Exam Prep
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Best Overall California Real Estate School, Highest Pass Rates, Most Engaging Content, Best Support: AceableAgent
Read ReviewBest Overall California Real Estate School, Highest Pass Rates, Most Engaging Content, Best Support
AceableAgent ReviewVisit AceableAgent
Best User Interface, Quickest Real Estate School, Easiest Content to Digest: OnlineEd
Read ReviewBest User Interface, Quickest Real Estate School, Easiest Content to Digest
OnlineEd ReviewVisit OnlineEd
Best Refund Policies, Best Continuing Education Courses: The CE Shop
Read ReviewBest Refund Policies, Best Continuing Education Courses
The CE Shop ReviewCheapest Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
Read ReviewCheapest Real Estate School
Colibri Real Estate ReviewVisit Colibri
Free Option to get Your Real Estate License: Tuition Reimbursem*nt
Read ReviewFree Option to get Your Real Estate License
Tuition Reimbursem*nt ReviewView Details
Best Test Prep in California: PrepAgent
Read ReviewBest Test Prep in California
PrepAgent ReviewVisit PrepAgent
Best Overall California Real Estate School, Highest Pass Rates, Most Engaging Content, Best Support: AceableAgent
A+
Top Features
: Super high pass rates, best-in-class test prep, engaging content
Starting at $229 $179
Visit AceableAgent
If you’re looking to avoid tedious content, this is the perfect course for you. With its impressive track record of high pass rates, it offers you the greatest chance of success. For new agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Deluxe package. The extra perks like the 75 videos & audio lessons and PrepAgent Deluxe Exam Prep make it a good value.
Pass Rate. Aceable boasts an outstanding 92% pass rate among California students. In comparison, many other schools hover around the 70% range.
Course Duration. If the 135-hour course is not finished within 12 months, Aceable offers an option to extend access for an additional 6 months at a cost of $49.
Support. Aceable makes it super easy to get in touch with an actual person. It’s also worth noting that their customer support team is based in the United States, ensuring a smooth communication experience without language barriers.
Refund Policy. Aceable offers a generous 30-day refund policy, provided that the course has not been completed. They also offer their “Ace or Don’t Pay” Guarantee, which provides added peace of mind.
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AceableAgent Pros
- In-course audio feature
- Excellent test prep
- Mobile app for studying
AceableAgent Cons
- Have to pay to extend course access
- Some bugs on the mobile app
Starting at $229 $179
Visit AceableAgent
Best User Interface, Quickest Real Estate School, Easiest Content to Digest: OnlineEd
A
Top Features
: Real-world examples from industry-leading experts, exam simulator
Starting at $254 $204
Visit OnlineEd
OnlineEd is a great choice if you’re looking to get your real estate license in a pinch. With the ability to navigate through the lessons at your own pace, you can complete the course in a matter of weeks. This flexibility is great if you have a busy schedule, as there are no time restrictions imposed. The exam simulator is also a great value, and allows you to get used to the questions that will appear on the test.
Pass Rate. OnlineEd has a pretty high pass rate amongst California students (79%). The exam prep they offer is really great, especially when you compare it to other schools.
Course Duration. OnlineEd is your best bet if you’re looking to get your California real estate license as quickly as possible, as they have specific policies in place to speed up the 135 hour process.
Support. OnlineEd’s new live chat feature enhances their support capabilities, allowing you to quickly get in touch with someone regarding course details, licensing requirements, and other pressing questions.
Refund Policy. OnlineEd does not offer any refunds at this time for their California course. While you can cancel at any point, you will lose your money in the process.
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OnlineEd Pros
- Free information packet available
- Live instructor support
- Good student reviews
OnlineEd Cons
- No refund policy
- Slow response times on the weekends
Starting at $254 $204
Visit OnlineEd
Best Refund Policies, Best Continuing Education Courses: The CE Shop
A-
Top Features
: Free trial offer, high exam pass rate, self-scheduling flexibility
Starting at $249 $149
Overall, I would recommend taking The CE Shop’s California pre-licensing course if you are looking for something that is easy to navigate. I’d suggest taking a look at the Premium package because the extra perks, like the business building courses and downloadable resources, make it worth the extra money.
Pass Rate. The CE Shop maintains an impressive 90% pass rate among California students. While it may not be the highest pass rate in the state, it’s definitely higher than the average pass rate.
Course Duration. The California course takes 135 hours to complete. If you require additional time, you can request a one-month extension at no extra cost.
Support. The support team of The CE Shop is available around the clock, seven days a week, throughout the year.
Refund Policy. The new 5-day free trial is my favorite feature that sets The CE Shop apart from other real estate schools. They also provide a full refund within the first 30 days, as long as you have not completed more than 50% of the course.
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The CE Shop Pros
- Practice tests are unlimited
- 96% student satisfaction rate
- Lots of packages to choose from
- A la carte options
The CE Shop Cons
- Broad practice exam questions
- Interface can be glitchy
Starting at $249 $149
Cheapest Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
B+
Top Features
: Several packages to choose from, lots of practice exams
Starting at $240 $99
Visit Colibri
I would recommend Colibri’s packages if you are looking for live, scheduled courses with flexibility. For aspiring agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Ultimate Learning package. The extra perks like the career success tools, the coaching videos, and the CompuCram Exam Prep make it a great value that will help you find success long after you finish your real estate course.
