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Best Online Real Estate Schools in Missouri: 2026 Guide

Doug Smart
March 14, 2026
5 min read
Best Online Real Estate Schools in Missouri: 2026 Guide

Missouri requires 72 hours of approved pre-licensing education split into two parts – a 48-hour pre-exam course and a 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course. The MREP can be taken before or after the state exam, which gives you flexibility in how you sequence your education. This guide covers the top online schools, what they cost, and how to pick the right one.

Quick Facts

Required: 72 hours (48-hr pre-exam + 24-hr MREP) | MREP can be before or after exam | Passing scores: 70% national, 75% state | Cost: $208-$556 | 6-month deadline from course completion

What Missouri Requires

You need 72 hours from a MREC-approved school, delivered in two parts:

  • 48-Hour Salesperson Pre-Exam Course – Covers real estate principles, contracts, financing, property law, fair housing, agency, and Missouri-specific topics. Must be completed before sitting for the state exam.
  • 24-Hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) – Covers practical topics like listing presentations, showing property, writing offers, and working with clients. Can be completed either before or after the state exam.
  • Both required for license – You need both the 48-hour course and the 24-hour MREP completed before you can apply for your license, regardless of the order you take them in.

Two Different Passing Scores

Missouri’s state exam has separate passing thresholds: 70% on the national portion and 75% on the state portion. You must pass both sections. Many students study for the national content and underestimate the higher bar on the Missouri-specific questions.

Top Online Real Estate Schools in Missouri

SchoolPriceExam PrepPass GuaranteeBest For
Colibri Real Estate$208-$556Yes (mid-tier+)Yes (Pass or Don’t Pay)Most package options, lowest entry price
The CE Shop$325+Yes (Standard+)YesClean interface, 5-day free trial
Kaplan$229+$149 ($378+)YesYesLive instructor classes (pre-exam and MREP priced separately)
VanEd / 360trainingVariesYes (upper tiers)NoBudget-friendly option

Prices fluctuate – most schools run discounts of 20-40% regularly. Note that Kaplan prices the 48-hour and 24-hour courses separately, so compare total costs carefully.

How to Choose the Right School

Verify MREC Approval

Every school must be approved by the Missouri Real Estate Commission (MREC). Verify before enrolling – courses from non-approved providers won’t count toward your 72 hours.

Check if Both Courses Are Included

Some schools bundle the 48-hour pre-exam course and 24-hour MREP together; others sell them separately. Kaplan, for example, prices them as two separate purchases ($229 + $149). Always compare the total cost for both courses, not just the headline price for the pre-exam portion.

Best Value Strategy

A bundled package ($300-$400) that includes both the 48-hour and 24-hour courses plus exam prep gives you the best value. Buying courses and exam prep separately from different providers usually costs more and creates a disjointed study experience.

Format and Flexibility

  • Self-paced online – Most popular. Study on your schedule, 24/7 access. All schools above offer this format.
  • Live online – Structured classes with real instructors. Kaplan offers the strongest live class option.
  • MREP timing – Consider taking the MREP before the exam. The practical content reinforces theory and helps with exam prep, even though the state doesn’t require it first.

What It Actually Costs

TierPrice RangeWhat’s Included
Budget$208-$300Course content only (may not include MREP)
Mid-range$325-$425Both courses + exam prep + practice tests
Premium$450-$556Everything + live instruction, tutoring, career resources

Education is just one piece of the total cost. You’ll also need to budget for the state exam fee ($62), license application ($90), and background check/fingerprinting ($40+). See our complete Missouri licensing guide for the full breakdown.

How Long Will It Take?

Study PaceTimeline
Full-time (fastest)3-4 weeks
Moderate (15-20 hrs/week)5-7 weeks
Part-time (5-10 hrs/week)3-5 months

Missouri’s 72-hour total is on the lighter side nationally. The 6-month deadline from course completion to passing the exam is generous but real – don’t let it sneak up on you. Most people studying while working finish the coursework in 1-3 months, then take the exam within a few weeks.

Free Exam Prep Resources

Whether or not your school includes exam prep, these free resources are worth using for extra practice:

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Course

  • Study the state portion harder. The 75% passing score on the Missouri section is higher than the 70% national threshold. Give extra time to Missouri-specific topics like MREC regulations, license law, and state contract requirements.
  • Take the MREP before the exam. Even though you can take it after, the practical content in the 24-hour MREP reinforces concepts you’ll see on the state exam. It’s essentially free exam prep.
  • Don’t waste the 6-month window. Schedule your exam within 2-4 weeks of finishing the coursework while the material is fresh. Students who wait months to test consistently score lower.
  • Practice with timed tests. The state exam is timed, and pacing matters. Use practice exams that simulate real test conditions so you’re comfortable with the clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. MREC approves fully online, self-paced courses for both the 48-hour pre-exam course and the 24-hour MREP. No in-person classroom time is required for pre-licensing education.
Before is better for most people. The MREP covers practical scenarios that reinforce theory from the 48-hour course. It’s not required before the exam, but the extra study time and context help with test performance.
You have 6 months from completing your pre-exam course to pass the state exam. If you don’t pass within that window, you may need to retake the coursework. This applies to course completion, not enrollment.
Missouri’s exam has two distinct sections: national (70% to pass) and state (75% to pass). You must pass both in the same sitting. The higher state threshold reflects Missouri’s emphasis on applicants knowing local law and practice standards.
Kaplan sells the 48-hour pre-exam course and 24-hour MREP as separate purchases ($229 + $149 at base pricing). Other schools like Colibri and The CE Shop typically bundle both into a single package. Always compare total costs for the full 72 hours, not just the pre-exam course price. Schools in Every State: Find accredited real estate schools nationwide in our complete real estate schools directory.

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Doug Smart

Doug Smart

Co-Founder, Smart Agent Alliance

Top 1% eXp team builder. Designed and built this website, the agent portal, and the systems and automations powering production workflows and attraction tools across the organization.

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