Ohio requires 100 hours of pre-licensing education across four mandatory courses. Until April 2025, it was 120 hours – HB 238 reduced the requirement and opened the market to more schools by dropping the college credit mandate. Ohio courses are among the most expensive in the country, so choosing wisely matters for your wallet. This guide covers what Ohio requires after HB 238, what the whole license costs, and how long it takes.
Quick Facts
Required: 100 hours (4 courses) | Reduced from 120 hrs via HB 238 (April 2025) | Most expensive state for pre-licensing education
Table of Contents
What Ohio Requires
You need four courses totaling 100 hours from a state-approved school:
- Real Estate Principles (40 hours) – Property ownership, land use, agency law, and real estate fundamentals.
- Ohio Real Estate Law (40 hours) – State-specific statutes, regulations, Ohio Division of Real Estate rules, and license law.
- Real Estate Finance (10 hours) – Mortgage types, lending practices, financing calculations, and federal lending regulations.
- Real Estate Appraisal (10 hours) – Property valuation methods, comparative market analysis, and appraisal principles.
HB 238 Changes (April 2025)
Ohio House Bill 238 reduced the pre-licensing requirement from 120 to 100 hours and removed the mandate that courses carry college credit. This opened the door for more online-only schools to enter the market. If you’re comparing school prices, make sure you’re looking at updated 100-hour packages, not the old 120-hour pricing.
Ohio Pre-License Course Providers
Ohio’s 100-hour requirement makes it one of the most expensive states to get licensed in, and the spread between providers is wide. We compare the national schools in one place rather than on every state page: our comparison of the national online real estate schools lists price, exam prep and refund terms read off each school’s own site, with the date checked. Ohio’s own colleges and local schools are not in it, so price those directly.
How to Choose the Right School
Verify State Approval
Every school must be approved by the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Confirm approval on the Ohio Division of Real Estate education page before enrolling.
Watch for Post-HB 238 Pricing
Some schools haven’t fully adjusted their pricing to reflect the reduced 100-hour requirement. If a school is still charging 120-hour prices for a 100-hour package, look elsewhere. The new law also means online-only entrants can now compete in Ohio – previously, the college credit requirement kept them out.
Best Value Strategy
Ohio prices vary by more than $1,000 between providers for the same 100 hours, and the expensive end is buying you delivery format rather than extra content. Compare the total for all four courses, and check the package still reflects the 100-hour requirement before you pay.
Format and Flexibility
- Self-paced online – Study on your own schedule, 24/7 access. Offered by most Ohio-approved providers.
- Live online – Structured classes with real instructors. Several Ohio providers run these on a fixed schedule.
- In-person – Ohio still has schools with physical campuses around the state if you prefer a classroom setting.
What It Actually Costs
Ohio is the most expensive state for pre-licensing education. Beyond education, you’ll also need to budget for the state exam ($81), license application ($97), and background check ($40-$60). See our complete Ohio licensing guide for the full breakdown.
How Long Will It Take?
| Study Pace | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Full-time (intensive) | 8-10 weeks |
| Moderate (15-20 hrs/week) | 10-12 weeks |
| Part-time (5-10 hrs/week) | 14-16 weeks |
Ohio’s 100-hour requirement makes this a longer commitment than most states. At 15-20 hours per week, expect about 3 months from enrollment to exam day. The two 40-hour courses (Principles and Law) are the bulk of the work – the Finance and Appraisal courses at 10 hours each go quickly.
Free Exam Prep Resources
Whether or not your school includes exam prep, these free resources are worth using for extra practice:
- PrepAgent – Free practice questions with state-specific content
- Real Estate License Wizard – Free Ohio-specific practice questions
- Real Estate Exam Ninja – 550+ free questions
- Quizlet – Ohio real estate exam flashcards
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Course
- Focus on Ohio Real Estate Law. The 40-hour law course is the hardest part of the curriculum and heavily tested on the state exam. Don’t rush through it.
- Don’t treat Finance and Appraisal as afterthoughts. At 10 hours each, these courses are short but dense. Math-based questions from these topics trip up a lot of test-takers.
- Use practice exams early. Don’t save them for the end. Take a diagnostic test before you start studying to identify weak areas.
- Budget for the full cost upfront. Ohio’s education costs are the highest in the country. Knowing the total investment ($1,000-$2,000+) helps you commit rather than feeling sticker shock midway through.
