For Floridians aspiring to start a new career in real estate or enhance their existing knowledge, enrolling in an accredited Florida real estate school online is the first step. These programs not only facilitate the completion of the mandatory 63 hours of prelicensing requirement but also offer courses to complete post-licensing, continuing education (CE), or broker licensing education. After evaluating various options, including course features, instructional methods, pricing structures, and client testimonials, I’ve pinpointed the four best online real estate schools in Florida.
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for interactive course elements and robust student support
- Fortune Academy: Best for affordable education with financial assistance
- The CE Shop: Best for straightforward, self-paced education
- Bob Hogue School of Real Estate: Best for location education
Want to learn more about the Florida licensing process before jumping into school details? I’ve got you covered! Get more information by jumping to the “How to Get a Real Estate License in Florida” section below.
Best Online Real Estate Schools in Florida at a Glance
Colibri Real Estate: Best for Interactive Elements & Student Support
Pros
- Course bundles are available at affordable rates.
- It has diverse course features and study materials.
- It has live access to Exam Crammer Webinar Series and Q&A sessions.
- It provides access to instructor assistance through phone and email.
Cons
- The “Pass or Don’t Pay” tuition guarantee is not applicable in Florida.
- It has no in-person courses offered.
- Access is limited to six months.
Colibri Real Estate stands out as one of the best online real estate schools in Florida, offering comprehensive courses covering every phase of a real estate career, from becoming a real estate agent to beyond. The school distinguishes itself by providing one-on-one coaching and training, live instructor support via email or phone, and a mobile app for students who prefer studying on the go.
While Colibri offers the “Pass or Don’t Pay” tuition guarantee, it is not applicable in the state of Florida. Courses are only accessible for six months, limiting how long students have to prepare for the exam—an area for potential improvement.
Colibri Real Estate practice question
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), and Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Full refund is available upon request within one week if dissatisfied with the course.
- Exam Crammer Series: Video and workbook series covers key national topics to prepare for the state licensing exam.
- Education concierge: Progress updates and helpful hints are provided and additional features such as discussion boards and instructor support are highlighted to ensure completion of licensing requirements.
Colibri Real Estate offers tiered full-course packages with the option to enhance your learning experience by adding features. Additionally, individual courses can be purchased to fulfill the specific required hours you need.
*Offered by its affiliate partner, McKissock Learning
Fortune Academy: Best for Affordable Education With Financial Assistance
Pros
- It has live instructor support.
- It offers 100% money-back guarantee.
- It has supplemental courses for professional development.
Cons
- It has no live courses in Florida.
- It has no mobile app.
- Course extension requires a fee.
I recommend Fortune Academy to new and experienced agents looking for courses at any stage of their Florida real estate license career. The self-paced courses are complete with fully narrated and interactive information and taught by knowledgeable and experienced instructors. A unique feature of Fortune Academy is its financial assistance. Aspiring agents on a tight budget can work with the school to get tuition reimbursement, interest-free payment plans, state grants, or long-term financing. This makes it easy to embark on a new career or continue your education and development.
Elevate your career with Fortune Academy (Source: YouTube)
- Accreditation: DBPR
- Refund policy: Refunds must be requested before course access; no refunds are issued after course login. However, there is a money-back guarantee for students who don’t pass the exam on their first attempt.
- Variety of niche courses: Fortune Academy provides individual courses to choose from based on your real estate niche, including classes on working with veterans, short sales, and other diverse populations.
- Podcast: A “Grow Your Business” podcast is available where experts discuss different topics to help build your business in the long term.
The Florida real estate courses at Fortune Academy are some of the most affordable on this list. Individual courses or full course packages are available depending on your needs, budget, and learning style.
The CE Shop: Best for Straightforward, Self-paced Education
Pros
- It offers a self-paced learning format.
- It offers affordable prices.
- Promotional codes are accessible.
- It offers individual courses.
- Packages are available.
Cons
- It primarily uses text-based instruction.
- It has limited live streams and on-demand courses.
- It lacks access to instructors.
- It has no coaching, training, or mobile app.
If you’re looking for affordable Florida real estate classes online with multiple course features, we recommend The CE Shop. Starting at $139, prelicensing courses are self-paced and equipped with career resources, a glossary, and digital real estate flashcards. Using its proprietary LEAP 2.0 platform, The CE Shop provides one of the best online courses for getting your Florida real estate license online.
If you prefer real-time interaction and instructor feedback, consider alternatives, as The CE Shop does not typically offer live stream and on-demand video learning formats.