Pass Rate. While Colibri Real Estate has assisted over 500,000 aspiring agents get their real estate license, it’s worth noting that their pass rate among students is relatively low compared to other schools (71%).
Course Duration. The California course takes 135 hours to complete. If you require additional time, you can request a one-month extension at no extra cost.
Support. You can pay to extend your course access by selecting a 7, 30, or 60-day option (prices go up the longer you want to extend). You can also choose the “retake” option which will give you a $25 discount to start the course over.
Refund Policy. Students can receive a 100% refund if they decide they don’t like the online course within the first week of enrollment. For those who opt for the livestream package, there is a 24-hour window to change their mind and request a refund.
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Colibri Real Estate Pros
- "Career Starting" coaching videos
- Live Q&A sessions
- Decent student reviews
Colibri Real Estate Cons
- Must pay for physical study materials if you want them
- Only 6 months of access before having to extend
Starting at $240 $99
Visit Colibri
Free Option to get Your Real Estate License: Tuition Reimbursem*nt
A+
Top Features
: Easy way to get your real estate school for FREE
Starting at $249 $149
View Details
Agent Advice is hiring realtors, and we’ve built the most affordable way for you to get your Real Estate License. Here’s how it works:
- Purchase your course from agentadvice.theceshop.com
- Complete your course and pass the state and national licensing exams
- Email us to schedule your interview with our recruiters
- Then join our brokerage, and we’ll reimburse your course costs as soon as your license transfers – easy peasy
Other program details
Once you receive confirmation from the state that you’ve passed the state and national exams, you can email us at support@agentadvice.com to get connected with our recruiters. One of our recruiters will reach out to you to get to know you and share any and every thing you’ll want to know to decide if our brokerage is the right fit for you. If it’s not, you’re under no obligation to join our brokerage.
If you do join us, our support team will then reimburse you within 2 business days of joining. Reimbursem*nt will come in the form of a gift card or check equal to the value of the course purchased, and will be delivered electronically.
AgentAdvice.com is not the provider of any courses, and all state certifications, ongoing support questions, etc. will be provided by and fulfilled directly through the school. Feel free to email us with any other specific questions about our tuition reimbursem*nt program.
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Starting at $249 $149
View Details
Best Test Prep in California: PrepAgent
A
Top Features
: Updated study material, engaging instructors
Starting at $59
Visit PrepAgent
I highly recommend it for those preparing for the California real estate exam. The comprehensive resources, including audio recordings and the option for one-on-one tutoring, cater well to busy students and those requiring extra guidance. The relatable teaching methods of the instructors and the effectiveness of the study tools are particularly noted for helping students pass the real estate exam on their first try.
Features. There’s an option to take a free practice test, plus they offer interactive flashcards to keep students engaged.
Support. There is a live chat as well as recorded webinars to watch in the future in case you miss an online webinar.
Refund Policy. If you aren’t satisfied with PrepAgent, their packages are covered with a 100% money-back guarantee.
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PrepAgent Pros
- Audio recordings available
- Can get 1:1 tutoring
- Several packages to choose from
PrepAgent Cons
- Online only
- Exam prep only available for a limited time
Starting at $59
Visit PrepAgent
Honorable Mentions
We had a high bar in picking the best of the best real estate schools in California. These schools didn’t make the cut (frankly, they’re not as great as our top picks – but were also considered).
RealEstateU
C
Top Features
: Self-paced, affordable courses
Starting at $159 $129
Visit RealEstateU
RealEstateU Pros
- 30-day refund available
- Very affordable
- Cheap price point
RealEstateU Cons
- Few study materials
- Text-heavy content
- Little instructor support
Starting at $159 $129
Visit RealEstateU
A bit about Pass Rates:
You’ll see me refer to Pass Rates in my article – these are estimated using a variety of sources – pass rates directly from the providers, estimations from other states where providers operate in multiple states, and user-reported qualitative information.
| School | Estimated Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| AceableAgent | |
| The CE Shop | |
| OnlineEd | |
| Colibri Real Estate | |
| RealEstateU |
Methodology
In total, we spent about 140 hours compiling our own data, data from the schools themselves, and data from students to evaluate these schools. Our ranking criteria included:
- Course value
- Customer/student experience
- Return policies
- Course structure
- Overall performance of each school as a whole
- User reviews
If you have your own criteria that you feel would make a school a good fit for you, we encourage you to use that in addition to ours.
FAQ
How many pre-licensing hours are required in California?
The California Department of Real Estate requires 135 hours of pre-license education in order to sit for the state real estate exam.
How long does it take to get your real estate license in California?
Depends on the school. Lots of schools are self-paced, so it depends on how quickly you can get through the course material. Most of the time, you’re looking at a time frame of 1-5 months.
Which schools have the highest pass rate?
While it’s difficult to gather data on pass rates for all schools (or to know how truly accurate it is), Aceable Agent claims to have the highest pass rate (usually in the low- to mid-90s).
Do these schools comply with DRE regulations?
The California Department of Real Estate regulates licensing requirements for real estate licensure in California. The schools in this list understand DRE regulations and prepare students to sit for the California real estate exam.
