State Approval
Make sure the school is approved by your state's real estate commission. Not all online schools are approved in every state.
Pre-Licensing Requirements by State
Choosing the right real estate school is your first step toward a successful career. Each of these 11 state guides covers the hours that state requires, the exam, the fees, the commission that issues your license, and a realistic timeline. The school-by-school comparison sits in one place, linked below.
01 / The Checklist
Not all online schools are equal. Before picking one, know what separates the good from the great.
Make sure the school is approved by your state's real estate commission. Not all online schools are approved in every state.
The best schools include practice exams, flashcards, and test-taking strategies. Strong exam prep can make the difference between passing and failing.
Most online schools offer self-paced courses, but some include live instructor sessions. Consider your learning style and schedule.
Some schools offer continuing education (CE) credits and career support. Look for schools that help beyond just passing the exam.
The same schools teach in most states, so the school is one decision and your state is another. Compare the schools side by side first.
Compare online schools02 / The Guides
Each state sets its own hours, exam, and fees. Find yours below for the requirements, the commission that issues your license, and a realistic timeline.
Largest market in the US
View state requirementsFast-growing market
View state requirementsLowest hour requirement
View state requirementsStrong agent demand
View state requirementsChicago metro market
View state requirementsAffordable entry
View state requirementsFewest hours required
View state requirementsTwo major metros
View state requirementsLarge agent pool
View state requirementsGrowing market
View state requirementsMost hours required
View state requirementsDon’t see your state? We’re adding more guides - book a call and we’ll walk you through your state’s requirements.
Book a call03 / After You Pass
Getting your license is step one. The brokerage you choose determines your commission splits, training quality, technology, and long-term income potential. Don't wait until after the exam to start researching.
Find your state below and choose an approved course that fits how you learn.
Strong exam prep is what separates one attempt from three.
The decision that sets your splits, training, technology, and income.
04 / Questions
Yes. Most states now accept online pre-licensing courses. Each state guide here covers that state's required hours, its exam, its application and fingerprint fees, the commission that issues the license, and how long the process takes. The school-by-school comparison lives in one sourced place: our guide to online real estate schools.
Online real estate school typically costs $100-$500 depending on the state, school, and package. Premium packages with exam prep and additional resources can run up to $800. Each state guide covers that state's own fees - exam, application, and fingerprinting - and our online real estate schools comparison prices the schools themselves.
Required pre-licensing hours vary by state, from 40 hours (Michigan) to 180 hours (Texas). Most online schools let you work at your own pace, so completion time depends on how much time you dedicate. Many students finish in 4-12 weeks.
After passing your exam, you need to choose a brokerage to hang your license with. This decision impacts your commission splits, training, technology, and long-term income. We recommend researching brokerages before you even start school so you can hit the ground running.
05 / The Start
Pick your state above to find the best school, then talk to us about what comes next.