The CE Shop 60-hour licensing course landing page (Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditations: ARELLO and DBPR
- Refund/cancellation policy: Request a refund within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied with your course.
- Study aids: The platform provides study aids, such as a real estate glossary and digital flashcards, to help students reinforce their learning.
- Career resources: Students have access to career resources, such as information on job opportunities and industry trends, that can aid them in their real estate journey.
As a national provider, The CE Shop offers tiered pricing packages with various add-ons and individual courses customized to meet your educational requirements and budget. The CE Shop is also known to provide several promotional codes throughout the year.
Bob Hogue School of Real Estate: Best for Local Education
Pros
- Coaching packages are available.
- It provides direct access to local instructors.
- In-person option is available.
- Real Estate Accelerator allows students to develop a business, marketing, and income plan.
Cons
- It has higher costs compared to other schools.
- It has no mobile app.
- It requires additional fees for course materials and study aids.
Bob Hogue School of Real Estate (BHSRE) is the best local real estate school in Florida, offering in-person classes (Tampa Bay Area), access to local instructors, and online course formats. It offers education for obtaining an initial salesperson license, post-licensing, upgrading to a broker’s license, or renewing your license, with options for in-person, self-paced, or instructor-led live stream classes to accommodate your preferred learning style. However, the school could improve its offerings by aligning price points and including digital supplemental materials.
- Accreditation: FREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Full refunds are available within 30 days of the original purchase if you have not progressed past the first lesson.
- Interactive study group access: Join instructor-led live online sessions designed to help you pass the course’s final exam and Florida state exam.
- Instructor support: Licensed instructors are available to answer questions regarding your course materials Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. via phone and email.
BHSRE’s pricing is on the steeper side of our options but includes many features to enhance your learning experience. As an online real estate school in Florida, BHSRE provides bundled course packages for every stage of your career in three study formats: in person, live stream, and self-paced online.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Florida
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Florida
In selecting the best online real estate schools in Florida for an outstanding educational experience, we thoroughly assessed accredited local and national providers offering licensure courses. Our evaluation covered class variety, features, pricing, package value, learning styles, and experience levels to ensure you get more value for your money. Customer reviews were also considered to ensure prior students’ experiences reflected the educational quality of each school.
We explored the following criteria to find the six best real estate schools in Florida:
- Breakdown
- Learning Style/Course Features
- Pricing
- Education Provided
- Additional Features
- Customer Reviews
- Expert Score
- Help & Support
25%
Learning Style/Course Features
25% of Overall Score
These consist of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, CE courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of each level of education for different stages of licensure. This would include pre- and post-licensing, CE courses, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
15% of Overall Score
Extending services past licensure such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program, with particular attention given to reviews of the product and popularity of the provider, to certify the course meets user satisfaction.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can definitely get your real estate license online in Florida! You have the option to obtain your Florida real estate license completely online or in person through reputable and accredited schools. In this article, our experts have outlined the best six online real estate schools in Florida to complete your 63-hour prelicensing course requirements.
Once you are ready to sit for your state exam, you can schedule the exam online and take it from the comfort of your own home. Once you have passed the exam, you will have to go in person to be fingerprinted for the required background check. Otherwise, the majority of the process can be done online.
The Florida real estate exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within three and a half hours. A passing score requires 75% accuracy, but first-time test takers average a 68% pass rate due to the challenging nature of Florida’s questions.
Successful preparation is crucial, demanding diligent study of real estate principles and laws specific to Florida. Practice exams, flashcards, and review guides prove valuable tools to familiarize yourself with the format and content. While the exam requires critical thinking and mastery of knowledge in real estate practices in Florida, dedicated preparation significantly increases the chances of success on the first attempt.
The choice of the “best” real estate company to learn from can vary depending on individual preferences, goals, and the specific real estate market you are interested in. When considering a real estate company to learn from, it’s essential to research and consider factors such as the company’s training programs, culture, commission structures, and the specific support they offer to new agents.
Additionally, speaking with current or former agents affiliated with the company can provide valuable insights. Remember that success in real estate often depends on personal effort, ongoing education, and building strong relationships within your chosen market.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the choice of online real estate schools in Florida hinges on aligning your individual preferences, career goals, and learning styles with the unique strengths of each school. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each school, ensuring you make an informed decision to set yourself up for success on your journey to becoming a real estate agent. No one said this journey would be easy—they just said it would be worth it.
